CHAPTER XXVII
FULL-BACK FOSTER
"That's all, I guess," said Coach Driscoll in conclusion. "The mainthing is to play hard, fellows, and play fast. I don't think we'll haveto change our signals. If Kenwood was on to them she'd have showed itbefore this. So tear in now and show what you can really do. No moresleeping on the job, no more watchful waiting. Here's your line-up.Stearns, Mellen, Cummins, Cantrell, Dobbins, Keith, Mistley, Cater,Meldrum, Brown, Foster. On the run now!"
Myron, startled, gazed incredulously at the coach across the room. Theothers were heaving toward the doors, and he jumped up and followed,overtaking the coach in the corridor at the foot of the short stairway.
"I--you said--me, Mr. Driscoll?" stammered Myron.
"Yes," answered the coach calmly. "You're in, Foster."
"Oh!" He darted forward, stopped and sprang back again. "Thank you,sir," he said gratefully.
"All right, my boy." Mr. Driscoll smiled. "You know what to do!"
Know what to do? Well, he rather thought he did, he told himself as hetrotted across the little space of turf to the rope. His lips were verytight together and it wasn't until Joe smote him resoundingly betweenthe shoulders that he knew he had been spoken to.
"Good stuff, kiddo!" Joe was repeating. "Glad you're back. Go to it andeat 'em up, Brother!"
The cheering was deafening. Across the trampled field the Kenwoodplayers were already throwing aside their blankets. Near at hand theWarne Silver Cornet Band was blaring loudly, although all he got of itwas the insistent _thump, thump, thump!_ of the big drum. Then they wereclustered on the side-line for a last earnest word from Jud Mellen and aminute later, spread over the east end of the gridiron, they awaited thewhistle.
Myron played through the first few minutes in a queer sort of daze. Hegot his signals, fell into place and went through the plays, but it wasmuch as though some one else was doing it and he was only looking on.What brought him to, in a manner of speaking, was a fine clout on hishead when, Kenwood having taken the ball on downs by a few inches, theplay piled through between Joe and Paul Keith and Myron found himselfa part of the squirming heap two yards behind his line. The blow fromsome one's shoe cleared his brain very effectively and the some one whoplayed and the some one who looked on became instantly merged. Which,perhaps, was a lucky thing, since a minute later, after Kenwood'squarter had fumbled and Mistley had squirmed through on top of the ball,he was called on to punt.
For an instant his nerves jangled badly while he awaited the ball withoutstretched hands, but when he had it between his gripping fingers heforgot. A quick turn, a step forward, a swing of his long leg and afine, full thud of leather against leather! Off sailed the ball, wellover the up-flung hands of the enemy, straight toward the corner of thefield. He side-stepped a charging Kenwood forward, went down under thekick and found his place again near the Blue's twelve yards. Back up thegridiron presently, Kenwood kicking on the second down. Then a fake anda run to the right by Meldrum for a scant yard, a short gain past tackleon the left by Brown, and finally another punt, not so long this time.And so it went, neither side gaining her distance, both reverting topunts in the end.
Time was taken out for Cantrell, again for Katie, again for a Kenwoodend, and the game was slowing up. Two penalties were awarded, and theopponents shared them. It was near the end of the third quarter now.Brounker took Meldrum's place and Kenwood changed her left guard. Myronwas dirty and bruised and panting, but so they all were. Chas had along cut down one cheek that made him look like a desperado, but he wasgrinning broadly every minute. Jud Mellen was everywhere, encouraging,pleading, scolding, his voice sounding like the rasp of a file.
Brounker got clean away and was forced out at his own forty-six yardsafter a twelve-yard gain. The Brown flags waved and a great cheercrashed across the field. Myron charged straight at the centre, found ahole awaiting him and sped through, Joe's voice growling above the raspof canvas and the laboured breaths of tired lungs. "_Atta boy, kiddo!Atta boy!_" Back came the ball: Mistley had been off-side. Katie calledStearns around and slammed the ball at him as he sped past, but Kenwoodhad guessed the play and Stearns made less than a yard. Then Myron hadthe ball overhead and was watching Stearns running back, far over on theleft. A long heave and a good one, but a Kenwood half spoiled it andit was fourth down. Myron punted. A whistle blew.
The mouthful of water no more than dampened Myron's dry throat.
"Once I saw a whole pond full of this stuff," panted Chas as he took thedipper from Myron.
"Shut up!" begged the other. "There ain't no such thing!"
Jud dragged Chas aside and Joe joined Myron as they walked over to wherethe umpire awaited them above the ball. "How's it going?" asked Joe."Some game, kiddo, believe me!"
"Can't we score, Joe?" asked Myron, scowling.
"Sure we can! We're going to! That centre of their line's just ready tocave, kiddo. It's all-in from tackle to tackle. The new guy they put infor Lampley's a cinch. Keep at 'em, Brother! You're going fine!"
And yet the last quarter was many minutes old before Myron found anyindication that Joe's prophecy was to come true. Then, very suddenly,Brown romped through the Blue's centre and fought for eleven yardsbefore he was brought down. That was the first decisive gain throughthe Kenwood line, and the Parkinson adherents shouted frantically. Butanother attack at the same place was stopped for less than two yards,and a third netted nothing. A skin-tackle play, Brounker carrying, gavethe Brown five yards more. Faking a punt, Myron sped to the left, cut inand got the distance. Again came the Parkinson cheers.
"We've got them going, Parkinson!" cried Katie. "They can't stop us now!Make this good, fellows! Play hard!"
"Hard! Hard!" croaked Jud, smiting the crouching men. "Into it! Get intoit, Parkinson!"
But there was a long road to travel and time was speeding, and althoughthree times the Brown made her distance by narrow margins, on thetwenty-three yards, with the Blue's goal beckoning, Kenwood rallied andheld through three downs. Then, while the shouting stands became silent,Paul Keith fell back and judged the distance to the cross-bar. Kenwoodswayed and gasped, her quarter shrilly calling on his men to "_Blockthis kick! Block it! Block it!_" Back sped the ball, was dropped--
A groan arose from the Brown stand. Far to the right of the goaltravelled the ball. The blue-stockinged warriors danced and shoutedin glee. Keith's head dropped despondently as he turned back up thefield. "Seven minutes to play," called the field judge. Then they werebattling again.
Perhaps that lost score had its effect, for Kenwood was soon inParkinson territory. As far as the thirty yards she went before shewas stopped. Her punt went over the line and the ball came out to thetwenty-five. Two attacks at the Kenwood centre brought the distance.Kenwood had new material in her line now. Brown tried an end and gotthree. But he was hurt and Vance took his place. Vance was stopped fora slight loss when he tried left tackle. Myron gained four through leftguard and Brounker followed with three more. The tape left the ball inParkinson's possession. Another forward, Myron to Stearns, failed. Theball was in mid-field now and there were but three minutes left. Thestands were already emptying slowly. Coach Driscoll began sending insubstitutes, fellows who had worked hard and deserved their letters. Joewas gone, Cummins, Cater, even Keith, who alone might score a field-goalshould Fortune give the opportunity. Warren had taken Cater's place.Warren was fresh and eager and undismayed. His signals came snappily,and he pushed the wearied veterans hard.
"Make it go!" he chanted. "Make it go! Don't give up the ball! There'stime enough left to score. Here's where we get away from them. Come on,Parkinson! Show your grit!"
Brounker and Vance gained. The Kenwood line was weakening fast now,but Myron feared that it was too late. Vance again, past left tackleon a criss-cross. Then Myron, sliding off left guard for the neededdistance. Well past the fifty-yard line now, and still going, but withseconds remaining instead of minutes and the time-keeper's eyes gluedto the dial of his watch. If only they could
get past those Kenwoodbacks, thought Myron! The Blue line was pasteboard now, but the backsstill fought hard and held firm. Somewhere near the enemy's thirtyyards Warren called a sequence and Myron's heart leaped. If they playedquickly, smoothly, they _must_ get through! Brounker tried left ofcentre and piled through, but was nailed by Kenwood's backs. Four yards!Then, without signals, the team snapped into the next play. A quickshift to the right, Brounker sprang away to the left, the ball sped backstraight from centre and Myron caught it. Kenwood sensed danger now andshifted back to meet it, but Myron was already charging past the left ofthe line, the interference working like a charm. He was through beforehe realised it and only a surprised quarter-back stood between him andthe goal!
Ahead and at his right sped Vance, tuckered but still game. Behind himweary feet pounded. In his ears was a mighty noise that he knew forthe wild, imploring shrieks of friend and foe. Through it came thedull _thump, thump!_ of the bass drum. Twenty yards more now, and thequarter, white-faced and desperate, running toward him with clutchingfingers. Then Vance was down, run out, and Myron was alone. Fifteenyards and the Kenwood quarter-back poising for his tackle! Myron gave alittle toward the side-line, slackened his pace and then, with a finaldemand on his strength, sprang forward again at renewed speed. Thequarter-back leaped. Myron felt his arms at his hips as he spun on hisheel. One arm fell away, but a hand closed inside his leg above the kneeand a great weight pulled at him. One plunge, a second, and the lastline was swimming in his sight. Then, as if by a miracle, the clutchinghand was gone, and, freed of the dragging burden, Myron stumbled, fellto his knees, recovered and went on, straight across the last white lineto victory!
_Straight across the last white line to victory_]
* * * * *
Parkinson did not add a goal to her touchdown. She did not even try,for the crowd that overspread the field refused to be dispersed, and,since the last second of play had ticked itself off just before Myronhad reached the line, no one insisted very hard. Parkinson was satisfiedwith that lone 6; and if Kenwood was not, why, that was of small moment!Blue banners waved, the band led, the victors followed, caps floatedacross the goal bars, the big drum said _Thump! Thump! Thump!_ andpandemonium reigned supreme over Parkinson Field.
* * * * *
Some four hours later, Andrew Merriman, crossing the campus on his wayto Sohmer, almost collided with a small and visibly excited youth who,panting an apology, added: "They've elected the new captain! I got itfrom a waiter!"
"Have they, son? Well, who is he?"
"Bet you couldn't guess! I've told three fellows already and not one ofthem guessed right!"
"Then there's no use in my trying," replied Andrew amiably. "Suppose youtell me."
"It's--_Cummins_!"
"_No!_"
"Yes, it is! What do you think of that? Why, no one expected _he'd_ getit!"
"No one," chuckled Andrew as the youngster disappeared into the gloom."Anyway, no one but Cummins!"
THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of the Popular "Bobbsey Twins" Books
Wrapper and text illustrations drawn by FLORENCE ENGLAND NOSWORTHY
=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.=
This new series by the author of the "Bobbsey Twins" Books will beeagerly welcomed by the little folks from about five to ten years ofage. Their eyes will fairly dance with delight at the lively doings ofinquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful sister Sue.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE
Bunny was a lively little boy, very inquisitive. When he did anything,Sue followed his leadership. They had many adventures, some comical inthe extreme.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA'S FARM
How the youngsters journeyed to the farm in an auto, and what good timesfollowed, is realistically told.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS
First the children gave a little affair, but when they obtained an oldarmy tent the show was truly grand.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE
The family go into camp on the edge of a beautiful lake, and Bunny andhis sister have more good times and some adventures.
BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU'S CITY HOME
The city proved a wonderful place to the little folks. They took in allthe sights and helped a colored girl who had run away from home.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
For Little Men and Women
By LAURA LEE HOPE
Author of "The Bunny Brown" Series, Etc.
=12mo. BOUND IN CLOTH. ILLUSTRATED. UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING.=
Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books thatcharm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire. Manyof the adventures are comical in the extreme, and all the accidents thatordinarily happen to youthful personages happened to these many-sidedlittle mortals. Their haps and mishaps make decidedly entertainingreading.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS
THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
Telling how they go home from the seashore; went to school and werepromoted, and of their many trials and tribulations.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
Telling of the winter holidays, and of the many fine times andadventures the twins had at a winter lodge in the big woods.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
Mr. Bobbsey obtains a houseboat, and the whole family go off on a tour.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
The young folks visit the farm again and have plenty of good times andseveral adventures.
THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
The twins get into all sorts of trouble--and out again--also bring aidto a poor family.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
--Punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were corrected without comment.
--Archaic and variable spelling has been preserved.
--Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.
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