Some one hit him a terrific clap on the shoulder. He looked up in surprise to behold Fatty Harris dancing about like a crazed man. The air seemed all arms, hats were rising like startled coveys of birds. Some one flung his arms around him and hugged him. He flung him off almost indignantly. What were they thinking of--that was only one touchdown--four points--what was that against that blue team and the wind at their backs, too. One touchdown wasn't going to win the game.
"Why do they get so excited?" said Dink Stover to John Stover, watching deliberately the ball soaring between the goalposts; "6 to 0--they think it's all over. Now's the rub."
Mr. Ware passed near him. He was quiet, too, seeing far ahead.
"Better keep warmed up, Stover," he said.
"Biting his nails, that's a funny trick for a master," thought Dink. "He oughtn't to be nervous. That doesn't do any good."
The shouts of exultation were soon hushed; with the advantage of the wind the game quickly assumed a different complexion. Andover had found the weak end and sent play after play at Banks, driving him back for long advances.
Dink flung it off, running up and down the side-lines, springing from his toes.
"Why don't they take him out?" he thought angrily, with almost a hatred of the fellow who was fighting it out in vain. "Can't they see it? Ten yards more, oh, Lord! This ends it."
With a final rush the Andover interference swung at Banks, brushed him aside and swept over the remaining fifteen yards for the touchdown. A minute later the goal was kicked and the elevens again changed sides. The suddenness with which the score had been tied impressed every one--the school team seemed to have no defense against the well-massed attacks of the opponents.
"Holes as big as a house," said Fatty Harris. "Asleep! They're all asleep!"
Dink, pacing up and down, waited the word from Mr. Ware, rebelling because it did not come.
Again the scrimmage began, a short advance from the loosely-knit school eleven, a long punt with the wind and then a quick, business-like line-up of the blue team and another rush at the vulnerable end.
"Ten yards more; oh, it's giving it away!" said Fatty Harris.
Stover knelt and tried his shoelaces and rising, tightened his belt.