n, and half a
dozen footballs were produced. Punting and catching punts was the order
of the day, and Neil was soon busily at work. The afternoon was warm,
but not uncomfortably so, the turf was springy underfoot, the sky was
blue from edge to edge, the new men supplied plenty of amusement in
their efforts, the pigskins bumped into his arms in the manner of old
friends, and Neil was happy as a lark. After one catch for which he had
to run back several yards, he let himself out and booted the leather
with every ounce of strength. The ball sailed high in a long arching
flight, and sent several men across the field scampering back into the
grand stand for it.

"I guess you've done that before," said a voice beside him. A short,
stockily-built youth with a round, smiling face and blue eyes that
twinkled with fun and good spirits was observing him shrewdly.

"Yes," answered Neil, "I have."

"I thought so," was the reply. "But you're a freshman, aren't you?"

"Yes," answered Neil, turning to let a low drive from across the
gridiron settle into his arms. "And I guess you're not."

"No, this is my third year. I've been on the team two." He paused to
send a ball back, and then wiped the perspiration from his forehead. "I
was quarter last year."

"Oh," said Neil, observing his neighbor with interest, "then you're
Foster?"

"That's me. What are you trying for?"

"Half-back. I played three years at Hillton."

"Of course; you're the fellow Bob Devoe was talking about--or one of
them; I think he said there were two of you. Which one are you?"

"I'm the other one," laughed Neil. "I'm Fletcher. That's Gale over
there, the fellow in the old red shirt; he was our captain at Hillton
last year."

Foster looked across at Paul and then back at Neil. He was evidently
comparing them. He shook his head.

"It's a good thing he's got dark hair and you've got light," he said.
"Otherwise you wouldn't know yourselves apart; you're just of a height
and build, and weight, too, I guess. Are you related?"

"No. But we are pretty much the same height and weight. He's half an
inch taller, and I think I weigh two pounds more."

In the intervals of catching and returning punts the acquaintance
ripened. When, at the end of three-quarters of an hour, Devoe gave the
order to quit and the trainer sent them twice about the gridiron on a
trot, Neil found Foster ambling along beside him.

"Phew!" exclaimed the latter. "I guess I lived too high l