had seen them come
in in a body at seven in the morning after having been for a run. The
challenge cup matches were now at hand, and as it happened they were
drawn to meet the Greenites, and the match was regarded with special
interest throughout the school. The rivalry between the two houses was
notorious, and although the Greenites scoffed at the idea of their being
defeated by a team they had before so easily beaten, the great
improvement the latter had made gave promise that the struggle would be
an exceptionally severe one. Skinner had for some days before looked
after the team with extreme vigilance, scarcely letting one of them out
of his sight, lest they might eat forbidden things, or in other ways
transgress the rules laid down.

"We may not win," he admitted, as they talked over the prospect on the
evening before the match, "but at any rate they will have all their work
cut out to beat us. I know they are very confident, and of course their
weight is tremendously in their favour. Now, mind, we must press them as
hard as we can for the first half the game, and never leave them for a
single moment. They are sure to get savage when they find they have not
got it all their own way, and that will help to pump them. We shall have
more left in us the second half than they will, and then will be our
chance."

These tactics were followed out, and from the first the game was played
with exceptional spirit on both sides; and as the Greenites failed, even
by the most determined rushes, to carry the ball into their opponents'
goal, the game became, as Skinner had predicted, more and more savage.

The sympathies of the school were for the most part with River-Smith's,
and the loud shouts of applause and encouragement with which their
gallant defence of their goal was greeted, added to the irritation of
the Greenites. When the half-play was called neither party had scored a
point, and as they changed sides it was evident that the tremendous pace
had told upon both parties.

"Now is our time," Skinner said to his team; "they are more done than we
are, and our training will tell more and more every minute. Keep it up
hard, and when we see a chance make a big rush and carry it down to
their end."

But the Greenites were equally determined, and in spite of the efforts
of their opponents, kept the ball at their end of the field. Then
Skinner got it and made a rush. One of the heaviest of the Greenites
charged down upon the