ay here and do a bit of practising."

The auto-stage and a number of automobiles and carriages had been
requisitioned, and also a number of motor boats on the lake, and in
these the young folks from Hixley High School and from Clearwater Hall
journeyed to Colby Hall.

Jack was on the lookout for Ruth and the others, and lost no time in
greeting the girl as soon as she appeared.

"I'm so glad that you're on hand to encourage us to win," said he, as
he took Ruth's hand.

"Thank you. But how are you sure I am here to encourage you?" she
questioned mischievously. "Maybe I'm going to root for Hixley High."

"You dare!" he returned earnestly, and then they both laughed and
hurried towards the grandstand, where seats had been reserved for the
entire party.

"Whoop her up for Hixley High!" was the cry. And then those in favor of
the high school took up the slogan:

"Do or die!
Hixley High! Hixley High!"

"They mean to win if yelling will do it," was May Powell's comment.

"Oh, I guess the cadets of Colby Hall can yell, too," responded Fred.
And he was right, for a moment later there boomed out this refrain:

"Who are we?
Can't you see?
Colby Hall!
Dum! Dum! Dum, dum, dum!
Here we come with fife and drum!
Colby! Colby! Colby Hall!"

And this the cadets repeated over and over again until they were
hoarse.

"Well, I've got to go now," said Jack, reluctantly, as word came for
the team to gather in the dressing room for final instructions.

"Good-bye then," said Ruth, sweetly. And then, looking Jack full in the
eyes, she added earnestly: "Oh, I do hope you'll win!"

They were simple words, but the way in which they were spoken, and the
look that accompanied them, thrilled the youth to the heart, and he
went down to the dressing room on feet that seemed to be walking on
air.

"Now then, boys, I expect every one of you to do his level best," said
Gif. "Hixley High has been bragging everywhere that it has a superior
team this year and is going to walk all over us. I want you to play
with vigor from the very start;" and then followed a number of
directions concerning plays and signals, to all of which his eleven
listened earnestly.

When the Colby Hall team came forth, they were given a loud round of
applause, and this was repeated when Hixley High showed itself. The
high school boys were nearly all seniors, and a glance sufficed to show
that, player for player, they were quite a