back
again in order to avoid the numerous players who seemed to confront him
as if by magic. Then somebody appeared on his left, and the next moment
he went down with a thud, not knowing where he had landed.

"It's a touchdown!" was the cry, and then the Colby Hall followers went
wild with delight, while Columbus Academy was mute. The girls stood up
in the grandstand and waved their banners gaily.

"Oh, just to think, Jack did it!" murmured Ruth, and her face showed
her intense satisfaction.

"Now if only Walt Baxter can kick a goal!" cried Randy.

But this was not to be, for at the moment the leather sailed through
the air, a strong puff of wind came up and the ball went just outside
the posts.

"Well, never mind," cried Randy, consolingly; "that puts us in the
lead."

The run had somewhat exhausted Jack, but still he insisted upon keeping
on playing, and after the wonderful exhibition he had made, Gif had not
the heart to call in a substitute to take his place.

But if, with a touchdown in their favor, Colby thought to remain in the
lead, they soon had this hope shattered. The Columbus Academy eleven
played a fast and snappy second quarter, and, as a result, before it
was half over they took the ball on a fumble and circled the left end
for twelve yards.

"Say, that's going some," remarked Fatty.

"Oh, it won't net them anything," responded Andy.

But in this he was wrong, for on the next two plays Columbus carried
the ball over the line for a touchdown.

"A tie! A tie!" yelled the followers of the Academy.

"Now then, boys, don't miss the goal!"

"It isn't likely they'll miss it," grumbled Andy. "The wind is in their
favor." The goal was kicked with ease, and then the score stood:
Columbus Academy--7, Colby Hall--6.

During the intermission between the second and third quarters, Gif and
Mr. Crews gave the eleven some very pointed instructions. One player
had hurt his ankle slightly, and he was taken out and a substitute took
his place. But the substitute was not Fred, much to that youth's
disappointment.

If the first and second quarters had been fast and snappy, the third
quarter was even more so. Back and forth went the ball, and it was lost
both by Colby Hall and by the Academy team. There were some really fine
tackles and splendid runs, but all of these availed nothing. And when
the whistle blew the score still stood 6 for Colby Hall as against 7
for Columbus Academy.

"Tough luck!" groaned