a ruling, as Palmer knew, that the smaller boys should keep
off the field while the others were playing football. The rule was
made to keep them from getting in the way and possibly hurt. But the
primary lads were sure they were being treated unfairly.

"Line up," ordered Palmer, trying to read a crumpled paper he had
taken from his pocket. "Here's a signal I copied for us to try."

The boys had only a hazy notion of the way a real game of football was
played, but they kept their eyes desperately on the ball. They had no
team to play against, as Palmer said it was hard enough to get boys
for one team, let alone two, but they had often had great fun knocking
the ball around among their own eleven.

"Six-ten-nine-nought," read Palmer.

He dashed forward, Bobby after him. Together they fell on the ball and
rolled over. Then Bobby rose with it tucked neatly under his arm, and
began to run. Tim Roon and Charlie Black tried to head him off,
slipped, and tripped him.

Bobby had fallen on the ball and he meant to keep it under him. He
managed to shake off Charlie Black and half rose, watching his chance
to run. Just as he was ready for a dash, a stout, heavy shoe struck
him in the side and knocked him down again.

"Foul!" shrieked Bertrand excitedly. "Tim Roon, you're a cheat!"

Bobby struggled to his feet, blind with anger.

"You--you----" he sputtered, and rushed at Tim fiercely.

CHAPTER XI

OLD HORNBECK'S PICTURE

Tim met Bobby half way, and they grappled. The other boys closed in
around them.

"Pound him good, Bobby!" advised Palmer excitedly. "The sneak! Kicking
a player like that!"

"Sit on his head," squeaked Bertrand in a funny little voice
excitement always gave him. "Sit on his head, the big coward!"

Bobby did not even hear these. He was hitting wherever he could, and
grunting like a small pig as Tim rained blows upon him. Tim was so
much older and stronger that all the advantage was on his side.
Charlie Black was hovering around the outside of the circle, not
daring to say anything for Tim, but hoping his chum would win.

"Hornbeck!" suddenly cried Charlie in wild alarm. "Hey, fellows, here
comes old Hornbeck. If he catches us----"

Charlie never finished his sentence, but took to his heels, followed
by the rest of the boys. Only Tim and Bobby, rolling over and over on
the ground, had not heard the warning.

"Quit this this instant, I tell you!" roared a hard voice, and some
one grasp