always lost.

"Keep it in!" is the word. Inch by inch towards the 'Varsity goal the
McGill forwards fight their way.

Suddenly the McGill scrimmage weakens and breaks up. Their quarter
seizes the ball, passes it low and swift to Bunch, who is off like the
wind across the field, dodges through the quarters, knocks off Martin
and Bate, and with The Don coming hard upon his flank, sets off for the
'Varsity line with only Pepper between him and a touch-down.

But Pepper is waiting for him, cool and steady. As Bunch nears him he
crouches like a cat, creeping slowly to meet his coming foe. Ten feet
from the line straight at the full back goes Bunch. At two paces
distance he changes his mind and swerves to the left with the hope of
dodging past.

But he has ventured too far. Pepper takes two short steps, and like a
tiger springs at his foe, winds his arms round his hips and drags him
down, while The Don from the side leaps fiercely on him and holds the
ball safe, five feet from the line.

'Varsity goes wild with relief.

"Pepper! Pepper! Red hot Pepper!" they chant rapturously in
enthusiastic groups here and there, as Pepper's red head emerges from
the crowd piled upon him and the prostrate Bunch. Again and again rises
the chant, as the full back returns at a slow trot to his place behind
the line.

"Indeed, it is Pepper is the grand laddie," says the old lady
approvingly. "Many's the game he has saved, Hamish will be telling me."

"Now, McGill!" calls out a Montreal man, leading his fellows. "Stone
wall! Stone wall! Shove 'em in! Shove 'em in!"

But the 'Varsity captain is alive to his danger, and getting his men
low down he determines to hold the enemy fast till the fury of their
attack be somewhat spent, or till fortune shall bring him aid.

"Get up! Get up there, 'Varsity!" yells the McGill contingent.

"Look at 'em saying their prayers!" shouts a boy.

"They need to," answers another.

"Get up, 'Varsity! Get up! Don't be afraid!" they yell derisively.

"Make 'em stand up, referee," a Montreal man insists.

Again and again the McGill captain appeals to the referee, who
remonstrates, urges, and finally orders the 'Varsity to get up or be
penalised.

Campbell perceives that something must be done. He moves Shock from the
centre to the left wing of the scrimmage and calls in Martin and Bate
from half.

By this time every 'Varsity man is on his feet, for he knows that Shock
is about to lead the "screw" a