ddenly on to this scene trotted a
little band of men in black sweaters with purple 'E's, nice new canvas
trousers, and purple and black stockings; and just as suddenly the north
stand arose and the Robinson cheers were blotted out by a mighty chorus
that swept from end to end of the structure and thundered impressively
across the field:

"_Erskine! Erskine! Erskine! Rah-rah-rah, rah-rah-rah, rah-rah-rah!
Erskine! Erskine! Erskine!_"

It was repeated over and over, and might, perhaps, have been sounding
yet had not the Robinson players, sturdy, brown-clad youths, ambled onto
the field. Then it was Robinson's turn to make a noise, and she made it;
there's no doubt about that.

"_Rah-rah-rah! Robinson! Rah-rah-rah! Robinson! Rah-rah-rah! Robinson!
Robinson! Robinson!_"

The substitutes of both teams retired to the benches and the players who
were to start the game warmed up. Over near the east goal three Erskine
warriors were trying--alas, not very successfully!--to kick the ball
over the cross-bar; they were Devoe and Paul and Mason. Nearer at hand
Ted Foster was personally conducting a little squad around the field by
short stages, and his voice, shrilly cheerful, thrilled doubting
supporters of the Purple hopefully. Robinson's players were going
through much the same antics at the other end of the gridiron, and there
was a business-like air about them that caused many an Erskine watcher
to scent defeat for his college.

The cheers had given place to songs, and the leader of the band faced
the occupants of the north stand and swung his baton vigorously.
Presumably the band was playing, but unless you had been in its
immediate vicinity you would never have known it. Many of the popular
airs of the day had been refitted with new words for the occasion. As
poetic compositions they were not remarkable, but sung with enthusiasm
by several hundred sturdy voices they answered the purpose. Robinson
replied in kind, but in lesser volume, and the preliminary battle, the
war of voices, went on until three persons, a youth in purple, a youth
in brown, and a man in everyday attire, met in the middle of the field
and watched a coin spin upward in the sunlight and fall to the ground.
Then speedily the contesting forces took their position, the lines-men
and timekeeper hurried forward, and the great stands were
almost stilled.

Erskine had the ball and the west goal. Stowell poised the pigskin to
his liking and drew back. Devoe