chools. This football game was always the big match of
the season, and many wagers were placed on the result. In the past the
contests had always been exceedingly bitter, with the various scores
almost a tie, Columbus Academy winning by a narrow margin one year and
Colby Hall taking the lead by an equally narrow margin the following
year.

When the Columbus Academy boys came out on the field, it was seen that
they were good, husky fellows, every bit as heavy as the Colby Hall
eleven. They looked in the pink of condition.

"I am afraid our boys will have their work cut out for them in this
game," remarked Mr. Crews to Colonel Colby.

"Well, our boys look pretty fit," answered the master of the Hall.

By the toss of a coin, Columbus Academy won the choice of position, and
took the west goal, the slight wind that was blowing being in their
favor. Then the two teams lined up for the kick-off.

"Now then, boys, show 'em what you can do!" yelled the Colby Hall
cadets, and then the school slogan rang out on the air.

"Put it all over 'em, boys!" yelled one of the Columbus Academy
followers. "Come on now, all together!" he added, and started up a
song, the refrain of which contained the line: "We're here to-day to
bury them!"

"What an awful song to sing!" remarked Ruth.

"Oh, you mustn't mind that," returned Andy, gaily. "He sings best who
sings last, as the cat said to the bird."

It must be confessed that both teams were rather nervous at the outset
of the contest. The play was decidedly ragged, and one or two mistakes
were made, which, however, profited neither side anything. The ball was
carried first to the Colby Hall 10-yard line, and from there it went
back to the Columbus 15-yard line, and then it sawed back and forth
until eight minutes of the first quarter had passed.

"Gee! this begins to look like a blank," was Spouter's comment.

"So it does," returned Dan Soppinger. "Say! can any of you tell me why
the----"

"Don't ask questions now, Dan," interrupted Randy. "Oh, look! look!" he
burst out suddenly. "Isn't that great!"

The ball had dribbled back and forth until, by a punt, it reached Colby
Hall's 20-yard line. It landed close to Jack, and like a flash he
gathered it to his breast and started for the Columbus goal.

"Go it, Rover! go it!"

"Don't let 'em down you, Jack!"

With his friends cheering lustily, Jack sped on, dodging many
straight-arm tackles, and skipping from right to left and then