under fire.

Coach Little approached Blackwell. "I believe we have unearthed a
kicker who can take your place in an emergency," he said, exultantly.
Blackwell was enthusiastic. "Believe? ... Why, Mister Little, that
fellow's on the way to being the best kicker Trumbull High's ever had!"

The first time that Judd was called upon to run with the ball he was
tackled and thrown heavily. His wind was knocked out of him. The
Coach and Blackwell looked at each other apprehensively. What effect
would this have on Billings? They watched his fellow players lift him
up and down while Judd gasped for air. Presently he sat up, then was
shoved to his feet. His face was ghastly. Barley asked him if he was
all right. Judd wasn't sure. Barley asked him if he wanted to leave
the game. The other players looked on, some a bit contemptuously. Was
Billings going to lay down again? Judd shook his head and stumbled
back into his position.

When he was next called upon to take the ball he did not follow his
interference and tried to evade his tacklers, being thrown for a five
yard loss. Barley reprimanded him severely. Judd was almost paralyzed
with fear. He kept saying to himself, "No, I will not quit ... I will
not quit."

Coach Little and Blackwell looked at each other again. Disappointment
was written on their faces. Billings lacked the fighting spirit ... he
could not stand hard knocks ... it would never do to trust him with
carrying the ball. The Coach likened him to a young high school lad he
had known who showed promise of becoming a great baseball player. The
boy could catch every ball that he could get his hands on but he was
afraid to stand up to the plate ... he couldn't get out of the habit of
stepping back ... he was fearful of getting hit ... and the result was
that he lost out all around. Billings was the same way ... only in
football.

Judd left the field that night crestfallen. Inwardly he had wanted to
play the game ... to get up and play harder than ever ... but for some
inexplainable reason he could not make himself. It seemed that he was
panic stricken. His outer feelings ran away with his inner judgment.
The school needed him badly but he could not qualify.

There was a letter from Bob awaiting him when he got home. He took it
to his room to read it. Bob spoke of the coming game with Canton.
Then there were a few lines of kindly encouragement and advice. "I've
heard from several sources