signal:

"Eight---seventeen---four!"

Lieutenant Carney gave his friend's arm a slight nudge.

By way of Greg the ball came to Dick, who, already in fleet motion,
was none the less ready for the pass.

With the ball under his arm, Prescott started. Almost in an instant
Dave and Dan piled upon him, ere Greg could get in for effective
interference.

Two more downs and the Navy had the ball.

Now Darrin, with Dalzell's close elbow-touch throughout, started a
series of brilliant plays. To be sure, Dave didn't make all the
runs, but he made the larger part of them.

Turnback Haynes's eyes began to snap.

Dave Darrin was playing with fire in his eyes.

Prescott was fighting back, doggedly, sullenly it almost seemed,
but Darrin was putting on his best streak of the day. Ere the Navy
was obliged to give up the ball once more it had crossed the line,
and was twelve yards down in Army territory.

Nor did the Army succeed in getting the ball back over the center
line. Once more the Navy took the ball and began to work wonders
with it. Within fifteen yards of the Army goal line the middies
carried the ball, by easy stages.

Dan Dalzell, for an instant, caught Greg's glance and sent him
a look of comical warning.

Holmes stiffened, though he returned the look in all personal
friendliness.

"Don't let Dave do it---whatever he'll be up to next," begged
Greg, in an appealing whisper. "Dick, I'll stay beside you---to
the death!"

It was another right-end pass for the Navy, backed by a solid
charge.

Worse, in the impact that followed Dave succeeded, somehow, in
outwitting even Prescott's stern vigilance.

Dick Prescott gave vent to a gasp. He felt his heart thumping
as he wheeled, dashing after Dave.

But Darrin was in his element now, neither to be stopped, nor
overtaken. Dodging with marvellous agility and craft three Army
men who sought to bar his way, Dave went pantingly over the Army
goal line---scoring a touchdown!

What a fearful tumult ascended from the seats of the Navy's sympathizers
over on the stands!

The Navy had proved itself, by scoring the only touchdown.

Lieutenant Carney groaned inwardly. Two to five now---and the
Army coach saw no more hope of scoring for this day.

Flushed, happy, the midshipmen ran back to form their line for
the try for goal.

That kick missed fire. No matter! Five to two for the Navy,
anyhow!

At the signal the Army and Navy lined up to fight out what