"Have to think quick in a game, you know," said Frank.
"I never could think any too quick," confessed Hugh Douglass, his face flushing somewhat.
Many who knew this was true had wondered that Douglass had been used in the line, or on the team at all, yet all were compelled to confess that he had done good work for a new man, and seemed to be a steady, promising player.
"We all seem to understand," said Frank, "that in our code of signals the players is indicated by a letter and the play by the first number spoken, except in the tackles-back formation, which is called for by two leading numbers over twenty-five and under thirty, the signal for the play then being the number following one hundred. Although this code is simple and easy to understand, it is hard enough for an outsider, unless the outsider receives some pointer to begin work upon. But what will make it more difficult for another team to get onto our signals is the using of a single signal for a series of three plays. I’ll see if you have remembered these signals. Ready, now. ‘Brace up.’ Kent."
Quick as a flash, Don Kent answered:
"First play, right half round left end. Second play, guards-back tandem. Third play, fake double pass."
"Excellent," said Frank. "That’s all right. ‘Hold, everybody.’ Nunn."
"First play," answered the captain, "mass on center. Second play, left half round right end. Third play, again mass on center."
"And that is all right, too," smiled Merry. "It’s plain you have been studying your little lesson. Of course, everybody understands that these series of plays may be changed at any time by the giving of a new signal. If it is found that the series may not work well, or if it is thought a better play has been discovered, then a new signal cuts off the remaining portion of the series and starts the boys at something else. These word signals will be likely to take by surprise the team that is waiting for a number to be called before the ball is snapped. And then will come another surprise when the second and third plays are made without any signal for them seeming to have been spoken at all."
"Oh, we’ll have Viewland daffy," laughed Big Bob with satisfaction.