Kent and Burrows went down the field like wild colts, both finding no trouble in getting away speedily. Kent was waiting for Young to catch the ball, and he had the Viewland full-back by the leg when the oval struck in Young’s hands. Down came Young.
The play was thus transferred into the territory of the visitors, where, thirteen yards from center, the next line-up was made.
Jabez Lynch was sadly disappointed, for his heart had been jumping joyously when the enemy forced Fardale to the ten-yard line. It was his conviction that a touch-down must be made right there. And now Fardale had succeeded in getting the ball over the center line.
By this time it was plain to Lynch that Viewland was not familiar with Fardale’s signals, and this satisfied him that the captain had made no bluff in saying Cranch was missing. Jabez was not happy. He had hoped to see the visitors pile up score upon score in a disheartening manner for Fardale; but once more it was looking like a close and hard-fought game.
Viewland earnestly sought to get the ball back over the center line by rushes, a feat she found herself unable to accomplish, not a little to her dismay. Five yards from center she was compelled to kick.
Merriwell caught the ball and sent it back. Dick’s kick caused the witnessing crowd to shout and rise, for it was a grand effort, the ball going fully to Viewland’s thirty-yard line. Warne got it, but Don Kent was on hand, and Warne was downed promptly, although he managed to roll over and over for almost five yards before being stopped entirely.
On her thirty-five-yard line Viewland again prepared for the onslaught. Things were not going to suit the visitors, and they started in to hustle things. The tackles were placed back of the line, and Purcell was given the ball, while the interference hit Gordan.
Gordan was backed by Shannock and Merriwell, and he managed to stand up to the task of holding the push until Blair got through and brought Purcell to earth.
Fardale was fighting well now, and it began to look as if the visiting team would find its hands full with the lighter cadets.
This effort[effort] failing to get a gain, Warne was given the ball. He went flying across, having several interferers to protect him, and it seemed like an effort to circle Fardale’s right end. Certain it was that the greater part of the Fardale team regarded it as a straight attempt to get round the right end, and there the resistance rushed.