Panting, desperate, sweaty, and dirt-stained, the defenders made ready for a last stand.
"Don’t let them do it!" implored Nunn. "Steady, all!"
Then came the pass and the shock. For a few seconds it seemed that Fardale was going to swing the heavy visitors back for a loss; then through that mass of straining humanity somehow wiggled Warne.[Warne.] How he did it no one seemed able to tell, but he squirmed through and shoved the ball over Fardale’s line.
It was a touch-down!
When this result became known, Jabez Lynch could scarcely restrain a shout of joy.
Viewland took time in bringing out the ball. The strong wind had to be judged well in kicking for goal, but Young was equal to the occasion, and he sent the oval over the bar in very handsome style.
It was fancied that Fardale would weaken now; but the visitors were surprised to find the cadets stiffer and livelier than ever when play was resumed.
As Viewland had made the first score, it again became Fardale’s duty to kick off, and this time Merriwell was sent in to do the turn. He made a handsome kick, that was almost a duplicate of that with which Singleton opened the game.
Warne got the ball, but he did not advance four yards before Kent had him nailed and stretched on the ground. Then came some swift playing that was almost bewildering to the witnesses. Viewland seemed to think she could make gains by her great weight in charging; but two attempts, with no material gain, set her to thinking something different.
Then came a sudden kick, but Merriwell had anticipated it and dropped back. Getting the ball, Dick dodged tackler after tackler, running with it clean to the ten-yard line before being downed.