"On the jump!" cried Nunn.
"On the jump!" echoed Shannock.
A thrill went through every player. It was the signal for Frank Merriwell’s new "ends-around" play. There was a crouching, a pause, a stir—the ball had gone to Dick Merriwell.
Then it seemed that both ends of Fardale’s line crumbled and were thrust back before the charge of the other team. Merriwell leaped in behind Buckhart and Gordan, feeling himself grasped about the waist. He was astonished at the force with which he was thrust forward, and a gain was made that left the ball within twelve yards of the enemy’s goal.
But that play had not been made exactly right, some of the players failing to do their part. Captain Nunn was afraid of a bungle, and so he fell back on old tactics, giving Shannock the word.
Five yards more were secured by fierce work, and then Kane became too enthusiastic and got off-side at this critical juncture, making a play that gave the ball to Viewland.
The Fardale crowd groaned in dismay, as the half was getting near the end.
Viewland had learned a lesson, and now she lost no time in kicking the ball away from this dangerous point. Young drove it over the forty-five-yard line, where Singleton caught it and ran back a trifle over five yards before being downed.
Captain Nunn saw the situation was desperate, for it seemed that the game would end before anything more could be done. In this extremity he resolved on extreme measures.
"On the jump!" he cried.