As he approached he heard cheers in the distance, and his blood leaped. The game was not over. He started and ran until he reached a spot where he could see the field. From that distance he saw Fardale breaking through Viewland’s line for repeated gains.
"If I can get there in time!" he thought, and ran again.
But as he came panting up to the field he was just in time to see Dick Merriwell kick the goal that finished that game, with the score 8 to 6, in favor of the cadets.
Cranch stood there, his heart filled with bitterness, as the victorious Fardale team trotted off the field. They passed him, and one of them noticed him.
"Hello!" said Dick Merriwell, with a laugh. "You’re a little late to get in your work, Mr. Cranch, for the trick is done and the game is won."
CHAPTER XXV.
A NEW CANDIDATE.
When the Fardale eleven and the scrub came out for practise the Monday following the great game with Viewland, not a few were surprised to see Hal Darrell show up on the field in football-togs.
"What’s this?" cried Teddy Smart, as he stared at Hal in his comical way. "Art about to attend a wedding, or an afternoon tea? I see you are elaborately attired for a society event of some sort."
Teddy couldn’t help being familiar if he tried, and his manner permitted him to say things that must have caused resentment from any other plebe at the academy.
Don Kent, like Darrell, was a yearling, and so might address him on terms of equality.