Emerson was pretty well used up, but he revived when they told him he had made a touch-down.
The ball was brought out, and Wade was called back from the line to try for the goal. Wade waited till the wind lulled, and then, seizing a favorable occasion, drove the yellow egg twisting over the bar, while the Fairport crowd yelled with joy.
There was a brief breathing-spell, during which the water-bucket went round and the players took a drink and sopped a little over their faces, for they were perspiring, in spite of the cold wind.
Now it was Fardale’s turn to kick, and Big Bob booted the ball up against the strong gust of wind, driving it barely thirty yards from the center. Kent ran under the ball, and was on hand to down the fellow who caught it; but a fair catch was made, and Fairport retorted with a return kick that sent the ball almost twenty yards into Fardale’s territory.
With the uncertain wind against her, Fardale decided against kicking, and Captain Nunn, who had the ball, sprinted with it. Gilson did his best to pull Nunn down, but was blocked off by Shannock. Holden, however, was on hand, and he tackled Steve at the fifty-yard line.
Now, Steve had been awake to all that was going on, and he knew who was behind him. He saw he could not avoid being tackled. As he felt Holden touch him, just as he was being dragged down,[down,] the Fardale captain twisted about and passed the ball over his shoulder to Dick Merriwell.
Dick took the ball cleverly, and was off like a flash. Taylor made a grab for him, but he crouched and escaped by a sidelong movement. Ten yards he ran, and found Powers coming down on him. It seemed then that he gave up, and Powers flung himself forward for the tackle.
At that instant Dick made a sudden spring and shot out of the reach of Fairport’s right guard. On he went, twisting and turning. It was a run through a broken field, and no more exciting play may be witnessed on any gridiron.
Dick seemed cool enough, and it was plain his eyes did not fail to note every danger. His strategy was wonderful, and the Fardale witnesses roared and roared as he avoided tackler after tackler.
Stratton tried to get at the runner, but Brad Buckhart had fallen in for interference, and he balked Stratton’s attempt.