Rivermouth prepared carefully for the effort to kick a goal. Captain Rogers decided to hold the ball, and he stretched himself on the ground with his left side toward the goal-posts.
The cheering and excitement had stopped. Everybody seemed watching and waiting with breathless interest for the result. Hurting was resolved not to fail.
With deliberateness he booted the oval, sending it rotating through the air.
A great shout rose from the crowd, for the ball was taken by a flaw of wind and carried to one side of the posts.
But Rivermouth had scored.
"It’s no use," said Jabez Lynch, in pretended regret. "They are too strong for us."
"Back up! back up!" chirped Teddy Smart, who happened to hear the observation. "You please me very much with your remark. I like the way you talk! It’s too bad you were not retained on the team! You would give the boys lots of courage with that kind of talk!"
"Don’t get sassy, plebe!" grated Lynch, scowling. "You’re too free with your tongue!"
"Really and truly?" smiled Teddy. "Then I’ll bite it right off this very minute."
The applauding crowd continued to cheer as the ball was brought to the center of the field. The first half was drawing to a close, and it scarcely seemed possible that Fardale had time to do any work of consequence, even if she were strong enough, which now seemed doubtful.