Another Fardale man had been knocked out, and he was almost carried from the field, fighting to break away and get back into line. He was plainly heard begging his assistants to let him go, asserting that he would be all right in a minute.
"Wonder if they’ll substitute another plebe?" said Jabez Lynch, with a sneer.
Sure enough, that was just what happened. Toby Kane, who had played right end with the original plebe team organized by Dick Merriwell, was put into the line as left guard, and Fardale was ready to resume the defense.
"Now, wouldn’t that kill you to death?" exclaimed Lynch, in deep disgust. "There are twenty other men who are better."
But somehow it seemed that this change had stiffened Fardale’s defense, for two efforts to advance the ball resulted in no gain.
"They’re going[going] to kick!" exclaimed many.
It did seem that this was the intention of the home team; but, at the last moment, Captain Rogers fell back out of the line. The ball was snapped and passed to Rogers. At the same time a compact mass of interference struck Kane like a thunderbolt.
Out of this mass Rogers was flung, and away he went like the wind, two men running with him. Buckhart tried to reach the runner, but he was skilfully blocked. Blair made an effort to get in to Rogers and bring him down, but again clever interference prevented success of the attempt.
Rogers was past Merriwell[Merriwell] before Dick could stop him, and then, with a clear field, he went flying toward Fardale’s line.
"A touch-down! a touch-down!" roared the Rivermouth crowd.