Dick was not mistaken. Hickman came plunging right into the line, and he was met and held in handsome manner. Now something must be done.
The cadet band was playing “Fardale’s Way,” and a great mass of cadets took up the song. The words seemed sufficient to encourage the desperately fighting lads.
“It’s no use groaning, it’s no use moaning,
It’s no use feeling sore;
Keep on staying, keep on playing,
As you’ve done before;
Fight, you sinner, you’re a winner
If you stick and stay;
Never give in while you’re living—
That is Fardale’s way.”
It was a song to stiffen the backs of those lads. It seemed to do its work, for again Franklin was held fast without a gain.
Singleton ran back in anticipation of a kick, which the visitors apparently prepared for. But the preparation was made to deceive, and Gray was sent with a rush into the line, which it was hoped to take unprepared.
What a roar of delight went up from the bleachers when the line held and Gray was actually flung back for a loss! The ball was Fardale’s on downs.
The cadets struck into another stanza of the song:
“It’s no use trying, it’s no use crying,
It’s no use raising Cain;
We don’t fear you, we’ll be near you
When you come again.
When you bump us, what a rumpus!
We are here to stay;
Then we’ll ram you, buck and slam you—
Good old Fardale’s way.”
“100—13—88.” It was Fardale’s signal, and the tackles’ back formation was made. The ball went to Jolliby, who tried center. Knowing what was coming, Obediah Tubbs actually butted the Franklin center over, and Jolliby went through for seven yards. This was the kind of stuff!
“20—102—21—44.” It was the signal for the same formation, but Kent was to take the ball this time. Kent went into center and made three yards, but Selden, Franklin’s snap-back, stood up against Tubbs in far better style.