The Yale managers almost groaned aloud at this piece of ill luck. If there was anybody among the wrestlers representing the other colleges that they feared, it was this same Grant.
He was fully as large and muscular as Mellor, and had easily downed everybody who had met him in his own college.
With Mellor in good condition the Yale men would have believed that the chances were at least even for his victory; as it was, those who understood the case were certain that the Yale freshman would be turned down quickly.
Of course the managers said nothing openly after the lots were drawn, but they exchanged views in private just before Mellor went out to begin his work.
"Tough luck," remarked Frank, between set teeth.
"I wish we had sent him back to New Haven," grumbled Hill.
"It's a confounded shame," exclaimed Rowland, "that Mellor couldn't have had a chance to meet Sherman of Harvard first. He could probably throw Sherman even if he were still half full, and that would give him some kind of a standing, but now he'll go out there and get turned down so dead easy that everybody will laugh at Yale, and the rest of our fellows will get rattled."
"I don't think the rest of us will get rattled," said Frank, "and perhaps Mellor won't be such an easy victim as you think."
"Let us hope that he gets at least one fall," muttered Hill.
There was no time for further talk about the matter, and they went out to the main hall to see the event.