In this savage business Rockspur made no delays. This time Mayfair was given a trial, and, aided by his interferers, smashed hard into Highland’s centre, but was beaten off. Immediately he went at the visitors’ right tackle, but two yards was the best he could do, and the second down left Rockspur with three yards to gain.
Sterndale was given a meaning look by Renwood, who received a nod, and then Dick called the signal for a double-pass. A moment later the ball was snapped back, sent to Scott, and Don started across for Highland’s right end. As he shot by Dolph he returned the ball to the quarter-back, and Renwood darted toward the visitors’ left wing.
The trick was not successful, however; in fact, it was disastrous, for Jack Powell came through the interference like a leaping greyhound, tackled Dolph and actually carried him back for a loss of ten yards, which gave the ball to Highland.
How they shouted from the crimson bleachers! They roared forth their cheer, ending with Powell’s name; and the Rockspur crowd was silenced for the moment.
Don had successfully performed his part of the work in the double-pass, but he was assailed by a suspicion that Renwood, knowing what was coming, had managed to signal the play to Highland and had deliberately permitted himself to be carried backward for a loss.
“Some of his treachery!” thought Scott, giving the quarter-back a black look. “I can’t understand why Sterndale didn’t do anything about that letter. The fellow will throw this game—if he can.”
There was little time for such thoughts as these in the rush and whirl of the game, and every Rockspur man was eager to know what the enemy would try to do. They soon found out, for Garrison was sent through clean to the home team’s forty-yard line before being held and forced to take a down.
“Hold ’em here!” panted Sterndale. “Don’t let them cut any deeper into our pasture!”
The defenders of the blue-and-white responded nobly. The line was like a stone wall when Morse, Highland’s right half, was driven against it. Only two yards were gained on a try at the home team’s centre by Walker, and the oval was down again. The same trick being repeated, a yard was lost, upon which the ball went to Rockspur on downs.
Now the blue-and-white bleachers took a turn at cheering, hoping to give the home boys encouragement and vim. The flags waved and the megaphones blared.