There was another spell of breathless silence as the ball went into play on the second half of the great game. The kick-off was clean and clever, and for several minutes the leather remained close to the center of the field, each eleven struggling desperately to force the line of the other. Rockville had had one man slightly hurt and another player had taken his place, one who was light and very wiry. He took the ball for a run around the left end, but was brought down. Then in the scrimmage that followed the ball came to Dave and he made a gain of ten yards, breaking through and dodging in a manner that brought forth much favorable comment.
"That's the way to do it," was the cry. "Carry it over the line!"
But alas! for the hopes of Oak Hall. In the very next mix-up Buster Beggs made a bad fumble and the wiry substitute on the Rockville eleven secured the leather. Before anybody could stop him he made a sensational run to the end of the field.
"Another touchdown for Rockville!"
How the supporters of the military academy did cheer and yell! Horns tooted madly and the academy colors went waving in all directions.
Gus Plum grinned silently, while Nick Jasniff winked at him.
"Say, we're all right, after all, eh?" whispered Nat Poole.
"Hush!" muttered the bully of the school. "If our fellows should hear you they'd kill us! This defeat will make them ugly."
The touchdown was turned into a goal, giving Rockville 16 points as against 0 for Oak Hall. Things certainly did look blue.
"Come, fellows, we've got to do something!" urged Roger. "Everybody play for all he is worth. Don't let a single chance escape you!"