"Guess you know 'em?" remarked Pepper, when the farmer came back into the stand and resumed his seat.
"Guess I do!" was the snorted-out reply. "They came around to my place yesterday, and stole my apples and pears, and talked sassy to my darter an' the hired man. I saw 'em, but they ran, away before I could git my hands on 'em. I vowed I take 'em down a peg when I met 'em, an' I guess I done it," added the old farmer, with evident satisfaction.
"You did, Mr. Baker," answered Pepper. "And you've done us a service in the bargain."
"How's thet?"
"Those fellows came here to make trouble for our eleven, the Putnam Hall team."
"That so? Well, then, I'm mighty glad I cleared 'em out. I like to see a game now an' then, but I want it clean—no rowdy work."
There was no time to say more, for everybody was interested in the game. The Dauntless eleven had worked the pigskin up to within a few yards of the Putnam Hall goal line, and now over it came.
"A touchdown for Dauntless!"
"Great work! Now make it a goal!"
The ball was brought out, and the Dauntless quarterback kicked a beautiful goal, amid a great cheering and tooting of horns.