"Eight minutes more to play," said Dale. "Boys, let us tie the score if nothing else."
Again the battle was on, and now Dale made a beautiful run, being aided by some fine interference by Jack and Andy. Then Hogan got the pigskin and worked it up to within five yards of the Dauntless goal line—and then the whistle blew and the first half of the great game had to come to a close.
The Putnam Hall eleven were a sober lot when they filed into their dressing-room to be rubbed down and to talk it over.
"Well, they've only got a touchdown and goal to their credit," said Jack, cheerfully. "That's not such a terrible lead to overcome."
"We must have more snap and ginger!" cried Dale. "Now, I want everybody on the job from the word go."
"Try that left-end play," suggested George Strong. "It may surprise them—and, anyway, it can do no harm."
The play he mentioned was something of a trick they had been practicing for a week. It was rather intricate, but Dale promised to take his advice and use it at the first opportunity.
The Dauntless eleven scented a victory, and went into the second half of the game with renewed vigor. But Putnam Hall stood up manfully, and Andy got the pigskin in a manner that elicited much applause. He carried it down the gridiron for eight yards and passed it over to Jack. Then, on the next down, Dale signaled for the trick play. Across the field came the ball and then back to center. Here a quick turn was made that bewildered the Dauntless eleven. On came the pigskin, and almost before anybody knew it, Jack kicked a goal from the field.
"Hurrah! a field goal for Putnam Hall!"
"Talk about clever work, wasn't that great?"