"It certainly was!" answered one of the other girls.
With the score piling up against them, Hixley High grew fairly frantic in the third quarter. As a consequence, their play became rougher than ever, and twice they had to be called to order, and once they were penalized. But their vigor told, and in spite of all Colby Hall could do to hold them back, they gained constantly, and when the end of the third quarter was reached the score was a tie.
"Thirteen to thirteen! What do you think of that?"
"Some playing, eh?"
Each side cheered its own, but many were the anxious faces when the two elevens lined up for the final quarter.
"Now then, boys, dig into them!" cried Mr. Crews, earnestly. "Show them what Colby Hall can do!"
"Watch 'em—watch 'em closely!" cautioned Gif. "They may try to pull off some new stunt at the last minute."
Once more the two teams went at it "hammer and tongs." It was certainly a battle royal, and on more than one occasion it looked as if some of the players might be seriously injured. As it was, Hixley High had to put in one substitute, and Colby Hall took on two. But the fighting blood of the cadets was now up, and with a great rush they carried the ball over the Hixley High line. They failed, however, to kick the goal, much to the regret of their followers.
"Never mind, boys," said Gif, encouragingly. "Hold 'em now! That is all I ask of you—hold 'em!"
And hold them Colby did, although the high school lads fought like demons to carry the ball across the cadets' territory. Back and forth went the play, the crowd meanwhile yelling itself hoarse. The ball was on the Colby Hall 15-yard line when the whistle blew and the game was over.