"The boys haven't got over the bitter pill he rubbed in last summer and fall, when his crowd drew the prizes in baseball, rowing and football games. Oh! you poor Columbias, you're up against it hard to-day!" came from a third rooter.
There seemed to be thousands of spectators present, for a close game was expected, even though the chances were five to one in favor of the unbeaten Clifford Seven. Of course most of these people were wise enough to find places on the two rising banks of the river; for they distrusted the ice; and if it ever broke with that crowd on it the result would be a tragedy.
Still hundreds skated hither and thither, waiting for the great game to begin. Already those in charge were marking off the field, the spot where the ice promised best results having been selected.
Hastings and Allen, as the respective captains of the rival teams, were talking certain matters over; while a group of players clustered around them, eagerly drinking in all that was said.
Hastings was not so confident of an easy victory as many others. He had been up against Frank Allen on several occasions, and knew something of the manner in which the Columbia High School leader inspired his men with a portion of his own amazing zeal, and unconquerable spirit.
After leaving Frank he gathered his players around him for a last few instructions; and it could be seen that he was laying down the law with unusual vim.
"Say, Bob Hastings ain't getting cold feet already, is he?" shouted a Columbia student at a Clifford fellow perched on an adjacent knob, where he had a splendid view of the shifting panorama on the broad river.
"It'd be the first time ever then, if he did!" called the other; "this is our game, Prentiss, and we know it from A to Izzard. Your fellows will know more about hockey when we get through with them than they ever knew before. See?"
"Well, somebody's in for a surprise, then," remarked the first speaker, with a shake of his head.
"They're getting ready to play!" announced another looker-on, "and you fellows want to button up so we can hear what goes on."