With the ball under his arm, Prescott started. Almost in an instant Dave and Dan piled upon him, ere Greg could get in for effective interference.
Two more downs and the Navy had the ball.
Now Darrin, with Dalzell's close elbow-touch throughout, started a series of brilliant plays. To be sure, Dave didn't make all the runs, but he made the larger part of them.
Turnback Haynes's eyes began to snap.
Dave Darrin was playing with fire in his eyes.
Prescott was fighting back, doggedly, sullenly it almost seemed, but Darrin was putting on his best streak of the day. Ere the Navy was obliged to give up the ball once more it had crossed the line, and was twelve yards down in Army territory.
Nor did the Army succeed in getting the ball back over the center line. Once more the Navy took the ball and began to work wonders with it. Within fifteen yards of the Army goal line the middies carried the ball, by easy stages.
Dan Dalzell, for an instant, caught Greg's glance and sent him a look of comical warning.
Holmes stiffened, though he returned the look in all personal friendliness.
"Don't let Dave do it—-whatever he'll be up to next," begged Greg, in an appealing whisper. "Dick, I'll stay beside you—-to the death!"