At its completion Cobber answered, as might have been expected, with cat calls.
Within the next few minutes Dick ran the H.S. boosters through nearly the whole repertory of cheers and songs.
Then, just after quarter of three, Dave made an important discovery.
"Here come the teams," he whispered.
Dick, without turning to look, swung the megaphone so that its wide mouth aimed straight at the band leader.
"You know what now, leader!"
In a twinkling the musicians rose. A cornetist flared forth with a bugle call. Down came the leader's baton. The bugle call shaded off into a single strain from the band. Then out crashed: "See, the conquering hero comes!"
With both teams marching onto the field the call was for courtesy. Gridley H.S. and Cobber rose in their seats. The other spectators, mostly, also stood up. Cobber Second came marching around in review before Gridley H.S. seats, and received a rattling volley of good, staunch old American cheers.
Gridley H.S. eleven took the other side of the field. With Sam Edgeworth at their head they went past the visitors' seats, and received the most thundering welcome that Cobber knew how to give.
Passing the two grand stands the captains wheeled their men marching them out into the field. Two footballs bounded from the side lines, and both teams began preliminary practice plays.