"Yes, and they've got their voices with them," said Dick. "They're great shouters."
When the Kentfield team trotted out they were met with a rousing welcome of vocal sounds, not only from their own cohorts, but from the Dunkirk sympathizers.
"They're friendly all right," remarked Dick. "Come on, fellows, we'll line up and run through some signals."
He and his men were soon in practice, and the young captain was glad to note that no one had gone stale. Everyone seemed on the alert.
A little later the Dunkirk team trotted out, to be met with a salvo of cheers, and then they, too, lined up and began to work with the ball.
"They are a fast, snappy, little lot, but I think we have them for weight," remarked Paul, looking critically at their opponents.
Dunkirk won the toss, and elected to defend the north goal. Kentfield was to kick off, and on the whole Dick was rather glad, as he could thus early get the measure of the offensive tactics of their enemies.
Beeby sent the ball spinning well down the field as the echoes of the whistle died away. The pigskin was neatly caught, and one of the Dunkirk players began running back with it.
"Nail him, fellows," cried Dick. "Don't let him gain much!" George Hall broke through the interference and had the man down before he had covered ten yards. Then came the line up.
"Watch out now, boys," warned the captain, as the Dunkirk quarter-back began giving the signal.