“No, we don’t know anything about Ed leaving,” went on Jerry, as he looked from one to the other, “but Bricktop Molloy just told us that he was going to quit next week, and go to——”

“Bricktop going to leave!” gasped Dan. “More bad news! Will it never stop raining!” and he clung heavily with his arms around Tom’s neck.

“Say, is this straight?” demanded Phil, excitedly.

“Sure! Bricktop told us himself,” answered Joe.

“Where’s he going?” inquired Sid.

“To New York. Going to take a special post-graduate course at Columbia, he said. He’s got a chance to get in with some big mining firm, and he’s got to work up on a few special studies. Oh, Bricktop is going to leave all right.”

“Then what’s to become of the Randall football eleven?” demanded Dan, in a tragic voice. “Two of her best players going to leave, and hardly time enough to break other fellows into their places before the big games! Oh, fellows, this is sure beastly luck!”


[CHAPTER III]
ON THE TRAIL