"Time to spring a quick one through us," he thought.
But again DeSoto elected the same play.
"What's he trying to do?" said Dink. "Why don't he vary it?"
Some one hauled him out of the tangled pile. It was Tough McCarty.
"Say, our tackle's a stiff one," he said, with his mouth to Stover's ear. "You take his knees; I'll take him above this time."
Their signal came at last. Dink dove, trying to meet the shifting knees and throw him off his balance. The next moment a powerful arm caught him as he left the ground and swept him aside.
"Any gain?" he asked anxiously as he came up.
"Only a yard," said McCarty. "He got through and smeered the play."
"I know how to get him next time," said Dink.
The play was repeated. This time Stover made a feint and then dove successfully after the big arm had swept fruitlessly past. Flash Condit, darting through the line, was tackled by Goodhue and fell forward for a gain.