"Why, yes," agreed Robin. "They peppered Ennis with shots then—he's a looker-on to-day."
"Exactly, kid. Now there's a golden chance for you two to come right into the limelight if you'll only take a friendly tip from me. I want you to forget you're footballers, and to try to fancy that you're nurses spoon-feeding me and Meynard—he'll catch forward passes up with his raking stride, never fear. Stop thinking for yourselves—become feeding-machines pure and simple. Are you game?"
"Rather!" the two Juniors cried, in delighted agreement.
"That's good. You two are keen rivals, I know, but you both rather admire each other, and I want you to realize this afternoon that you're pulling together in a great cause—for the honour and glory of Foxenby, to wit. Come, now, shake hands on it!"
Out shot the hand of Robin Hood, and the leader of the Squirms grasped it eagerly.
"Bravo!" cried the captain, as he turned to lead his men on to the field again. "Follow me, boys. We're all going out to the very last ounce this half!"
CHAPTER XXVIII
The Winning of the Cup
The big crowd was strangely quiet at the recommencement of play. It had come together with great expectations, promising itself a lot of corking thrills, for the magic of the previous duel between Forge and the Octopus had never lost its charm. Everyone knew that the champions of Foxenby and St. Cuthbert's must be keyed up to their very highest pitch, and wondered whether, in the time that had elapsed since the last match either of the captains had developed any new wiles by which to obtain a superiority over his rival. The game was bound to be a great one for the spectators.
But on this occasion the scoring of St. Cuthbert's gift-goal seemed to have robbed the game of interest. The spectators apparently took it for granted that the Cup would become St. Cuthbert's, for Bessingham alone would see to it that no equalizer was scored. Foxenby (silly beggars) had "mucked up" any chance they had by shoving two weedy nippers into the team. St. Cuthbert's, even if they failed to score again, had only to play out time to win, opposed to a disheartened side that couldn't raise a gallop. Thus the crowd argued, wishing by now that it could have its money back and go home.