* * * * * * * *
“Dave,” Rabbit whispered, as they marched down the field for the kick-off. “That football did not just burst. It was blown up.”
“Blown up!” Dave stared. “How could it be? How could you blow up a football that’s been constantly in play for a half hour?”
“It went into the bleachers.”
“And came right out again. Rabbit, you’re crazy!”
“No,” said Rabbit, “I’m not. That big tackle knew all about it. That secret knowledge made him soft. I went right through him twice.”
“Twice. That’s right,” Dave whistled low. “It’s the queerest thing I ever heard. How could they? And why?”
“Wanted to get our goat maybe. Perhaps it’s what they’d call a practical joke.
“And look!” Rabbit pulled at Dave’s arm. “They’re taking that big tackle out, putting in another man.”
“Well,” Dave grinned, “you can’t go through him if he’s out of the game.”