"I'm afraid they'll insist on our going to theirs—if they play us," replied Captain Jack.
Frank ran down the field to get under a ball that had been sent high into the air. He could not help noticing the improvement in the gridiron. Truly, the students had worked like very beavers in getting it into shape, and tired muscles and aching joints for many a day told of the strain they had been under. Except for hiring some of the heaviest work done, the boys had managed it all themselves, under the direction of Professor Hardin.
"And I'm not going to have all this work go to waste," thought Frank. "If it's possible, we're going to play Milton and Waterside besides some other schools. We may not win, or come anywhere near it, but it will do the boys good to stack up against a real eleven instead of the scrub."
"Line up!" called Captain Jack. "We'll have a practice game, anyhow."
The scrub was a good match for the regular and several times came near scoring, which knowledge made Jack, Frank, Andy and their mates clench their teeth, dig their cleated shoes into the turf, to brace and shove to such good advantage that finally the ball was pushed over for a 'varsity touchdown.
"That's what we'll do to Waterside," exclaimed Frank, as he paused to get his breath.
"If they'll only let us," said Jack.
The game went on, becoming more fast and furious, until Coach Hardin clapped his hands in delight.
"That's real playing!" the professor exclaimed. "These boys will amount to something yet. I was afraid this school was going to remain a dead one, but if it's got such material in it as the Racer boys and their chums, it can't be so bad. But—well, maybe it will come out right," and the professor shook his head rather ruefully. He was thinking of his unpaid salary, and wondering if he would ever get it. For of late more and more disquieting rumors had come to him of the financial straits of Dr. Doolittle and the school.
"If it comes to a crash I hope it will stand off until the boys have at least one good game," he mused on, for he was a true lover of outdoor sport.