Tom Fairfield's Pluck and Luck

up! Li

some veterans-warriors of past battles-who were as cool as the proverbial cucumber. But the new lads-those who hoped to make the first eleven-were undoubtedly nervous. And so, too, were some of th

up! Li

als, and to plan how best to stop the rushes of the regular lads. The latter, under the guidance of Morse, were ready to put the bal

wice as well if you have speed than if you have not. Hit the defense hard, get some momentum back

eet the ball; don't wai

cks," and he nodded at

e when you pass the b

mistake in

't, for the love of the pigskin, touch him until he has it, or you'll be offside. Watch out for fake kicks, forward passes, double passes-watch out for all tricks. If there's a fumble, fall on the ball and stay there, unless

you enough football instructions to last all season. N

aving been arranged, the ball was kicked off by the scrub, as t

heroid as it descended, and, well protecte

k through to tackle Tom. Our hero noticed that Sam Heller was running interference for him

e," mused our hero. "Maybe he won't play me fal

al line, though it was some distance away. Most of the leading team

n! Go

own! To

n, Tom o

m seemingly getting ready to bowl over the scrub fullback

m and the fullback came together. Sam went down in a heap at the first i

and threw him heavily, though T

felt the weight of his o

n't I?" he as

eet. Our hero watched his enemy narrowly. Was it only a fancy, or was it true

d. "I thought I was going to have tro

dn't have gotten me," asserted Sam, but to To

get me so I wouldn't have the honor o

ers ran

man!" compliment

tain. "Come on now, line up bo

it!" jeered the

s sent at the line with the ball. He did not gain much, and

ered the captain to Sam,

the boys to have practice in bucking the line. L

rse, nodding at Sam, who

le nearer Sam, for somehow, he felt that the passing of his enemy might not be jus

the pigskin. With it safely tucked under his arm, he made a jump between guard and tackle i

half a score of lads threw th

captain shouted in his e

ce of Coach Jackson. "What was the matter

sed accurately

It was so!"

he coach. "Fumbles are costly-they mean the

n goal. There they took a brace, and held for downs, getting the ball. They quickly

watched Sam narrowly, there was no further cau

"but I'm going to be on the lookout j

ll of you, scrub included, for there's no telling when I may want one of you scrub lads on the first team. You're doing pretty well," he allowed himself to complime

ack of Tom, as the two came out of the g

emed to go

ny mean trick

Oh, but I got one beaut kick on the shin,"

gouge out one of my

se I'm lucky," asserted Jack, trying

said Tom, with a laugh. "I guess

horused h

e were a number of changes of position made, though Sa

conclusion of a short game one afternoon. "I want you all to take part in a cross-country run. It will improve

hes, or singly as you choose, but you must all make those towns, and there'll be checkers at each one to see that you don't skip. It's only fifteen miles, and you ought to do it in four hours witho

ment of the coach, and then cam

rom Sam Heller. "That's

yes," agreed

d Sam of his crony in a whisper, but no

l see. Maybe we can cut off a

rking us," sai

ed Bert, with a note of

u fellows had never tramped before. Why in camp yo

take our time,

miles an hour and never minded it. Come on

ell, if it has to be,

if I want to pla

e run. And think of the supper we will eat after it. I'm

he and his chums dined, to wheedle the chef into s