Behind the Line: A Story of College Life and Football

down to the daily routine of lectures and recitations just as though they had been Erskine undergrads for years instead of a week. The study and the adjoining bed-room were at

ck-field, were daily instructed in catching punts and forming interference. Every afternoon the practise was watched by a throng of students who were quick to applaud good work, and whose presence was a constant incentive to the players. There was a strong sentiment throughout the college in favor of leaving nothing undone that might secure a victory over Robinson. The defeat of the previous year rankled, and Erskine was grimly determined to square accounts with her lifelong rival. As one important means to this end the college was searched through and through for heavy material, for Robinson always turne

sity, a position which he had played satisfactorily the year before. Neil had already made the discovery that he had, despite his Hillton experience, not a little to learn, and he set about

nfided to Neil one afternoon. "He thinks he

nswered his chum. "And I think he

owled Paul. "And for Mills, too--

ach, and they're going to rub it into us whenever they please, a

y want to and keep us there all the season; I know that. But, just the same, I don't

you'd been rubbing your head in

a clump of mud from his forehead. "Come on; Mills

outstretched hands, stood Ted Foster. Foster gave a signal, the ball went back to him on a long pass, and he sent it over the gridiron toward where Neil, Paul, and two other backs were waiting. The ends came down

od on the edge of the cinder track and viewed the work with critical eye. When the ends ha

can't expect to always find yourself just under them. Fletcher, as soon as you've decided who is to take the ball yel

dodging forward, Paul ahead of him to bowl over opposing players, and Pearse, a full-back candidate, plunging along beside. One--two--three of the ends wer

h better than that. Never reach up for it; remember that your opponent can't tackle you until you've touched it; wait until it hits against your stomach, and then grip it hard. If you take it in the ai

under the circumstances, and also missed the rebound. By this time the opposing ends were down on him. The ball trickled across the running track, an

cried Mills angrily. "Why d

, in evident surprise. Mills made a mo

ass! You've got orders to fall on the ball. Now b

latter would give way to anger and mutiny on the spot. But Paul did as directed, though with bad grace, an

down to one score that day, and might have taken the ball over itself had not Pearse fumbled on the varsity's three yards. As it was, they were given a hearty cheer by the watchers when time was called, and they trotted to the bucket to be sponged off. Then those who had not already been in the line-up w