"Talk about clever work, wasn't that great?"
"Never mind," came from a Dauntless supporter. "That doesn't count as much as the goal from a touchdown."
"Well, it's blood for Putnam Hall, anyway."
Again the leather went into play, and once more each eleven did its level best to force the pigskin over the opponents' line. The Dauntless aggregation were now wary of more tricks, and they tried a trick of their own, massing at the left and then running the ball up center. But this did not work. The ball was lost to Andy, who passed it over to Dale.
On and on sped Dale with the rival left end at his heels. Hogan and Jack were pounding on behind, and they stopped Cressy from blocking the Putnam Hall captain. Over the line came Dale, to drop flat an instant later, out of breath.
The wind was blowing strongly, yet Andy measured the distance well and kicked the goal, amid a cheering that could be heard half a mile.
"Oh, wasn't that grand!" murmured Flossie Ford.
"It's what we wanted," answered Pepper. "Keep it up!" he yelled, and blew his horn with all his might.
With nine minutes more to play, both elevens went at the game with great vigor. The Dauntless team wanted at least to make a field goal--to tie the score. But Putnam Hall held them back, and two minutes before the whistle blew made another touchdown and kicked the goal. When the game was ended the pigskin was on the Dauntless forty-five-yard line.
What a cheering followed, and what a tooting of horns and sounding of rattles! The cadets cheered for their opponents and were cheered in return, and then all filed off the field.
"A dandy game!" cried Pepper to his chums. "Simply great!" And he fairly hugged Jack and Andy.
"A splendid game," was Mr. Strong's comment.
"I am proud of our cadets," added Captain Putnam.
Some of the boys remained in Cedarville for the rest of the afternoon. As soon as Jack and Andy had put aside their football outfits, they joined Pepper and the Ford girls, and all went to meet Mr. Rossmore Ford, who had just arrived in his carriage.
"I am sorry I missed the game," said the rich gentleman. "It must have been fine."
"I was so pleased to see Putnam Hall win!" added Flossie.
"Were you?" said Mr. Ford, and laughed good-naturedly. "Now, I imagined you came to encourage the Dauntless boys."