Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/197

Rh can't play football," came from Ben, as he hurried up. "That run was a dandy."

"I didn't do much at real playing," answered Dave. "I just got hold of the ball, and I knew there was nothing to do but to dodge and run for it. Anybody could have done that."

"Not everybody," put in Phil. "They were after you hot-footed."

"And did you see him leap clear over Pryor," said Buster Beggs. "Say, Dave, you ought to go in for high-jumping, when we have our field-day."

"I used to jump over the rail fences on the farm," answered Dave, with a laugh.

It was a happy crowd of schoolboys that left the football field and crowded into the dressing room. Outside the followers of Oak Hall still kept up their cheering and noise-making.

The only persons who did not enthuse over the victory were Gus Plum, Macklin, and Puffers.

"It was a fluke," said the bully of the school. "Porter got the leather by the merest accident."

"Of course it was a fluke," added Puffers. "Rockville put up the better play right through!"

"Those chaps will have the swelled head after this," came from Macklin. "You won't be able to touch 'em with a ten-foot pole."

"Let us organize a team of our own," suggested