Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/121

 "‘Only Lizzie knows naught of our embarrassment,' disheartened Tib, 'and is taking her time. The query is, Can we hold out till she arrives?'

"‘Speaking of maidens,' I trembled, 'we have Minnie and Maude—'

"‘I'd forgotten 'em,' mused Tib. 'If they can lend a helping hand we might gain the beach and keep the foe guessing for an hour, and then win out.'

"‘An hour!' I cried. 'Just time for two halves!'

"He grabbed me by my shoulders, sir, and gazed lovingly into my sparkling orbs. Then he lisped: 'My child, we'll start the first half now; and it's our kick-off.'

"‘Nenook! Nenook!' howled the rabble, now garbed in a delirium tremens of bravado.

"‘The smoke is thicker,' I joyously reminded my companion, as he became absorbed in studying the dancing and advancing enemy.

"‘They can't be the regular Innuit article,' he murmured. 'They must be some half-caste people. The Simon-pure Innuit hasn't any more temerity than a sage-hen, except when tackling a bear.'

"‘They're bunching for a rush,' I yelled; and the clamor for Nenook was now so uproarious that I had to use my hands as a trumpet in order to reach Tib's dull ear.

"‘Bring out the squad,' directed he. 'Have Rudolph play centre.'