Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/123

 beach alone while waiting for the sealer to arrive.

"‘What are we tarrying for now?' I cried, as the other line again approached, this time more rapidly, and seemingly oblivious to fear.

"‘Minnie won't work it twice in succession,' yelled Tib. 'Maude must come next, or they won't play. We taught 'em to alternate, and we mustn't try the left end until the crowd gets nearer.'

"As the last word was barked, Kinack's Prides were upon us, trying to buck the line. But when it came to plunging they were rotten; too light, you know. And say, sir, they ought to have been penalized thirty yards for treading on our centre's toes and thrusting at the guards with their ticklers.

"‘All ready!' howled Tib, reaching between the centre's feet to kick a study in oils on the nose. 'Maude!'

"And away they gambolled to the left in search of ten yards more of leeway. And Maude carried with her, sir, the bunch of deer-skin. You see, we had to fetch it along to give the bruins their cue. Bless their old hearts! It was all a game to them.

"But this play was attended by a beautiful mêlée, as we'd waited a few seconds too long, and as our guards had never lined up against even a scrub eleven before, and consequently were a bit dazed and rather punk on the defensive. However, they