Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/129

 dropping boats. One more scamper and we'll be clear.' "‘Nenook! Nenook!' hoarsely yowled the beggars, pointing exultantly at our prostrate guard.

"And say, I actually loved those gigantic, white sillies as they tossed back the challenge in six growls; and true blue to the last, all ranged up beside Rudolph, who, hugging the ball against his now brown breast, turned his foolish head to catch Tib's signal.

"And Tib, believing his players had lost tabs on whose turn it might be, cried, 'Centre!' for the second time, and, sure enough, Rudolph bowed his form and lunged ahead for another irresistible buck.

"The ex-champs, however, catching sight of the approaching boats, no longer tried to run the ends, but to our great felicitation met us fair and square in one last, tremendous effort. As they closed in we enjoyed the worst scrimmage of the game. I'll confess, sir, the visitors played snappy ball and showed lots of ginger; and as our boys indulged in many a hearty nip and rake, they handed it back right smart. Why, even in that last moment they gave every promise of lugging home the cup.

"For the first few yards we tore down the shingle briskly and simply waded through the heavy underbrush of jabbing arms and kicking legs, Tib and I