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202 At last the time came for the final trials, before the team was picked. Two sides were formed, with Dutchy and Langton their respective captains. Then for two hours a desperate struggle raged, supported by brilliant playing on both sides. Four of the six goals were made by Dutchy; and he was the first one picked to represent the Conrad High School Hockey Team. This happened two weeks before Christmas, and on that day was to be fought a game for championship with Conrad's old rival, Marston Academy.

“I tell you what, boys,” said Langton, just before the game, “this is not going to be a cinch. In Alexander, that Indian over there, Marston has a ‘crack-a-jack’ of a player. Dutchy, you ’ll have to look out for him.”

“Vell, I vill dry to, but perhaps he hat petter look ownt alsó.”

A great crowd of shivering people had gathered along the banks of the Conrad River Christmas morning to watch the great match. Here and there, throughout the surging mass could be seen the colors of the rival schools—Conrad’s red and white, and Marston’s blue and green.



At nine o'clock the two teams skated into their positions, the referee placed the puck in the center, blew his whistle, and the game began. For a time the rubber was kept about in the center of the rinks; then Alexander suddenly came out of the scrimmage with the puck in front of his stick, and, with head low and skates flashing, started for Conrad’s goal. A shout of applause rang out from the Marston supporters. Dutchy sped after him like the wind, but could not overtake him, although the distance between them was but a yard. The Indian was a match for him in speed, and try as hard as he could, Dutchy could not lessen that yard. Nearer and nearer to the goal drew Alexander, and now he prepared to drive the puck behind it. The Marston people were wild with delight and threw their caps into the air in a frenzy of excitement. But suddenly, with a burst of speed, a mighty lunge forward, and a quick thrust of his hockey-stick, Dutchy caught up with Alexander, and secured the puck. In