Page:Stanwood Pier--Crashaw brothers.djvu/68

50 the line-up. On the side-lines the St. Timothy’s spectators were not unmindful of what Edward was doing; that rush had brought the  ball close to the boundary, and Edward heard  eager cries, “That’s the way, Crashaw! Put it all over big brother now.”

Edward was getting winded; still he thought nothing of that. It was probably just the excitement of the game, and as he panted  between plays, he glanced at Charles; but  Charles’s face was serene; he moved about  distributing whispered words and encouraging  pats among his men; last of all he gave one  to Jackson.

Jackson was not panting yet, but his eyes were burning now with an awakened fire and  his long arms swung with an impatient nervousness. Edward, crouching opposite him, panting but exultant, was unaware of any  change.

On the next play Blanchard let Edward take the ball again; but this time the boy  was so anxious to get away quickly that he  lost his feet and went down without even be-