Page:The Winning Touchdown.djvu/168

154 "Go ahead, do it that way, Frank. Want any help getting that beam up?"

"No, I can do it alone." Which the strong lad did, to Tom's admiration.

And thus the building work went on. True, not every joint was as even as regular carpenters would have made them, and a number of boards were sawed very crookedly, but this did not interfere with the strength of the stand, and little was cared for looks in the emergency.

President Churchill was not taking any chances, however, and he privately sent for an architect friend of his, who examined the rebuilt structure, and assured the worried doctor that it was perfectly safe.

Record time was made with the task, for three hundred willing lads can accomplish wonders, even if they lack the training of a trade. As the date for the Canton game approached, it was seen that the stand would be very nearly finished on time. It was necessary to stop work sometimes to get in football practice, but the boys were developing unused muscles, and hardening others by their labors, so that they were in fine physical trim.

"It's the best thing that could have happened," said Holly Cross to Captain Woodhouse, at the close of work one afternoon. "We'll wipe the ground up with Canton."