"Man, man, take heed.Yon's a dangerous game, I'm thinking," murmurs Shock's mother anxiously, to the amazed amusement of Lloyd, who replies, "Why, Mrs.Macgregor, you seem to know the game as well as the rest of us.""Ay, Hamish has often showed me the working of the screw, and it is not to be depended upon in a place like yon."The 'Varsity team breathe freely again and go in with new vim, while McGill settles down on the ball to recover steadiness.
But the 'Varsity captain has seen the screw work and resolves to try it again.Once more he move Shock to the wing, signals to the quarters, and again the Montreal stone wall is demoralised.But instead of Campbell boring over the prostrate form of his big centre with the ball the McGill captain, securing it, passes to Carroll, his quarter, who dashing off as a feint to the right, passes far across the field to Bunch on the left.
Bunch as usual is in his place, catches beautifully and is off down the field like a whirlwind, dodging one, knocking off another, running round a third, till between him and the goal line he has only the half back, Martin, and the full.
The McGill people go wild again."Bunch! Bunch!" they yell frantically, crowding down the line after him."He's in! He's in!"But not yet.Red Pepper is swiftly bearing down upon him, and as he comes within reach springs at him.But the wily Bunch has learned to measure that long reach, and dodging back sharply, he slips round Pepper and makes for the line ten yards away.
A long groan goes up from the 'Varsity support, while from a hundred McGill throats rises the cry again--"He's in! He's in! A touch! Atouch!"
But close upon him, and gaining at every foot, is The Don, the fleetest man in the 'Varsity team.For half a second it looks as if Bunch must make the line, but within three yards of the goal, and just as he is about to throw himself toward it, Balfour shoots out his arm, grasps his enemy by the back of the neck, and turning round, hurls him back with terrific force to the ground and clambers on top of him.It is a fierce tackle, giving great satisfaction to all the 'Varsity supporters, but to none more than to Mrs.
Macgregor, who, as she sees the unfortunate Bunch hurled to earth, exclaims with quiet satisfaction, "That will be doing for ye, I'm thinking.""Isn't she a great old warrior?" says Lloyd aside, to the young ladies.
"The Don! The Don!" cry the 'Varsity contingent."We-like-Don! We-like-Don!" they chant, surging across the corner of the field in the wildest enthusiasm.
"Keep back! Keep back! Give him air." The referee, and the captains with their teams, push the crowd back, for Bunch is lying motionless upon the ground."It's simply a case of wind," says little Carroll, the McGill quarter, lightly.
"The want of it, you mean," says big Mooney, hauling Carroll back by the neck.
In a few minutes, however, the plucky McGill half back is up again, and once more the scrimmage is formed.
Gradually it grows more evident that McGill is heavier in the scrimmage, but this advantage is offset by the remarkable boring quality of the 'Varsity captain, who, upon the break up of a scrimmage, generally succeeds in making a few feet, frequently over Shock's huge body.As for Shock, be apparently enjoys being walked upon by his captain, and emerges from each successive scrimmage with his yellow hair fiercely erect, his face covered with blood, and always wreathed in smiles.No amount of hacking and scragging in a scrimmage can damp his ardour or ruffle the serenity of his temper.
"Isn't he ghastly?" exclaims Lloyd to the young ladies at his side.
"Perfectly lovely!" cries Betty in return.
"Ah, the old story of the bloodthirsty sex," replies Lloyd."Hello, there goes half time," he adds, "and no score yet.This is truly a great game." Eagerly the men are taken charge of by their respective attendants, stripped, rubbed, slapped, and sponged.
Up come Shock and Brown.The blood on Shock's face gives him a terrifying appearance.
"Oh!" cries Helen anxiously, "you are hurt.""Not a bit," he replies cheerily, glancing in surprise at her.
"How do you like it, Mrs Macgregor?" inquires Brown.
"Man, laddie, they are a grand team, and it will be no easy matter to wheep them.""Don't you think now that Shock is a little too gentle with them?"asks Brown wickedly.
"Well, it will not do to allow them to have their own way altogether," she replies cautiously."But run away, Hamish, and get yourself put right.There is much before you yet.""Say, old man," says Brown as they trot off, "it's no credit to you to be a great centre.You'd disgrace your blood if you were anything else."Into the 'Varsity dressing room strolls old Black, the greatest captain of the greatest team 'Varsity has ever seen.
"Well, old chap," he calls out cheerfully to Campbell, "how goes it?""All right," says Campbell."They are a great team, but I think we are holding them.""They are the greatest team McGill ever sent here," replies Black.
"Oh, thanks, awfully," says Campbell, "but they are hardly up to the team of four years ago.""Quite, I assure you, and you are holding them down.""Do you think so?" There was no anxiety in the captain's tone, but there was a serious earnestness that somehow caught the ear of all the men in the room.
Black noticed it.
"Yes, you are holding them so far, without a doubt.Their weight tells in the scrimmage, and of course we do not know their back play yet, and that fellow Bunch Cameron is a wonder.""That's what!" sings out little Brown."But what's the matter with The Don?"Immediately the roar comes back, "He's--all--right!""Yes," replies Black quietly, "Balfour is swifter, and harder in tackle.""Have you anything to suggest?" asks Campbell, with a reverence which a man in the struggle feels for one who has achieved.The men are all quiet, listening.But Black knows his place.
