"A tie! A tie!" yelled the followers of the Academy.
"Now then, boys, don't miss the goal!"
"It isn't likely they'll miss it," grumbled Andy. "The wind is in their favor." The goal was kicked with ease, and then the score stood: Columbus Academy--7, Colby Hall--6.
During the intermission between the second and third quarters, Gif and Mr. Crews gave the eleven some very pointed instructions. One player had hurt his ankle slightly, and he was taken out and a substitute took his place. But the substitute was not Fred, much to that youth's disappointment.
If the first and second quarters had been fast and snappy, the third quarter was even more so. Back and forth went the ball, and it was lost both by Colby Hall and by the Academy team. There were some really fine tackles and splendid runs, but all of these availed nothing. And when the whistle blew the score still stood 6 for Colby Hall as against 7 for Columbus Academy.
"Tough luck!" groaned Ned.
"Oh, we're going to win--I'm sure of it!" answered Randy.
"I hope what you say proves true," returned Ruth, hopefully.
Just before the whistle was given for the end of the third quarter there had been a grand crash and a fierce mix-up on the field. Then it was found that both a Columbus Academy player and a Colby Hall youth would have to be taken out of the game.
"Now then, Fred, here's your chance," said Gif, coming up to the youngest Rover. "I'm going to put you in, and I want you to help us win the game."
"Win it is!" cried Fred, his eyes shining eagerly. "We'll either win or we'll die!"
When the whistle blew for the final quarter, all of the players who trooped on the field had a do-or-die expression on their faces. Once more the play became fast and furious, and, as a result, in less than three minutes Columbus Academy scored another touchdown, which, however, failed of a goal.
"Hurrah! That's the way to do it!" yelled their followers in keen delight.
"Brace up, boys! brace up! This won't do at all. Come on now, all together!" And then Colby Hall went in with renewed vigor so that inside of a few minutes more they, too, had scored another touchdown, and from this they managed to kick a goal.
"Hello! what do you know about that! Another tie!"
"Thirteen to thirteen! Same as that other game! Say, this is getting mighty interesting!"
So far, Fred, although he had played as hard as anybody in the game, had failed to make any appreciable showing. Now, however, with only a few minutes to spare, he saw his chance.
One of the Columbus Academy players had dropped back for a punt. Fred, who was close at hand, made a sudden leap over a protecting half back and blocked the kick.
"Say, look at that! Fred Rover is in the game for keeps!"
"Send it back, Fred! Send it back!"
The words were scarcely spoken when the thrilled spectators saw that the youngest Rover boy had the leather. Like a flash he sent it rolling back, Gif coming to his aid.
"A safety! A safety for Colby Hall!"
"Hurrah! that puts Colby two points ahead!"
"Good work for Fred Rover!"
"Now then, Colby Hall, you've got 'em a-going! Keep it up!"
"Pitch into 'em, Columbus! Pitch into 'em!"
So the yelling went on while all of the spectators stood up in their seats, anxious to see what might be accomplished next. But there was no time to do more. The whistle blew and the great game was over.
Colby Hall had won!
In a twinkling the huge field was covered with spectators running in all directions, and the victorious eleven was surrounded. Many were the congratulations showered on all the players, and it may well be believed that Jack and Fred came in for their full share.
"The finest game I ever saw," declared Colonel Colby, as he shook hands with all his youthful players.
"Oh, Jack! It was simply grand--that run you made!" exclaimed Ruth, when she saw him.
"Yes. And the way you played for that safety!" put in May to Fred.
Columbus Academy was much disheartened over its defeat, yet it cheered the victors and was cheered in return; and then the great crowd gradually dispersed.
"Bonfire to-night, boys! And a big one, too!" cried Andy, as he rushed up to fairly embrace both his cousins. Then, to work off some of his high spirits, the acrobatic youth turned several cartwheels and handsprings.
"What a pity our folks weren't here to see this game," said Jack, wistfully.
"Never mind, we'll write them all the particulars," announced Randy.
"And we'll send them copies of the local paper, too. That will have a full account of it," and this was done as soon as possible.
After the game refreshments were served to the cadets and their particular friends, and in this, of course, the Rovers and the girls from Clearwater Hall joined. Then the boys took the girls back to their school in an automobile.
"We are certainly having one dandy time at this school," remarked Fred, on the way back to Colby Hall.
"Right you are!" answered Randy.
"If only we hadn't had that trouble with Slugger and Nappy," remarked Jack.
"Oh, don't bother about those fellows!" cried Andy. "I don't believe they'll ever trouble any of us again."
But in this he was mistaken. Brown and Martell did trouble them, and in what manner will be related in the next volume of this series, to be entitled: "The Rover Boys on Snowshoe Island; or, The Old Lumberman's Treasure Box."
In that volume we shall meet all the boys and their chums again, and also learn the particulars of a queer mystery, and also of a great joke played upon Professor Asa Lemm.
The cadets of Colby Hall were a happy crowd that night. A great bonfire blazed along the bank of the river, and around this the boys cut up to their hearts' content. Then they marched around and around the Hall, singing loudly.
"It's certainly a dandy school, isn't it?" remarked Jack to his cousins.
"The best ever!" they answered in a chorus. And here for the present we will leave the Rover boys and say good-bye.
THE END