The youth with the straw hat still stood unnoticed on the side-line.

When the last of the squads had moved away he stepped forward and addressed the captain: "Where do you want me ?" Blair, suppressing a smile of amusement as he looked the applicant over, asked: "Ever played any ?" "Some; I was right end on the Felton Grammar School team last year." "Where's Felton Grammar School, please ?" "Maine, near Auburn." "Oh! What's your name ?" "Joel March." "Can you kick ?" "Pretty fair." "Well, show me what you consider pretty fair." He turned to the nearest squad.

"Toss me the ball a minute, Ned.

Here's a chap who wants to try a kick." Ned Post threw the ball, and his squad of veterans turned to observe the odd-looking country boy toe the pigskin.

Several audible remarks were made, none of them at all flattering to the subject of them; but if the latter heard them he made no sign, but accepted the ball from Blair without fumbling it, much to the surprise of the onlookers.