He edged farther out from the dangerous touch line and sped on.

The Yates full-back had been deceived by the play and had gone far up the field for a kick, and now down he came, and Joel found a chill creeping over him as he remembered the player's wide reputation.

He was the finest full-back, so report had it, of the year.

And of a sudden Joel found his breath growing labored, and his long legs began to ache and seemed stiffening at the thighs and knees.

But he only ran the faster and prepared for the threatened tackle.