But a waiting Yates man, crouchingly running up the line, was successfully passed, and the trio bore farther infield, putting ten more precious yards behind them.
The west stand was wild with exultant excitement, and Joel found himself speeding onward in time with the rhythmic sway of the deep "Rah-rah-rah!" that boomed across from the farther side.

But the enemy was fast closing in about them.

The Yates right half was plunging down from the long side, a pertinacious forward was almost at their heels.
And now the Yates full was charging obliquely at them with his eyes staring, his jaw set, and determination in every feature and line.

The hand on Joel's shoulder dropped, Blair eased his pace by ever so little, and Joel shot forward in the track of the full, his head down, and the next moment was sprawling on the turf with the enemy above him.

But he saw and heard Blair and Kingdon hurdling over, felt a sharp pain that was instantly forgotten, and knew that the ball was safely by.
But the run was over at the next line.