CHAPTER XIII.
Dick Begins To Feel Old Despite the strain of what they had gone through Dick and Dave led the Gridley boys through a fierce gridiron battle that same afternoon, and won again by a score of 13 to 5.
But the people of Gridley paid little heed to the score that day, or the next.

The sensation that Dick and Dave had supplied was the talk of the town, to the exclusion of other topics relating to high School boys.
Mr.Pollock bought a copy of the photograph showing Dick close to the weather vane on his climb.

A half-tone cut made from this photograph was printed in "The Blade." "This young man is now a member of 'The Blade' staff, reporting school and other matters," ran the comment under the spirited picture.

"We believe that Mr.Prescott will continue to be a member of the staff, and to grow with 'The Blade.'" "What about that, Dick ?" laughed Darrin.
"I've told Mr.Pollock and Mr.Bradley that I believe my plans will carry me a good distance away from 'The Blade' office after this year," replied Dick, with a meaning smile.

"If they won't believe me now, perhaps they'll wake up later." The town had not been wanting in croakers at the outset of the football season, who had predicted that Dick Prescott and his chums would "drag down" the football team and its fine traditions from past years.
But the eleven, mainly under Dick and under Dave's captaincy in two fierce gridiron battles, had gone right along winning games.
The last three battles had been fought out to a successful finish in November.