But it was Eric who at length plunged out of the confusion, ball in arm, shook off three or four tacklers and started hot-footed toward the distant goal.

By some unusual burst of speed he not only got a clear start of the rest, but shot past Steve before that youth could intercept him.

Marvin had followed the others toward the 'varsity's goal and now between Eric and the final white lines, some forty-five yards distant, lay a clear field.

And Eric, spurred on by the knowledge that here was perhaps the one chance of his lifetime to make a spectacular run for half the length of the gridiron and score a touchdown, worked his sturdy legs as they had probably never been worked before! But he was not to go unchallenged.

The enemy was hot on his track, Steve in the lead.