And with the enemy, doing their best to upset or divert the pursuit, came a half-dozen of the 'varsity.

It was a wildly confused race for a minute.

Then the slow-footed ones dropped behind and the procession consisted of Eric, running desperately some five yards ahead of Steve, Steve pounding along at his heels, Williams striving to edge Freer toward the side of the field, Marvin leading Captain Miller by a scant yard, and one or two others dropping gradually away as the race progressed.

Near the twenty-five-yard line Williams managed to upset Freer and went down with him in the effort, Andy Miller drew even with Marvin, and Eric glanced behind him for the first time, at the same moment heading a bit further toward the centre of the gridiron.
That move lost him a stride of his lead, and Steve made a final spurt that took just about all the breath left in his body.

On the fifteen yards his hand went out gropingly, touched Eric's back and fell away.
Near the ten-yard line Steve launched himself forward and his arms settled about Eric's thighs, slid down to his knees and tightened.