Quarter-Back Bates

the house?" Blash, however, could take a joke as well as play one. Dick had secret doubts as to his right to accept credit for the conspiracy, for without Stanley it could

down and worked very hard with the somewhat discouraging material supplied him. Halden was not with him today, but there was an excellent understudy for him in the shape of a chunky youth named Davis. Davis was just as slow as Halden had been, but he didn't glo

so stupid. And it was white of you t

em did. Look here, Davis, why don't you brush up on the signals a

ugh, Bates. You say 'Six! Twelve! Fourteen!'

laughed Dick. "Not

is, that while I'm getting the first number you call the third and the

You'll have practice on that then. Look here,

rt of wanted to play ther

ly, "but I do think you'd do better work in the li

Then, brightening: "But I wouldn't have to

Dick. "Why don't you tell the coach you'd like to try playing guard? You are a

Say, I suppose you wouldn't want to

peaking to him, Davis. I'm just on

long. Anyone can see that you know the game. Maybe I'd bette

ither of them will bite you, I

the year before.

w does Mr. Driscoll st

es," answered the other earnestly.

seem to--" Dick stopped. "Oh, I don't know, but he acts a bit stand-offish, and f

h," he affirmed. "Stand-offish I mean. I like him immensely.

unting practice after the scrimmage. Who is the ski

f: the fellow with the new head-gear. He's pretty good, too. He played

e my trouble,

d at it," said Davis approvingly. "I wi

ck, "but I'm just as likely to kick to one corner of

said: "Do you know, Bates, half my trouble today was that I was scared

squad that day," ans

e his place, but I was pretty sure I'd do even worse! You oug

se I wasn't supposed to change the line-up. But Halde

ed a ball he said the other fellow had coughed or moved or something. He was playing with Rusty Crozier one day: Rusty's a mighty good player: and he was fiddling over his ball on a tee when Rusty began swinging his club behind Sandy. Sandy told him he should keep still when his adversary was playing. Rusty had heard a

it?" asked

. Anyway, he ha

fellows were still smarting under the gentle sarcasms of Billy Goode, and some nursed sore spots as well. Halden had failed as signally as any of tha

naged to go through the motions satisfactorily enough, but whether he could ever be made into a good guard remained to be seen. There were five signal squads at work that afternoon, and several of them were followed by blanketed youths for whom no positions remained. Coach Driscoll and, at times, Billy Goode and Manager Whipple moved from one squad to another, the coach, however, devoting most of his time to the squad containing the more p

un outside his own left end, the two half-backs going ahead as interference. It was a play that had already been gone through half a dozen times that afternoon. But now for some unknown reason Halden, instead of sweeping around to the left in the wake of the other half, plunged straight

a straight buck!

called for a run outside left end and you

ur signal w

od it. We'll try it again presently, Hald

time. I heard the s

" advised a lineman.

signals so anyone can get them, a

als! 9-11-You're out of positi

ng you? I'm

ut you weren't.

't moved

ick looked around for someone to take Halden's place, but there were no follow

ll and I'll stay until he tells me to go. You think you're the w

ently in a fighting mood. It was Davis who came to the rescue by slipping out

and you're fired! So beat it!" Davis pushe

on this squad than I am

re," warned Showers uneasily

avis, jumping into his place

half-back," answere

growled Halden. "

ked across to where Billy Goode was standing with Manager Whipple.

ter? Someone hu

Halden go. He trie

et him go! What do you know about that?"

n's not working," he s

ame? Gates? Oh, Bates! Well, if I was you Bates, I wouldn't get too uppity." Billy went off for Benson and Dick started back towar

ver," he said. "

That's all, Halden. Good

e very softly. "I'll get you, Bat

"Come on, fel

first and second squads were taking the field for the scrimmage. "Whippl

rguing whether he or I was

was w

er. He wouldn't work. Just wanted

matter to me first. You see some fellows might question your authority." The coach's smile grew. "Well

oesn't look so old,"