Behind the Line: A Story of College Life and Football
o study. Outside it was raining in a weary, desultory way, and the heavens were leaden-hued. Livingston's quarters were on the front of that big
tractive backs of the one-and two-storied shops on Main Street. Livingston's room wasn't in any sense central, but he liked it because it was quiet, because aside from the
sed before long. Too bad we've got such weather for the affair." He glanced irresolutely toward the gas-fixture, and from thence to where his evening clothes lay spread out on the couch. For it was the eve
n!" he
g of felt from which the water dripped steadily as he tossed it aside; his sweater--he wore no coat--was soaking wet; and his trousers and much-darned go
en of them. I ran all the way as soon as I got on to Oak Street. There wasn't time to get any of the fellows together, so I just sneaked right over here. You can get out now and go--somewhere--to our room or the library. They won't look for you th
" asked Livingston. "You don't want me to belie
dded his head vigorously. "That's just what I do mean. There's
Cow
the others are to meet there. They've had fellows watching you all day. There's one at the corner now--
out of the window, Neil watching him impatiently and listening
pt such a silly trick," said Livingston at last. "You--you're qu
was changing my things over in a dark corner when they hurried in and went over into the next alley and bega
er--I don't intend to run from a few sophs. I'll lo
ut
they can't get in they'l
don't think!" cried Neil in intense scorn. "Now you listen to me, Livingst
p under the slight shelter of an elm-tree about fifty yards away from the house. From it emerged eight fellows in rain-coats, while the tall, lon
w," he whispered.
gston softly as he peered out over the other
ght get you. I wish it wasn't so dark! How about the back
away from them," replied his hos
shman president a moment, and then turned quickly and pulled the shades at the windows. "I've got i
of this room," ob
llers. Now go ahead. Do as I tell you, or I'll go off and leave you to be eaten alive!" Neil, grinning delightedly, thrust t
ut
he group of sophomores were no longer in sight, but at that moment he heard the front door close softly. There was no time to lose. He found a match and hurriedly lighted one burner over t
shuffling feet outside the study door, a low vo
he called
d walked to the gas-fixture, k
ned the pesky thing out! Just stand still until I find a match or you'll break your shins." He groped his way toward the mantel. Now was the sophomores' opportunity, and they seized it. Neil had done his best to
face, he cr
by strong arms. With a cry of simul
he remonstrated. "Look out
ould, he lifted his voice in loud cries for help. It worked like a charm. Instantly a carriage robe was thrown over his head and he was hurried down the steps, across the muddy sidewalk, and into the waiting vehicle which had been driven up before the house. Once inside, Neil was safe from detectio
uash in the mud; hear the carriage creak on its aged hinges; hear the shriek of a distant locomotive as
said one, and at the reply Neil
t. I guess that conceited little fool Fletcher will talk out of the other side of his mouth for a while now. What do you think? H
hers l
we didn't have to kidnap him, eh? By the way, our friend here seems ill at ease. Maybe we'd
darkness, settled himself to make the best of his predicament. Now that he had discovered Tom Cowan to be one of his abductors, he was filled with such glee that
for a drive, is i
reshman dinner to-night?" asked another. "Fo
ticular road you would like to drive? any pa
ho was Cowan. "Let's make him spea
"What I dislike about you, Cowan, is that you are never able to forget that
n instant; then la
wit, Baker," he said, "but I
y had crossed the railroad-track and reached the turnpike along the river, the carriage traveled smoothly. It was black night outside now, and through the nearest window at which the curtain had been lowered Neil could see nothing save an occasional light in some house. He didn't know where he was being taken, and d
o. Before him was the open door of a farm-house from which the light streamed hospitably. It was still drizzling, and Neil took shelter on the porch unchallenged; now
with low obeisance, "he will find accommodations which, while far from befit
set for supper. The others followed, Cowan grinning from ear to ear in anticipation of the victim's discomfiture. In his
ied the latter. Cowan made no an
to the light. Neil turned and faced them smilingly. The four
-be--hanged!
cidly to the di
y, "one against a hundred isn't