They were disappointed, but they realized that Prescott and Holmes had entered the game under brilliant promise, yet without training.
Dutifully the cadet cheer-master kept at his work, but now the responses came with less volume from the corps of cadets, who were truly sitting on anxious seats.
In the interval of rest, Lieutenant Carney talked anxiously with Brayton.
"Have we made a mistake in Prescott and Holmes ?" asked the coach.
"What do you think, sir!" asked Brayton.
"If we had had that pair in training from the outset," replied the Army officer, "I'm satisfied that they would have made a better showing.

Lehigh isn't a particularly strong team, but they have one of the best right-end assaults that I've seen in some time.
It's really too bad that Prescott and Holmes, in their first game, are put against such a strong, clever assault." "Well, we can't put Haynes in now, unless Prescott should be injured," replied Brayton.
"Haynes ?" repeated the Army coach.

"I'm glad he's not on your line today.

Training and all, Haynes isn't the man to match Prescott, even without training." Haynes heard, and his face was convulsed with rage as he turned swiftly away.
"Queer how folks take so much stock in that fellow Prescott!" muttered the turnback.

"Why can't a man like Lieutenant Carney see that Prescott is nothing but a dub, while Holmes is only a dub's helper ?" All through the Army seats it was beginning to be felt that the late placing of Prescott and Holmes in the Army had probably been an error.
There were even many who rated Haynes higher than he deserved to be rated, and who believed that the turnback might have done much to save the day.
As it was, the Army had about given up hope.