He missed the catch, a difficult one under the circumstances, and also missed the rebound.

By this time the opposing ends were down on him.

The ball trickled across the running track, and Paul stooped to pick it up.

But Stone was ahead of him, and seizing the pigskin, was off for what would have been a touch-down had it been in a game.
"What's the matter, Gale ?" cried Mills angrily.

"Why didn't you fall on that ball ?" "It was on the cinders," answered Paul, in evident surprise.