The left half scuttled to his assistance and, when the ball was in the quarter's arms, threw himself in front of the first of the foe.

But that particular adversary was canny.

He twisted aside, leaped over the stumbling half and dived for the runner.

It was a poor tackle and the man with the ball struggled on for three yards after he was caught, but the ball was down on the second's twenty-seven yards, and Steve, picking himself up from the recumbent enemy, heard Marvin shouting: "A rotten tackle, Edwards, but fine work down the field!" And, "Good stuff, you end!" approved the coach, while Tom, beaming, patted him ungently on the back.
The scrimmage was over a minute later, and, although the second had triumphed by that goal from the field, the third trotted back to the gymnasium feeling very well pleased with themselves.

They had had their baptism by fire and had acquitted themselves well.