The Wilmington morning star., 1940-11-17

and the ball went to the tailback.
The end darted out as if for anoth-
er pass. Bill, running ahead of the
ball carrier, cut down the defen-
sive left halfback and the play
rolled for 10.
First down on East's 30 yard
line. The third play began exactly
the same as the previous one This
time, however, the tailback slipped
the ball to Bill. The wingback and
the end blocked out the defensive
tackle. The East end broke in on
him, but Bill swiveled away. He
got up to the 15-yard stripe and
Twas brought down.
Now Bill saw his advantage. The
East boys were temporarily de-
moralized by the abrupt switch in
strategy. He sliced the wingback
cff-tackle and picked up five more.
Speed counted now. Give 'em no
chance to get organized.
West snapped from the huddle
into formation, and a sweep
around end carried to the five.
"Once more!" Bill gritted, wip-
ing sweat from his face. Push
'em back into the goalposts!"
They rammed into the center of
the line. Bill was buried. He got
to his feet deafened by the roar
of blood in his head. Then he
realized that the noise wasn't in
his head; it was the crowd yelling.
They had gone over!
The scrubs were putting on a
wild war dance, but for Bill there
was no time to feel triumph. He
felt suddenly alone in the midst of
bedlam, facing the biggest prob
lem of his whole life. Who should
try for the all important point after
touchdown? Not one of the scrubs
was a dependable kicker.
Bills mind snapped to a de-
cision. He must risk a pass, and
he must do the job himself. He
lined his team up, barked signals.
The ball came back. Players
charged him from every angle.
He retreated, side-stepped until
hazily he saw his target in the
end zone. Bill heaved the ball. A
dozen hands seemed to reach up
to bat it down. Then the end
leaped high and clutched it.
West, Z; East, 6.
Vests section was a crimson
boil of madness.
But now, Bill knew, the lead
must be defended. East received
and began to roll. Time after time
Laurie cut through the scrubs
ragged defense. Desperately Bill
tried to rally them, but they
lacked the experience to cope with
such an attack.
Clear to Vests 20-yard line the
East boys drove, and only the
end of the third quarter held up
their march. Buck Mentor acted
promptly. Trotting across the
field came the varsity of West-11
sralwart warriors, rested and
eager to fight back the invaders.
Bill sank down on the bench,
almost sobbing. Buck threw his
arms around the boy and Rugged
him. Fellow, you were wonder
full" He hobbled along the bench
pounding his weary scrubs on the
back. "You were all great!"
I'VE couldn't hold 'em," Bill
mumbled. 'I'm sorry, Buck"
Buck Mentor snorted. Look at
those wildcats out tn e, Bill!
They're taking care of your lead"
His words were true. East had
been stopped cold. West took the
ball on downs and punted out of
danger. The East boys were
whipped. They tried desperately
to rally, but when the timekeep-
er's pistol exploded the cor was
still, West Z; East 6.
The entire West : side poured
down to congratulate Buck Mentor.
Dusk was settling over the empty
shell of concrete when Buck and
Bill were finally alone. For the
past two hours Buck had been
shaking hands and receiving
praise. But now a wild horde of
~rooters had gone home to replay
the game over cold suppers. The
streets were deserted and still as
Bill walked beside Bucks invalid
chair.
Buck Mentor spoke quietly: This
is Dur victory, Bill. Tomorrow
may bring us a defeat. But if we.
hang on and keep fighting We'll
win another victory"
Bill nodded solemnly. Il guess
that's right, Buck. You'll have a
tough fight in the East. But Pm
betting the two of us can lick al
most anything. ..."
Buck stared into the smoky
dusk. A slim figure waited for
them at the corner. Without
speaking, Helen WEIGH came and
walked or the other side of Bucks
chair.
The big man smiled gently.
"You mean, Bill, the three of us
can lick almost anything. -" l
(THE END
HL Y