See you again, said Stearns. The others nodded with various degrees of friendliness and Allan took himself off. The track was in good condition to-day and held the spikes firmly. Allan jogged up and down the stretch a few times, trying his muscles, which on Saturday had felt a bit stiff after the mile run, and lifting his knees high. Then he started around the track. Half-way around he drew up behind Hooker.
Hello! said the latter. Nice day, isnt it?
Allan agreed that it was, and the two went on together to the turn. There Hooker turned up the straightaway.
Going to try starts? he asked. Lets go up to the end there.
Allan couldnt see the necessity for becoming proficient in the crouching start until Hooker explained as they returned from a brief dash, in which the younger lad had been left wofully far behind.
Sometimes, said Hooker, youll want the pole at the start, and if youre placed two or three places away from it, you wont get it from a stand, you see. But if you use the crouch and get away quick, you have a pretty good show of getting ahead of the men who have the inside of you. Lets try it again. You give the signal this time.
After ten minutes of it, Allan picked up his sweater and followed Hooker down the track to report to Kernahan. The football men had taken possession of the gridiron by this time, Long and others were practising at the high jump, and altogether the field looked very busy.
You and Ware try three laps, said the trainer to Hooker. Watch your form, now, and never mind about your time. Ill attend to that for you. Take turn about at the pacing; you take the first lap, Hooker. Want to get into this, Larry?
Rindgely nodded and peeled off his sweater. The others had to trot about for a minute or two while Rindgely stretched his muscles. Then the three got on to the mark, Billy gave the word, and they started off at an easy pace, Hooker in the lead, Allan next, and Rindgely in the rear. All three hugged the rim of the track and settled down into their pace. On the back-stretch they had to slow down once to avoid a group of football substitutes who were crossing the cinders, and once Rindgely was forced to leap over a ball that came bouncing out onto the track, and was much incensed about it. Hookers pace was wonderfully steady, but Allan thought it rather slow. At the mark Billy told them to hit it up a bit now, and Hooker slowed down, letting Allan into the lead.
Allan increased the pace considerably. This time there were no interruptions, and they neared the end of the second lap fresh and untired. Kernahan glanced up from his watch as they sped by.
All right! he shouted. Get up there, Larry, and hold that pace.
Rindgely took the lead. As they commenced the turn Allans gaze, wandering a second from the front, lighted upon a tall, wide-shouldered and somewhat uncouth figure at the edge of the track. Strange to say, the figure nodded its head at him and waved a hand, and as Allan went by there came a stentorian cry of encouragement that might have been heard half across the field:
Chase em down, Freshman! Give em fits!
Allan bit his lips angrily as he sped on. What business had that big chump yelling at him like that when he didnt even know him? Pretty fresh, thats what it was! Allan hadnt made the acquaintances of so many fellows but that he could remember them, and he was quite sure that he had never met the big chap who had yelled. But at the same time there had been something familiar about the fellows voice too familiar, thought Allan with a grudging smile and he wondered who he might be and why he had singled him out for his unwelcome attentions. Then the incident passed for the time out of his mind, for the last turn was almost at hand and Rindgely was increasing the pace.
Allan began to feel it at the turn, and when they swung into the home-stretch and the pace, instead of settling down to a steady finish, grew faster and faster, he came to the unwelcome conclusion that he was not in the same class with the other two. Rindgely, in spite of all Allan could do, lengthened the space between them. Hooker, seeing that Allan was out of it, passed him fifty yards from the mark and strove to overhaul the leader. But Rindgely was never headed, and finished several yards in front of Hooker and at least thirty ahead of Allan. When they turned and jogged back to the trainer, the latter was slipping his watch into his pocket.
Whats the good of doing that, Larry? he asked, disgustedly. That wasnt a race.
Oh, I just wanted to liven it up a bit, answered Rindgely, grinning. What time did I make, Billy?
I didnt take you, answered the trainer, shortly. Thats enough for to-day.
Allan turned away with the others, but Billy called him back.
What was the matter? he asked. Pace too hot for you?
I suppose so; I couldnt stand that spurt.
Well, that was some of Larrys nonsense; hed no business cutting up tricks. He was silent a moment, looking across to where the second eleven was trying vainly to keep the varsity from pushing over her goal-line. Then, Ever try the two miles? he asked. Allan shook his head.
I dont believe Id be any good at it, he answered. Not that Im any good at the mile, either, he added, somewhat discouraged at the outcome of the trial.
Whats the best you ever did at the mile?
About four minutes forty-five seconds.
You did it inside of forty, Friday.
I did? Allan looked his surprise. Oh, but I ran a hundred and twenty yards short.
I allowed for that, answered Billy, quietly. Now, look here, Ware; youve got it in you all right, but you dont make the most of yourself. You let your feet drag back badly, and youve been trying after too long a stride. You make that shorter by six inches and youll cut off another second after a while. And to-morrow Ill show you what I mean about the stride. Theres plenty of time before the dual meet in the spring, and by then well have you doing things right. The only thing is, he added, thoughtfully, whether you wouldnt do better at the two miles. What do you think?
I really dont know, answered Allan, doubtfully, but Id like to try it.
Well, theres lots of time. The indoor meet in Boston comes along in February; well have you in shape for that, and you can go in for the mile and the two miles. Meanwhile, youd better come out with the other men while the decent weather lasts.
Do you think I can make the team? Allan asked, hopefully.
Easy; but they dont take new men on till after the trials in the spring.
Oh! said Allan, a trifle disappointed.
Dont let that bother you, advised the trainer. Youre as good as on it now. You make the most of the fall training, Ware, and keep fit during the winter. Id go in for hockey or something. Ever play hockey?
Yes, but I cant skate well enough.
Well, get plenty of outdoor exercise of some sort this winter; dont let the weather keep you indoors.
All right, Ill remember. Allans gaze wandered toward the locker building. Half-way across the field a big figure was ambling toward the gate, hands in pockets. Allan turned quickly to the trainer. Do you know who that fellow is? Kernahans gaze followed his. After a moment:
Thats a freshman named Burley. Know him?
No; I just wondered who he was, Allan replied.
And I dont want to know him, he muttered, irritably, as he trotted off to the locker house.
Thats a freshman named Burley. Know him?
No; I just wondered who he was, Allan replied.
And I dont want to know him, he muttered, irritably, as he trotted off to the locker house.
But Fate seldom consults our inclinations.
CHAPTER IV
HAL HAS AN IDEA
It seemed to Allan during the next few days that the bulky form of Peter Burley was bent upon haunting him. On Tuesday morning, in English, he was aware of Burleys presence a few rows behind him; when he looked around, it was to encounter the big fellows smiling regard. There was really nothing offensive in that smile; it was merely one of intense friendliness, quite unconventional in its intensity, but it irritated Allan greatly. Why couldnt Burley let him alone? Just because he had kept him from falling and lugged him to the dressing-tent, he seemed to have an idea that Allan was his especial property. And then the cheek of scrawling his silly name on a fellows door! And yelling like a three-ply idiot at the track!
Perhaps the fact that Burley, whoever and whatever he was, was markedly popular rather increased Allans prejudice. Wherever Burley sat in class there was invariably a good deal of subdued noise and laughter, and when he left the hall it was always as the center of a small circle of fellows, above which Burley towered head and shoulders. Secretly, Allan envied Burleys success with his fellows, but in conversation with Smiths he dubbed Burley a mountebank. Hal was visibly impressed with the word and used it unflaggingly the rest of the year.
Wednesday, Burley was again on the field, but this time he made no remarks as Allan passed him on the track; merely smiled and nodded with his offensive familiarity and then turned his attention to the football practise. As usual, he was the center of a group, and after Allan had passed the turn he heard their laughter and wondered if Burley had selected him as a butt for his silly jokes. After that Allan saw him at least once a day until on the following Wednesday night, when the freshman election took place in Grace Hall, and Burley leaped into even greater, and to Allan more offensive, prominence.
There were two leading candidates for the presidency, and, contrary to the usual custom, the opposing forces had failed to arrange a compromise and a distribution of offices. The contest was prolonged and exciting. On the ninth ballot, Mordaunt, a St. Mathias fellow, won amidst the howls of the opposition. The rival candidate was elected secretary, but promptly and somewhat heatedly declined. New nominations were called for, and Burley was proposed simultaneously from two sides of the room. His name met with loud applause. Burley, sitting unconcernedly near the door, grinned his appreciation of the joke. Two other names were offered, and then the balloting began. On the first ballot, Peter Burley, of Blackwater, Col., was elected.
Burley tried to get on to his feet to refuse the honor, but owing to the fact that three companions held him down while the chairman rapped wildly for order, he failed to gain recognition. The next moment the election was made unanimous. Allan grunted his disapproval. Hal said it didnt much matter who was secretary; anybody could be that.
Hal accompanied Allan back to the latters room and stayed until late, talking most of the time about his chances of making the varsity squad, what he was going to do if he didnt, and how he didnt give a rap anyway.
Of course, I can make the freshman team all right, but whats that? They have only four outside games scheduled, and two of those dont amount to anything; just high schools. The only game they go away for is the one with Dexter. And this thing of working hard for a month to play the Robinson freshmen isnt what its cracked up to be.
Who will win? asked Allan, suppressing a yawn.
Thats the trouble. Its moren likely that Robinson will. Weve got a lot of good men fast backs and a mighty brainy little quarter but we havent got any support for our center. Cheesmans a wonder, but he cant do much with guards like Murray and Kirk beside him. Why, Kirk doesnt weigh a hundred and seventy, and Murrays only a hundred and eighty-something. Poor is going to issue another call for candidates; hes going to ask every man of a hundred and seventy-five or over to come out. Say!
Hal sat up suddenly in the Morris chair and looked like a Great Discoverer.
Say what? murmured Allan, drowsily.
Whats the matter with that man Burley?
A good deal, I should say, if you ask me, answered Allan.
I mean for a guard, said Smiths, impatiently.
He probably never saw a football, objected Allan. They dont play it out West, do they?
Dont they, though! Look at Michigan and Wisconsin and and the rest of them!
I refuse.
Why, Burleys just the man! He must weigh two hundred if he weighs a pound!
Looks as though he might weigh a ton. But if he doesnt know the game
How do you know he doesnt?
I dont. But if he did know it, wouldnt he have been out before this?
Smiths was silenced for a moment.
Well, even if he doesnt know it, he can be taught, I guess. And weve got a whole lot of science now; what we need is beef.
Burley looks more like an ass than a cow, said Allan, disagreeably. Smiths stared.
Say, whats he done to you, anyway? You seem to be beastly sore on him.
Ive told you what hes done.
Oh, that! Besides, he lugged you off the track; thats nothing to get mad about, is it?
I suppose not; Im not mad about that or anything else. He just just makes me tired.
Well, Ill bet hes our man. Smiths jumped up and seized his cap. Ill run over and tell Poor.
What, at this time of night?
Pshaw! its only eleven-thirty. Hell be glad to know about it.
Hell probably pitch you down-stairs, and serve you right.
Not much he wont. Good night.
Good night, answered Allan. Ive got some surgeons plaster, if you need it.
Hal Smiths slammed the door and took the front porch in one leap. Then the gate crashed. Allan listened intently.
Thats funny! he muttered. He must have missed the lamp-post!
He took up a book, found a pencil, and opened the table-drawer in search of a pad. As he did so, his eyes fell on a folded sheet of lined paper. He read the penciled words on it Peter Burley and, refolding it after a moment of indecision, tucked it back in a corner of the drawer, frowning deeply the while.
Allan didnt see Hal the next day; neither was the objectionable Burley visible on the field in the afternoon when Allan ran his first practise over the mile. Kernahan didnt hold the watch on him, the distance was unfamiliar to him, and he lost all idea of his time after the fourth lap, and ended pretty well tuckered out.
All right, said the trainer, when it was over. You ran it a bit too fast at the start. But youll get onto it after a while.
On Friday Allan saw Hal only for an instant and had no chance to question him as to the result of his midnight visit to the freshman football captain. Consequently, it was not until Saturday that he learned of Burleys appearance on the field as a candidate for admission into the freshman team. There was no track work that afternoon, since the Erskine varsity played State University. Allan went out to the field alone and watched the game from the season-ticket holders stand, and cheered quite madly when the Erskine quarter-back, availing himself for the first time of the new rules, seemed to pass the ball to a trio of plunging backs, and after an instant of delay set off almost alone around States left end with the pigskin cuddled in his arm, and flew down the field for over seventy yards to a touch-down.