Bert Wilson on the Gridiron   By: J. W. Duffield

BY J. W. DUFFIELD

AUTHOR OF "BERT WILSON AT THE WHEEL," "WIRELESS OPERATOR," "FADEAWAY BALL," "MARATHON WINNER," "AT PANAMA."

NEW YORK GEORGE SULLY & COMPANY PUBLISHERS

Copyright, 1914, By SULLY AND KLEINTEICH

All rights reserved.

Published and Printed, 1924, by Western Printing & Lithographing Company Racine, Wisconsin Printed in U.S.A.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE I. NEVER SAY DIE 1 II. RAKED, FORE AND AFT 20 III. A THRILLING EXPLOIT 32 IV. BREAKING THE RULES 52 V. TACKLING THE ARMY 62 VI. REDDY'S RECOLLECTIONS 82 VII. THE LION'S ESCAPE 90 VIII. ON THE TOBOGGAN 108 IX. HAMMERED INTO SHAPE 127 X. IN THE ENEMY'S COUNTRY 140 XI. A DESPERATE FIGHT 153 XII. THE COACH ROBBERY 171 XIII. AN UNEXPECTED MEETING 186 XIV. A PLOT THAT FAILED 195 XV. THE DASH FOR THE GOAL 209

BERT WILSON ON THE GRIDIRON

CHAPTER I

NEVER SAY DIE

"HOLD 'em! Hold 'em! Buck up, fellows. Don't give an inch!"

A storm of cheers swept over the field, as it was seen that the scrubs were holding the 'Varsity on their ten yard line.

Three times in succession the 'Varsity players plunged like enraged bulls against the defenders of the goal, only to be thrown back without a gain. One more fierce attempt, and the ball went to the scrubs on downs.

It was unprecedented. It was revolutionary. It shrieked unto heaven. The poor, despised scrubs were actually holding the haughty 'Varsity men on even terms. More than that; they even threatened to win. They seemed to forget that they were doormats for the "regulars," mere "sparring partners," to be straightened up with one punch and knocked down by the next. The "forlorn hope" had suddenly become a triumphant hope. The worm had turned, and turned with a vengeance. Pale and panting, plastered with mud and drenched with sweat, with "blood in their eyes" and here and there a little on their features, they faced the "big fellows" and gave as good as they took.

Reddy, the college trainer, danced up and down on the side lines and sputtered incoherently. "Bull" Hendricks, the head coach, stamped and stormed and yelled to his charges to "put it over." The things he said may not be set down here, but he gave the recording angel a busy afternoon. His words stung like whips, and under the lash of them the 'Varsity men braced themselves desperately. They burned with shame and rage. Were they to have a defeat "slapped" upon them by the scrubs? The college would ring with it, and it would be the sensation of the season.

But the scrubs were not to be denied. They had caught the 'Varsity "off its stride," and they fought like tigers to clinch their advantage. Every ounce of strength and determination that they possessed was called to the front by the prospect of impending victory. A daring run around the left end netted them twenty yards, and they gained fifteen more on downs. An easy forward pass was fumbled by the regulars, who were becoming so demoralized that the men fell all over themselves. The panic was growing into a rout that promised to end in a Waterloo.