"Sir," cried Professor Tines, unable to contain himself any longer, "I have been grossly insulted to-day. I wish to enter a most emphatic protest against the continuance of football at this college. But a moment ago, as I was crossing the field, reading this Greek volume, I was knocked over by the ball. I now formally demand that football be abolished." Dr. Churchill looked surprised. "I want the guilty one punished," went on Professor Tines. "Who kicked that ball at me?" "Yes, young gentlemen, who did it?" repeated the proctor, for he thought it was time for him to take a hand. "I demand to know!" "It wasn't any one in particular, sir," answered Coach Lighton, determined to defend his lads. "It was done on a new play we were trying, and it would be hard to say----" "I think perhaps I had better investigate," said Dr. Churchill. "Young gentlemen, kindly report at my study in half an hour." "If you please, sir," spoke Phil Clinton, "Professor Tines asked us to call and see him." "Ah, I did not know that. Then I waive my right----" "No, I waive mine," interrupted the Latin teacher, and he smoothed out some of the pages in the Greek book. "Perhaps we had better have them all up to my office," proposed the proctor. "It is larger." "A good idea," said the president of Randall. "Gentlemen, you may report to the proctor in half an hour. I like to see the students indulge in sports, but when it comes to such rough play that the life of one of my teachers is endangered, it is time to call a halt." "His life wasn't in any danger," murmured Tom. "Hush!" whispered the coach. "Leave it to me, and it will come out all right." "But if they abolish football!" exclaimed Phil. "That will be too much! We'll revolt!" "They'll not abolish it. I'll make some explanation." Dr. Churchill, Professor Tines, and the proctor moved away, leaving a very disconsolate group of football candidates on the gridiron. "Do you suppose Pitchfork will prevail upon Moses to make us stop the game?" asked Jerry Jackson. "Moses," as has been explained, being the students' designation of Dr. Churchill. "We'll get up a counter protest to Pitchfork's if they do," added his brother, Joe Jackson. "Hurrah for the Jersey twins!" exclaimed Tom. The two brothers, who looked so much alike that it was difficult to distinguish them, were from the "Garden State," and thus had gained their nickname. "Well, that sure was an unlucky kick of mine," came from Holly Cross sorrowfully. "Nonsense! You're not to blame," said Kindlings Woodhouse. "It might have happened to any of us. We'll all hang together." "Or else we'll hang separately, as one of the gifted signers of the Fourth of July proclamation put it," added Ed Kerr. "Well, let's go take our medicine like little soldiers." In somewhat dubious silence they filed up to the proctor's office. It was an unusual sight to see the entire football squad thus in parade, and scores of students came from their rooms to look on.