At least, the Rustlers' halfback thought he had Darrin blocked. It is never wise to take too much for granted. As the halfback planted himself for the grapple, Dave suddenly dropped through that opponent's grip and went to the ground. As though he had been shot through, Dave Darrin went under and past, on one side, between the halfback's legs. He was up again, with Dan at his back. Fullback came at them, but Dan bumped that player aside. Dave dashed on across the line, scoring a touchdown. Never had the gridiron been the scene of greater excitement than in that rousing moment. "Darrin! Darrin! Darrin!" came hoarsely; from hundreds of throats. "Dalzell! Dalzell!" came the next gusty roar. Hepson wiped a moist brow with one hand. "There are two real players, if they can keep that up," muttered the captain of the eleven. Jetson had been the tackle opposed to Dave. Just now Jetson was nursing a bump to his vanity. "How on earth did I ever happen to let Darrin through?" Jetson demanded of himself. "I won't do it again, anyway. If I can only make Darrin look small, I may get his place on the Navy eleven. Darrin is a good fellow, but I've got to make the team, confound him!" The kick for goal failed. Then the Navy took the ball and promptly enough the Rustlers came back with it, Jetson carrying. Dave and Dan met the ball-carrier. The Rustlers' support failed, and Jetson went down with the ball. Nor could the second team advance the ball, so it presently came to the Navy men again. "I want you to put it through again like a cannon-ball, Darrin," Midshipman Hepson whispered as they passed. So the quarter-backs called for a repetition of the play, giving different signals. Dave received the ball with a rush of his old-time fervor and confidence. Dan started behind him as full of fire as ever. In a fraction of a second the impact of the two opposing lines came. Jetson went down, one of his legs flying between Darrin's in such a way as to constitute a foul. Dave Darrin went down on top of the ball. Half a dozen players sprawled over him. The referee's whistle blew. "Jetson, that was a mean, deliberate trip," remarked Darrin, as he sprang to his feet. He spoke coolly, with a warning flash in his eyes. "Not on my part," retorted Jetson. "You thrust your leg between mine as you went down." Coach signed to referee not to renew the game for the moment. Then Lieutenant-Commander Havens and the two team captains crowded close. "I didn't do it deliberately, as you charged," retorted Jetson, hot with anger. "You deny it?" insisted Dave. "I do." "On your word as a gentleman you did not intend, a foul trip?" demanded Midshipman Darrin. "I have already answered you." "Answer me on your word as a gentleman." "I don't have to." "Very good, then," retorted Dave, turning away with a meaning smile. "Hold on. I pledge you my word as a gentleman that I did not intend to make a foul trip," said Jetson, swiftly realizing the error of his refusal.