The day of the Sheddon-Rockford game was all that could be desired, weather-wise. A light frost during the night――not enough to hurt the field――put a keen tang in the air: but the sun was like the one in Alice in Wonderland――shining with all its might. A “pep” meeting of the student body had been held the night before, and when the game was called there wasn’t a vacant seat on the bleachers. The Rockford team, big fellows, to a man, showed up in fine form, and it was evident from the kick-off that it was to be a fight for blood. Brock’s men, playing for the first time in the season on their home field, and with all Sheddon present to shout encouragement, did their best; but it wasn’t quite good enough. At the end of the second quarter the score stood 7 to nothing in favor of the visitors, Rockford having pushed the ball over for a touch-down and kicked goal――at which the trainload of rooters who had come over from Rockford were yelling their heads off. “Our offense is pitiful!” Larry told Dick in the intermission. “Shubrick acts as if he’d been crippled, and he’s the only back that’s any good. Brock ought to take him out.” As he spoke, one of the subs came running up to them, breathless with excitement. “Donovan!” he panted, “coach says get on your uniform, quick! He’s going to put you in Shubrick’s place next half!” For a moment Larry stood as if dazed. But the next instant he was racing for the gymnasium with Dick at his heels. While Larry fairly jumped from his “civies” into his foot-ball togs, Dick talked excitedly. It was a chance――biggest chance that had ever been given a Sheddon Freshman――Larry could put it through――he _must_ put it through; and things like that. “I’ll be found trying,” was all Larry said; but there was a “do-or-die” grin to go with the promise as he jerked his belt tight, grabbed up his headgear, and started for the field on a run. A moment later he was reporting to the coach. The members of the team were stripping their sweaters preparatory to the dash on the field for the second half. “I’m not going to start you, Donovan,” said the coach, putting an arm across Larry’s shoulders. “You sit on the bench with me and I’ll send you in when you’re needed.” Sitting quietly beside the coach, Larry looked on while Rockford took the ball and, by superior weight and superb interference, pushed it over for another touch-down just as the third quarter ended. The goal was missed, and with just fifteen short minutes left to play, the score stood Rockford 13, Sheddon nothing. Suddenly Brock gripped Larry’s arm. “Now’s the time. You take Shubrick’s place. Remember to report to the referee. Then, after the first play, tell Clark to run 43――with you back――that’s you, just outside tackle on the right; and then to call you back on the other side and run 44――that’s off tackle on the other side. Tell him to keep on running you as long as you can gain. You’re our only chance, boy!――and I believe you’ll pull us out of the hole!”