Woodin passed to Pierce, but Pierce failed to take the ball in the air. It bounded away with him after it and Ready pressing him. Pierce managed to scoop it up, but Ready pressed him so hard that he could not turn toward the goal. In this predicament Pierce made a throw over his head. Either by rare judgment or accident, he sent the ball into Zanger’s stick, and Zanger made a quick snap for goal. Hodge blocked the ball, but Zanger followed up and drove it in again. “Goal!” was the cry. In truth, Hopkins had made a goal in astonishingly quick time, and there was cause for the Baltimore students on the bleachers to cheer with delight. “Oh, wasn’t that terrible!” breathed Elsie Bellwood. “Why did they let them do it?” “Because they couldn’t help it, I think,” answered Inza, as she watched the players of the two teams changing sides. “I’m afraid these Hopkins men are going to win with ease,” said the girl with golden hair. “I’m not afraid of it,” retorted Inza. “One goal will not win this game.” “But, you know, Fred Fillmore has told us right along that no picked-up team in the country could defeat Hopkins.” “Which he believes,” nodded Inza. “But you mustn’t think Frank is foolish enough to bring a weak team here to meet the champions of the United States. Don’t worry, Elsie. You’ll see something different before the game is finished.” In spite of Inza’s confidence, it was not long before the situation began to assume a graver aspect, for, although Vernell again got the ball, which was carried down to Hopkins’ goal, Brisbane barely stopping a score, the Baltimore players got in and carried the sphere up the field, kept it in the vicinity of the Merries’ net for fully three minutes and finally drove it in. The Hopkins cheer sounded louder and more exultant than ever. “It’s just as I feared!” exclaimed Elsie. “Wait, wait,” repeated Inza. As the players were shifting sides Hackett spoke to Fillmore: “A regular snap,” he laughed. “I’m afraid it’s too easy,” retorted the Hopkins captain. Fillmore was watching for his chance to get at Onslaw or Merriwell. He felt that such a chance would come in a scrimmage before the game was over, and he hoped Merriwell would be the man he could land on. He was satisfied that the game would give him opportunities to show Frank up as a very ordinary lacrosse player. On the next face off Hackett baffled Vernell and secured the ball for his own side. Then it seemed as if the locals were going to add another tally right away. Woodin himself carried the ball through, avoiding man after man, and sent it whizzing waist-high at the net. It was one of the most difficult throws for a goal guard to stop, but Hodge managed to check it and send the ball off to one side, where he hoped Ready or Starbright would secure it. Ready tried, but Pierce’s body checked him, while Whisper came in and scooped the ball.