Harvard’s greatest player was Herbert Onslaw, captain and first attack.
Onslaw was swift, untiring, cool, and heady. He gave Fillmore no end of
trouble, and the Hopkins captain gradually grew annoyed, for more than
once he was tricked by Onslaw’s rapid and clever playing. He realized
that the crimson leader was showing him up in a bad light, and he was
anxious to get even by turning the tables.
The Hopkins spectators were dismayed by Harvard’s success in scoring,
but they did not foresee the impending danger that was plainly
discerned by Fillmore. The Hopkins captain decided to give more of his
attention to Onslaw.
Shortly after Harvard secured her first goal she again obtained the
ball, which, by good running and clever passing, was delivered to
Onslaw, who rushed it into position to try for goal. The Hopkins goal
tender spoiled the try and cuffed the ball away. A mix-up followed, and
out of the scrambling players the ball was shot.
Onslaw seemed waiting in the proper spot for it, but Fillmore had
chosen to hug him close. Instantly the Harvard captain started, but
Fillmore started at the same time. Onslaw dashed toward the Hopkins
goal. Fillmore was at his side and tried a body check. Onslaw crouched
and came under Fillmore’s hip. As a result, the Hopkins man was sent
flying through the air and struck the ground heavily. He tried to get
up, but fell over on his side and lay twisting on the ground.
The whistle sounded, and it was found that Fillmore’s hip had been
badly hurt, so that he could not then bear his weight on that leg.
Although he insisted that he would be all right in a few minutes, he
did not recover and was obliged to drop out of the game.
Lying on a blanket at one side of the field, Fillmore watched his team
fighting desperately against the swift and determined Harvard men.
His heart was filled with rage and bitterness, for, although his own
attempt at body-checking an opponent had brought about his injury, he
blamed Onslaw. When, a few minutes later, he saw Onslaw shoot the ball
into the net he fairly writhed in mental pain, his injured hip being
forgotten.
Hopkins still had a lead of one goal, and the spectators believed
this lead would be held, for the second half was well along. A bunch
of rooters cheered and cheered to urge the local men at their best
efforts; but a much smaller bunch of Harvard admirers made much more
noise.
Fillmore’s eyes glittered as he watched Onslaw’s swift and graceful
movements.
“I’ll settle with you some day!” muttered the injured captain of the
local team.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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