Dick had his men pretty well warmed up at the end of ten minutes and plays were going off fairly smoothly. Then, down near the east goal, came the first serious mix-up in the back field. Showers, playing full-back, had received the ball from centre direct and was to make the wide-turn run outside his own left end, the two half-backs going ahead as interference. It was a play that had already been gone through half a dozen times that afternoon. But now for some unknown reason Halden, instead of sweeping around to the left in the wake of the other half, plunged straight ahead at the right guard-tackle hole and emerged triumphantly beyond. His triumph ceased, though, when he saw Showers and the right half-back trotting along a good fifteen yards distant. He pushed through toward Dick, who had been engaged with a mythical opposing back, scowling darkly. “You called for a straight buck!” he challenged. “Wrong, Halden,” replied Dick quietly. “I called for a run outside left end and you were supposed to be in advance of the ball.” “You got your signal wrong, then!” “I don’t think so. Everyone else understood it. We’ll try it again presently, Halden. See if you can get it right next time.” “I got it right that time. I heard the signal, and it was----” “Hire a hall, Sandy,” advised a lineman. “You were all wrong.” “I was not! Bates doesn’t give the signals so anyone can get them, anyway. He talks down in his boots!” “Never mind that, Halden. Signals! 9--11--You’re out of position, Halden. Come on, come on!” “What’s eating you? I’m in position!” “You are now, but you weren’t. Signals! 9--11----” “I haven’t moved an inch!” “Well, do it now then. Move a couple of hundred inches and get out of here.” Dick looked around for someone to take Halden’s place, but there were no followers today. Halden had turned very red and now he stepped up to Dick sputtering. “You can’t put me off, you smart Aleck! I was put here by Driscoll and I’ll stay until he tells me to go. You think you’re the whole thing, don’t you? How do you get that way? You make me sick!” Dick made no answer, but he watched Halden closely, for the boy was quite evidently in a fighting mood. It was Davis who came to the rescue by slipping out of his place in the line and inserting himself suddenly between Halden and Dick. “Sure, he’s got a right to fire you, Sandy, and you’re fired! So beat it!” Davis pushed Sandy playfully away. “Bates is boss, son.” “He is not! He’s no more on this squad than I am! Quit shoving me, Short!” “Driscoll is looking over here,” warned Showers uneasily. “Let’s get at it, fellows.” “Right you are,” responded Davis, jumping into his place again. “Let her go, Bates!” “I must have another half-back,” answered Dick, looking about. “Oh, forget it,” growled Halden. “I’m not going off.”