"Just as you say, there's not a fellow missing," sighed Buster; "but then, none of them happens to be gifted with the heft that fastened its fatal clutches on me at an early age. I'd give the world to play football, but though they've tried me several times, it's always back to the scrap heap for poor Buster boy." "Well, they left me out this time, too; my first half in the game with Clifford wasn't a howling success. But at any rate I'm a sub, and if a few of the boys get carried off the field they may call on me," and Jack Eastwick patted his chest in anticipation of the slaughter to come. For the concluding tussle of the High School League the contending teams presented this line-up: _COLUMBIA._ Comfort _F.B._ Allen, Captain. West. _R.H.B. L.H.B._ Wallace. _Q.B._ Shadduck. Oakes. Harper. Bird. Daly. Shay. Morris. _R.E. R.T. R.G. Center. L.G. L.T. L.E._ _BELLPORT._ Clay. Coddling. Smith, Jr. Lacy. Alpers. Macy. Smith, Sr. _L.E. L.T. L.G. Center. R.G. R.T. R.E._ Snodgrass. _Q.B._ Banghardt. Bardwell. _L.H.B. R.H.B._ Lee, Captain. _F.B._ The same referee officiated who had managed the game with Clifford so well. And the coach of each team was busily engaged giving the last instructions, since the time specified for the opening kick-off was very near. Columbia was not boisterous, but there was a look of grim determination visible on the faces of Frank Allen and his fellows that counted for much. "It's better to shout after you're out of the woods, fellows," said the captain, as he drew his squad around him for a last word ere going upon the field. This time Frank was lucky, and won the toss. He immediately selected the goal from which the cold November wind blew, as that gave Columbia considerable advantage to start with, though it would be evened up later when the second half brought about a change in base. Still, by then the wind might have died out, and the advantage lost. Lee opened matters with a beautiful kick, but the oval was captured, and it came Columbia's turn. Comfort smashed out a fine one, sending the oval far down the enemy's territory. And so fast did the other Columbia fellows chase after it, that when Bellport secured the ball through a clever catch, they found no chance to do anything more than return the kick.