“Oh, it’s a gang of about forty fellows that Clinton has organized with a view to making the utmost noise possible,” answered Tony. “He had them over at Dean to cheer for us, but we didn’t give them a chance that day. We’ll give them something more to do Monday, and we can trust Clinton for all the support and encouragement we need. I would back his little band against a whole grand stand full of Park men. If cheering is to decide that game, we will stand a chance to win.” The dramatic entertainment was highly enjoyable, and in every respect a success. The actors acquitted themselves with the utmost credit; and the many college gags and local hits that were interspersed throughout the play gave much additional zest and enjoyment to the performance, and kept the spectators in an almost continual roar of laughter. Occasional responses from the audience, and impromptu rallies of wit between the actors and some of their friends in front, formed a novel and amusing feature. Immediately after the play an informal reception took place, in which we were the center of interest, and received every possible attention and courtesy. The gentlemanly behavior on the part of the Halford men was most highly appreciated by us, for it was quite evident that they had fully expected to win the game, and prepared the evening’s entertainment with a view to celebrating the victory. The fair and generous treatment we had received on the ball ground, and the graceful manner with which they took their defeat, aroused in us the sincerest feelings of gratitude, and greatly strengthened the traditional feeling of friendship that existed between Belmont and Halford. And their attentions were unremitting during our brief visit of two days. “We will try to repay you for your kindness, when you come over to Belmont next year,” I said to Slade. “And we will try to acknowledge the compliment by beating you, as you did us this year,” laughed Slade. “If you want to do us a real favor,” said Bennett, “beat Park College Monday. They have had that banner entirely too long, and I’d give a good deal to see you win it.” “What do you think of our chances?” asked Ray. “Good; that is, if you play the game you did with us. Both Slade and I are going over to Berkeley Monday afternoon, and we’ll lend our voices to cheer you on.” With such encouragement and good wishes we left Halford early Monday morning. “Do you know,” said Tony Larcom, as our train moved away from Halford, “those fellows have treated us so nicely, that I feel half ashamed of having beaten them?” “Well, it does seem a poor sort of return for their kindness,” said Dick Palmer; “and yet if we had lost the game I do not think that all their attention could have quite reconciled me to it. We’ll strike a marked contrast at Berkeley.” “Yes; I don’t think that the Park men will embarrass us with their attentions,” remarked Ray dryly. CHAPTER XXVII