Together they went through the game from start to finish, providing as well as they might for every contingency. Plays were prescribed for this situation and that, and Chester was put through an examination in the choice of them that would have staggered a less confident youth. One or two doubtful plays which had been placed in the repertory were now stricken out, for somehow this evening their judgment seemed to have found a new clarity. “Sometimes I think we’ve got too many plays,” observed Dick doubtfully. “But we don’t have to use them I suppose.” “The only objection to having a lot is that the fellows are liable to get them mixed,” said Lanny. “Still, if we drop 3 and 11 that leaves us only eight ‘freaks.’” “I don’t like that word ‘freak,’” said Dick, with a smile. “I hope they won’t prove ‘freaks!’” “Don’t you worry, Dick,” replied Chester heartily. “The plays we’ve got are all right. And you’ll find that they’ll keep Springdale guessing, too. The only one I’m scared of is that Number 10, the one Fudge calls his ‘secret play.’” “How the dickens did he happen to think that up?” asked Tupper. “I don’t know how he thought of it,” replied Chester, “but I don’t believe it will work, fellows.” “It isn’t expected to work more than once,” answered Dick, “and then, as you understand, Chester, only under certain conditions that may not happen. I’ve mulled it over a lot, and I realize that it’s risky, but if we pull it off――or try to――we’ll be where it’s going to be necessary to take a risk. And, after all, fellows, more games are lost by avoiding risks than by taking them.” “If it comes to that,” said Lanny, “we won’t have anything to lose by that play if it goes wrong. It’s to be used on third down, you know.” “Sure, but wouldn’t another play be more certain?” asked Chester. “A forward pass?” inquired Lanny. “Not necessarily. That direct pass to fullback for an end run, for instance. That’s a hard play to size-up because it’s hidden until the runner gets started. I like that play and I think it’s going to work any number of times. But this ‘Secret Play,’ as you call it――――” “I don’t call it that; I call it Number 10,” remonstrated Dick. “Well, whatever you call it, I don’t see what’s to keep Springdale from tearing through on it and smothering it ’way behind our line.” “Well, you saw how it went yesterday,” said Lanny. “I didn’t see it tried out before an opponent,” answered Chester dryly. There was silence for a moment. Then: “Well, if you fellows think it isn’t going to make good, cut it,” said Dick. “I may be all wrong about it. And, as Chester says, we didn’t have a chance to try it in a scrimmage.” “Mind you,” said Chester, “I haven’t got cold feet on it. That is, I’ll try it, all right, and make it go if it can be done. Only thing I say is that I don’t see how it’s going to fool the other fellow!” “As Dick says,” observed Lanny, “it’s a risk, but we’ve got to take risks to-morrow. I say use it.”