Mr. Blake arranged the order of the team, and remarking that they would
need a good defence, put himself and Shaw as full backs. Acton took
centre forward, with Jack Vance on his right, while Diggory was told off
to keep goal.

At length the eventful morning arrived. Class 2 came utterly to grief
in their work; but Mr. Blake understood the cause, and set the same
lessons over again for Monday.

It was the first real match most of the players had taken part in, and
as they stood on the ground waiting for their opponents to arrive, every
one was trembling with excitement. The only exception was the
goal-keeper, who leaned with his back against the wall, cracking nuts,
and remarking that he "wished they'd hurry up and not keep us waiting
all day." At length there was a sound of voices in the lane, and
the next moment the enemy entered the field, headed by their
under-master, Mr. Fox. Young Noaks and Hogson pounced down at once upon
the practice ball, and began kicking it about with great energy,
shouting at the top of their voices, and evidently wishing to make an
impression on the spectators before the game began.

"I say," muttered Jacobs, "they're awfully big."

"Well, what does that matter?" answered Diggory, cracking another nut
and spitting out the shell. "They aren't going to eat us; and as for
that chap Noaks, he's all noise--look how he muffed that kick."

Mr. Blake tossed up. "Now, you fellows," he said, coming up to his
followers, "we play towards the road; get to your places, and remember
what I told you."