"The greatest trouble that ails him is that he has just a trifle too
large opinion of the importance of his own opinions. There are a lot of
us troubled in that way."

The kicking practice was put through with dash and vim. Then Midshipman
Hepson, after a brief conference with the head coach, called off the
line-up for the provisional Navy team, following this with a roster of
the second team, or "Rustlers," so called because they force the men of
the Navy team to rustle to keep their places.

Dave Darrin was called off for left tackle, Dan for left end. Farley and
Page held the corresponding positions on the right end of the line-up.

"Begin the game, the Rustlers to have the ball," called
Lieutenant-Commander Havens.

"And mix it up lively, Navy," called Hepson, who, both on account of his
size and other qualifications, played center.

At the whistle-blast the Rustlers kicked it off--a beautiful,
long, arching curve. The ball came to quarter-back, who passed it
to Dave Darrin.

Then the fun began.

The Navy line hit the Rustlers hard and tried to bump through. Dan
Dalzell devoted every ounce of his strength and every turn of his energy
to boosting Darrin through--and Dave himself was not idle. There was an
instant of sullen, hard resistance. Then, somehow, Dave was shot through
the opposing line. Like a deer he sped, Dan hanging to his flanks. It was