"Here I am," blustered the bully. "What's the matter? I didn't mean
to hit him. The steering gear is stiff. I tried to turn out. Anyhow,
only the mud guard brushed him. Who is it?"

There was no need to answer for, as the group about our hero parted,
Sam Heller came face to face with Tom.




CHAPTER VI

ON THE GRIDIRON

Sam started back, almost as though he expected Tom to strike him, but
our hero did not raise his hand. There came a grim tightening of his
lips, and into his eyes that had been dazed by the fall there was a
look of anger, but that was all.

"By Jove! Fairfield!" exclaimed Sam. "I--I didn't know it was you. I
wouldn't for the world have------"

"I suppose if it had been someone else you'd have ridden right over
him," said Tom quietly.

"No, indeed. But--er--I guess I was going a bit too fast. I didn't
see you--or--rather, I thought you'd step over a bit more."

"Step over more!" exclaimed Bruce. "What do you want; the whole road?