Chapter I: Preface

IN THE LINE is a story of school life and football rather than of football and school life. In its football it is meant to supplement FOLLOWING THE BALL, as WITH MASK AND MIT in its baseball will supplement MAKING THE NINE, each book emphasizing a different department of play. The story is in no sense history, and no attempt has been made to describe actual persons.

The case for football presented in Chapters XX and XXII is believed to be a fair and candid statement of facts with regard to the game as they are known to those most familiar with it. American Rugby football is here, and here to stay, not because of its æsthetic virtues, but because it appeals irresistibly to the Anglo-Saxon heart. In twenty years, against ignorant criticism and bitter opposition, it has established itself in every section of the country. It has merits which can neither be argued away nor overborne by abuse; it has conspicuous faults. Eliminate “dirty football” and the playing of unfit or unfairly matched men, provide for the players proper supervision in their practice and strict officials in their matches,—and the dangers of the game, with all serious grounds of objection, will be removed.

Particular thanks for helpful suggestions as to guard play are due Mr. Joseph T. Gilman, a veteran of the Dartmouth eleven, whose mastery of the technique of his position has been proved in many a hard contest and against many a clever antagonist.

ALBERTUS T. DUDLEY.

BOSTON, April, 1905.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
PAGE
RAW MATERIAL 1

CHAPTER II

ACQUAINTANCES 12

CHAPTER III

THE NEW MANDOLIN 25

CHAPTER IV

WEIGHED AND MEASURED 33

CHAPTER V

IN THE GYMNASIUM 42

CHAPTER VI

INDUSTRIES OF THE TWINS 52

CHAPTER VII

NO THOROUGHFARE 64

CHAPTER VIII

POLITICS 75

CHAPTER IX

THE CONCERT AT EASTHAM 84

CHAPTER X

VICTIMS 105

CHAPTER XI

BUYING TACKS 113

CHAPTER XII

THE HALO FADES 124

CHAPTER XIII

RED RETRIBUTION 136

CHAPTER XIV

PATRON AND CLIENT 150

CHAPTER XV

THE SILENT PARTNER 164

CHAPTER XVI

A CELEBRATION 181

CHAPTER XVII

BACK AGAIN 194

CHAPTER XVIII

FOOTBALL 207

CHAPTER XIX

MORE FOOTBALL 219

CHAPTER XX

A ROUND ROBIN 231

CHAPTER XXI

A LOOPHOLE 240

CHAPTER XXII

EXPERT OPINION 252

CHAPTER XXIII

THE FIRST HALF 263

CHAPTER XXIV

THE GAME ENDS 284

CHAPTER XXV

ON THE WAY HOME 297

ILLUSTRATIONS

Down the two went in a whirl of legs _Frontispiece_
PAGE
Durand ... walked deliberately back to the 47
cushioned space

“Pick up that hat, do you hear!” 118

The pile that covered the ball three yards beyond 271

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IN THE LINE

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