There were girls down from Vassar for the afternoon, and from half a dozen choice schools along the river.  There were many out-of-town visitors from every direction.

We’re going to three or four thousand people here to see the game,” murmured Greg to Dick, in the undertone that cadets know so well how to use in ranks without being detected in conversing.

“Think so?” inquired Prescott.

“I’m sure of it.”

In the groups that were strolling up and down the roads leading across the plain were young ladies whom many of the cadets wanted badly to see and exchange greetings with.  First of all, however, Saturday afternoon inspection had to be gone through with.  From this, not even the members of the Army football squad were privileged to be absent.

When inspection was over many of the cadets hastened forth for brief converse with popular fair ones.

None of the football men, however, had time for this.  As soon as might be, they reported at the gymnasium, there to receive much counsel from coach and captain.

“Keep yourself in good shape, Haynes,” called Dick, laughingly, when, after getting into togs, he met the turnback similarly attired.

“Going to funk?” asked Haynes rather disagreeably.

“Not intentionally, anyway,” Dick smiled back at the “sore” one.  “But I hear that we young Davids are going to be pitted against Goliaths this afternoon.  It may be just my luck to go down in one of the scrimmages and get a furlough in hospital.”

“I hope so!” muttered Haynes, but he said it under his breath.

Out over on the side lines officers and their families, and hordes of visitors, were filing toward the seats.  Across at the east side of the gridiron, Lehigh’s few hundred sympathizers were already bunched, and were making up with noise for their smallness of numbers.

Among the Army “boosters” the uniforms of the officers brightened the picture.

From time to time squads or detachments of cadets arrived and passed along to the seats reserved for them in the center.

Below the cadets, the band was stationed, and was already playing lively airs.

Out ahead of the band stood a megaphone on a tripod.  This was to be used, later on, by the cheer-master, one of the cadets, who must call for the yells or the songs that were to be given.  A rousing cheer ascended from the Lehigh seats when the visiting college team trotted out on the field.  Hearty, courteous applause from the Army seats also greeted the visitors.  The band played as soon as the first Lehighs were seen coming on to the field.

“Team fall in!” shouted Brayton, at last “Substitutes to the rear.  Forward!”

Out of the gym. stepped these young champions of the Army.  Across the roadway they strode, then broke into a trot as they reached the edge of the field.

And now a mighty cheer arose.  Yesterday, the Army’s friends had feared a defeat, but now word had gone the rounds that Prescott and Holmes had made the team strong in its weakest spot, and that a cyclonic game might be looked for.