[Illustration:  CADETS AND MIDDIES ENTERING THE FIELD]

It is perhaps one of those blessed hours in the life of a man upon whom the white light so pitilessly beats, when he can indulge in the popular sport, to him so long denied, of being merely human.

Men, methods, moods pass on.  The years roll by, taking toll of every one of us from highest to lowest.  Yet, whether we are absorbed in the game of games, or whether we look upon it as so many needs must merely as a spectacle, the Army-Navy game will remain a milestone never to be uprooted.  I have spoken elsewhere and at length of football traditions.  The Army-Navy game is not merely a football tradition but an American institution.  It is for all the people every time.

May this great game go on forever, serene in its power to bring out the best that is in us, and when the Great Bugler sounds the silver-sweet call of taps for all too many, there will still be those who in their turn will answer the call of reveille to carry on the traditions of the great day that was ours.

CHAPTER XIII

HARD LUCK IN THE GAME

It is as true in football, as it is in life, that we have no use for a quitter.  The man who shirks in time of need—­indeed there is no part in this chapter or in this book for such a man.  Football was never made for him.  He is soon discovered and relegated to the side line.  He is hounded throughout his college career, and afterwards he is known as a man who was yellow.  As Garry Cochran used to say: 

“If I find any man on my football squad showing a white feather, I’ll have him hounded out of college.”

Football is a game for the man who has nerve, and when put to the test, under severe handicap, proves his sterling worth.

A man has to be game in spirit.  A man has to give every inch there is in him.  Optimism should surround him.  There is much to be gained by hearty co-operation of spirit.  There is much in the thought that you believe your team is going to win; that the opposing team cannot beat you; that if your opponent wins, it is going to be over your dead body.  This sort of spirit is contagious, and generally passes from one to the other, until you have a wonderful team spirit, and eleven men are found fighting like demons for victory.  Such a spirit generally means a victory, and so gets its reward.  There must be no dissenting spirit.  If there is such a spirit discernible, it should be weeded out immediately.

Some years ago the Princeton players were going to the field house to dress for the Harvard game.  The captain and two of the players were walking ahead of the rest of the members of the team.  The game was under discussion, when the captain overheard one of the players behind him remark: 

“I believe Harvard will win to-day.”

Shocked by this remark, the captain, who was one of those thoroughbreds who never saw anything but victory ahead, full of hope and confidence in his team, turned and discovered that the remark came from one of his regular players.  Addressing him, he said: