in front of Harold and coaching the Freshman how to fall upon it. At first the attempts of the former Sanford back were almost ludicrous. He missed the ball completely several times. He struck his chin and the back of his head upon the ground. His hips and thighs were sore. But in the last fifteen minutes he flung himself at the elusive pigskin and snuggled it to his chest time and time again in the approved Cavendish manner. He even showed promise in mastering the difficult feat of not only diving at the ball and seizing it, but, also, with a quick flip of the body, rising to his feet again and starting to run. Chester Trask was an adept at this and the previous Fall had won the Union State game for Tate by such a manœuver.
The other players, assembling around two o'clock, looked curiously at their captain and his pupil. When at length the private practice had to be called off for the day on account of the arrival of Coach Cavendish and the start of the regular session, Trask commented, "You improved a lot. You'll get there. Now, if Cavendish has you receive punts or drop kicks to-day, let the ball hit the ground and fall on it as I showed you instead of catching it. I'll explain to Cavendish why you do it."
As it happened, Harold was told to receive punts that day and followed Trask's orders.
