I need help on an allusion.?

Question

Can someone tell me about this allusion??? From "The Scarlet Ibis" - "I should have already admitted defeat, but my pride wouldn't let me. The excitement of our program had now been gone for weeks, but still we kept on with a tired doggedness. It was too late to turn back, for we had both wandered too far into a net of expectations and had left no crumbs behind."

Answer 1

The secret lies in potato salad.

Answer 2

Show it to me.