we'll see."

That was quite enough to put him on his mettle, and he lost no time in
entering for the race.

A short time later the seven contestants were drawn up in line, waiting
the signal.

One mile up the pond a rock reared its head from the ice, where, at low
water, there was a tiny rocky island. Every contestant was to "turn
the rock" and skate back to the starting point, making a race of two
miles in two long, straight stretches.

The gentleman who had offered the badge of honor stood, pistol in hand,
ready to give the signal. The contestants leaned forward for the start.

"Ready!"

Muscles were drawn taut, nerves were tingling.

"One! two! three!"--Bang!

Away darted the skaters, and the race had begun.

A cheer went up from the spectators.

Paul Rains took the lead at the very start, for he seemed to jump away
at astonishing speed, while the others were gathering headway.

"Rains has a snap this time," declared one. "Merriwell may be able to
take the honors at jumping, but he won't be in this kind of a contest."

"Jist wait a whoile an' see about thot, me b'y," said Barney Mulloy,
who had overheard the remark. "Frankie is as full av surproises as a
horrunet's nest is full av stings."

CHAPTER XXIV.

SKATING FOR LIFE.

During the entire first half of the course there were four of the seven
contestants who made a good showing. These were Rains, Merriwell,
Hodge and one of the village boys.

Through it all Rains kept the lead, but the village lad was second
until the turning point was nearly reached. Then Merriwell settled
down to business and took second place, while Hodge pushed the village
boy hard.

Rains' heart was full of triumph. Over and over he told himself:

"At last I have found something at which I can defeat Merriwell fairly!"

Rains believed he was safely in advance, and this delusion was not
broken till the last half mile of the course was struck. Then he heard
somebody's skates ringing close behind, and, looking over his shoulder,
he saw Frank bearing down on him like the wind.

Paul's heart gave a great leap.

"By Jove!" he breathed. "That fellow means to press me! But he shall
not come in first--he shall not!"

Then he strained every muscle, and, for a few seconds, the distance
between them did not seem to diminish.

Frank, however, held steadily to that terrible speed, and Paul began to
fear he could not stand it to the finish, for his head was begi