"No matter
who wins he'll only get there by doing his level best. That's all
Scranton High asks of her representatives. Let there be no loafing,
and if some of our good friends from A and B succeed in carrying away
a few of the prizes, why, we'll know they earned the right, and are
welcome to their reward. And now, I'd like to see you runners try
one more ten-minute sprint, every one of you in a bunch, as a sort
of wind-up for the day."

Accordingly they ran off to the starting-point and lined up, each
assuming his particular favorite crouching attitude, which he seemed
to think best fitted for a speedy "get-away" when the signal was
given.

They ran like colts, and some displayed amazing speed, considering that
they had been diligently working out on that same cinder-path for over
two hours, with little intermissions between for resting.

Those who expected to take part in the Marathon did not attempt to
compete with those fleet sprinters, though if they were pressed
doubtless they too could give quite an exhibition of fast running.

But Mr. Leonard had taken great pains to inform them that the successful
long-distance runners always take things moderately easy in the
beginning of a race, preserving as much vigor as possible for the
gruelling finish. The chief idea was to keep just behind the pace-maker,
and be ready to rush to the front when on the home-stretch. The
fellow best able to preserve his full powers for that last half-mile
dash would be the one to carry off the honors.

Nick Lang was there with the rest, watching Hugh out of the tail of
his eye, as if he considered that in the other he would find his chief
competitor; possibly he hoped to be able to pick up valuable points by
keeping watch and ward on Hugh. Hugh had even consulted Mr. Leonard
with regard to making use of his knowledge concerning that "cut-off."
In fact, he wanted to lay any doubt that may have arisen in his own
mind concerning its being perfectly legitimate that he should profit
by such knowledge.

The athletic instructor assured him he was keeping fully within the
conditions of the race in so doing.

"It is any competitor's privilege to go over the route as often as he
pleases," was the way Mr. Leonard put it; "and so long as he conforms
to the rules, such as keeping on his own feet every yard of the way,
accepting no lift from wagon or car, and registering faithfully at
the several stations provided, he has done all that is