he stuck gallantly to work he
could not prevail over the nimble Ranger, who slipped past him and won
easily by a yard.

This was a damper for Slipshaw and me, who, as in duty bound, attended
our champion back to where he had left his coat, and so missed the
throwing of the cricket-ball, which was easily won by the favourite.

But though we missed that event, we had no notion of missing the high
jump, which promised to be the best thing (next to the three-legged
race) that day. Four fellows were in for it, and of these Shute and
Catherall were two of the best jumpers Parkhurst had ever had; and it
was well known all over the school that in practice each had jumped
exactly 5 foot 4 inches. Who would win now? The two outsiders were
soon got rid of, one at 4 foot 10 inches, and the other at 5 foot; and
the real interest of the event began when Shute and Catherall were left
alone face to face with the bar. Shute was a tall fellow, of slight
make and excellent spring. Catherall was short, but with the bounce of
an india-rubber ball in him, and a wonderful knack of tucking his feet
up under him in jumping. It was a pretty sight to watch them advance
half-inch by half-inch, from 5 foot to 5 foot 3 inches. There seemed
absolutely nothing to choose between them, they both appeared to clear
the bar so easily. At 5 foot 31/2 inches. Shute missed his first jump,
greatly to the dismay of his adherents, who saw Catherall clear it with
complete ease. If he were to miss the second time, he would be out of
it, and that would be a positive tragedy. So we all watched his next
jump with breathless anxiety. He stood looking at the bar for a second
or two, as if doubting his own chance. Then his face cleared up, and he
sprang towards it. To our delight he rose beautifully and cleared it
easily. At 5 foot 4 inches both missed the first jump, but both cleared
it at the second trial. And now for the tug of war. Both had
accomplished the utmost he had ever hitherto achieved, and it remained
to be seen whether the excitement of the occasion would assist either or
each to excel himself. Shute came to grief altogether at 5 foot 41/2
inches, and again, to our dismay, Catherall bounded over the bar at his
first effort. Shute's friends were in despair, and if that hero had
been a nervous fellow he might have been the same. But he was a very
cool fish, and instead of losing his nerve, sat down on the grass and
tightened the lace of