down the track as if he
was possessed of the speed of the wind. Easily he was the first to touch
the tape, but when unmindful of the cheers of his classmates he turned
aside to don once more his bath robe, Wagner approached and shaking his
head, laughed as he said, "You forgot what I told you, freshman."

"What was that?"

"Not to run your best in the heat. You want something left for the
finals."

"I couldn't help it," said Will grimly. "What was the time?"

"Ten, two."

Nothing more was said as they all turned to watch the runners in the
other heats. Mott with apparent ease won his, and Ogden won the third.
The final was to be run off between the three winners and Will stretched
himself upon the grass to gain such rest as he could obtain before the
supreme test arrived.

Other events were now run off and a half-hour elapsed before the final
heat was called. "You'll get your place on the team anyway, Will," said
Foster encouragingly.

"I'm not so sure of that."

"I am. I heard Wagner say that three would be taken on the team for the
sprints, and even if you come in last you'll be sure of a place."

"I don't know. I don't want to come in last."

"Don't, then," laughed Foster as he reached forth his hand for his
room-mate's bath robe. Once more Will stood on the line and this time
there would be no "sneaking," he assured himself. Somehow the keenness
of his previous excitement was gone now and he was almost as calm as if
he had been a spectator and not a participant in the contest. He was
none the less resolved to do his utmost and when the pistol at last was
fired he leaped from the mark with every nerve and muscle tense. A
silence rested over all as the three runners came swiftly up the track.
Will could feel rather than see that he was ahead of Ogden, but Mott was
still in advance of him, and do what he might he did not seem to be able
to cut down that yard by which Mott was leading. Swiftly the racers sped
on and soon Will could see that the end of the course had almost been
gained. Only fifteen yards remained to be covered, and then by one
supreme effort Will called upon all his reserve powers and with what the
college paper afterward described as a "magnificent burst of speed," he
cut down Mott's lead and a moment later the two runners struck the tape
exactly together.

A mighty shout arose from the assembled students and Foster and Hawley
both of whom were usually so self-contained ran out and threw