"All right; thanks!" shouted Tom, as he again took up his stride.
"Say, let's pass 'em," suggested Jack. "I'd rather be ahead of 'em, than behind, anyhow."
"All right," assented Tom. "Shall we pass 'em now, or later?"
"Oh, wait a bit," said Bert. "Let's get our second wind, first."
This suited the others, and they jogged along at an easy pace. The day was pleasant, not too warm, and there was a refreshing breeze when one got on the hilltops. The run was through a rolling country, and the roads were in good condition.
"Say, this is fun!" exclaimed Bert, when they had covered the first half mile. "I like it better than I thought I would."
"Wait a bit," advised Jack. "It hasn't half started yet. When you've done about ten miles the next five will seem twice as long."
On they swung, down a slope that made for easy going. When they topped the next rise Jack uttered an exclamation:
"There are a couple of lads just ahead of us," he said, pointing down in a small valley into which the runners must now descend.
"And if they aren't Sam Heller and his crony I'm a goat!" said Tom.
"That's Sam's run, all right."