But, even as he spurted, others glided up, almost beside him, and one of them was Sam Heller. Tom watched out of the corner of his eye, and it seemed to him that Sam was edging over toward him.
“I wonder what he’s doing that for?” mused Tom.
So near were they to the finish line now that the calls of the class cheerers came clearly through the cold, crisp air.
“Come on, Freshmen! Come on! Win! Win!”
“Don’t let ’em beat you, Seniors!”
“Skate. Skate. Oh you Sophs!”
“Juniors forever. Juniors to the front!”
Thus the students cheered.
“I’m going to win!” whispered Tom fiercely to himself.