What would Benson do? Could he beat the man from the East?
At Benson’s first trial he made thirty-seven feet and nine inches.
This brought some applause, and a man cried:
“Wait a minute! He will show you something better than that.”
But to the dismay of Benson’s admirers, he fell back to thirty-six on the second trial.
He prepared for the third and last effort, and it was seen by the expression of his face that he meant to beat the record if it was in him. With the shot in his hand, he poised himself for the throw, falling back on his right foot. The muscles of his right arm and shoulder stood out in hard bunches, while his left arm was extended, his hand being clinched.
A moment he remained thus, and then, with a mighty heave, he sent the shot flying through the air.
With a thud, it dropped to the sandy ground and lay still.
“He has won! He has won!”
The cry went up from Benson’s friends.