Breathless silence.
“Two!”
In a moment they would be off.
“Three!”
Crack! sounded the pistol, and away they darted.
Again Random showed his qualities as a quick starter, but he did not get away from Merriwell, who was equally as quick.
Straight at the first hurdle the six lads dashed. Side by side Merriwell and Random sailed over it, with Hodge scarcely any in the rear.
The spectators cheered and waved hats, handkerchiefs and parasols.
As the third hurdle was cleared Hodge was neck-and-neck with Random and Merriwell. At that moment it seemed as if the three were evenly matched.
Perkins was close behind them, and the Mexican had already fallen to the rear.