Hodge was straining every nerve, and Merriwell was astonished to see him make such a spurt.
“Can he keep it up?” thought Frank. “If so, he is the man I’ll have to work hard to beat.”
Over the fourth hurdle they sailed, and then it was that Merriwell and Hodge, still keeping side by side, took the lead, Random being passed, although he was doing his level best.
But the strain was telling on Bart already. His face was drawn into an expression of agony, and he knew he could not keep up that speed to the finish.
As they cleared the fifth hurdle something happened. Hodge seemed to strike the ground awkwardly, and he plunged against Merriwell.
Down both went.
When they scrambled up, Random was in the lead, and he had secured a decided advantage—an advantage that it was not going to be easy to overcome.
Frank was angry and excited. Like a deer he dashed after Wallace.
Still Hodge kept at his side, doing his utmost.
Six, seven, eight hurdles they cleared, and they were close at Random’s heels. Frank felt confident he would be able to win for all of his unfortunate downfall.