Merriwell and Hodge went up the strip together, the latter still talking and making an occasional gesture. Reaching the starting point, they paused and stood talking.
"By smoke!" laughed Bascomb; "Merriwell doesn't want to try it at all, and Hodge is having hard work to induce him to do so! Rains has this match in a walkover."
"That remains to be seen," said one of Frank's friends, doggedly. "You may be right, but don't you fancy for a moment that Merriwell is going to give up without jumping. He isn't that kind of a hairpin, my boy."
"Well, he might as well give up without another try, for he doesn't stand any show."
"Oh, wait and see—wait and see," was all that Frank's defender could say.
Hodge was now seen to leave Merriwell and come back down the runway, and it was noted that the look on his face was far from one of confidence and satisfaction.
"When Hodge loses confidence in Merriwell, the case is desperate," declared Bascomb.
"That's so," confessed Wat Snell. "I am beginning to hope."
"Merriwell is making ready—he's preparing for the run!"
All eyes were now fixed on Frank, who had taken his position at the starting point. He was seen to dig his toe into the ground to get a brace, and he leaned far forward, with one hand outstretched, then he darted toward the mark.