The first contest of the afternoon was jumping.
Merriwell came out in a suit with a large, white M on his breast. The letter stood for his club, but Frost and Manton, who were with the judges, commented on it and declared it marked Frank’s egotism.
There were nine contestants entered for jumping honors. Each club was permitted to enter two men, if it wished; but only two clubs had taken advantage of this.
One was the Merries. Dade Morgan had entered.
This proved something of a surprise to Frost and Manton, who had not known about it.
They seemed to regard it as a joke, however, for they laughed and said that Merriwell might enter his whole club without having a show.
The running broad jump was started by Tom Willis, of Jersey City, who cleared nineteen feet and one inch.
The next man fell an inch short of nineteen.
Then came a long-limbed chap who sailed through the air and planted his heels five inches ahead of Willis’ mark.
He was wildly cheered by a little group of friends.