"A simple ton," replied the little fellow, quick as a flash.
Frank clapped Danny on the back.
"Good boy!" he exclaimed, laughing. "Rattleton didn't get ahead of you that time."
"It is hard for anybody to get ahead of me," declared Griswold. "I am really a lively man in a footrace, for my father is a watchmaker, and he has given me instructions in the business."
"I fuf-fuf-fuf, fail to see huh-huh-how that applies," said Joe Gamp, a lad with a serious impediment in his speech.
"Why, you see I have learned how to make good time," chuckled Danny.
Gamp roared with laughter. He was a big, raw-boned, hulking fellow from New Hampshire, and his laugh was like the braying of a mule. Creighton had invited Gamp to the theatre for the amusement the country lad would provide.
"He'll break the performers all up if he ever gets
started laughing," said Charlie to Merriwell. "When he gets going in good style nothing will stop him."
There was something about the country boy that Merriwell liked. Frank quickly decided that Joe was a big-hearted, honest fellow, such a blunder-heels that he was certain to provoke ridicule, and yet thoroughly worthy and deserving.