Higgins had cleared the bar after every other contestant had failed.
It was a grand start for Yale. One first place had been gained, and with Mellor's success it looked as if another was certain.
The floor was quickly cleared of the posts that had been set up for the jumpers, and the Harvard and Cornell tug of war teams came on for the first pull.
In this, as in the wrestling, the order of the trials had been decided by lot.
Leaving the tug of war for the moment, we will glance at Mellor's further work as a wrestler.
While Harvard and Cornell were getting into position for their tug, he went out again to the floor for his second set-to with Grant.
As Frank had predicted, Grant was wary this time; he waited for Mellor to take the offensive, and the latter was slow in doing so. They got together at last, and for a few seconds each struggled vainly to overcome the other.
Then they stood still, and those who were giving their especial attention to them felt the greatest excitement because the men were evidently tremendously in earnest, and very evenly matched.
After a good deal of dancing about the ring, and many a vain attempt to bring on a fall, Grant got in a sudden trip that brought Mellor to his knees.
Then, exerting all his weight and force, Grant crowded the Yale man down until his side was on the floor.