"So is Plum!"
These last cries startled Nat, and he sought to strike out as he had at the start. But his wind was now completely gone—and the finishing line was still a quarter of a mile away.
"There goes Morr to the front!"
"Lawrence is after him, and so is Plum!"
"Here comes Basswood!"
"What's the matter with Porter? He is dropping behind."
"He said his skates were dull."
"Oh, that's only an excuse!" sneered one of the students who had been put off of the football eleven that term.
"It's true," answered Tom Hally. "I saw the skates myself. Can't you see how he slips when he strikes out?"
On and on went the skaters. Nat was still ahead, but now Roger and Phil came up on one side, and Gus Plum on the other, while Ben came up close in the rear. Behind Ben was Dave, determined to see the race out even if he did not win.