“I—I didn’t mean to do it,” stammered the bully. But the look on his face showed that he was not speaking the truth. He had played a mean trick, but Fate had paid him back almost instantly. His face was much scratched, his wind was gone, and he had to withdraw from the race.
CHAPTER XXX
A CAPTURE—CONCLUSION
It had begun to rain and from a distance came the rolling of thunder. But Jack, Andy and Pepper paid no attention to this—their one thought was to reach the top of Devery Hill first.
They had spread out along the hillside, each seeking the easiest way up the steep rocks. Pepper was slightly ahead, with Jack and Andy an equal distance behind him. The other contestants were considerably to the rear.
“We are in for a big thunderstorm!” cried Andy.
“Who cares?” flung back Pepper. “I am going to win this race no matter what happens.”
“Not if I know it!” came from the young major.
“The fellow to win will be the one to get there first,” said Andy. And then no more was said just then, for the hill was becoming steeper and they wanted to save their breath.
At last, just as it began to rain in torrents, the three cadets saw, fifty feet above them, the top of the hill. To reach it each had to climb some rocks that were now wet and slippery.
“Don’t break your neck, whatever you do!” cried Jack. “The race isn’t worth it.”