Larson, who belonged to the Flapp crowd, was looked on as the probable winner, for he handled the hammer exceedingly well. But Jackson could also throw, as the others well knew. Nothing was known about the skill of Tom or Powell in this direction.
The contest began with a throw by Powell. It was not very good and
Jackson outdistanced him by three feet.
"That's the style, Jackson!" cried Lew Flapp. "Show 'em what you can do."
"This is the day our crowd comes out on top," put in Pender.
"Crowing rather early, seems to me," came from Fred Garrison dryly.
It was now Tom's turn and he threw the hammer with all the force at his command. It fell just beyond the point reached by Jackson.
"Good for you, Tom!" cried Sam. "That's the way to do it."
"Humph! Just wait till Larson takes his turn," came from a Flapp follower.
Larson stepped to the mark with the air of one who knows just what he is doing. Up went the hammer with a long swing—to land in the very spot where Tom had thrown it.
"A tie! A tie!" was the cry.