It was now time to start, and the contestants were called together by Andrew Leary, who explained to them the conditions under which they were to run.
“You are to start when I clap my hands,” he said. “And you must pass around to the right when you reach the rock on which Frank Fordham is standing. The first one over this line on the return is the winner, and the second takes second prize. Now line up, all of you.”
The seven contestants lined up, Harry in the center, with Darry Ford on his left, and Ferris and Jackson on his right.
“Are you all ready?” asked Andrew Leary. There was a moment of intense silence. “Go!” he roared, and clapped his hands loudly.
Away went the seven at a bound, side by side, and each running swiftly and gracefully. The pace was a “hot” one from the beginning, for just beyond the starting point the trail narrowed down, so that not more than three or four could run abreast, and all wanted to keep in the lead.
It was a runner named Brown who forged ahead first, followed by another named Wilson. Both were heavy-set fellows, and crowded Darry Ford a good deal as they sped along.
“Go it, fellows, go it!” was the cry of the onlookers.
“Get to the front, Darry!” shouted one.
“Show ’em what you can do, Ferris!” yelled Luke Stout.
“Save your wind, Harry,” came from Joe. “Remember, the race is for a mile!”