“Go on, all of you!” he panted. “I’ve got all I want of racing!”
Harry was now in third place, and running as he had never run before. His “second wind” had come to him, and he was within four yards of Darry Ford, with Jack Ferris three yards further in advance.
Ferris was running well, and those at a distance felt that he would surely come in the winner. But now Darry Ford gradually closed the distance between them, and Harry began to crawl up also, until the three were almost in a bunch.
“Here they come!”
“Jack Ferris still leads!” yelled Luke Stout. “Told you he’d win out!”
“Darry Ford is a close second. See, he is pulling up to Ferris by inches!”
“Harry is coming up, too,” came from Joe. His face was flushed with excitement. “Run, Harry, run!” he yelled. “You can make it yet!”
Harry heard the cry, and it nerved him to do his utmost. He leaped on with steps almost equaling those of long-legged Darry Ford, and soon he was on the very heels of the leaders, who were now rushing on side by side.
“It will be a tie!” cried the crowd.
“Go it, Ferris; don’t let the boy beat you!”