“Oh! wait a while,” said Frank, encouragingly. “It’s plain that your wire hasn’t reached the gentleman yet; because, if his little girl hasn’t been found you can just believe that he’d seize on any chance to hear news. And when he does get the telegram you’ll know it. If he’s off somewhere, it may be several days before they can reach him; but it will come, Lanky, it’s bound to come. So I say wait, and just hold your horses the best you know how.”
“All right, Frank,” replied Lanky. “I’ll do the best I can; but I’m badgered if I don’t feel sore, the way things are knocking me. But I’m all trimmed for making that long run Saturday; and you and Bones’ll have to hustle if you want to get home anywhere near my time; for I’m going to show somebody something, you understand!”
CHAPTER XIII
ON THE HARRAPIN
Saturday saw quite a big crowd gathered in the afternoon at the athletic field, to witness what they called the “elimination trials.” By this means all who could not take part in the grand meet the following week would be weeded out.
There were plenty of young people present from both Bellport and Clifford; for it was expected that these trial heats would prove almost as interesting as the real thing later on. Of course this was a Columbia day entirely, a sort of home affair, since only local boys could compete.
One event after another was carried out by the judges who were appointed to decide upon the merits of the numerous candidates. Even sack racing was indulged in; and the antics of fat Buster Billings when he strove with might and main to come in ahead of his more nimble rivals afforded great fun. He even started to rolling when unable to get on his feet again after a fall, and might have won, only that this method of making progress was declared barred by those in charge.
Some of the jumping tests were well carried out; and those who watched and figured on the marks made nodded their heads as though satisfied that Columbia had a good chance in this quarter.
The high-jumpers also held a carnival of their own, and brought out loud cheers by their showing; while the pole-vaulters, the shot-putters and hammer-throwers and the short-distance sprinters gave every evidence of being grimly determined not to lose the prizes offered in their departments, if grit and pluck and muscle could win out.
Finally, at four o’clock the long-distance runners lined up; and as this was the last, as well as the most important event, on the program, everybody crowded around to witness the start. There was a lot of cross-fire talk between some of the ambitious aspirants and their friends on the side lines.
Besides Frank, Lanky and Bones Shadduck, the three who were fully expected to carry off the honors, and get tickets to enter the Marathon in the big meet, there were almost a dozen others, who seemed to have hopes of developing into wonders; or else meant to start, just for the fun of the thing.