Ten o'clock found all of the bunch collected except Pole, Judd and
Cateye. Everyone was anxious to start.
"Why don't those nuts hurry up?" growled Potts, stamping about, restlessly.
"Here they come, Pole and Rube! I wonder where Cateye is? Say, we sure will have some fun with Rube if he isn't around. He always takes Rube's part!" cried Benz, joyfully.
"Cateye couldn't come. Too much work to do!" shouted Pole, when in hearing distance. "But I brought Rube."
"Good enough! Come on, bunch. Let's beat it into town now. It's only three miles and we can make it before noon!"
The party started off at a rapid gait. Judd swung along easily, despite his weight, taking the lead. Not much was said until half the distance had been traversed. About this time there began to be stragglers who could not keep the pace that Judd was unconsciously setting.
The fellows exchanged winks. Such a joke to be outwalked by a rube! Benz passed the word along: "For heaven's sake, guys, keep up to Rube's pace if it takes all the pep you've got! If this news ever gets back to college, …"
But the faster gait of the fellows only spurred Judd to shake forth another reef, so that without knowing it he was rapidly tiring the bunch.
"And I thought I was in condition!" panted Benz.
"My legs are long, but,—" began Pole, then shook his head helplessly.
"Oh, what's the use!"