“Eighteen feet four inches,” was the announcement.
“We’re safe so far,” murmured Kindlings for he knew what Dutch could do. In quick succession the others of Fairview heaved the big ball with its triangular handle. The record of the first lad was somewhat bettered, but it was soon seen that Fairview could not hope to win, for the distances the other contestants had done in practice were fairly well known.
Boxer Hall bettered Fairview in this contest, her best man’s distance being twenty-one feet, five and a half inches.
“We’ve got to go some to beat that,” murmured Dutch.
“Oh, you can do it,” declared Kindlings, hoping to put heart into the big lad.
Now came Exter’s turn, and with confidence her first contestant took his place. He equalled but did not beat Boxer Hall, and the second man fell below. Then came the third.
The lad on whom the hopes of Exter now depended was a magnificent specimen. Tall and fair, a very picture of an athlete, he stooped over and grasped the handle of the weight. There was a smile on his lips, and he seemed to look at Dutch as though challenging him individually.
“Go as far as you like, old man,” murmured the Randall representative. “I’ll catch you.”
There was a gasp of astonishment as the weight sailed away—astonishment and admiration mingled for, it was easily seen that this throw was, so far, the record-breaker.
“Wow!” gasped Kindlings as the weight landed. “Look out for yourself, Dutch.”