“I don’t know. It’s a big jump to beat, but I’m just mad enough to do it. Of all the unfair protests——”
“That’s right. Get good and mad,” suggested Holly. “They deserve to be beaten, and I believe they will be. Jump as you never jumped before, Sid!” and he clapped him on the back.
The course was cleared, and, amid a hush that was almost unnatural Sid made his preparations.
On he came with a rush, rising beautifully into the air as he reached the take off. This time there was no question but what he had leaped “cleanly.”
[Forward he hurled himself, straight through the air], like some animal, until he came down with a thud. And, as he did so, he knew, in his own heart, that he had jumped better than he had ever jumped before.
A moment later came the confirmation.
“Twenty feet—two inches!” yelled the announcer. “Sid Henderson wins—Randall wins the championship—Randall wins!”