They did sing out one at a time.
“Twenty of them,” said the senior, running down his list. “Four fives, I suppose?”
“Yes,” said Swinstead. “Clear the course, somebody, and call the fellows.”
So the course was cleared, and proclamation made that the new boys were about to race. Whereat Templeton lined the quarter-mile track; and showed a languid interest in the contest. Swinstead called over the first five names on his list.
“Take off your coats and waistcoats,” said he.
They obeyed. Dick, who was not in the first heat, took charge of Heathcote’s garments, and secretly bade him “put it on.”
“Toe the line,” said Swinstead. “Are you ready? Off!”
They started. It was a straggling procession. Two of the boys could scarcely use their legs, and of the other three Heathcote was the only one who showed any pace, and, greatly to Dick’s delight, came in easily first.
Dick’s turn came in the second round, and he, greatly to Heathcote’s delight, won in a canter.
In the fourth heat Aspinall ran; but he, poor fellow, could scarcely struggle on to the end, and had literally to be driven the last fifty yards. For no new boy was allowed to shirk his race.