the course.

At first Gunrig took no notice of this, but when he perceived that the
tall stranger continued to keep the same position, he held back a
little, intending to reverse the position for a time. But Bladud also
held back and frustrated his intention. Exasperated by this, Gunrig put
on what we in these times call a "spurt," and went ahead at a pace
which, in a few seconds, left most of the runners a good way behind.
This was received by the spectators with a cheer, in which surprise was
fully as prominent as satisfaction, for although they knew that the
chief was celebrated for his speed of foot, few of them had actually
seen him run before that day, and it at once became evident that if his
endurance was equal to his speed, it would go hard with his competitors.

Bladud was left behind a few yards, but, without making a spurt, he
lengthened his stride a little, and in a moment or two had resumed his
former position at his rival's elbow.

A wild cheer of delight ensued, for now it was recognised that in all
probability the race would lie between these two. As, however, all this
occurred in the third round of the course, and all the other runners
seemed to be doing their work with steady resolution, there was still
the possibility of one or more of them proving themselves, by endurance
perhaps, more than a match for the swift-footed. The excitement,
therefore, became intense, and, as round after round of the course was
completed the relative position of the various men changed considerably.

At the seventh round some, who had been husbanding their strength, let
out, and, passing others with great ease, came close upon the heels of
Gunrig and Bladud. This was, of course, a signal for enthusiastic
cheering. Others of the runners, feeling that their chance of taking a
respectable place was hopeless, dropped out of the race altogether and
were cheered vociferously as they retired.

At last, in the eighth round, it became practically, as had been
anticipated, a race between the leading two, for they were far ahead of
all the others by that time, but occupied exactly the same relative
position as before. Gunrig became so exasperated at this, that on
commencing the ninth round, he made a sudden effort which carried him
five or six yards ahead of his rival.

The spectators could not avoid cheering him at this, but the cheer was
feeble.

"The tall man is losing wind," cried one in a disappointed tone.

"I