er the
watchful eye of Mr. Leonard, the assistant principal under Dr. Carmack.
This determined-looking young fellow was a college graduate, and had
taken considerable interest in all manner of athletics; indeed, it was
well known that he had played on one or more of the college teams
during his course, and won quite an enviable reputation for good work,
though hardly reckoned a brilliant star.

Many who did not expect to participate in any of the numerous events
had gathered to watch what was going on; and, besides, there were
clusters of pretty high-school girls on the side lines, chattering
like magpies, and venting their opinions regarding the chances certain
favorites among their boy friends appeared to have in the way of winning
a prize.

Scores were busily engaged in running around the cinder-path, taking
the high jump, trying the hurdles, so as to perfect themselves against
the coming Saturday when the wonderful event was to come off; sprinting
for the short races of fifty, or a hundred yards; throwing the discus
or the hammer, and numerous other lively doings.

Among these participants there were a number whom the reader of
previous volumes in this series will readily recognize, and possibly
gladly meet again. There was Alan Tyree, for instance, whose masterly
pitching had done so much to land the pennant of the Three Town High
School League that season for Scranton; Owen Dugdale, the efficient
shortstop of the local nine; "Just" Smith, whose real name it happened
was Justin, but who seldom heard it outside of school and home. He
was a fleet runner, and had ably filled the position of left fielder
when Scranton carried the school colors to victory over Allandale in
that last heart-breaking game. Besides these, Joe Danvers was on
deck, doing all sorts of wonderful stunts at throwing the hammer and
taking the long jump, for Joe delighted in a variety of specialties
and did not confine himself to any one particular thing; also might
be seen one Claude Hastings, a chap who was a regular monkey in his
way, and who always kept the crowd laughing by his antics, such as
might be expected of a prize clown at the big Barnum and Bailey circus.

Yes, and there was Nick Lang, as big as life, running like the wind
around the cinder-path and looking as though he might have a pretty
fair chance to carry off some sort of prize. Nick had for a long time
been the town bully. He was not a rich man's son; in fact, Nick's
f