What we want is a man who can run.
He'll make a record."

"Why do you think I can run?"

"I have seen you run, and I have heard the fellows tell about your
speed. That is enough in your case."

Frank shook his head.

"It is not enough," he contradicted. "I know I have a record as a base
runner in a ball game, but the best base runners are not always able to
make good showings in races. Besides that, base running is dash work,
and this is a case of running a mile. There is a vast difference."

"That's all right," spluttered Harry, quickly. "You can mun a rile--I
mean run a mile with the best of 'em. I've seen you on a long run."

"When was that?"

"When we had that turkey chase. You led us all, and it didn't bother you
a bit. Then, after you made the run out into the country and back,
Pierson got after you before you could get to our rooms. You ran away
from him, and held on to the turkey. That settled in Pierson's mind that
you could hustle along all right, and it had something to do with his
giving you a place for a trial on the ball team."

"That is true," Frank was forced to confess.

"Have you ever been in any races?" asked Diamond.

"Oh, I took part in some races when I was at Fardale Academy."

"What did you do in them?"

"I believe I won, but you must remember that I had no such rivals to go
against as will be found at the tournament."

"And you were in no such condition as you are now. Is that right?"

Frank was forced to confess that it was. Then Browning tried to pin
Frank down and make him answer the question whether he did not have
confidence enough in himself to believe he could race Duncan Yates for a
mile.

"Of course I could race him," smiled Frank, "but the matter of winning
is another question."

"Well, I believe you are the man to run for Yale in that race," said
Browning; "and I am going to use my influence to see that you, and not
Yates, are entered. That is settled, and it is no use for you to make
any objections."

CHAPTER XXX.

A HOT RUN.

Soon it became evident that Bruce Browning had not lost his old-time
push entirely. When there was something to arouse him, he could bestir
himself and get to work in a marvelous manner, as long as it was not
necessary for him to again go into training.

Browning knew Paul Pierson, who was one of the committee of arrangements
for the coming tournament, and he knew that Pierson was well aware of
Frank Merriwell's general abilit