don't
have anything to do with that kind of people and their friends."

"I'll wish you good-day, then," broke in Badger, crisply, and
moved away. "I want to be reckoned as one of Dick Prescott's
friends. He's one of the most promising young fellows in Gridley
H.S."

Ripley let loose an astounded gasp. He stood still where Badger
had left him, boiling over with rage. Had Ripley been wise, he
would have chosen another time for anger. Any trainer or physician
could have told this young snob that just before going off on
a long race is the worst possible time for letting anger get the
best of one. Anger excites the action of the heart to a degree
that makes subsequent running performance a thing of difficulty.

Gridley H.S. was out for the October paper chase. This was an
annual event, in which the sophomores, or third classmen, acted
as the hares, while the freshmen played the part of the hounds.
The course was six miles across country. Three courses, of equal
length, were laid down, each with a different terminal. It was
known, in advance, only to the hares, which course would be run
over. But, which ever course was taken, it must be followed to
the end. Five minutes' start was allowed to the hares. Then
the hounds were sent after them in full yelp. By starting time
for the hounds the hares were sure to be out of sight. An official
of the first class, who followed the hares at the outset, gave
the call when the five minutes were up. Beginning with that call
the hares were obliged to scatter bits of paper, as they ran,
all the way to the finish of the run.

All three of the courses were somewhat parallel during the first
five minutes of the run, but, as the hounds had no means of knowing
which course was the right one, the hounds had to divide their
forces until the first of the paper trails was struck. Then the
"baying" of the hounds who found the trail brought the other two
parties of freshmen to them. Usually, four or five upper classmen
ran with the hounds to decide upon "captures" in case of dispute.
A hound overhauling a hare had to throw his arms around the prize,
stopping him fairly for at least fifteen seconds. Then the hare
was sent back, out of the race. Each hound was credited with
the hare he captured.

Twelve hares ran, also twelve hounds. If the hounds captured
seven or more of the hares ere the race was finished, then the
hounds won. If they captured less than six, the hares w