self-conceit
enough to carry him through a dozen defeats. He will have some
excuse ready, you may be sure. He says he lost the first race by a
sudden cramp. He has not more cramp than I."

"There are little boys in line," said Ben. "I recognize Frank and
Charlie Herman. Do you know the others?"

"I know nearly all. Next to Charlie Herman are Aleck Gale, Johnny
Clarke, little Vanderhoef, Brooks Gulager, and Charlie Boyd. The
end boy is Charlie Snedeker."

"Who will win?"

"One of the Hermans, probably."

The prediction proved correct.

Charles Herman can in first, leading his brother by a few feet.

"You ought to divide the prize with me, Charlie," said Frank. "I didn't
like to beat my older brother, or I would have run ahead of you."

"You didn't seem to hold back much," said Charlie. "However, I will
be generous and give you a dollar. It will be all in the family."

Proclamation was now made that a supplementary race would be
run, for a prize of five dollars, offered by John Miles, the contestants
being John Miles and Ben Bradford. The distance by request of
Miles, was diminished to two hundred yards. John was shrewd
enough to see that the shorter distance was more favorable to
himself. Defeat had not diminished his good opinion of himself,
not increased his respect for Ben.

"You gained the race by an accident," he said to Ben, as they stood
side by side, waiting for the signal.

"Perhaps I did," replied Ben good-humoredly; "all I can say is that it
was a lucky accident for me."

"Of course it was. You don't think you can run as fast as I can?"

"I can't tell yet. I will do my best."

"You will have to. I have practiced running in a Boston gymnasium."

"Then you have the advantage of me."

"Of course I have. Besides, I am taller than you."

"For all that, I mean to win your five dollars if I can."

"My money is safe enough. I don't concern myself about that."

"He has a tolerably comfortable opinion of himself," thought Ben; "I
begin to want to beat him for something else than the money."

The signal was given, and the boys started.

As in the first race, John Miles soon took the lead. He was nearly
three inches taller than Ben. Naturally, his legs were longer, and this
was an advantage. Again he put forth all his strength at once; Ben,
on the other hand, reserved his strength for the close of the contest.
When the race was half over, John Miles was probably twenty feet