wake the fellows up to what you really are!--Now I must be
off to my football men; you'd better hang round here and pick up what
you can about running. And remember--you're to act as starter."

"If you'll see me through."

"I'll see you through."

Barclay waved his hand and swung off across the field.

CHAPTER VI

THE PENALTY FOR A FOUL

How it was managed Irving did not know, but on the morning of the day
when the fall handicap track games were held Scarborough lingered after
the Sixth Form Geometry class. Scarborough was president of the Athletic
Association.

"We want somebody to act as starter for the races this afternoon, Mr.
Upton," said Scarborough. "I wondered if you would help us out."

"I should be delighted," said Irving. "I've not had much experience--"

"Oh, it's easy enough; Mr. Barclay, I guess, can tell you all that has
to be done. Thank you very much."

It was quite as if Irving was the one who was conferring the favor; he
liked Scarborough for the way in which the boy had made the suggestion.
He always had liked him, for Scarborough had never given any trouble; he
seemed more mature than most of the boys, more mature even than Louis
Collingwood. He was not so popular, because he maintained a certain
dignity and reserve; even Westby seemed to stand somewhat in awe of
Scarborough. He was, as Irving understood, the best oarsman in the
school, captain of the school crew, besides being the crack shot-putter
and hammer-thrower; if he and Collingwood had together chosen to throw
their influence against a new master, life would indeed have been hard.
But Scarborough's attitude had been one of entire indifference; he would
stand by and smile sometimes when Westby was engaged in chaffing Irving,
and then, as if tired of it, he would turn his back and walk away.

Irving visited Barclay at his house during the noon recess, borrowed his
revolver, and received the last simple instructions.

"Make sure always that they're all properly 'set' before you fire. If
there's any fouling at the start, you can call them back and penalize
the fellow that fouled--a yard to five yards, according to your
discretion. But there's not likely to be any fouling; in most of the
events the fellows are pretty well separated by their handicaps."

"I'll be careful," said Irving. He inspected the revolver. "It's all
loaded?"

"Yes--and there are some blank cartridges. Now, you're all equipped. If
any questions come