this measurement first." It was the
matter-of-fact, cheery voice of Fatty Freeman. "If I am not mistaken we
have a great throw to measure."

"Quite right, Mr. Freeman," said the minister. "Let us get the
measurement and let not the day be spoiled."

"Here, you people, don't stand there gawking like a lot of dotty
chumps!" cried the secretary, striving to whip them out of the mood of
horror into which they had fallen. "Get a move on! Give the judges a
chance! What is it, doctor?"

The judges were consulting. At length the decision was announced.

"One hundred and twenty-nine seven."

"Hooray!" yelled Fatty, flinging his straw hat high. "One hundred and
twenty-nine seven! It is a world throw! Why don't you yell, you people?
Don't you know that you have a world-beater among you? Yell! Yell!"

"Three cheers for Mack Murray!" called out the Reverend Harper Freeman
from the platform, swinging his great black beaver hat over his head.

It was what the people wanted. Again, and again, and yet again the crowd
exhausted its pent-up emotions in frantic cheers. The clouds of gloom
were rolled back, the sun was shining bright again, and with fresh zest
the people turned to the enjoyment of the rest of the programme.

"Thank you, Sir!" said Fatty amid the uproar, gripping the hand of Mr.
Munro. "You have saved the day for us. We were all going to smash, but
you pulled us out."

Meantime in the tent Duncan Ross was discoursing to his friends.

"Man, Mack! Yon's a mighty throw! Do you know it iss within five feet
of my own record and within ten of Big Rory's? Then," he said solemnly,
"you are in the world's first class to-day, my boy, and you are just
beginning."

"I have just quit!" said Mack.

"Whist, lad! Thiss iss not the day for saying anything about it. We
will wait a wee and to-day we will just be thankful." And with that they
turned to other things.

They were still in the dressing tent when the secretary thrust his
cheery face under the flap.

"I say, boys! Are you ready? Cameron, we want you on the pipes."

"Harp!" said Mack. "I am going home. I am quite useless."

"And me, too," said Cameron. "I shall go with you, Mack."

"What?" cried Fatty in consternation. "Look here, boys! Is this a square
deal? God knows I am nearly all in myself. I've had enough to keep this
thing from going to pieces. Don't you go back on me now!"

"That is so!" said Mack slowly. "Cameron, you must stay. You are needed.
I will sp