“Yes, they could do that, for a fact,” he admitted.  “Seems to me you’ll have to keep one eye aloft all the while, Hugh, while the other is watching the ground for treachery.  I must say this is a fine state of affairs.  Not only does Scranton High have to go smack up against all the best runners of Allandale and Belleville, but be on the lookout for treachery at home besides.  I’d give something to be one of a bunch of indignant fellows to take Nick Lang and his two pals out to the woods some fine night, and give the same a coat of tar and feathers, or else ride them on a rail.  They’re a disgrace to the community, and Scranton ought to take them in hand right away.  That boy will set the town on fire yet I’m thinking, with his desperate tricks.”

“He will, unless he soon sees a light, and turns over a new leaf,” admitted Hugh, who, it seems, had an idea of his own in connection with the said Nick, which, perhaps, he might find an opportunity to work out one of these days; but which he did not care to confide to his chum, because he knew Thad would be apt to consider it impossible, perhaps foolish.

“There they go now, Hugh,” suddenly remarked Thad in an undertone.  “You see, he has both Tip and Leon along with him, and they’re grinning as they look over this way.  I warrant you Nick has been elaborating on that fine scheme of his; and, in anticipation, they can already see you held up in that lonely place, kicking your toes at the bottom of a miserable pit, or else tied to a tree.”

“Don’t scowl so savagely, Thad,” warned Hugh.  “There’s no need of letting them understand we’re on to their game.  The advantage always lies in catching the other fellow off his guard.  Let’s laugh while we walk past, as if we’d been figuring out how a certain prize was already dangling close to our fingertips.”

So Thad managed to “take a brace,” profiting by the sage advice of his comrade; and, as they passed Nick and his two cronies, Hugh remarked as pleasantly as he could: 

“I’ve been watching you run to-day, Nick, and I honestly believe you are right up with the top-notchers in the game.  There may be some surprises next Saturday for those who think they’ve got it all figured out who’s going to win the prizes.  And Nick, as far as I’m concerned, I’d like to see you take the long-distance prize, honestly and cleanly, if I can’t get it myself.  You’re a representative of Scranton High, Nick, and we’re all out to see the old school do herself proud.”

Nick seemed taken aback by these hearty words on the part of the fellow whom he had so long sought an opportunity to injure.  He shot a hasty glance, accompanied by the uplifting of his heavy eyebrows, toward his companions, who, thereupon, catching a sly wink, perhaps, both chuckled audibly as though amused.