“Come on, freshman!” interrupted Mott approaching.  “It’s time to dress.”

Will grasped his father’s hand for a moment and then hastened to follow the other members of the Winthrop team who were making their way to their quarters.

“Alden is going to win all the sprints,” said Mott glumly while they were dressing.

“If they’re the best runners they will,” assented Will who despite his eagerness was now in good spirits.

“Wagner has figured it out and says if they do win the sprints they’ll take the cup.”

Will made no response though he knew that if Wagner had indeed said that, then the college would look to Mott and to himself to do their best.  No praise would be too high if they should succeed, and no blame too severe if they should fail.  And his own determination and desire to win for a moment faltered.  What could he in his first great contest hope to do?

The appearance of the team on the field was greeted by a wild shout from the Winthrop contingent.  The team was cheered and every member of it also was cheered by name.  The entire scene was certainly inspiring and Will’s determination returned more strongly than before.  The first event was the four hundred and forty yard dash in which Alden received first and Winthrop second.  In the one hundred and twenty yard hurdles the order was reversed, and so the record continued through the two-twenty, the two-twenty hurdles, the eight hundred and eighty yards run.  The field events were also being carried out at the same time and with very similar results.  Alden was second in the shot put and Winthrop second in the running high jump while neither scored in throwing the hammer nor in the running broad jump.  But again Winthrop was first in throwing the discus, but Alden was first in the pole vault; and so the points scored by each of the two rivals remained the same when at last came the trials in the hundred yards dash, which as we know was the event in which Will Phelps and Mott were entered.  The color had fled from Will’s face and he was hardly conscious of the shouts or presence of the great assembly when he advanced to the line, for he was to run in the first heat.  Thirty-two men were entered for the race and there were to be six heats, only the winners in each to qualify for the finals.

“You’ve nobody to fear here,” whispered Wagner encouragingly.  “Take it easy.”

“I’ll have to come in first if I get in the finals.”

“Yes, but you can do it all right.”

Wagner slipped back and the seven young men took their places on the line.  When the pistol was fired Will darted forward and held the lead all the way, touching the tape first of all.

Wagner again was there to receive him and as Will fell into his arms he turned quickly and said.  “What was the time?”

“They’ll announce it in a minute,” replied Wagner compelling his friend to don his robe.  When the time was announced as “ten three,” Will’s heart sank, but Wagner laughed gleefully as he said, “Good!  That’s the way to do it.  You’ve got some reserve left.”