The Scranton High Chums on the Cinder Path | Page 8

run out this way again as soon as he can, so as to time
himself, and learn just what he can save by cutting across country in the
big race. And I wouldn't be surprised if he put 'Just' Smith up to the
dodge, in addition to Horatio here and myself, all being entered as
contestants in the big Marathon race."
"I certainly feel that way, K.K.," admitted Hugh firmly. "It strikes me
this is going to be worth trying. If one of our crowd can save time by
taking this route, while the other fellows go all the way around by road,
that same thing may give Scranton High the clinching of the prize. It's
all fair and square, too, for the conditions only demand that the runners
refuse all sorts of lifts while on the road, and register at each and every
tally place designated. If they can cut a corner they are at liberty to do
so."

"Oh! well," said Julius; "I'm not entered in the Marathon, luckily
enough, so you see there's no need of my prowling around this spooky
place again. I haven't lost any quarry, that I know of; and Scranton is a
good enough place for me to do my athletic exercises in. But, Hugh, if
you should happen to find out about the thing that emitted all those
frightful squawks, I hope you'll promise to let us know the particulars."
"I can promise that easily enough, Julius," the other told him; "though,
just at present, my only concern is to gain time by this cut-off, and so
win the big event for our school. Now suppose we drop this subject,
and return to something pleasant."
They continued to bump along the rocky road with its deep ruts. At
times K.K. had to make little detours in order to navigate around some
obstacle which could not be surmounted; for time had not dealt lightly
with the quarry road, and the rains and wintry frosts had played havoc
with its surface.
But, eventually, they sighted light ahead. Steve was the first to glimpse
an opening, and announce that the main highway leading down to
Scranton must be close at hand. His words turned out to be true, and
soon afterwards they issued forth from the covert and found themselves
upon the turnpike, headed for home.
Hugh turned around to mark the spot well in his mind, though he knew
that it was to be the exit, and not the entrance, to the short-cut, in case
he concluded to utilize the quarry road when the great race was on.
CHAPTER IV
IN TRAINING FOR THE GREAT TOURNAMENT
It was an afternoon on the following week, after school hours, and the
athletic field bordering the outskirts of the town of Scranton afforded a
pretty lively spectacle. Indeed, it could be readily seen that the
approaching tournament had taken a great hold upon the young people
of the town.

Scores of boys were busily engaged in various exercises, under the
watchful eye of Mr. Leonard, the assistant principal under Dr. Carmack.
This determined-looking young fellow was a college graduate, and had
taken considerable interest in all manner of athletics; indeed, it was
well known that he had played on one or more of the college teams
during his course, and won quite an enviable reputation for good work,
though hardly reckoned a brilliant star.
Many who did not expect to participate in any of the numerous events
had gathered to watch what was going on; and, besides, there were
clusters of pretty high-school girls on the side lines, chattering like
magpies, and venting their opinions regarding the chances certain
favorites among their boy friends appeared to have in the way of
winning a prize.
Scores were busily engaged in running around the cinder-path, taking
the high jump, trying the hurdles, so as to perfect themselves against
the coming Saturday when the wonderful event was to come off;
sprinting for the short races of fifty, or a hundred yards; throwing the
discus or the hammer, and numerous other lively doings.
Among these participants there were a number whom the reader of
previous volumes in this series will readily recognize, and possibly
gladly meet again. There was Alan Tyree, for instance, whose masterly
pitching had done so much to land the pennant of the Three Town High
School League that season for Scranton; Owen Dugdale, the efficient
shortstop of the local nine; "Just" Smith, whose real name it happened
was Justin, but who seldom heard it outside of school and home. He
was a fleet runner, and had ably filled the position of left fielder when
Scranton carried the school colors to victory over Allandale in that last
heart-breaking game. Besides these, Joe Danvers was on deck, doing all
sorts of