Part 5 (1/2)
”Is there to be a boys' race?” asked Ben.
”Yes, the boys' race is next in order. You'd better enter.”
”I will,” said Ben. ”What's the prize?”
”Five dollars.”
Ben's eyes sparkled.
”If I could only win it,” he thought, ”it would be equal to a week's pay at the factory.”
Chapter IV
The Boys' Race
Ben felt that his chances of winning the prize were very good. Among his schoolmates he was distinguished for his superiority in all athletic sports. He could jump farther and run faster than any of the boys of his age; and this was a ground of hope. On the other hand, he could not tell how many contestants there might be. He had measured himself against the boys of his acquaintance; but there were hundreds of other boys in the city, and among them it was quite possible that there might be one who surpa.s.sed him. However, Ben was always hopeful, and determined to do his best to win.
One of the committee now came forward and announced the boys'
race. The distance was to be the same, the prize five dollars, and there was a limitation of age. No boy over seventeen years of age was permitted to enter.
”Are you going to compete, James?” asked Ben.
”I guess not. I don't stand any chance against you.”
”I don't know about that. I might stumble or give out.”
”I should like the five dollars well enough.”
”Then enter your name.”
”Well, I will. I may as well try.”
So Ben and James were the first to enter their names.
”Are you coming in, George?” asked Ben of George Herman.
”No; I lamed myself in jumping yesterday, and am not in condition; my brother, Frank, is going to enter. Of course he won't stand any chance, for he is too young.”
The next to put down his name was Radford Kelso.
”You can't run, Radford. You're too fat,” said George Cormack.
”You're as fat as I am,” retorted Radford. ”I stand as much chance as you.”
Next came Arthur Clark and Frank Jones, both tall and long of limb, and looking as if they might be dangerous rivals. Both were strangers to Ben.
”I am afraid one of those fellows will outrun me,” said Ben, aside, to James.