Part 7 (1/2)
A new race began, and up at the starting-place there seemed to be a good deal of hilarity. The hearty laughs were tantalizing.
”What is it? Why don't they come on and give us fellows a chance to laugh, too?” exclaimed Jot, impatiently.
Kent was peering sharply between his hands. He suddenly began to laugh.
”It's a slow race!” he cried. ”They're trying to see who can get behind! Come on up further where we can see. It'll be great!”
”Come along, then--hurry!” shouted Jot.
”It's a free-for-all. Anybody can compete,” somebody was saying as they pa.s.sed. ”But they've got to be slower than Old Tilly!”
”Can't do it!” whispered Jot. ”Old Tilly can sit still on his bike.”
”I hope he'll see the race,” Kent panted. ”It would be mean if he missed. Here's a good place--there they come. Look at 'em crawling along like snails! There's one chap clear behind. Yes, sir, he's standing still!”
Jot gave one look and uttered a shout:
”It's Old Tilly!”
”Jotham Eddy--no!”
”Look for yourself and see--ain't it?”
”Of course--no--yes, sir, it's Old Till, for a fact.”
”And he's 'way behind--I told you there wasn't anybody slower'n Old Tilly! He's beating as fast as anything.”
”As slow as anything. Come on! Let's cheer him, Jot.”
They caught off their caps and cheered wildly. Every-body else joined in, catching at the name and laughing over it as a good joke.
”Hurrah--hurrah for Old Tilly!”
”Hip, hip, 'n' a tiger for Old Til-ly!”
The time-keeper called time, and Old Tilly descended from his victorious wheel and bowed profoundly to his cheerers. He walked away to join the other boys with the exaggerated air of a great victor, and the people shouted again.
”Oh, I say, that was rich, Old Till,” gasped Jot. ”That was worth a farm!”
”What made you think of entering?” Kent laughed.
”Oh, I thought I would--I knew I could beat 'em,” Old Tilly said modestly.
Sunset ended the festivities in the grove, and the boys mounted and rode away with the other tired people. Gradually they fell behind.
”Don't--rush--so; I've got to keep up my reputation!” said Old Tilly.
”Besides, I'm tired.”
”Me, too.”