“The old queen leaned over and slapped the little thing twice right on her ear. She’s pointin’ up at the wagon right now; and, yes, siree, the girl climbs in, as if she was afraid to stay outside any longer. Frank, that settles it; doesn’t it? The girl is there, we know that now; don’t we?” For answer Frank clutched his chum’s groping hand, and squeezed it. “And we keep right along in the game, waitin’ to hear from Mr. Elverson; don’t we, Frank?” “That’s what we do; and I’m hoping that it comes out just as you’re expecting, Lanky, because you sure have got yourself keyed up to top-notch speed right now. But perhaps we’d better be getting back to town. If we hurried, we might reach there by eight, and lend a hand at that anthem in the choir.” “Oh! I’m willing, all right, Frank,” declared the now light-hearted Lanky; “we just hit the right nail on the head when we came out here, and spied on that camp. Poor little thing! Say, that old woman’s got a temper, all right; and I reckon that child ought to be taken away from her, even if she doesn’t prove to be the long-lost Effie Elverson. Come on, Frank, let’s run a little along the road.” CHAPTER XIX THE GREAT DAY It was Wednesday at last. Time had dragged fearfully to all the young people in Columbia; and doubtless the same could be said of Clifford and Bellport, during those last two days of school. The annual examinations would soon be coming on, so that it was just as well that the great athletic meet should be carried through before this period of stress. And it was a glorious day, too, with a clear sky, and not too hot for the strenuous work which those young athletes expected to engage in. All morning vehicles kept coming into the town of Columbia, some of them from great distances, and containing entire families. The former meetings of the three rival schools in various contests had resulted in such thrilling scenes that their fame had gone far afield; consequently farmers hitched up, and gave the entire day to merry-making with their families. As afternoon came along the crowds began to flock out along the road leading to the field where Columbia always held these events. As has been stated before, this was about a mile from town, and somewhat down the river, the trolley from Bellport, which was being extended to Clifford at the time, leaving loads of eager spectators at a point near the grounds. An hour before the time set for the start of the exercises it seemed as though every seat in the grand-stand was taken; and even the bleachers had overflowed into the field. Apparently the day would see such a throng as Columbia had never before drawn together in all her history. Young athletes were as plentiful as blackberries in August. They could be seen here, there, and everywhere; some exercising to keep in trim for the coming of the event in which they expected to take part; others conferring with the coach, or chatting with groups of admiring friends.