They had picked up some on the leaders. Parker and Coddling were not so very far ahead now. Most of the time they could see the two boys, and were thus able to gauge the distance separating them. Lanky showed an inclination to cut down the gap still more, and Frank had to humor him a little; for he saw that his chum was able to make a burst of speed that would overcome anything possible from that pair in the van, when the right time arrived. Now and then people along the road cheered them; but none of these shouts gave the young Columbia athletes one-half the inspiration that the agonized cry of the injured Bones did, when he urged them to leave him there, and hurry on to win the grand race, for the honor of Columbia. Now the five-mile mark had been turned, and they were once more circling, with the intention of heading for home. It was time, Lanky undoubtedly thought, that something were done to oust those two persistent runners from their hold of first and second place. And as for Frank, he knew that the impetuous one could not be much longer held in leash. CHAPTER XXII COLUMBIA’S LAST CHANCE On the run out they had been heading almost due west, with the sun shining directly in their eyes. Now that the turn had been made, they had it easier; for they were no longer half blinded by that glare. The railroad was not so very far off but that a train passing at one place, the passengers leaned out of the windows waving hankerchiefs, and shouting words of cheer. For everybody loves a boy athlete, and seems to be drawn to utter strangers, when coming upon them unexpectedly. Frank had already made up his mind on several matters. One was that he did not feel his best somehow, on this important day; and that if it all depended on him, there was a strong possibility that either Clifford or Bellport would land the prize, and carry off that gold watch. This might have worried him considerably at another time, but it did not now; for he had been keeping a watchful eye on his running mate, and realized that Lanky was in fit shape for the greatest effort of his life. Barring accidents, Frank really believed the long-legged fellow could overtake the leaders inside of a quarter of a mile, no matter how desperately they strove to maintain their present advantage. He was content that it should be so. And in times to come he would never envy Lanky that splendid timepiece, which was to be the reward of his pluck and running ability. Still, he deemed it wise to hold back as much as he could, and not allow this impetuous comrade his head. Letting the two who led the run set the pace, was the wisest thing that could be done. They were apt to vie with each other in little spurts that were calculated to exhaust their vim; while those behind could continue to push steadily along in a grinding, irresistible way, always keeping a certain amount of reserve speed on tap for an emergency.