Fortunately Frank was a boy who noticed everything; and once he had visited a place, he could find his way there again because of this habit of observation. So now he called things to mind, and remembered how he had passed that crooked tree that made him laugh because of its queer shape, just after he came out of the lane that led direct to the hidden farm. And so he found what he sought, and turning in, sped lightly along, rapidly nearing the farm. The only thing that worried him now was the possibility of the occupants being away; for nearly everybody around Columbia for twenty miles had in some way heard of the great athletic contests, and doubtless made it a point to be present on this eventful day. If that happened to be the case, and he could find a spare horse, as well as any sort of vehicle, Frank was resolved to appropriate them without any compunction. When a human life depends on rapid action, it is no time to stand on ceremony; and he felt sure he could depend on that cheery little woman of the farm to applaud his action. Sure enough, there was no one home at that hour. Chickens were in evidence; a litter of pigs grunted near the barn; several sheep were cropping the grass in a nearby pasture; just beyond a group of gentle-eyed cows looked curiously at him as he came hastily up, and called out. But the house was closed, and the door locked! Frank ran straight out to the barn and stables. Here he found an old horse, and a wagon that would serve his purpose. Managing to hitch the animal between the shafts after some fashion, Frank threw armfuls of sweet smelling hay into the bed of the vehicle, upon which the wounded boy could lie. Then he was off, using the whip on the old animal in a fashion that doubtless astonished Dobbin not a little. But the beast kicked up his heels, and went on a gallop down the lane until the road was reached. So, before a great while had elapsed, Frank was back again with the boys who were bending over poor Bill, dressed only in their running togs as they were. With as much tenderness as possible they lifted the wounded lad, and deposited him in the wagon. He cried out with the agony several times, though they tried to be very careful. Frank drove the old horse, while the other two sat alongside Bill, and endeavored to cheer him up; though the boy began to close his eyes, and seemed as though he might be faint with what he had gone through. While the road was good Frank hurried the animal as much as he dared. And since they must pass the athletic grounds on their way to Columbia, he would not have been human had he not listened, with his heart seemingly in his mouth, to catch the tenor of the exultant shouts that were being raised by the departing hosts of spectators. They were streaming in various directions, in knots and crowds, and the greatest enthusiasm seemed to abound; as though the finish of the long run might have been very dramatic.