It was the day of the great cross-country race for the Ashley Trophy4, and at an early hour the human tide of the country roundabout set toward the grounds of the Ashport A. A. People on foot and in conveyances5 of many sorts came pouring in. It was a surprising gathering6, considering the nature of the contest and the fact that such affairs seldom attract and interest people in general.
The watchers were posted at five given points along the course, the judges were arranging preliminaries, the starter was ready to do his part.
A number of deputies were kept busy clearing the road down which the runners would dash from the starting point, and along which it was understood they would return to the finish. The spectators were good-natured. They lined up all along both sides of the road to the distance of more than half a mile from the clubhouse. There were old folks and young, many from the country, and not a few from cities near and far. There were groups of collegians and schoolboys. There were pretty girls in summer attire7, many with their elders and some in laughing clusters. People stood up in the country wagons8 and on the tops of tallyhos and coaches.
“Pope, Pope, he’s our hope!” chanted a dozen young men who had obtained a fine position on a high ledge9.
“Clyde, Clyde, Clyde of Yale!” flung back a group of younger chaps, several of whom wore knots of blue ribbon.
“What’s the matter with Huntley?” yelled a ruddy-faced man; and the answer came from fifty throats. “He’s all right!” “Who’s all right?” was the question that followed. Once more the answer was prompt: “Why, Huntley! Huntley! Huntley!”
“Prince! Prince! Rah! rah! rah!” barked the Ashportites.
Near the clubhouse were ten young fellows comprising Frank Merriwell’s athletic10 team. Of a sudden they gave a yell of their own:
How is Merriwell?
Oh, he’s very well!
Merry! Merry!
He’s the huckleberry!
This created a laugh, and suddenly the cheer for Merriwell was taken up all along the two lines following the shoulders of the road. The cheering for others had broken out in spots. This cheer for the best-known amateur athlete in America began at the clubhouse and ran away into the distance, growing in volume, until it seemed that every man, woman, boy, girl, and child was shouting.
In the dressing11 rooms the contestants12 were making final preparations. Frank was there. He and Tom Bramwell spoke13 a few low words together.
“Don’t miss the splintered pine, Bramwell,” said Frank. “It marks the spot where we cut into the Dead Timbers. You know how easy it can be missed.”
“I know,” nodded Bramwell. “I’m going to stick by you that far—if I can.”
“If you can! Don’t get an idea that you can’t do it. After we pass Ragged14 Hill will come the grand pull to the finish.”
Arthur Huntley, ready for the start, came through the room from another.
“Oh! make sure your shoes are all right, Mr. Merriwell!” he mentally exclaimed. “Lots of good it will do you! I’ve taken no chances on you to-day. I know you’ve found the cut over Ragged Hill, and my two sandbaggers wait for you at the break in the wall. I don’t trust Hollingsworth, for all of his certificate story. You may start, but you’ll never finish.”
A whistle sounded. A voice called the runners to come forth15.
The hour had arrived!
Herbert Hollingsworth was waiting. The judges were assembled in the clubhouse. As the runners passed through, Merriwell was spoken to by an official.
“Mr. Merriwell, you are the only one who has failed to show a certificate of registration16 in the A. A. U., according to the requirements. We have been informed this morning that you are not registered.”
“The statement is false,” retorted Frank quietly. “Who made it?”
“Never mind that. If you have your certificate it will settle the point.”
“I have it, but not with me. Will you take my word for it and permit me to show the certificate after the contest?”
“Impossible, for you are challenged.”
“Then I demand to have the challenger face me.”
There was a moment of hesitation17, and then Herbert Hollingsworth stood out.
“I am the challenger!” he cried. “You’ll ’ave to show your certificate or be barred!”
Merry looked him over with an expression of contempt and withering18 scorn on his handsome face.
“You’re a very clever rascal19, Hollingsworth,” he said; “but the cleverest rascals20 sometimes overreach themselves.”
“I hobject to such language!” snarled21 the trainer.
“Oh, I haven’t begun to tell you what I think of you!” said Frank. “When the race is over, if you remain, I will, in your presence, tell the judges and the officials of this club all about you and your rascally22 tricks. I know you were in my room at the Ashport House day before yesterday. You——”
“Lies habout me won’t ’elp you!” sneered23 Hollingsworth. “You’ll ’ave to show your certificate. If you can’t do that, you can henjoy the pleasure of being a spectator.”
“Enough of this!” commanded Robert Ashley, in high disapproval24. “Mr. Merriwell, like the others, must show his certificate.”
“Which he can’t do,” asserted the trainer.
Frank turned and called:
“Bart! Bart Hodge!”
It seemed that Hodge had been waiting for this.
“Coming, Frank,” he answered, and pushed into the room.
Merry held out his hand.
From an inner pocket, Hodge produced a folded paper, which he delivered to his friend.
“Here, gentlemen, is my certificate,” said Frank, as he passed it to the judges.
The paper was opened and scanned. Herbert Hollingsworth, his face gone pale and wearing an expression of astonishment25 and perplexity, pressed forward and stared at it. He seemed to doubt the evidence of his eyes.
“The certificate is correct,” decided26 one of the judges. “Mr. Merriwell is eligible27, being a regularly enrolled28 member of the A. A. U.”
“I thought it remarkable29 if he were not,” said Mr. Ashley.
Hollingsworth was dazed.
Frank turned on him, speaking in a low tone, his voice indicating suppressed anger:
“I’ll see you, sneak30, and square the account after the race!”
Hollingsworth said not a word.
Frank passed on from the clubhouse to join the other runners at the starting point.
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1
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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2
brooks
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| n.小溪( brook的名词复数 ) | |
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3
babbled
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| v.喋喋不休( babble的过去式和过去分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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4
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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5
conveyances
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| n.传送( conveyance的名词复数 )；运送；表达；运输工具 | |
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6
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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7
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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8
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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9
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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10
athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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11
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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12
contestants
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| n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 ) | |
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13
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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14
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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15
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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16
registration
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| n.登记，注册，挂号 | |
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17
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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18
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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19
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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20
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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21
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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22
rascally
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| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
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23
sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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25
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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26
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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27
eligible
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| adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的 | |
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28
enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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29
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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30
sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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