The Chums of Scranton High on the Cinder Path

ad been fielders in the baseball nine that carried off the championship pennant of the three-town high-school league the preceding

d feel disposed to, at least, be in at the start, though calculating to fall out after a few miles

no intention of finishing usually look the most confident during the preparations for making the grand start. Well, they have

Even on a trial run Mr. Leonard had advised the boys to separate as soon as possible, and keep some distance apart,

alone. Hugh had left the main thoroughfare, and was passing along a byroad that would t

r bound for Scranton. Hugh had an idea, however, that one of them was coming along the same road a mile or more behind, and that it would turn out to be "Just" Smith

uture, and see what it held for him. The coming of "Just" Smith would yet turn out to be

ely to be in condition for the gruelling finish that might become necessary, over the last half mile of the long course, should a visiting runner threaten to head th

o wished to conserve their strength toward the close of the race; and that he was holding back a good reserve stock of energy. Yes, he bel

rill. It was like a faint human cry for help, uttere

topped

meant to lure him into the brush and rocks, where he could, perhaps, be overpowered? But Nick, as well as his two satellites, Leon Disney and Tip Slavin, had been on the grounds at the time Hugh started hi

d had welled forth. The country was exceedingly rough just there, and he fancied that some sort of

nued to press hastily forward, he once more caught the beseeching cry. It

Oh! hel

the conditions of the rough surface of the ground permitted. He had taken pains t

e more received a reply,

before it gives w

Hugh was thrilled at the bare thought of one of the opposite

over his shoulder, he could see the road he had lately come along, tr

o speed up considerable on the morrow if he wished to be anywhere near the head of the procession when the race neared its close. Hugh, somehow, fixed the fact of his comrade's presence on his mind.

h that represented the only hope of safety from a serious fall. He threw himself down and thrust his head out over the edge. What Hugh saw was enough to give any boy a thrill of horror. Some ten feet below the top a human figure sprawled, kicking with his legs

discovery; he could not understand for the life of him how Claude Jardine,

trying to solve that puzzle; it could be all made

perfectly still, Claud

way, and let me drop!" w

ply, with the tone of authority that one accustomed to command might use. "I'm c

! hurry, please!" cam

a false movement, for the precipice was all of forty feet in dept

a foothold, or a place where he could hang on with his hands. Hugh was as nimble as any boy in Scranton, which fact proved of grea

body. It seemed the irony of fate that the life of her precious boy was now going to hang upon the ability of Hugh Morgan to sustain himself, and the weight of another, there upon the face of that rocky precipi

ver him. Now he found himself alongside Claude. The boy's face was the color of ashes; Hugh had never l

angling toes there was a narrow ledge. If only both of them could find lodgment upon this; and have some hold above for their hand

f only you keep your head about you. 'Just' Smith is coming along

o give way right off!" g

to lower yourself along the bush, inch by inch, until you feel the ledge under you. Don't be afraid, because I mean to grab hold of you; but when you feel me

r chap. Claude was already cold with fear, as cold as a

olid little ledge under him. Indeed, had it been necessary, such an agile fellow

could continue to cling while he sustained much of the weight of th

h he allowed the bush to slip through his hands, looking down as well as he was able at the sam