On Your Mark! A Story of College Life and Athletics

e air. Allan slept late, in enjoyment of holiday privileges, and Pe

ed to the left through the little town of Kirkplain, which is opposite Centerport. Allan wore a white sweater, over which he had pulled an old coat; the pockets of the latter were bulging with shells. Pete wore a canvas hunting-coat and carried his cartridge

for the excellent reason that he had forgotten to load. The squirrel had seemed to appreciate the humor of the incident and

rock in order to recover from his fit of laughter. This story led to others. Pete proved a perfect mine of interesting narratives on

best of spirits. They took the road to the left, which leads down to the river and t

around inlets, cross brooks, and climb an occasional fence, and because they were keeping their eye

f-respecting duck a mile distant. Pete seemed to realize this fact, for he frequently looked back at Allan with pursed lips and violent shakes of his head, and then gla

panted, hoarsely. P

few rods further up-stream was a little promontory. Everything was very still save for the chirp of the birds in the woods and the infrequent screech of a locomotive-whistle

take a rest," h

ll of it frequently made him faint. Pete stuffed the blackened bowl full of dry tobacco and lighted it. Then he leaned back

birds the other day," said Pete, finally.

the walk. Besides, maybe we'll find a gra

oing farther up the river. What time is

ve," said Allan.

ng we go back and take the ferry over to Harwic

hould think there ough

denly and searc

exclaimed. "I fo

om where it had fallen and relighted it. Then he threw himself

grievedly. "We can't get home until three or four o'cl

would they? Nice thick sandwiches, with ham or beef inside, and lots

hut up

, apple's pretty hard to beat. We'll

of dried grass into Pete's face.

we'll get Mother Pearson to

you do!" gr

found wouldn't join, you needn't think that table isn't going t

Sci

t you a bunch of cows I get that table

. "Besides, if I were you, I'd go slow o

t di

u wagered w

orgotten that. But t

'll

eep your eye on your Uncle Pete. Let's think w

t something to eat,"

osey along." He dropped his pipe into his pocket and got to his feet. "There's bound to be a house somewhere's about;

d Allan, as he got up, "and I

r making a joke like that, and he w

te pumped a cartridge into the barrel of his carbine and tiptoed toward the shore. Allan se

t; if we don't, they'll fly. Keep low until you get to

lly wriggling his body, stomach to earth, reached the little expanse of pebbled shore and Pete's side, his heart leaped for joy. Before them was a little cove, and in it, peacefully

Pete. "We'll have to

llan whispere

ll raise 'em with this stone. Be ready and take 'em as they rise. Wait ti

r. They swam away from the spot where the stone sank, and made a good deal of fuss, but not a duck took wing. Pete grunted and threw another rock. The result was

's head off," he whispered. "I gue

was a loud report, then another, and a third. Two ducks floated quietly on the water. T

ucks!" ejaculated Pet

t fly!" said All

coed! They're not ducks, they're-t

about him in

, and so I shot,

t two!" said Pe

e," said Allan. "Why c

ad slowly. "Allan, I've done fool things i

difference it make

e to have further dealings with such-such freaks of nature. Ho

o have brou

would go, he waded out into the water. Allan sat down on the bank and promised to rescue him if he went over his depth. Pete reach

matter?" c

l. Only I never saw a duck

began Allan. Then the words sto

em," said a voice behind him,

don't appro