On Your Mark! A Story of College Life and Athletics

f a third person on the scene. Allan's surprise was ludicrous enough, but the picture presented by Pete-mouth and eyes wide open and the headless duck held stiffly at arm

gray tweed and leather leggings and carried a shot-gun. At his side, exhibiting two rows of very white teeth, stood a red and white setter. Allan liked neither the g

ur ducks?

e looked again at t

" he

ocked and that it was held in a position that was far from

r," he asked, "are

are,

pread his features, and he chuckl

he man, politely but with

fly, I was afraid they were degenerating. Of course, as they were tame ducks, it's all right." Pete waded out of the water and the setter la

ssessions. The dog trotted over to them and stood guard, watching their ow

," he said. "Guess the dog

ng?" asked the man. The gent

rt," answ

ude

s,

ks. "Want me to believe you though

shoot tame ones, do you?" asked Pete, sc

eady to pay for the

nswered Pete

ollar will do. The

our money." He put a hand into his trouser pocket. Then he stopped short

away without any money." Allan, fearing arrest would follow this

answered. "The

ingly toward the dog. "How about my s

will warm you up," sai

ecurity, eh?" he asked.

ted. "That carbine's worth a good bit more'n a

our toe a few times, it'll remind you to find out whe

osively, "you'll get your old dollar. We're not thieves.

man, with a flicker of a

st take them,

the other, measuring the two with hi

hen-" be

other, cheerfully. "Now, look here; you've killed my ducks, an

if we have

hat you two students would come six miles from college w

can believe us or not, just as you like, and be hang

, "but it isn't just practical. I rather think you could do it, and I don't

wered. "But something's got to be done

m Pete to the articles in discussion. The dog looked suspiciously fro

e, J

ingly. Pete picked up h

n. The man watched him smilingly. Whe

e over with your money to-morrow or ne

rifle," said the man. Pe

that, too?

g, I guess." Pete went back and got it

" said

w about

e around here where they'd take a Winchester carbine as security for a Thanksgiv

rter of a mile until you come to a big brown house standing back from the lane. You go there and tell 'em you're hungry, and you'll get plenty

id Pete. All

an, smiling kindly. "Go

indicated, but after a few yards Allan turned and looked back. The man, with the setter

bout the ducks

so," Pet

d-naturedly. Then

lked on in silenc

ch a bad sort, was

going to do any more than scare us, anyway

asked Allan, presently, as they left the woods, c

ountry here? Out our way, when you see a duck in a lake or on the river, it's a wild duck, and you just naturally go ahead and shoot it. Th

e followed

ng, rambling house of brown-shingled walls and numerous red chimneys. Farther off were stables and barns. From the chimneys the

try it?" a

"I'm so hungry I co

an demurred. "It isn't as thoug

he folks the better the rations.

e bread and a glass of

ger! I've got to hav

to the back do

t. We'll go to the front. Wh

ui

another one of those setter dogs. Looks just like

they mounted the broad steps, crossed a wide veranda, and pushed the ivory button beside the big oaken door. Allan strove to

asked Pete, with

ire was crackling merrily in the chimney-place. Allan felt like an impostor. Pete calmly

said. "I'll bet we'll get two

ressedly and listened to the footsteps coming nearer and nearer down the uncarpeted hall.

gan Pete. Then

as the owner