Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/289

Rh ought not to get a start off first. Tom's the one who can hold 'em."

"Maybe, but I'll bet you anything they steal a half-dozen times on us."

"Don't let them get to first," advised Lanny. "That's the safest plan."

"Yes, safety first," agreed the other. "How many races are you down for next week, Lanny?"

"Four, sprints and hurdles. But I may not run them all. It depends on who qualifies. If Arthur and Eg Peyton get placed for the low hurdles I'll probably drop out. By the way, that young Hull is quite a find, Gordie. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a second in the two-twenty. He's developing into a mighty spry youth. Runs nicely, too. Lots of form. Funny thing is he never tried the sprints until this spring."

"I guess Skeet is a pretty good trainer, isn't he?"

"Y-yes. Yes, Skeet's all right. The only trouble with Skeet is that he can't seem to get it into his head that our chaps are just youngsters. He expects them to stand a lot of hard work and then can't understand why they get tired and loaf. Still, he's all right, and I wouldn't be a bit surprised if we won this year."

"Well," Gordon laughed, "with you taking part in most of the stunts, I don't see how you can