Page:The purple pennant (IA purplepennant00barb).pdf/323

Rh Lanny pursed his mouth grimly. "I don't believe it will be running, but I'm going to start just for fun."

"But won't it hurt your leg?" asked Perry anxiously.

"Doc says so, but he's an old granny. I won't be able to finish, I guess, but I hate not to have a shot at it."

"Griner!" called the Clerk of the Course. "Stratton! Stratton?"

"Withdrawn," someone answered. The Clerk's pencil went through the name.

"White?"

"Here," replied Lanny as he took his place.

"Powers?"

"All right, sir."

"Hill?"

"That should be Hull, sir," said Lanny.

"Hull?"

"Here, sir," replied Perry, joining the others.

"That's all, then, Mr. Starter. Only four."

"Are you all ready, boys?" asked the starter. "On your marks! Hold on there, Number 7! Don't try that or you'll get set back. On your marks! . . . Set! . . ."

The pistol banged and the four jumped away. Perry, on the outer side of the straightaway, was in