and both were leading. Randolph looked sidewise, and shut his
mouth tight as he saw his hated rival on equal terms with him and
threatening to pass him. It would be humiliating in the extreme,
he thought, to be beaten by such a boy.

But beaten he seemed likely to be, for Luke was soon a rod in
advance and slowly gaining. Slowly, for Randolph was really a fine
skater and had no rival except Luke. But Luke was his superior, as
seemed likely to be proved.

Though only these two stood any chance of final success, all the
boys kept up the contest.

A branch of a tree had been placed at the western end of the pond,
and this was the mark around which the boys were to skate. Luke
made the circuit first, Randolph being about half a dozen rods
behind. After him came the rest of the boys in procession, with one
exception. This exception was Tom Harper, who apparently gave up
the contest when half-way across, and began skating about, here and
there, apparently waiting for his companions to return.

"Tom Harper has given up his chance," said Linton to the teacher.

"So it seems," replied Mr. Hooper, "but he probably had no
expectation of succeeding."

"I should think he would have kept on with the rest. I would
have done so, though my chance would have been no better than his."

Indeed, it seemed strange that Tom should have given up so quickly.