Frank Merriwell's Catch — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

18 | TIP TOP WEEKLY. particularly graceful in his movements.’ length. It JIooked as if he was a sure He was a stout, sturdy fellow, but na one had picked him out asa possible winner. The Greenville man paddied in a style that was the poetry of motion, and sent his canoe darting along without any ap- parent trouble. There seemed every reason why he should be regarded as an almost certain, victor. Welch showed his skit, and he did not ‘let the man from Greenville gain an inch ou him. Harly in the race he regarded that man as his only dangerous rival; but there was to come a time before long when he would see there were others in . the race. Frank saw at the very outset that Dia- mond had allowed his anger to get the hetter of his judgment, and he felt that the Virginian could not hald out as he had started. . When half of the course had been covered three of the cantestants were falling behind. Diamond still held the jead, but now Welch began to press hiu, with the Greenville man hot after Welch. “Merriwell was fourth, although but slightly in advance of Hadge. Saddenly Frank was surprised ta dis- cover that Bart was at his side—was pass- ine him. Hodge was putting in his best work at that point, ard the way he forged ahead brought faint cheers from the shore. He overtook the Greenville man, passed him, and then he and Welch raced for the lead. Diamond began to fail. He had started out too hard, aud the strain was begin- ning to tell on him. He held the lead as: long as posstble, but Welch and Hodge finally passed him. Then he dropped behind the mau from Greenville. Jack found Merriwell at his side. ‘Get into it, Frank!’ he panted. ‘‘I’m out! Can’t keep it up! Push them, Merry ?” t's time,’' were the only words that came from Frank. Steadily and surely he crept up on those in advance. He passed the man from the Lake region, and then the only ones ahead of lim were Hodge and Welch. The end of the race was near, and Welch was leading Bart by nearly half a_ PORTY-FIGHT PAGES FOR FAVE CENTS—THE HAEF-ROL DAY. ~ trouble. winner. But now Merriwell came up with amazing speed. Soon he was pressing those in advance, and still he continued to gain, although hoth Welch and Hodge seemed straining every nerve. For one moment Welch glanced over his shoulder. Hesaw Merriwell coming, with the Greenville man working hke a Trojan to hold close to him. At that moment Jim Welch began to realize that Merriwell staod a good chance of winning. Welch knew that he was doing lis level best, and yet Frank was gaining. Anger flamed in the fellow’s heart. (He shan’t win!” he grated. He made a final spurt that carried him ahead of Hodge, but still MerriwelI came om. Welch saw that Frank must pass him just before the end of the course was reached. A deterimination seized twpon him. He would foul Merriwell. Hodge was behind and would be stopped by them. That would give the race to the man from Greenville. Having decided on this treacherous course, Welch was not long in putting the plan into operation. Frank was pass- ing when, with a sharp swoop of the paddle, Welch whirled his canoe to cut Merriwell off. But Bart Hodge was watching for that trick, and he had reserved a certain amount of strength for the critical mo- ment. Now he seemed ta cause his canoe to leap forward, and its sharp prow struck the side of the one Welch occupied, sinashing it like an egg-shell. A second later Jim Welch was in the water, and Merriwell sped on to victary, a sure Wine ner at the last moment! CHAPTER VHI. AFTER ‘FHE RACE, There was a faint cheer from the shore. Merriwell had won the race, and the man | from Greenville was eacond, Welch had- received a merited ducking, but was res- cued from the water without much Welch was furious. declared he would have won the race had Over and over he | COMicloooks an