For the Honor of Randall Part 30

"No, I wouldn't say anything," said Holly. "He feels badly enough as it is, and we don't want any more disruption among the fellows than possible. We aren't going to have any walkover in these games."

"I guess you're right. Well, we'll do our best, but I wish this hadn't happened."

Frank's foot was very painful the next day, and much swollen, but the doctor said there was no special cause for alarm, as it had been treated with antiseptics.

But the Big Californian had to keep in bed, and this was irksome to him, as he was naturally active. Phil, Tom and Sid did all they could to make his imprisonment cheerful, and Shambler called several times, to express over and over again his regret at his carelessness. The others took rather a liking to him, but Tom could not bring himself to be friendly.

He was sure Shambler had some secret that he was afraid would be discovered.

Tom had not seen Madge Tyler since the memorable day of the May walk, but from his chums, who paid several visits to the co-educational inst.i.tution, the pitcher learned that Madge had not been out with Shambler since.

"I believe she did it just to spite me, because of that little incident with Miss Benson," reasoned Tom.

A week after the accident Frank was able to step on his foot, but the doctor strictly forbade any violent exercise. However he did not prohibit practice at weight throwing, and Frank soon proved himself an expert at this, almost equaling Dutch, so that Holly and Kindlings made a temporary shift in their list of entrants.

"But I'll be in the jump all right," a.s.serted Frank, and rather to the surprise of the doctor the injured foot healed so well and rapidly that there was a prospect, after all, that the Big Californian could take the place originally a.s.signed to him.

"I hope he can," said Holly. "For we need him, and Sid Henderson, while he's good, isn't quite up to Frank's mark."

Sid knew this himself, but he was, by constant work, gradually improving.

Meanwhile hard practice went on among the various track squads.

The grounds at Tonoka Park were being put in shape for the big quadruple meet, and there was every prospect of success. The various committees held frequent meetings, and it was said that many tickets were being disposed of, so that there was a prospect of well-filled treasuries.

Many of the lads against whom Tom and his chums had played football or baseball were to uphold the colors of Boxer Hall and Fairview. As regarded Exter little was known, though it was rumored that a number of well-known amateurs were enrolled under her banner.

"Exter is the only one we haven't a good line on," said Holly Cross one afternoon, as he called at the room of the inseparables to inquire about Frank, who was almost himself again.

"Why, you don't have any fear about her fellows; do you?" asked Tom, taking the call as an excuse to stop studying.

"Yes, I do, in a way. I tell you, boys, Randall will need every point she can pile up. You know how we score, with a thousand points as the maximum for the best in each cla.s.s of events. Seconds and fractions of inches count, so don't forget that, and go for every last ounce of strength or wind that you have. A point in any event may make or break us."

"Will it be as close as that?" asked Sid.

"Indeed it will. Every man of Randall will have to be strictly on the job, as I've said before. This isn't a football match, where, if you don't make a touchdown one quarter, you may the next." Holly spoke seriously.

"Oh, well, we'll be there with the goods," declared Phil.

"I'm sure I hope so," spoke the young trainer, as he took his leave, warning Frank to take care of himself, and get in the best possible condition.

"Do you really think you'll jump?" asked Holly.

"Sure I will. I saw the doctor, and while he said I must be careful, still, he didn't absolutely forbid me as he did at first. I'll do my best."

"Yes, we know that," declared Tom clapping his big chum on the shoulder.

There followed a period of silence in the room, after Holly had left.

The four tried to study, but their thoughts were plainly more on the coming games than on their books. Finally Tom, tossing aside his Latin book, gave a big yawn and said:

"I'm going for a row. It's too nice to stay in, and there isn't any practice ordered for this afternoon. Who's coming out on the river with me?"

"Not I," spoke Sid. "I can't spare the time."

"Oh come on, you old misanthrope," urged the pitcher.

"Nope. Take Frank, he needs the air."

"Then you come too, Phil."

"No, I'm back in my work, and I've just got to make it up, or I'll be conditioned, and you know what that means. You and Frank are the brainy pair; you go."

"Will you?" asked Tom; and Frank consented.

CHAPTER XXI

ON THE RIVER

The afternoon was warm--almost too warm for that time of year, and Tom and Frank, as they neared the river, felt the breeze sweeping up from the water.

"That's something like," remarked Frank, who now walked with scarcely the semblance of a limp.

"Yes, it'll do us good to get cooled off," said Tom. "I hope there's a decent boat left."

There were several rowing craft, owned by the college, which were used in common by the students, it being a case of first come first served.

In addition a number of the lads had boats of their own, but Tom was not one of the lucky ones.

"There's Holly's skiff," remarked the Big Californian, as the two came near the boat house. "He won't use it to-day, as he's gone to a meeting of the athletic committee over at Exter. Let's pinch that."

"All right, I guess he won't mind. It's the only decent one left, anyhow."

"I wonder why Randall never did much sh.e.l.l racing?" mused Frank, as he and his chum were floating idly down the river. "I should think the fellows would. There's a good course here, and with Boxer Hall, and Fairview, so close by, and near the river, there ought to be more interest in the sport."

"That's right, there had," agreed Tom, casting a glance over his shoulder to see if the course was clear. "Maybe we will have a good crew, after we see how these games come out. What we need is some one to stir things up. Randall, from what I hear, didn't use to take any interest in sports. It's only of late years that she's come to the front. Of course there has been some rowing here, and one or two good races, but nothing to boast of. What do you say if we start something?"

"I'm willing. We four might get a sh.e.l.l and challenge Boxer Hall. I like rowing, and it's good exercise. But it's too late to do anything this term, especially with the games coming on."

"That's right, but it's worth thinking of," agreed Frank. "We'll keep it in mind. Want me to row?"

"No, you sit still and take it easy. You're out for your health you know."

"Oh, you be hanged!" was the half-protesting answer. "You'd have 'em think I was an invalid. I'm all right."

"I hope you keep so," was Tom's comment, as he bent to the oars.

They went down the river for a mile or so, talking of many things, but chiefly of the coming contests. Then, as they neared the vicinity of a little recreation park, which was not far from Fairview Inst.i.tute, Frank exclaimed: