He had held himself slightly in reserve.

Now he "let himself out." Whiz! whiz! went the polished pair of steels under him, and soon Wardham, the fellow who had held second place, was passed, dropping behind Fred, thus taking fourth place.

Then Tom came up on Gray's heels.
"Hurrah for Tom Rover!" "Go it, Tom, don't let him beat you!" "Go it Gray, Tom Rover is at your heels!" Gray did not dare to look back, but at the latter cry he did his best to increase his speed.

So did Tom, and while the finishing line was still a hundred yards distant he came up side by side with Gray.
"It's a tie!" "No, Gray is a little ahead yet!" "Go in, Gray, don't let him beat you!" "Tom Rover to the front! Go it, Tom, for the glory of old Putnam Hall!" A wild yelling broke out on every side.

On and on went the two boys, with Fred Garrison not two yards behind them.