Nothing was known about the skill of Tom or Powell in this direction.
The contest began with a throw by Powell.

It was not very good and Jackson outdistanced him by three feet.
"That's the style, Jackson!" cried Lew Flapp.

"Show 'em what you can do." "This is the day our crowd comes out on top," put in Pender.
"Crowing rather early, seems to me," came from Fred Garrison dryly.
It was now Tom's turn and he threw the hammer with all the force at his command.

It fell just beyond the point reached by Jackson.
"Good for you, Tom!" cried Sam.

"That's the way to do it." "Humph! Just wait till Larson takes his turn," came from a Flapp follower.
Larson stepped to the mark with the air of one who knows just what he is doing.