If he reached the cut-off road at a certain time he would know things were moving just as swiftly as necessary.

Those boys who strained themselves in that first seven miles would be apt to rue their rashness when they began to feel their legs quiver with weakness under them, and still miles remained to be covered ere the goal came in sight.

And, besides, they were sure to be in no condition for a hot final sprint, in case of keen competition.
So Hugh, having registered as required at two booths on the way, and thus learned the order in which the trio ahead of him seemed to be running, finally arrived at the sunken quarry road.

He recognized the landmarks before he reached the spot; and losing not a second of time darted among the trees.
"Just" Smith was still leading him, for here and there he could distinguish the other's foot prints, where the ground chanced to be a little moist.

Hugh also had reason to believe that Nick Lang was coming strong not a great distance behind him.