He seemed to be doing his best, or nearly that, yet he did not reach but a little beyond Rains' mark.
"Seventeen feet, six inches and a quarter," announced one of the measurers.
"I wonder if that is anywhere near his limit ?" thought Paul, as he slowly walked back to the starting point.

"I think I will have to give him a stint this time." As he faced the mark, he gathered his energies in every part of his body, felt his muscles strain, knew his nerves were at their highest tension.
"He's going to lay himself out this time," said one of the spectators to another.

"Seventeen feet will not be mentioned again." Down the strip shot Rains.

He reached the mark, and went flying through the air like a bird, bringing a cry to the lips of those watching, for they saw he had gone far ahead of the first jump.
"That was a beauty!" exclaimed Bascomb, speaking to Wat Snell, who stood watching.
"It was a good jump," said Snell; "but Merriwell will beat it." "What makes you think so ?" "Because that fellow always beats at everything.

I had rather have his luck than a license to steal! I've quit trying to down him, for I found I was bound to get the worst of it if I kept it up." "Oh, his time will come." "Perhaps so; but it isn't coming in a hurry." "Nineteen feet, three inches and a third," announced the measurer.
"Hooray!" shouted one of Paul's delighted admirers.
"That's the stuff! Merriwell will have to shake himself, if he means to beat that." But Frank had friends who were confident that he would still hold the lead.
"Wait till the next measurement is taken," they said.
Frank's manner, as he took his place for the start, seemed to indicate that he believed the task before him a difficult one.
"He's doubtful," muttered one of Paul's friends.
"He's losing courage," said another.
Pressing his lips together, Frank made the run, and the watchers held their breath as he jumped.
"He's tied Rains!" "Not much! He's behind!" "Rains holds the lead!" "Great Scott! is that Merriwell's best!" Bascomb thumped Wat Snell on the back.
"What'd I tell you!" he laughed in Snell's ear.