However, the half-mile saw Tempest three yards ahead and still going.

Then, to our concern, we saw Redwood's stride lengthen a little, and watched inch after inch of the interval shrink, until at the end of the third lap there was scarcely more difference than there had been at the end of the first.

Yet our man was still to the front.
And now it was almost difficult for us onlookers to breathe, for the tug was at hand.

The fourth lap had scarcely begun when a wild yell called attention to the fact that Tempest was once more "putting it on." What was still more satisfactory was that he was going as well as ever, although in that respect so was Redwood.

The gap opened again, the foot grew to a yard, and the yard to half a dozen, and the half-dozen to-- At last! It was but two hundred yards from home when Redwood's stride once more lengthened out, and a new shout told us all that the chasm was once more being filled up, inch by inch and foot by foot.