However, the fellows were still yelling, so I pulled myself together and went at the last hurdle viciously and got clean over, and then put it on all I could to the winning-post.

I guessed I'd done it in thirty seconds, and wished there was a pit I could tumble into at the end.
"Then Marky came and patted me on the back.

`Splendid, old fellow,' said he.

`How do you mean ?' said I; `ain't I licked into a cocked hat ?' `You've done it in nineteen seconds,' said he.

`Go on!' said I.