336 WHISPERS FROM FATRYLAND. [vit

Sundridge, Oxley, and Ethelston were almost
abreast as they jumped the hurdles, and Moore only
a dozen yards behind. Loud were the shouts of their
respective friends as they neared the Slough road,
which they crossed in the same order, and came into
the straight running without change of position. Now
was the moment for each boy to do his utmost; the
eyes of Eton were upon him; the ‘ Field’ was full of
spectators ; around the winning-post were crowds of
boys, and not a few were gathered on the bank near
the ‘school jump, in eager anticipation of that which
would probably decide the fate of the race.

A roar of conflicting cries arose as the five boys were
seen entering the last field before the final jump. Oxley
is the first into that field, bursting through the small
hedge and ditch without rising to the jump, Ethelston
and Sundridge, side by side, are scarce a couple of
yards behind him, and there goes up a mighty shout
from the lower boys as little Moore comes with a will
through the gap, gathers himself together like a good-
plucked chap as he is, and reduces the distance
between him and the others almost at every. step.
All four are nearly together when they are halfway
across the field—who is it that falls behind? It is
Sundridge—he has done his best, but the pace has
been too good for him, and he is fairly ‘ pumped out.’

Now come the cries from the opposite bank
louder and faster. ‘Oxley!’ ‘Ethelston!’ ‘Moore !’
shout a chorus of youthful voices, as the three
gallantly struggle on towards the far-famed Chalvey.
Twenty yards from the jump it becomes apparent that
the race will be between two. Ethelston and Moore