Cinder Path Tales

22 CINDER-PATH TALES in an endless repetition of the very conclusive sentence, " Put up, or shut up," " Put up,or shut up," which evidently gave him an ex­ treme amount of satisfaction. I was notthen the possessor of fifty cents, andwas pleased when the starter silencedhim with the per­ emptory order to " Get on your marks." I went to the line at once, followed by Simmons, and as the crowd was being pressed back slowlybehind the ropes. Hacking drew me a little aside and gave me his last instructions. " Now, my lad, listen to what I say. You've got your heart back all right, and can win if you use your head. The starter will hurry the pistol a bit, for he would like to seeyou win, and you need not be afraid of going away too soon. Get a yard to the good, and hold it, for if you cannot show clear at the tape,you will stand no show with the referee." I learned afterwards that while both were supposed to be fair and unprejudiced men. Hacking had practically named the starter, and Simmons' backer the referee. The former would give me all possible advan­ tage, andthe latter would see none but my opponent athe finish without opera-glasses unless Ihad him plainly beaten. To those who do not know, I will say that, in a sprint, very much dependson the start;