Cinder Path Tales

THE HOLLOW HAMMER 49 the air with bulging eyes, and when it landed, ran after, andargued with the measurer over an extra half-inch in a maddening fashion. Sandy was a privileged character, however, and had a roar of applause every time he tried. When MacLeod came up for his first throw, hecaught the crowd immediately, so handsome and modest was he. He found particular favor with the " ladies," and not alone did I hear " Eh, but he's a braw lad­ die," but one little Irish girl, close to the ropes, with blue eyes and the proverbial smudge under them, setan example ofcos­ mopolitan freedom by clapping violently. Yes, a right well-looking man was Mac­ Leod that day, as he twisted his fingers round the hammer-handle and prepared to throw. He had a fair, open face, well colored by the sun ; indeed, darker was it than the hairthat curled round his forehead. His arms and shoulders were splendidly developed, and his legs brown, and corded like a distance run­ ner's. So well-proportionedwas he that he did not look the twelvestone whichhe really weighed, and there were murmurs of applause when he threw the hammer ninety-eight feet in his first trial, Duffy having shown but ninety-six just before him. Neither bettered in their second attempts, but when Duffy