“Hang it all, it seems like a funeral!” murmured Sid.
“Cut that out, you heathen!” ordered Phil, thumping his chum on the back.
“Feeling nervous?” asked Frank of Tom, to whom he sat next in the big car, for, though the Big Californian was not to compete, he rode with his chums.
“Just a little. I’m always thinking that I’ll slip, or--something----”
“Let the other fellow do the worrying,” suggested Frank, and it was good advice.
It was not a long ride to Tonoka Park, and when the autos containing the athletes came in sight of it, the lads saw the grounds gay in colors, while a big throng was already on hand. The strains of a band could be heard, and there were cheers and songs, for the crowds from Boxer Hall and Fairview were already in evidence.
“My! There’s a mob!” remarked Tom, as they swung up to the part of the field set apart for them.
“And look at the girls!” added Phil, as he waved his hand toward a section of the grandstand where the maids of Fairview were gathered.
“Will we have time to see ’em before we dress?” asked Sid.
“Oh, you’ll make it, whether you have or not,” retorted Frank. “You’re getting it bad.”
They left their suit cases in the dressing rooms assigned to them, and started across the field toward the stand where they hoped to see Ruth Clinton and her chums.
As they walked along Tom started, and stared toward a section of the crowd.
“I--I thought I saw Shambler,” spoke Tom in a low voice.
“Nonsense! He wouldn’t dare show his face here,” said Phil.
“I guess not,” agreed Tom, and he dismissed the matter.
“Here we are!” cried Ruth, as she spied her brother and his friends. “And we haven’t got your colors, either.”
She shook a flag of Fairview in his face.
“Pooh!” replied Phil. “Enough other girls have ’em,” and he waved his hand toward a part of the stand where the young lady cohorts of Randall sported the yellow and maroon.
Tom greeted Madge Tyler, and, as he stood beside her, he caught a glimpse of something yellow beneath the lapel of her light cloak.
“Don’t tell,” she whispered, “or I’d be tried for treason, but--I just couldn’t help it,” and, with a cautious glance around, she showed him a tiny bow of Randall’s colors, under those of her own college. “I--I just hope you’ll win!” she whispered, and Tom pressed her hand as he murmured his thanks.