Now, however, with nerves and muscles taut, he was eager to increase
his distance, too eager it seemed, for his second throw measured only
eighty-nine feet.
A silence fell upon his friends and Cameron began to chide him.
"You went right back to your old style, Mack. There wasn't the sign of a
swing."
"I will get it yet, or bust!" said big Mack between his teeth.
McGee's second throw went one hundred and seventeen feet. A cheer arose
from his backers, for it was a great throw and within five feet of
his record. Undoubtedly McGee was in great form and he might well be
expected to measure up to his best to-day.
Black Duncan's second throw measured one hundred and nineteen feet
seven, which was fifteen feet short of his record and showed him to be
climbing steadily upward.
Once more the turn came to Mack, and once more, with almost savage
eagerness, he seized the hammer preparatory to his throw.
"Now, Mack, for heaven's sake go easy!" said Cameron. "Take your swing
easy and slow."
But Mack heeded him not. "I can beat it!" he muttered between his shut
teeth, "and I will." So, with every nerve taut and every muscle strained
to its limit, he made his third attempt. It was in vain. The measure
showed ninety-seven feet six. A suppressed groan rose from the Maplehill
folk.
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