Away Hans started for the stick, running as swiftly as his short legs
would carry him. When about ten feet away he made a wild leap, stuck up
both legs in the air, and came down flat on his back with a loud whack.
"Hurrah, Hans wins!" cried Tom. "Best fall I've seen in a year!"
"Wh--who--vat--" gasped Hans, trying to recover his wind. "Who knocked
me der pack ofer annahow?"
"Nobody hit you, Hans."
"Who put geese grease der groundt on ver I run, hey?"
"Nobody."
"Well, did I knock der stick town?"
"No, you didn't come anywhere near the stick."
"Do I got some more trials?"
"I think, Mueller, that you had better retire," said Captain Putnam
with a smile. "High jumping does not seem to agree with you."
"Maype dot's so, captain. Veil, I ton't care annahow. I vill drow der
hammer ven ve haf some more of dem kondests," and then Hans dropped to
the rear.
Rockley was the next to jump, and his record was an inch better than
that already made.
"That's all right," said Lew Flapp.
Two other pupils now took their turns in jumping and Rockley's record
was speedily eclipsed. Then Dick came along and sent the record still
higher.
"That's the talk, Dick," said Tom enthusiastically. "I don't think
Pender can do as well."
"Can't I," sneered Pender. "I'll show you."
On he came, measuring his distance with care, and went over the stick
at the same height Dick had taken.
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