CHAPTER XXII
A SWIM AND SOME SNAKES
The majority of the cadets were now inclined to think that Rockley's team would win the contest. They had seen Tom's followers sneezing, but thought this might come from the dampness of the ground.
"Don't give in, Tom!" cried Sam, dancing around. "You've got to beat him!"
"Bah! you act like a monkey," said Lew Flapp. "Rockley's fellows are bound to win."
In the meantime the rope was moving rapidly backward and forward. Once Rockley and his men had Tom's team dangerously close to the line. But Tom ordered a drop and there the team clung, refusing to budge an inch further.
"Time is almost up," said George Strong. "Three minutes more!"
"Up!" cried Rockley.
"Up and pull for all you are worth!" cried Tom. "Pull, I tell you! Make every ounce of muscle count!"
And pull Tom's team did as never before, and
183
