They were to leave three minutes apart; the time of each team being
computed from the moment of its departure till its return, as is always
done in the Great Races.
The Timekeeper stood with his watch in his hand, and the Starter beside
him. Bob, eager for the word, spoke soothingly to the dogs to keep them
quiet. He was devoutly hoping that Nero would not discover any intimate
friend in the crowd and insist upon a formal greeting; for Nero's
affability was a distinct disadvantage on such an occasion.
At last the moment came, and the Starter's "Go" was almost simultaneous
with Bob's orders to his leader, whose usual dignified and leisurely
movements were considerably hastened by the thunderous applause of the
spectators.
It was a "bully get-away," George and Dan agreed, and only hoped that
theirs would be as satisfactory.
Bill followed with equal ease, and equal approbation.
Jim, justifying Dan's earlier unfavorable report, lost over a minute by
letting his dogs become tangled up in their harness, and then coaxing
them to leave instead of commanding.
"Wouldn't that jar you?" whispered Dan disgustedly. "Why, your sister
Helen does better'n that in those girly-girly races, even if she does
say she'd rather get a beatin' herself than give one to a dog."
But the general public looked with more lenient eyes upon such
mistakes, and Jim left amidst the same enthusiasm that had sped the
others on their way.
When Dan and his dogs lined up there was much admiration openly
expressed.
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