139 



to whose blood and gallant endurance as a hack, so many a day's 

 sport, whether with gun or spear, has beeii due. We can vividly 

 remember, after many a broiling gallop, how welcome to the sight 

 of weather-beaten rider and panting hackney used to be the var- 

 mint little "relief" as he stood under the scant shade of some 

 " baubul" thorn. How alike in all essential points were the two 

 ponies, how wide-awake and vicious-looking was the fresh one, and 

 how often the little brute used to fight, until like Don Juan's 

 hack, he 



" Knew that he had a rider on his back." 



When he would give up further mutiny, settle down to a stretch- 

 ing gallop and appear to enjoy it too ; how we oft times used to 

 reproach ourselves as we looked at the last pony, and how varmint 

 and game were his looks as with big blood-like, but gentle eyes, the 

 only soft things about a Mahratta, wide thin nostrils and lean head 

 all brought out by violent exertion ; we pulled him up with quiv- 

 ering legs, heaving flanks and shaking tail, to bear witness to hav- 

 ing been rattled along at twelve miles an hour over a bad road and 

 under a midday Dekkan sun. Never, their tempers excepted, were 

 there better ponies, and sin and shame will it be if the breed, used 

 up as it was for baggage animals during the mutiny by Rose's, 

 Whitlock's and other Central Indian columns, not to mention the 

 enemy, be allowed to die out. It is said however that Sir Richard 

 Temple will prevent this, and if he does, the thanks of many a 

 light weight, with a lighter purse, should be freely bestowed on him. 



Few, even among sportsmen, understand or appreciate the 

 pleasure of a long ride of, say sixty, or even half as many more, 

 miles at a stretch, with a change of horses at every stage. First, 

 there are always the pleasures of change, then difficulties, and 

 sometimes excitement or danger to encounter, and, where did man 

 show greater knowledge of his fellows than did Scott when he 

 wrote, as causes why they should stray. 



* * " I sought to drive away 

 " The lazy hours of peaceful day ; 

 " Slight cause will then suffice to guide 

 " A Knight's free foot-steps far and wide 

 " A falcon flown, a greyhound strayed, 

 " The merry glance of mountain maid ; 

 " Or if a path be dangerous known, 

 " The dangers' self is lure alone." 



