POLO IN INDIA 285 



Another minute of stern and businesslike play during which 

 the two teams managed to hit the ball three distinct times between 

 them and then Mrs. A. declared she could play no longer with 

 gloves on, because she could not hold her stick properly ; and 

 Mrs. B., having played so far without gloves, taking the opposite 

 view, said she could play no longer without gloves, and that her 

 rings hurt her dreadfully. So these two went off to the touch 

 line, the one to take off her gloves, and the other to put them on 

 This was a famous opportunity for all the rest of the party to 

 discover that something or other was wrong with them, their 

 ponies or their get-up. Having soothed and set straight every- 

 body, the two males get off their ponies, light cigars, and sit down 

 on the ground to await the development of affairs. After a quarter 

 of an hour's rest they developed into another three minutes' play, 

 during which a considerable improvement in the all-round play 

 was noticeable, and one of the males hit a goal for his side, much to 

 the indignation of all the ladies on the other side. Then followed 

 two minutes' more play, during which the other male, incited 

 thereto by the reproofs liberally administered to him by his own 

 side, hit a corresponding goal for them. By the nature of things 

 it was now, in the ordinary course of events, tea-time, and an 

 adjournment for this necessary meal was at once decided upon. 

 After tea, which occupied one way or another about half an hour, play 

 was resumed. Every one seemed greatly revived, and some really 

 good runs were made. It is quite astonishing what wonders tea 

 works on the female constitution. So in our game tea made all 

 the difference, and the play afterwards was really astonishingly 

 good, considering the inexperience of the players. Having the off 

 side of the pony quite clear, they could get a clean hit on that 

 side, and those on handy, well-trained ponies appeared to be very 

 nearly as active after the ball as men would be. As long as ladies 

 play only in a ladies' game, and ride handy, well-trained ponies, 

 there is no reason why polo should not, like hunting, become a 

 pastime for our sisters and cousins and aunts as well as for our- 

 selves. To return to our match. After, in all, about twenty minutes' 

 play, it was voted that the game should be declared drawn, every 

 one being too hot and tired to go on. 



Having thus traced the rise and development of polo up to- 

 the present phase of the game with which most of us are familiar, 

 it may be as well to say something, not only of the rules which 



