63 



Stream of carriages and equestrians, fair and otherwise, 

 the former showing up in a very large proportion. The 

 road was the worst part of the morning's proceedings, and 

 to turn out early and have one's chota hazri jolted down 

 into the heel of one's boots and one's eyes filled with nice 

 red dust, for which the road is famed, was far from being 

 pleasant. 



Once on the other side of Jodhpore Thannah and 

 clear of the crowd of led horses under the tree, the 

 energetic spectators had breathing room and a less dusty 

 atmosphere to breathe. The start took place about a 

 quarter of a mile beyond the Thannah, the first hurdle 

 being placed in the field near Jodhpore Station, and the 

 line taken by the paper was over the road and straight for 

 the Bund country, thus giving any very impetuous spirit 

 a good mile straight within which to cool his ardour or 

 tumble on to his nose, whichever proceeding he most 

 fancied. 



To return, however, to the beginning of events. The 

 Tougall and Mr. Bartie arrived punctually to time with 

 the necessary "scent," and were soon at work on the 

 responsible task of laying the paper. Little Norah, 

 Tougal's English mare, found the big fences and the 

 heavy weight on her back a great tax on her abilities, and 

 I think she deserves great credit for bringing her sporting 

 owner round in safety. 



The list of starters is as follows : — 



Mr. A. J. D Clerk's ... b. aust. g. The Snob. 



Mr. W. O. Rees' .. b. aust. g. Kettledrum. 



Mr. J. D. West's . b. aust. g. Saxonbury, 



Mr. A. S. Barrow's . br. aust. h. Flatcatcher. 



Mr. H, G. Warburton's ... gr. aust. m Molly. 



Mr. Fred. Smith's ... b. aust. g. The Cob. 



Mr. L. Walker's ... b. aust. g. Blazes. 



Mr. A. L. Butler's ... gr. aust. g. Grey Dawn. 



Mr. G. W. Walker's ... b.^ aust g. Splasher. 



Mr. J. S. E Walker's ... blk. aust. g. King Cole. 



Mr. A. Kay Muir's ... b. aust. g. First Spear. 



After the usual interval they were let go to an even 

 start, Flatcatcher and Grey Dawn taking up the running 

 and showing the way over the first few fences which inter- 

 vened between the start and the Bund country. At the 

 first big wall — the second fence after crossing the Gurriah 

 Hat Road — a large crowd of people were collected, and 

 it was amusing to see how eagerly they watched for a 



