i83 



from his horse over-jumping at the second hurdle, and the bags had to 

 be transferred to Quiet Cove's saddle. The change of course put a 

 considerable hole in the ten. minutes grace allowed, which was increased 

 still further by the "Old Man's" having to speak his mind to a more 

 enterprising than skilful equestrian who carried one of the fences on the 

 course clean away for his own private delectation, before the field came 

 up. I did not witness the occurrence myself ; nor do I know who was the 

 unfortunate recipient of the old man's just wrath, but I overheard one 

 Aryan brother remark to another, ek sahib bohiit galle pya, and have no 

 manner of doubt, but some one caught it. The result was that the 

 leaders of the field overtook the paper-carriers, and ultimately beat them 

 when, the quick-eyed Mr. Pedestrian spotting the gathering, whiclr 

 indicated the final obstacle, raced for it with Dr. Durrum Toller. 

 But to return to the start. A goodly field had gradually collected in the 

 lane, among whom were several of the fair sex, of whom three were 

 particularly well-mounted and went like birds, one joining the first flight 

 and staying there throughout. When time was called, the field, led by 

 Black Prince and Temperance, after negotiating a hurdle, had to cross 

 a bund only wide enough for single file, where more than one eager rider 

 got his feet wet- After crossing the brickfields, the line went over <* 

 nice natural country through some gardens, where the fences took a 

 good deal of doing, and where several of the wash-ball-seated came to 

 grief, then emerged on the open on the far side of the line within sight 

 of Jodhpore Railway Station, when, as many old frequenters of Bally- 

 gunge will recollect, a rather trappy blind ditch wends a tortuous course 

 and across the railway, the finish being over a hurdle within sight of the 

 thannah at Jodhpore. Owing to the Honorary Secretary's mishap, the 

 course of events throughout the chase was, as may be i^nagined, some- 

 what mixed, hares and hounds coming in indiscriminately from all direc- 

 tions, hounds leading easy ; but every one out seemed to be uncommonly 

 well satisfied with themselves, their horses and their morning's sport. 

 Throughout the early part of the chase. Black Prince, Temperance, 

 and Mr. Pedestrian's useful black showed the way, but they overran the 

 paper, letting up Champion, Gipsy and Burgundy, who were lying 

 handy. The leading trio, however, picked them up again without much 

 loss of time, and when the field appeared in the open, Mr. Pedestriarr 

 was leading, with *' the doctor " at his heels, a fine race between the pair 

 resulting in a win for the "Bounding Jockey" by a head. Black Prince 

 third and Gipsy fourth. The next detachment was led by Champion, 

 Rob Roy and Burgundy. Falls were very numerous, but no one was 

 much the worse, although Cleveland's sporting owner had a nasty fall in 

 the blind ditch already noticed. 



So early in the year it was with difficulty that a course could be got 

 at all, but a week makes a marvellous difference at this time of the year 



