88 THE EARLY DAYS OE 



hurdle race, and broad jump, getting prizes hardly worth acceptance, 

 but one of these, a hunting-knife, is still in my possession. 



William Salmon,* my messmate at College, who was considerably 

 over six feet high, used to express astonishment that his long legs 

 could not carry him over the ground so fast as mine, which were 

 comparatively short, did me. Although I replied he should remain 

 content in having a better head than mine, he resolved to cope with 

 me in the College Steeple-chase, which led over a dug-out place 

 full of water covered with green scum, and surmounted by a railing. 

 Almost the entire population of the surrounding country would 

 assemble there on our gala-day, to share the fun of seeing the athletes 

 fall in, but I could just manage to jump it from bank to bank 

 without getting wet at all. And for several days before the race 

 I used to practice there, in order to find out the best place for taking 

 off and landing on the other side. 



Salmon, who was a dandy, having procured the most becoming 

 racing dress his tailor could supply, looked very smart when we all 

 assembled at the starting place, and to use his own expression, he 

 " felt so fit," that he thought he might acquire a little fortune if he 

 only would accept the odds so freely laid against his even reaching 

 the winning-post at all. 



"Are you ready?" What an exciting time that was, as every 

 eye was on the starter. " Off! " Away we went, all led by Salmon, 

 who never heeded for a moment that " it's the pace which kills." 

 The water jump was not far off, and by the time he reached it — 

 many yards before us all — no breath remained in his body, in conse- 

 quence of the terrific pace he had been going. Cheered by the 

 crowd, however, he made a noble effort, but his foot catching in 

 the rail, he alighted on his back in the middle of the water with a 

 tremendous splash, amid the delighted laughter of the crowd. He 

 was assisted out by our much loved Dean,t who when order was 



* Gold Medallist, died at Bombay. His executors sent me a very valuable diamond ring, which they said 

 had been left to me by my old messmate as "a token of affection." 



t The Rev. W. E. Buckley, an athlete, and scholar of considerable fame, livery one who had the honour of 

 his acquaintance loved and respected him. Died, 1892. 



