16 REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



CHAPTER V. 



YEAR 1849. 



In spite of the poor support afforded the meeting in '48, 

 we find the Stewards putting forth a six days' programme for 

 the fixture of 1849, the dates running from 2yth October to 8th 

 November. Mr. Hewett had evidently flung down the reins r 

 for the name of Mr. F. Harbord of Patna appears as Honorary 

 Secretary. First entries were fairly promising, most of the 

 patrons of former years weighing in with nominations, a 

 decided increase being observable in the number of Australians. 

 But if '48 was disheartening to all concerned, save the winners, 

 '49 was even more deplorable ; for a profound listlessness and 

 indifference characterised the meeting. The names of De Vaux, 

 Williams, Grey, Charles, Cunningham, Return and D'Arcy were 

 absentees, even Mr. Campbell appeared not in the pigskin, and 

 Pretender sailed under other colors than those of the Chupra 

 amateur, having been sold to Mr. Holdfast, a name under which 

 Mr. George Plowden was now running. As early as the fifth of 

 September it was evident that three of the big events were bound 

 to fall through, and when the sportsmen assembled under the 

 mangoe tope, their interests and suggestions were so varied, that 

 it was difficult for the Stewards to decide what sort of conditions 

 would ensure decent fields. Mr. Holdfast, a good name that for 

 a greedy one, held fast to three cups, claiming that the terms of 

 entry having been fulfilled he could walk over for them ; and 

 walk over he did for the Chumparun, Doomraon, and Civilians' 

 Cups, as well as for the Durbangah one. The first day opened 

 with the Maiden Arab Race, for which Mr. Holdfast's Blood- 

 royal, Mr. Fox's Gull, and Mr. Seymour's Soothsayer, sauntered 

 out to do battle, finishing in a very slack manner as placed. Little 

 or no enthusiasm was shown by the Europeans in the racing, 

 but the shouts from the Aryan on-lookers, of " Wa, wa Col- 

 lector Saheb ka ghora jita," whenever the Magistrate's 

 horses won, showed that Civilians were better known and 



