132 REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



Great was the consternation of Jock Harvey when, after 

 Palmerston seemed to have the Bettiah Cup safe, just oppo- 

 site the stand, we saw Southall raise his whip hand and little 

 Benham shot by the big bright bay, winning by two lengths. 

 Princely Durbangah thus scored his first win on a Behar 

 course midst the hearty cheers of the onlookers. Again the 

 stable scored by Electric winning the Derby, though his 

 stable-companion Wabdan started first favorite. Jaifir on 

 Widow beat Spider, Geraldine and Merry Lass in the Tirhoot 

 Stakes. Then Birdlime walked over for the Behar Stakes, 

 and Mercedes, with Jimmy up, won a newly framed race from 

 Bangle, Thisbe, Birdlime, Blue Bell and Longfellow. 



This ended a most pleasant morning's sport, resulting 

 chiefly in the triumph of the Maharajah's stable, which, to 

 judge from the congratulations showered upon him and Ben 

 Roberts, showed how popular the win was, although Mr. 

 Harvey's disappointment was equally sympathised with. South- 

 all's face was a caution. He considered it impossible for the 

 horse to be beaten, and certainly seemed more to be pitied 

 than either the owner or Harry Abbott who were quite confi- 

 dent that the race, if run over again, would be reversed, and 

 were offering to run Benham over the same course and at the 

 same weights for one thousand rupees or more, if it could be 

 put on. Eventually a match was arranged to come off on 

 Tuesday. 



On Friday the lotteries filled well, favoritism being divid- 

 ed between Palmerston and Kingcraft for the Durbangah Cup. 

 Mr. Harvey backed his nag bravely, though Jaffir would not 

 touch Kingcraft ; but a jovial Major of the yoth Regiment, 

 with the voice of a Sims Reeves and the thirst of a sand- 

 bank, bought him in each lottery. In the race Kingcraft 

 made running, and romped home three lengths in front of 

 Palmerston, who was much too fat, Fieldfare and Rouble 

 beaten off. Mercedes, owner up, beat Peter, Kirby and Sue- 



