204 REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



regret he was not present to hear us cheer the popular vic- 

 tories of his honest nag. Although there were not so many 

 big camps as usual, yet a goodly collection of small ones made 

 the number of visitors pretty equal to last year. In the com- 

 bined camps of Messrs. Hudson and Macleod were over thirty, 

 Mrs. Hudson being hostess, while in Mr. Lockhart's camp, 

 close on forty had to be catered for, but Mrs. Nicalay, who 

 kindly took upon herself the trouble of arranging, was fully 

 equal to the occasion, and right well she looked after the wants 

 of the large camp. Next down the line was the tent of the 

 hard-working clerk of the course, Mr. Robertson Pughe, thanks 

 to whom the polo ground and race-course were in excellent 

 prder. The ball-room roof had to be dismantled just before 

 the meeting, owing to several of the beams looking unsafe, 

 but in spite of this Mr. Pughe had a temporary roof erect- 

 ed, and the floor was in its usual good state for dancing. 

 Next to Mr. Pughe's tent, came Dr. Russell's of Chupra, 

 then Mr. Ellis', followed by Lieutenant Pressey of Dinapore, 

 who brought a bevy of fair maids from across the Ganges 

 to enjoy the fun of the fair. Then came Mr. Gasper 

 Gregory's of Durbangah, with stately Miss Seth, and his 

 three other winsome and accomplished little nieces, one of 

 them gifted with a voice like that of the angel Isafrel; and 

 last, but not least in this line, rose the fine shamiana and tents 

 of the Connaught Rangers. Opposite were Mr. Bourdillon's 

 tents, with a party of thirty, and then followed a host of small 

 encampments, Mr. Harris, Captain Carandini, Mr. Chardon 

 of Chupra and others. Mr. Alf. Simson of Messrs. Kilburn 

 & Co., as guest of Bob Lockhart, was a welcome addition, to 

 the meeting. The weather throughout was excellent, though 

 a trifle warmer than usual at Sonepore. Major Beaver and 

 Veterinary-Surgeon Blenkinsop were up on duty from Calcutta, 

 buying remounts; from the first thing in the morning till dark, 

 save on the racing -mornings, they were on their legs, examin- 



