206 REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 



splendid struggle between the Jaintpore pair, Khedari disputing 

 every inch of the ground with Major Prior's speedy mare. 

 For a wonder, Harry Abbott's account was on the right side. 

 The band of the Connaught Rangers played every morning 

 at the races, adding very much to the enjoyment of those 

 present. The speeches of Saturday night's supper were of 

 the usual amusing description, particularly that of Mr. Owen, 

 in returning thanks for the ladies. On Friday afternoon the 

 Connaught Rangers improvised a most amusing Gymkhana, 

 Mr. Robertson acting as Secretary. It commenced with an 

 ekka race, driven by ladies, which brought so many entries 

 that it had to be run in two heats. Miss Buchanan won 

 the first, and Miss Stone Wigg the second, the latter 

 lady finally proving the conqueror. Mr. Fletcher then 

 won a hack race, which was followed by the cream of the 

 evening's fun, a side-saddle race for gentlemen in ladies' 

 costume. The first to appear was the elegant Miss 

 Thoniasina Olpherts, mounted on Mr. Pughe's impetuous and 

 fiery steed. The pretty horse-breaker was a bit uncertain in 

 her saddle. She swayed about a good deal, and showed a 

 good bit of foot, and more than once was saved by a vigorous 

 grasp of the pommel. The boys most unkindly christened her 

 " Carroty Poll," which hurt her feelings considerably. Sweet 

 Tottie Owen was the pick of the bunch for face and figure 

 combined. She was beautifully got up by Mrs. Simson, and 

 showed a sixteen inch waist and a beautiful patent collapsible ; 

 she sa,t in the saddle as if to the manner born, and the Bengali 

 bookmaker promptly laid two to one on her. The other young 

 ladies did not show so much care over their toilets, and were 

 not in it with these two beauties ; the race lay between them, 

 Miss Tottie winning quite in Vinall's best style. The Con- 

 naught Rangers were the life of the meeting, and they not 

 only expressed much admiration for Harry's judgment of 

 champagne, but were deeply impressed by his Imperial capa- 



