REMINISCENCES OF SONEPORE. 297 



we all hated, cracked his rider's knee-cap against the dis- 

 tance post ; but, on a 2lb. saddle, he was ridden out and 

 finished on as if nothing had happened. In steeplechasing 

 it was almost altogether pluck that made Mr. John such a 

 brilliant performer. Once he had taught him fencing his 

 method was to leave a horse to himself and we know what 

 that requires. None of his horses ever refused in a chase or in 

 a hurdle race. Delphos, Brown Duchess, Gameboy and others 

 in their day were well known on this side of India, and 

 always gave a good account of themselves in his hands. On 

 the former he passed the post first amid great enthusiasm in 

 the Grand Annual Chase in Calcutta. Delphos was a gentle, 

 clever creature, beloved of his owner, and whom a baby in 

 long clothes might have ridden. Under varying circum- 

 stances Mr. John invariably kept his head on the course and 

 was ever ready to take advantage of the chances that offer in 

 a race. He never gave up while there was a ray of hope, 

 and in steeplechasing has been known to win by sheer deter- 

 mination when most men would have thrown up their hands 

 half way round. He rode with the same pair of blunted 

 spurs for fifteen years, preferring a few cuts of the whip as 

 more effective than spurring when punishment was required. 

 In one season he won 50 out of 75 mounts and in another 

 21 out of 26. In two years Paddy rode second to him 52 

 times. But we have heard Mr. John say he chose his mounts 

 and had his own horses, while Paddy rode for anybody. For 

 twenty years in the hot weather his weight was about 

 13 stone, and in the cold from under 10 to 1 1. The reduction 

 was made by careful feeding without the help of physic ; and 

 he owes the preservation of nerve and health in this country 

 after a thirty years' sojourn, with little leave, to temperate living 

 and plenty of exercise. His recoveries from broken collar-bones 

 from a split knee-cap and from contusions all over the body 

 were extraordinarily quick on this account. Three horses were 



