70 SAM DARLING'S REMINISCENCES 



Derby horses. Sometimes we are inclined for 

 reading, and I noticed yesterday that Mr. Darling 

 had selected a book entitled A Master of Craft, but, 

 finding it to be, after all, only a seafaring work, 

 he soon rejected it." 



I suppose there was some double entendre about 

 the last sentence, but no matter. My further 

 progress to complete health must have reached 

 its zenith by January 14, 1902, for written on 

 that date comes the following : 



"Mr. Darhng has this day participated trium- 

 phantly in the ribbon race. For the benefit of the 

 uninitiated, I may explain that this is a race for 

 ladies, each of whom is supplied with a different 

 coloured ribbon, and a certain number of gentlemen 

 stationed at the opposite ends of the deck hold 

 similar ribbons, but concealed in their hands. 

 The ladies race down the deck and find by rapid 

 inquiries which man has got the corresponding 

 ribbon for each. It is for each man, as soon as 

 found, to knot the two ribbons together as quickly 

 as possible and race back again with the lady, 

 she holding one end and he the other of the com- 

 bined two. Now men are not, as a rule, very 

 nimble with their fingers, and some get agitated 

 and nervous over their futile endeavours to tie 

 knots. Our worthy friend from Beckhampton, 

 however, was cool as a cucumber, and clever as a 



