26 Red Room and Other Chat 



game was worse. It might be described as a suc- 

 cession of scrimmages. Occasionally the ball was 

 knocked out into the open, rushed for by the nearest 

 rider, missed! then another scrimmage. 



So great, however, was the interest created by polo 

 that the " hunters " began to quake, as they over- 

 heard some of their masters of moderate means 

 threaten to take up with " t' other dear charmer," 

 not being able to coquette with both. 



Polo is a great game. By the enthusiasts it is 

 ranked next to war. The " image of War " would 

 suit us better, but as Mr. Jorrocks has spoken of 

 hunting under this figure, out of respect for that 

 ardent sportsman we forbear. In war some escape 

 unharmed ; but in our first polo battles it is safe to 

 include the total of both sides in the list of wounded. 

 The ambulance was in frequent requisition during 

 early games. 



Polo is no longer played with Indian barbarity 

 and Indian riding, but is conducted according to the 

 rules of modern civilized warfare. With improved 

 tactics, and faster and more conservative riding, the 

 " gallery " is spared many disagreeable sights which 

 were of no interest to any except alarmed friends and 

 the village doctor, — perhaps the patient should be 

 included, though often unable to take any interest in 

 anything. Our teams have won great games, and 

 it is not invidious to say that in more than one 



