COACHING IN CEYLON 171 



and blows, brought him at last to his place, 

 and he was harnessed. Then he refused to 

 start. After various modes of persuasion 

 had been attempted in vain, a local genius 

 (there are always half a dozen natives assist- 

 ing on these occasions) slipped a piece of 

 coir rope under his fore-arm. This rope is 

 very rough, and he sawed it backwards and 

 forwards. Flesh and blood could not stand 

 this ; the brute plunged into his collar. The 

 near horse had been pulling for some time. 

 The horn sounded, and that stage was soon 

 left behind. 



The next change introduced us to another 

 variation. The near horse was harnessed as 

 before. They generally pair them so — one 

 quiet horse, one brute. The other was got 

 to the pole-head, but obstinately declined to 

 approach nearer. There he stood, facing us. 



