332 RACING IN CEYLON 



sent down by the 14th Hussars from 

 Secunderabad. I forget which of the lot 

 they backed, but I distinctly remember one 

 they did not — a very big Iron-grey maiden 

 called Tarlan. I fancy he was only put In 

 to make a pace, but the result was that this 

 horse was ridden by a " gentleman of 

 colour," jumped away with a good start, and 

 led the field such a dance that they never 

 got within a dozen lengths of him, and he 

 won very hard held. I recollect that, liking 

 the animal's looks at exercise, I had bought 

 his chance In a lottery for a trifle, so I was 

 better satisfied than the stable, or Indeed the 

 jockey, whose fee on this occasion was paid 

 with an ash-plant. Strange to say, next 

 time I saw the horse he was waltzing on his 

 hind-legs in Wilson's circus, which reminds 

 me that that sportsman had a cut at us one 



