Bricky Collins. 85 



a good deal ; brought his toes a little back— not much ; 

 and taught him to have the best " hands " I have ever 

 seen with a native jockey. 



We were early risers in those days ; had our work 

 done before the sun was up ; our horses rubbed down 

 in our own sheds, which were on the inside of the 

 course, and jealously protected by bamboo screens in 

 front ; and had our cup of coffee and cheroot at the 

 stand before proceeding homewards. This cofifcc-shop 

 institution used to be established nearly a couple of 

 months before the races came off. After work on the 

 course, we generally retired to Bricky Collins' hospit- 

 able quarters, where he usually had many tender beef- 

 steaks, bunches of watercress, hot rolls, and Guinness's 

 XXX. to give us an appetite for breakfast. Jafifir was 

 always by the old man's side, and helped, with many 

 a quaint saying, to while away the time pleasantly. 

 When our visit to Mr. Collins was over, we either got 

 up lotteries on the forthcoming Derby, amused our- 

 selves through the listless day, or drove up to Rajporc 

 and rode up to Mussoorie. I liked to go there to cool 

 my eyes with a sight of the distant peaks of the Snowy 

 Range, and to feel that strange exhilaration of spirits 

 all but the dullest experience on first coming up to 



