Mr. Wade. 117 



and resolved to have a gamble on the steeplechase, 

 although I entreated him to " leave well alone." I 

 allowed him to have his plunge on Brown Duchess all 

 to himself, as he had asked me as a favour to give Mr. 

 Wade, of the 26th Camcronians, the mount in order to 

 save three or four lbs., as I could not get up lighter than 

 II St. 7 lbs. Mr. Wade appeared on the day of the 

 chase in an enormous turban, with racing jacket, boots, 

 and breeches. He explained to me that the Oriental 

 head gear was admirable for saving a man from con- 

 cussion of the brain. Knowing what would happen 

 when men talk thus before riding a chase on a horse 

 that does not know how to fall, I felt too sick to take any 

 further interest in the day's proceedings. Of course the 

 mare — No, she didn't refuse — anyhow, she didn't jump, 

 and the Aligurh fiasco was repeated. Next day I had 

 to go back to Cawnpore to obtain some more leave, and 

 as the Arab and Country-bred Handicap for one and 

 a half miles had not been published, I told Captain 

 Maxwell that Hawkcstonc could not get that distance 

 with any weight, and that he must solely rely on Caliph, 

 if the little horse was at all leniently treated. I did my 

 day's " sentry go " and ate my dinner at our mess in 

 Cawnpore, meditating the while on the lotteries that 



