Maori. 225 



before the start, Mr. Johnson, who was riding Van 

 Amburgh, late Not On, to our great amusement, insisted 

 on making a delay, in order, as he said, that Mr. Rux- 

 ton's spectacles should get wet, so that he might not be 

 able to see. It did not matter, for the brave rider of 

 Sweep rushed to the front, and, favoured by his light 

 weight, won easily. He had a narrow escape, however, 

 at the double, for he made the pace so fast, and the ground 

 was so slippery, that the Sweep could not take off 

 properly, so slid over the broad bank on his belly, landing, 

 luckily, all right on the other side. That grand Waler 

 pony Maori, with Mr. Ruxton up, won the Galloway 

 steeplechase ; but lost the half-mile pony race in an 

 absurd manner, for his rider could not get him down to 

 the starting-post in time. The little rogue would not 

 be ridden down, and he refused to be led in the ordinary 

 manner. Had Mr. Ruxton only taken the reins over 

 his head, he would have followed him down to the post 

 like a dog. So much for knowing the peculiarities of 

 horses. While the races were going on, the Crowdys 

 received a telegram saying that rain had fallen in their 

 district, and that they must return at once to prepare 

 for sowing indigo, so they departed to Tirhoot and left 

 the horses with me. Deception, ridden by Mr. Short, 



16 



