1 62 Appendix. 



When we consider the sacrifices, not only of convenience and time, 

 but also of " coin of the realm," which most of the members of this 

 corps make, and many of its most efficient members, young Indigo 

 Planters, are not overburdened by the latter. It is a marvel how so 

 many men manage to attend every Troop-drill Muster. When we 

 speak of them, " Attending Parade," outsiders do not know that in 

 this case it means that a man has travelled 20, 30, and even 100 miles 

 across country before he turns up mounted. 



When the South Ganges Troop was being raised, the writer of this 

 book was one of the chief promoters, and rode in from Rohtasghur to 

 Arrah, a distance very little short of 100 miles. This, too, I did on one 

 of the hottest days of a hot May. We celebrated the Queen's Birthday 

 right royally, and the 24th May 1882, I think, saw the formation of 

 the latest addition to the Behar Light Horse, the South Ganges 

 Troop. 



I went in with proxies in my pocket and carried the men I wanted 

 as Captain and Lieutenants, men whom I knew would steer the infant- 

 troop to the present high position it now holds in the Regiment. 



When every honest British heart was wrung by the tidings of the 

 sad stress in which the hero Gordon was placed, Colonel Hudson 

 called on his six troops' leaders for Volunteers for the Soudan, and 

 promptly received answer that a hundred men and horses were ready. 

 But alas ! ere the tender of their services reached the Viceroy, Gor- 

 don had fallen. It must have added, if possible, to the bitter regret 

 for his cruel fate felt by every one of these good men, and true to 

 find they were also " too late " to rescue or share his fate. 



The Viceroy, in conveying the thanks of Government to the Regi- 

 ment, expressed strongly his appreciation of the value of its services, 

 and of its gallant offer of them. There is a muster de rigeur once a 

 month at each Troop Head-quarters for two or three days' drill and 

 practice on the range, and at certain seasons, often in the hottest 

 weather, as then it is that the Planter can spare the time ; the Troops 

 muster twice a month. It is only a strong soldierly instinct and 

 thorough esprit de corps that give such a result ; when also do men per- 

 form such duties for years for honor alone, and with the simple desire 

 that were they called on they may be ready to do credit to their man- 

 hood. 



