

m) 



r-®}!^^ 



THE ORDEAL 

 shall decide who has the first right 

 to ask her." 



That night at dinner it was known 

 that '' the Devil " and the " Deep C." 

 were to ride a match after pig for a 

 wager the following morning. An 

 umpire was detailed to start them 

 and to see fair play. Bets were 

 made among such sportsmen as were 

 that way inclined according to their 

 several fancies, but on every hand it 

 was admitted that there was not 

 much to choose between the two 

 competitors. 



At an early hour the beat was 

 under way. The line of beaters was 

 backed up by an imposing show of 

 elephants. Upon these were mounted 

 most of the sportsmen who were 

 keen to see this match run off. In 



104 



