1 6 A Sportswoman in India 



The next morning early, while it was yet fresh 

 and cool, we all met together outside the city. The 

 country appeared to be a nice one, not particu- 

 larly stiff, and there seemed to be some fine patches 

 of cover well separated from each other. The 

 Maharajah mounted us, and provided M. and myself 

 with Champion and Wilton's side-saddles belonging 

 to Ranee Canari. Spearing on the near side of a 

 horse is most dangerous, and is not allowed ; but there 

 is no reason why a woman on a side-saddle should 

 not quite easily carry a spear. It need never be 

 awkward. It should be carried, when riding, diagonally 

 across the body, and held about the centre of the shaft, 

 the knuckles downwards, the shaft lying underneath 

 the fore-arm, so that it is ready to hand, less dangerous 

 to one's friends when riding, and to oneself when 

 falling. M. used a long, underhand spear made of 

 male bamboo, the spear-head narrow and leaf-shaped, 

 with a sharpened rib up each side, the edges and point 

 kept sharpened from day to day. She was an " old 

 hand " at the game. 



An ideal horse for riding pig should be quick and 

 handy, must be fast, not too big, and bold and 

 staunch to pig. A small-sized waler or an Arab 

 is more to be depended upon than a country-bred, 

 which will not always face pig. 



Duly mounted, we walked off to the first cover, 

 spreading over the country as we went a motley throng, 

 including fourteen elephants, fifty native beaters, and 

 several of the Maharajah's staff. I could not help 



