8 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



It must have been very distressing to the Padre to come up 

 crumpled and dirty, for one of his pecuharities was, no matter 

 what he had been doing he was always clean and tidy, with a 

 well-groomed appearance, being a firm believer that self-respect 

 improves and creates respect in other people ; and there is no 

 doubt the world is apt to take us at our valuation. 



Many hunts have I had after jackal in India with the Padre. 

 Not being a rich man, he could not keep many horses, but was 

 never short of a mount, as he had good hands, endless patience, 

 and a strong seat. Therefore, whenever anyone had an awkward 

 beast it was handed over to Mr. Adams for a time, to teach it 

 better manners. I have often seen him struggling with the 

 utmost patience in a far-off corner when out hunting on some 

 bad-tempered brute, not daring to come near the rest of the 

 field for fear of causing trouble. 



Most of us had tiresome mounts at one time and another, 

 which is not surprising considering they were often purchased 

 quite unbroken from dealers in the bazaars, and we had to do 

 the breaking ourselves ; once or twice they broke us instead. 



I remember Mr. Adams coming to my assistance once on the 

 Lucknow race-course, when a pair of refractory horses refused 

 to take us home or to allow anybody else to go home either, as 

 they had jibbed themselves effectually across the main exit. 



Our coachman tried endearing epithets and chirruping s in 

 Hindustani ; also terms, I have been given to understand, 

 which were not endearing or even polite. The whip was tried, 

 only making matters worse, as portions of harness began to fly, 

 and we crashed into the General's carriage just behind, who was 

 waiting, not altogether patiently, until we allowed him to 

 pass. 



Seeing what trouble we were in, Mr. Adams made a bee-line 

 through the crowd, and when I had explained matters he 

 quickly climbed on to the box (for it was our state high-day -and- 

 holiday coach) and gently took the reins from our Jehu, telling 

 him to descend and push behind when he gave the order. 



For a moment or two the Padre sat perfectly still on the box, 

 leaving the horses' heads quite alone, allowing them to think 

 the show was over ; when, just as they were settling down for 

 forty winks, with a masterly shake of the reins and twist of the 

 wrist his determination was conveyed to our steeds, who, com- 



