TALES OF SPORT.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11010, 6 July 1901, Page 10

TALES OF SPORT.

By R DA. 0. Dβ. L'lai* THE SWORDSMAIToP THE 28th 8.1,. The weather changes from intolerably hot to wet and warn during the monsoons in India, a*vd epoit in almost at a standstill. A sky race meeting here and there, -with an occasional gymkhana, and a regimental cricket nvatoh. as all the amusement to be got during the rains. Lieut. C&rr-sFones. the latest addition to the ranks of the 28th 8.L., had joined at the most trying period of Indian weather. Tho hot weather was fairly on. And euch hot we&ttfaex! To a "griffin" it was unbearable, and Jones found it nearly unendurable. He adopted the coolest mufti, hie kbaki regimentals were of the finest material, and he took every precaution that fertile ingenuity could suggest to avoid the heat. »ut the weather told steadily upon Jiim. Especially as he was constantly on duty, thanks to the untiring watchfulness of Major Bruce, a perfect martinet, who had taken au especial dislike to Lieut. CarrJones, and who seemed to have laid himself ou6 exprt*sly to work the new "sub" to d*afch. This he purposely did, to jeopardise Jones's chance at the approaching as-sault-at-aims; thouarli he knew that the junior lieutenant was in hard training for the Grand Military Cup—a trophy for the best all-round swordsman in India. And this was how it came about tha: Jones was sheeted to compete. One morning after parade the whole regiment was bnxiFglit up with a "Halt!" in the b-irrack square. Then the senior Itessaldar rode out. and at a sign from the colonel addressed the troopers u«d "non-coms' of the 28th in their own tongue. The gist of his address was the grand annual military asaauit-at-arms at Bundook. and fcbe troopers were ordered to select the flower of the regiment for practice. In the club-room after the regiment bac been dismrswd, the conversation turned on the same tiling. "Deuced pit)' we have lost old Mogul! said Lieut, Dane. "Though he did get religion, T never saw his equal at- handling a lance at -tent-pegging. He was always a sure point, for the regiment. ,, "I'm afraid wi! must μ-ive up all hope o» winning the pegging trophy." said Captain I'laser. "1 never was much good, and I think the rest of us rank $>out the same. Ever do any tent-pegging, Jones?" "No, I never have done, answered CarrJones.' "I can use the sword and rapier, and do most things in athletics ,but Fve never tried tent-pegging." "It's glorious fun," said Lieut, bomerset. "I coultl peg all day long. But as Fraser savH, we are only a lot otf moderates. The ifojjul was ho good that we aT.ways left it to him and neglected practice, little thinkiiu' we should lo«c him ko soon. Yes, I'm afraid 'the pegging will be notched against ua this time." i "Any good with the sword, Jones: asked Captafn Chinholm, casually. '•Well, Mattel and Solingen said I was the best at Aldershot. I got three meda&s ut the annual competitions in the schools." "Have you seen the .natives at it?" asked Captain Fraser. '•No. 1 have not. But I am told they nre very good," answered Jones. "Invincible, my lad,' said Major Concannon, who had not spoken up to now. "They're the finest swordsmen in the world. I'd back them against any nation, and the pick of the Maitres D'Armes in Europe/ They are individually invincible."

"Thfev will start practice to-morrow morn after parade," said Lieut. Dane, "and you will see the best of our "non-coms" at work. That man of yours, Lai Singh, is a per Sect demon at it." ( "Very little use my going in, then, said Jones. "What else is there?" "Oli, cutting lead, lemons, sheep, silkhamlkerchiefs, and heaps of other tricks, but we leave all that to the "non-coms/ None of us are good enough to equal them," said Lieut. Dane. 'I think we can salely depend on Lai Singh, Futteh Din, and Mai Bux to bring in three points in the sword conteste. And Karum Bux, the Woodie Major, is a certainty for lance versus bayonet. It will be in the sword versus lance, and sword versus bayonet, that we shall be badly represented," said Major Coacannon. "I shair hare a dig at the sword versus bayonet," said Captain Polhill-Carew. "And I suppose we must be represented in the sword versus lance," said Lieut. Somerset. "HI have a cut at it if everybody is agreeable." "Better t-et us see what Jones can do first," said Captain Fraser. "We can settle the eomipetitors laiter on. Have a practice to-morrow morning, Jones, will you?" "With pleasure," answered Jones. "I've been terribly fagged with the heat lately, 'and I'm afraid I'm getting weak. So don't look for nw best, eir." "Who is" on patrol duty to-day?" asked Major Concannon, suddenly. Leut. Dane waLked over to the servicebook Mid read aloud: "Patrol, Lieut. CarrJones; cantonments from 10.30 a.m. to relief." "Why, you were on diity ail day yesterday, Jones," remarked Captain Chisholm. "Yes, and I was nearly dead when I was relieved." answered Jones. "Qui hi?" called the Major. "Huzzoor!" answered the orderly, entering and saluting. 'Doctor sahib salaam do; bolo Major eahib hither muneta" (Give my compliments to the doctor, and say that I wish to see him here), said Major Concannon. The ord«rlv "saluted and retired! (> 'This service is going to the dogs, growled the Major, as good a fellow as ever breathed the breath of life; 'Tm going to have you invalided for a week, Jones; you youni? cubs will have to do his work instead"," he went on, addressing the other juniors present. . "0, I can ha»g put much longer, sir, Jones was commencing. "Rubbish! Rubbish !" »aid Major, grumpily. "You don't know what harm you are doing your constitution. Wait till you've had eighteen years of India, then you can judge for yourself." , The entrance of the regimental physician cut him short. "Morning, Doctor. I want this young cub invalided for a week; upset by heat, you know. Just put him on leave about the cantonments, He's falling to pieces tlirough sun." Dr. Armstrong smited good-naturedly, examined the new Mib. attentively, nnd then went over to the strvice-book and wrote opposite the day's order: "Invalided ;for one week; on leave in cantonments only.— -J. E. Armstrong, surgeon." "Now, laddie." said the kindly surgeon, "ride about, and have a good day's slukari (hunting), ami vet as much morning breese as you can; yWie going,, too fast, that s all. Over zealous, 1 fancy ! Carr-Jonos smiled curiously, and murmured his thanks. "Now, Miijor, will you please countersign this order?" , „ ~ "Pass th-a order-book. Lieut. Dane, said Major Concannon. nnd he wrote "Lieut. Dane" under Lieut. Carr-Jones, crossed the junior Major Bruce's order out, and signed an enormous "Alfred Concannon, major, to it afi. i - • «.i»* "Now, my boy," he continued, rising* let us see what kind of a swordsman you are to-morrow'morning," » nd taking the surgeon's arm, he trotted off to his own quarters to have a quiet peg- i-t „ "Pity all Majors are not more like him, said Lieut. Somerset; and the two captaons looked out of the jhil-mhib (windows) and whistled loudly, feigning not to hear tue 'Capital feUow, Coneannon," said Captain Fraser to Captains Chisholm and PolhiElOvrew, as they walked ecrow the compound ■to their haeri. , . , •I wonder Brace does not see that bee overdoing it. Those boys are beginning to Jones," answered Oa-ptoin Chwholm, tor they have easier times. I» B "«* hw v sufficUtnt power to kill that lad with over-work. You see. he's actmg-adjutan*

E °V fancy the Chief will notice it soon. It's S too marked. Bertrand asked junior'otlker in the regiment," said Captem P %?f £p. the Chief will-speak. Bat this ™k wiU Wl I'm very much ufraid," said Captain

Yraser. And it did. \_ . The next morning, refrfcebed.by * «ag

rest and a big awiihV"instead of~lwb Hours' * flogging round, the parade ground, CorrJonee stripped-and rode »to_ .the ring to meet His regimental Kote Kuffadar,. Mai . Bux. ■•-•., - AU the non-coms, and troopers not on - duty wera present, eager to see how .their new officer would shape ;- and every officer in the .regiment, ,from the colonel to the juniors, was present also. Mai Bux was a) really-expert swordsman, and there were only two "men in the regiment who could knock him about. But the- new "sub." pasted- him -all round the ring, and the Kuffadar gave in with a flush of pride, saying he was proud of his officer. There were inimediate cries froni the Natives for *iLal Singh"; and ,l Bravo!" and "Well played, Jones," came from his brother officers. ' Col. Ulcere: spoke to the senior Rossaldar, who at once called upon Trooper Lai Singh to ride into the.ring. J The trooper, a, magnificently moulded j Punjabi, who was Carr-.Jones's body servant also, rode into the ring, without a mask, in nothing but a turban, his arms, neck, and chest ,bare, his huge muscles and sinews standing out like sculptured bronze. Carr-Jones looked inquiringly atshis bro- ;. ther officers. He felt disinclined to attack a man wearing no mask,■•"He never wears a mask, Jones," said Capt. Fraser. "If yon can cut him over the head do so. He takes ajt risks f" Jones looked at Lai Singh, and the latter smiled and showed his white teeth. \■. /s .'..;' "Fira wav, Sahib," he criefi. "Sub teke hai!" (It's'all light!) . ............ ' And then they nut. .. • Disinclined to attack a' maskless man, Jones stood on the defensive and gave Lai Singh many tricky openings, but the native was too clever to expose himself. Ho at- ' tacked the "sub. ,, like a whirlwind, and ! with superb skill he rained down cuts upon j him. But though he kept, up a furious ut- j tack for full three minutes, not once did a stroke go home. Cool as ice; cut, thrust, and parry, came from Jones as if at sword exer- j cise. ■■.-.,.. • ' The troopers veiled' themselves mad with excitement. The officers cheered and shouted encouragement. "Bravo, Jones!" shouted Capt. Fraser. "Beautifully parried, sir!" ~.--■■■ "Stick to him, Lai Singh," yelled Major Bruce. "Now, now, under his guard!" "Played, Jones! Oh, beautifully stopped I" cried Capt. Pqlhill-Carew." , The excitement, rose to fever heat; Lai Singh, his eyes fleshing fire, his beard and moustaches curling ; fiercely, felt that at last he had met a foeman worthy of him. His cuts and thrusts flashed like lightning over the subaltern's head. At length, overcome by excitement, Jones took the attack, and for five minutes the colossal Punjabi parried, thrust and parried for dear life.

Neither swordsman had yet got a blow home, and they had been ceaselessly at it for eight minutes. Of the two Lai Singh j was the better swordsman, but his oppo- I nent was far and away the best horseman. ; Thus their powers were equalised, for what Jones lost in swordsmanship he made up by his superb horsemanship. The shouts and cries round the ring grew loud and' fierce. The combatants perspired freely, and breathed hard. Both their horses were foam-covared, and bathed with sweat. Once again Lai Singh got the attack, and madly he cut for the .winning stroke. Suddenly, like lightning,. Jones wheeled his charger round, pulled him back on his haunches, and as Lai Singh dashed by, plunging forward almost upon his antagonist who had half turned again, Jones swung round a cut with all his power and caught the Punjabi fairly and squarely across the fac3. ' , A livid wheal flashed across the troopers countenance as a yell of rage burst from his lips. Rising in his , stirrups for greater leverage, within an instant of receiving the blow, he cut down the, subaltern with a mighty stroke. Through guard and all the blow descended, curving round his head and forcing it down .almost to his charger's mane. A sickening coldness came over Jones, and dropping his fencing stick, he reeled in his saddle, and was falling, when Lai Singh rode up and caught him in his arms. "Sahib! Sahib! kya hua hai, Sahib! (Sir,

sir, vrhat is the matter/), gasped tne trooper, his ashen face quivering with excitement. But Jones spoke no word, falling into the troopers arms in a dead faint, beaten by the sun as much as by the invincible Punjabi. Tenderly they laid Jones down, and after Dr. Armstrong had it a faint only, they applied water to his head, wrists and face. Lai Singh stood by wringing his hands, and crying aloud as the big tears flowed unrestrained down across the. scarlet welt, raised like a huge cord, upon his face by I Jones s stick, that he would kill himself if he had hurt his master. That never in his life had he met a better 1 foeman, and that his soul had gone out. to his noble master. Then changing, as the cloud flashes across the sun. from grief to derision and rage, he thumped his bronzed and heaving chest with his great hands, and cursed every tribesman within hearing, challenging them one a>nd all to come and take it out of him. That he would stand over his lat sahib there, and meet all Hindustan in bloody warfare, i and he cursed them and their mothers who ' were loose women, and their sisters whom j ho had defiled as harlots, and their ances- j tors for generations and generations. Truly j the lusty Punjabi was a terror in his j wrath* ! Jones staggered to his feet with a weak ' smile some minutes after, and it was on the now pacified Lai Singh's arm that he walked away to his Quarters. | To say that the regiment was dflighted would but poorly describe the exultation of officers, and troopers alike, when they discovered how good a man they had in tbeir junior lieutenantLai Singh swaggered about, and curling lus fierce whiskers stated publicly in the Native uazaar that with his master he could tight a whole regiment of Kaffirs. "Onedo wn-and-t'other-come-on" business.. And he hurled in the teeth of every native belonging to another regiment he chanced to meet, bombastic challenges to fight. f6r snort or lattns of buuioo wtnch he declared he cculd cover, should their temerity tempt them to put up any such sums. In the club room the discussion was exciting in the extreme. "He's simply magnificent!" said Capt. Pol-hill-Carew. "He worked his charger with his knees ths whole time. I never saw anything more perfectly done, by Jove!" "Lieut. Jones is a worthy representative of the British race. He is a crack fencer, and a maivellous horseman. A combination hard to beat in a good swordsman!" said "Maior Concannon. "By George! I never saw anything finer than tne way in which he trapped Lai Singh. Few men could •wheel and drae a charger down on hie haunchss iv"the short .space he; did it in. Then that spring on to lial ; ISihgh almost before he had passed, and the swing of the body and "three" all blended like a perfect piece of machinery. It was magnificent, magnificent! said Cliisholm. "No doubt about who enters for the Grand Military Cup from -Ours" now; eh? , ' cried Lieut. Dane. "With Lai Singh and Jones we can lay the odds on wianintr it on points. Sword v. Sword Jones:. Sword v Lance. Lai Singh; Sword v. Bayonet,

uones ; sia. |jui«i*< "~ ~,.„..„. — , Mai Bux, and Kaium Bux to add three more. Why. that's nine points in twelve! 'That Oup* is as good as ours!" " There's many -a slip twixt cup and the Up,'" quoted Capt, Fraser. "Don't be too cocksure. Supposing Jones should break down ac he did to-day?" "Bah! he's as weak as a ,xat, snarled Major Bruce. "I never saw such a waster in my life!" . Capt. Pohill-Carew sprang- to hts feet angrily* but Major Conoinuoh laid a restraining hand on his arm. _ _~ , I "He is weak, I well know, , said Major ( Concamion, "and ill from overwork. The j honour and reputation of tie regiment de- . pends upon his turning out in good fettle; and I intend to see that; he-has every chance to do so. As the senior officer present, I say, that after his leave hae expired,.we must all see that he has" no more than his fair share of work. And should that even prove fatiguing, be must be relieved of duty until after the assault. It is my intention to see this carried out without consulting the colonel; but, should occasion -arise, I will speak to €Wonei Cleeve hesitation; soltrast that all will assist in making his duty lighter." ,/ %. _ "Hear! Hear!" cried the others. "We anust help him by every* means in our power," said Captain Fraser. ./ Major Bruce, finding himself in a strong minority, turned his attention to the last copy of "The Aitaa," wWi some muttered remarks about "femW ud "Uttritt."

irhich' weredeciiJeaiy uncharitable. Carr-Jonee picked rapidly, and,. :hanfcs to regular practioe with Lai Singh svery morning, he was in the pink of condilion on the day of the great Assault-at-\rme at Bundook. . ; There was an enormous attendance oi- solHen from all parts of India. Not only were many regiments in the Imperial Contingent but almost every Tpgiment in • the Native Contingent sent \ champion to battle for the reputation of - their regiment a some, branch of the competitions. Dragoons. Guards, and Lancer*, Carabiaeere and "Highlanders, Borderers and Fusiliers, ewarmed ail over the maidan. Here a etalwarb trooper of tJse stb Punjab, conspicuous in bis dark green and scarlet, chattered excitedly with a private of the Bhopal Battalion from Indore; there, resplendent in the uniform of ta% G.G.s bodyguard, an orderly eacobanged greetings with a brother serving far away in the Malwa Bheel Drab and chocolate, emerald green and red. yellow and black, scarlet and dark blue flashed over the green sward like the colours of a kaleidoscope. The proceedings were opened with the tent peeking competitions, for which there were some thirty-eight entries. ..-■.•■ __ , , The 9th Bengal Lancers (late Ist Hodson s Horse) sent a champion from far Peshawir, from Jhansi came.a Vowgong youth, who rode like a whirlwind, and never missed; from Nowahera a trooper of the 18th, one of the old Mahratta Horse, with the eye of a hawk, came to do battle for the old regiment; from Jhelum, in the blue and light blue of Fane's Horse, cam* a veteran who had never been beaten. Ah! my masters, it was a truly glorious pageant, in all ite barbaric splendour, recalling the historic, past. . For three hours that morning Arab, and Waler, aod Cape horse tore down the line of pegs, and time and again the very canopy of heaven was rent by the hoarse shoutings which signalled the scoring or the downfall

of some great champion. A Duffadar of Cureton's Mooltani Cavalry, charging with hurricane swiftness, dipped his pennon, and aloft on the breeze he swung his lance with an eighteen inch peg on ite point; a peg which, burkd almost out of sight, he had torn out of the ground by the irresistible force of his unerring stroke. , ' Flyings with turban loose, and lance revolving and spinning round his swarthy head tike lightning, came a Kessaidar of the 6th B.C. (Prince of Wales's Own), his huge, foam-covered Water shaking the ground I under him as he passed. A yell, a. flash, a gleam of shining l&nce-head, a flutter of • white and scarlet, turban and mane mingled i together; then the lance was swung, back again into position, and the champion of Sekowlie tore away a quarter of a mile or more across the maidan, while a scream of execration followed his blue uniform when jit was seen that he had failed. Small blame ito him, for the peg lay shattered.to fragI ments. But it was the fortune of war, and he lost his place in the competition. At length but four were left in, and the smallest pegs were put in the ground, barely an inch of peg being visible. This time it was to be "sudden death," the first miss j counting "out." The old veteran from Fane's Horse -went first. Carefully he bared his sword arm, and grasped his finest lance. With a practised eye he got the exact measure of his run, nearly two hundred yards away. No i flash fling of his lance round his head. Every movement with him was pur© business. He started at a long, swinging canter, judging his distance at every stride. Fifty yards from the peg his charger was racing. A dozen, quick, short strides, the vigour and strength of a mile gallop in the few remaining yajds, and with a veritable howl of triumph he waved the peg over his head as he rode away. Then the beardless youth from Jhansi swaggered out. Young and vain, he knew not care. Taking a'hundred yards' run he came from the jump off at top speed, whirling his lance, like a halo, round his heed. A crash followed bis stroke, and with, a shattered bamboo butt in his paralysed hand, the pride of the 12th Bengal Cavalry rod* away," to go home prizeless, and to moan out his hard luck in the lap of the Hindoo maiden who waited him in Vowgong.

On his track came the rifle green of the Duffadar of the 15th B.C. The scarlet facings flashed gaily in the sun as this veteran of Oureton's Mooltanis ripped bis peg from the ground with the ease and grace of a girl playing croquet. The fourth man wore the yellow uniform and black facings of the Ist B.C. It's a far cry to cursed Cawnpore, but England had no staunchier subject than this same grizzled Sikh, who remained true to his salt in '57. His breast was ablaze with medals and clasps. He, like his predecessor, whipped up his peg as coolly as if on parade, and following his stroke in the second round, scored again faultlessly. The Jhelum veteran scored too, but the Mooitani Duffadar went out, his peg shattering to a thousand pieces with the impetus of has charge. Then the Sikh and Fane's veteran each scored again, and the prize was divided between them, bringing with the division a corresponding amount of jubilation alike in the quarters of the Ist B.C. at Oawnpore, and of the 19th B.L. at Jhelum. The next competition on the programme was the Sword v. Bayonet contest, and Lieutenant Carr-Jones answered to his name at the ring side as the representative of the 28th B.L. Strange to say there were only two Englishmen in the competition, the other one being Troop Ssrgeant-Major Brown of the 35tih K.D.Gf.'s, at Mhow. But whereas Lientenant Carr-Jones wielded the sabre, T.S.M. Brown handled the bayonet in the competition. One by one Jones scored successively over a Sbekkawattee of the 13th Bengal Native Infantry, a Srivate of the' Loodianah, or 15th Bengal Tative Infantry, and a non-com, from the 4th Goorkha 'Rifles. The last troubled him not a little, for the stalwart little Bhutda was like a cat on hot bricks, and dodged round Jones's charger like a teetotum. • . . Two fair cuts on the sword arm raised the wrath of the jabbering Bhutan lew, and he sailed in like a maniac, which proceeding ruined him, for he lost all his watchfulness, and gave Jones a beautiful chanci over his head, which was rewarded by a smash tihat sent the little hill-man staggering yards away. He dropped his rifle and •bayonet with a guttural Vipalese oath, and grabbed savagely at his hip for the ugly kookri which usually hung there. But a scream of ironical laughter told him what he had forgotten, that side-arms were not allowed in contest* of this nature, and that it was only a friendly bout, and not a duel to the death. The T.S.M. had defeated four native swordsmen, and a cheer went up as the two Englishmen stepped into the ring to contest tl» final: . v ''Singular thing to see a trooper handling the bayonet!" said Carr-Jones to Captain Pottiill-Carew. "Oh! Brown has only been a trooper for a few rears. He was* the finest non-com. in the JJlankshire Fusiliers before that, but under the short service system his time expired, and 'sick of being a 'swaddy' with a lot of dirty mud-crushers, he 'listed ass a trooper with' the 35th K.D.G.'s, and has risen' rapidly. He'll give you a lot of trou-

Die, dvi taK&my aavice, go in at mm, <uiu cut him to pieces. Hβ can't stand being bustled.' But if you give him time to get in any scientific -work we may lose this point!". "Thanks!" said Carr-Jones, and following Capt. Uarew's advice to the letter, on the

call .leFtuneT Kβ rode into the ring, and, as soon as bis opponent, got into position, he coargeddown upon him, cut like lighV, ningi- wheeled;and sent in a back stroke oi sludge hammer' force, then almost slipping from tiie saddle again, he drove in a vicious tirtuat, caught the dazsled T.S.M. in the nbs and burled'him to the ground in a crumpled heap: "One point to awoVd," cried the judge. Again on thfe"call oHame Joneeploughed in and; rained a shower, of cuts upon the devoted Tiead of the t.KM. of the K-D.G/e. The native troopers ftod non-coms, of the 28tb B.L. looked on-in dignified silence, for they never yelled when they ;were "on top." The 35th K.D.O.'s- shouted at their champion, and mcouraged him mightily with voicft ana But he had met his match". Not in w&ajpons. for T.S.Jf. Brown was dgjgon with the "pricking fork, , ' but in there was something in jhe cane charff; and attack of fne Bengal lancer. rHe never, for--'one tnomeht lost the attack, ; and with a fury not to be checked, he thundered sway, until a second smashing cut disabled "the leftarto b£his adversary. First three cpta home was the rule for a win in these contests, and Carr-Jones had now scored two to nothing. "Stick to ' 'ha, Brpw?, c's played out," said the of his "Give 'im 'ell this round. Don't wait for the bleater, gol in an' punch 'is bloomin' ribs to jelly, "Ati'hhn, Jones, he's done for!" said-Lieut. Dane, in a low voice, "he has lost his head "completely." To the utter astonishment "of all the onlookers the tw6 combatants flew at each other on entering tjrs ring and each got in a stroke. Then-Lieutenant Jones feinted, and., like a flash sent in .."three." The crack couFd be be&rd "all over the ground. "Sword wins.jthree to nothing," cried the judge, and amid deafening Cheers Lieutenant Jones saluted his opponent and left the ring. '• . • % "Well done; laddie," said r Colonel Cleeve. "You've brought us luck. Now then Lai

Singh, its your. turn to score." Lai Singh rode into tbs ring for the first round of the sword and lanes contest. In the draw for competitors he got a lance-cor-poral of the 30th Hussars for his opponent.-, "Confound Major Concannon. "What has come to ,tl»3 fellows ? Hera a- c Lancers wielding swords end Hussars fighting with lances.- 1 What on earth does it all mean, I'd like to know?" "Oh! I suppofe they want to get a point in somewhere ffr their regiments," replied Lieutenant Soniferat. "This fellow won't have a show against Lai Singh." The Hussar made, a good Lancer, but not good enough for ttteh an expert as Lai Singh, and" after a merry-tussle the 28th B.L. scored another fcpinfc, for the Cup, for Lai Singh carriedVajli'before him, baating Rajput. Mahratta, Pjinjabi, and Sikh with ease. Then Kurum Biix won the lance v bayonet. and~Futieh;i>in the lemon cutting. The 30th Hussars won both the lend cutting and cleaving the sheep, and a Frenchinnn, who was serving in the Mahitrajah of Bythal's Indepsndent Force, scored in cutting the silk handkerchief. \. . Tba largest entries were in the lance v lance ard the sword,v sword. For in these contests the regiments and the Hus-si-r ieg'msnts had many fine fencers. There were some sixty-eight entries for the lance v lance, and Mai. Bux bad 'to fight through seven rounds before he was'declared the wmi ner. ■' ■'■" ''' •■■«&■'■ x The 23th Bengal had fire out of the twelve events on. the ..protamine, and the cup looked a .certainty for them until the two following e-vents —cutting- the Turk's head and heads and th; 30th Hussais. Then ths eha«#>ionship becams more open, for if the BOtlvCould win the remaining contest, sword v sword, the championship would result in a tie.

A round fifty turned out for the sword v sword. Every native regiment in the Bengal and Punjab Contingents had a representative, some two'or teres,- and English soldiers turned up from"all parts of the Punjab, Raiputana, Central India, Chutia, Nagp OTe > Bengal, and the north-west provinces to deeds of derring-do for the honour and glory of Old England.V The second evening of the tournament saw Lieutenant Carr,-Jones , and Lieutenant Vivash, of the Cavalry of the Guides, open the ball in the sword v sword contest. It ; was an unequal match, and after five minutes' play Carr-Jones Was declared the winner. Lai Singh in the iirst round! defeated Captain Blakeney, of,the 24th 8.C., and in the second round*he.defeated a "Pioneer" easily. In the second round Carr-Jones met Colonel Brabazon, of the 14th Dragoons, and a desperate tussle ended in the younger man winning by three points to two. Both the representatives of the 28th'B.L. got through the 3rd and 4th rounds eaeily enough, but in the fifth round Lai Singh hod a terrifio and prolonged battle with a sergeant-major of the 27th Royal Lancers, newly out with the last detachment from Home. "Two all" was called, and then for fourteen minutes they fought without a-.stroke scoring. At last the Royal Lancer lost his wind, and the grand physique of the Punjabi pulled him through. Lai Singh won by three points to

tWO. •. : ' ■"■•" 'J*-::-, ,/ "Sarve yet growled the bosom friend of the Royal Lancer. "Yer wouldn't keep away from the <?anteen, and see what the blarsted canteen's done for yer! ler j comes out to Injef, an , vl gives yer yer points. Yer the best swordsman we've ad in the regiment since- G»wd knows 'oW loner. I tells yer. these 'ere 'eathens is 'ell itself at the game, atf I warns yer to keep ver condition. What" does yer do? Bl&rst yer! it's soak, soak, soak, : 'ither ao, Juldi Jao, brandy, pani lao you soc-r,' all the blaziu' bkrsted day long. Why, what'ud yer' mother say i| she could see yer now, Bertie? An' yer aster, too. Gawd, 'ow I loves 'er; yes, I does; I , could Idss the ground 'er bloomiXi' feet 'as trod on. An , 'ere's'er brother? been ,an' gone an' disgraced the bloomin' rtgiment, an' I feel ashamed of yer, that's all!" And cursing and swearing he staggered off to the nearest toddy stand with his defeated friend. Thus far in the sword, v sword, Lai Singh wafe a certainty., for the final bout, and the 28th B.L. gleefully recognised the possibility of having both representatives in the final set-tb for the championship,

as Lieut. uarr-Jonss' enance lowcea rosy in the fifth round. "-,- Alajor Bruce had looked with bitterness "upon the successes of the "sub," which were gall and wormwood to his heart. ' :- j Standing by tbe-jingside'*during the bout between Lai Singh* and the Royal Lancer, Major Bruoa had •been chewing the cud of reflection, and as a result he looked round him, turned silently from the crowd, and walked away by himself. "Lai Singh must win the final against Holderness," he communed with . himself. "He has licked fojm before, and he must lick him again. The regiment will lose ' nothing by it. By Gad! I'll try it; ' if only to get even with that conceited young* devil! Tit find Hurrum Bam ? and ae'H do the trick if anyone can." Looking round, the Major spotted the man he wanted, alow, blackguardly native farrier, who had dismissed from the service for petty larceny and drunkenness. ,- Hi, Hurrum! l|her ao," he called, and i the native came /upj cringing, with many a i low sal&am, for. this was not the first time I that he had done queer business for Major Bruce. . , . A short, whispered conversation fol- | lowed; a few _plajjntiye M>peals from the native of, "Grureebadini, Huzzoor!" (Poor man, O! Prince); '*Khoda kit bat Bahadur!" (I swear it, 0! Most High); and witi a ten rupee note in,his .claw-like baud the native shuffled guiltily away. Major Bruce returned to tlie ringside, and Hurrum Ram found his way to the syce

(groom), . ;Wbo was holding Lieutenant Carr-Jones's magnificent charger, Monarch. With , great cunning the farrier entered into conversation with the unsuspecting-* syce, and working on the feelings of the unfortunate man, .he showed him the ten rupee note, and asked him to go and get himself a drink at the native toddy stall, offering the while to hold the charger for him. Alas! the army had not improved the morals of the thirsty syce, who jumped at the generous offer," and" was off to the toddy shop_ in no time, leafing Hurrurii Ram to work his villainy on the charger." Carefully leading the- horse behind a dump of bamboos,/the farrier removed the saddle, and, after .introducing two or three prick! v -bamboo grass seeds into the stuffing ami ■ lining- of the saddle, point downwards, be girraed the saddle on again as tightly as he possibly could. Next he tightened the curb-chain by fully three links, and with a* fiendish grin returned to the place he had Itit, and waited for the errant syce. Wfcun Lai Singh had won

his boat, and had vanquished the shortwinded Royal Lancer, the Master-at-Arms Hussars '* called loudly for "lieutenant Holderhessr 30th Hussars, end Lieutenant. Oarr-Jones. _ ,28th Bengal Laafcers. Semi-final." The Huk- ] gar rode into the ring faultlessly di%ased, and faultlessly got-up. He had "run-up ,, , m the finaTlast year, and had been the only ( what© man left in so far, with.'the,escep-. tion ef lieutenant Jones. . Hβ was, with-his. I regiment, sanguine of. success. Lieutenant 'jonee vaulted lightly into his saddle, and was surprised by a snort of pain, aao a , vicious eiok from Monarch, a performance 1 which was repeated two or three timee in I the ring. The charger would not go I kindly at all, but kept on tossing his head in the air, and lashing out all round him."What the devil's \rrong with Monarch: cried Lieutenant Dane, looking anxiously at the pranks played by Carr-Jones charger. '•Hang ife, tltat curb-chain is too tight by a bally long way. I say, Jones!" , But it was too late: "Time!" calle-i the judge, and the two. competitors faced tne music. • • Aj ~ The Hussar immediately commenced the attack, and, to Jones's horror, he found his chartrer going from bad to worse, in the middle of an intricate. exchange, iLonarch plunged forward and attempted to get his head down. Fiercely- Jones hauled at him, at the same time, parrying a furious thrust. The rough pull on the tender mouth of the charger made him rear madly right on end, and before Jones could get him down again, "smash" came the Hussar's stick across his mask, and the judge called "One to Lieutenant HolderRising in the saddle, Jones patted the fractious charger on the neck, and called him pet names, and tried to coax him into a good temper with many a "So, no! "TEere Doy:' "Steady lad!" "Good old fellow! There, there, now we feel better, don't we?' And the charger, feeling those infernal spurs under the saddle cease goadingiiim to fury, whinnied and neighed with frierictlinese, and tossed his burning, foamcovered mouth to the breeze, hoping the torover. , , • *. HKme," called the judge, and Lieutenant Jones settled himself in the saddle to retrieve his position. The oharger felt three awfiil stings in his back, and with almost a of rage and pain he plunged forwajd and dashed forward, plunging and kicking to free himself from the agony. "Bing!" came the Hussar's fencing-stick over Oarr-Jones's defenceless head, .and "Two to Lieutenant Holderness!" called the Judge. , ... Then an interruption occurred. . Lieut. Dane, his eyes flashing savagely, rode into the ring on a beautiful iron-grey Walea-. "Here, Jones, try Grenadier. What .the devil's wrong with Monarch?" I "Hanged if I know," muttered Jones, under his breath. "I'm all upset by his vagaries. Have a look under the saddle, old man; there's something worrying him there, I fancy—and, by Gad! Til lam that syce when I come out. That curb cliam is three inches shorter than I ever use it!' "No wonder Monarch would not stand it!" said Lieutenant Dane, as Carr-Jones exchanged horses. . "No, poor old chap. I know it's not his fault. He's always a perfect gentleman," said Jones. Lieutenant Dane removed the saddle from the back of Monarch, and-pointed to three ' big blood blisters on the horse's back. Then, examining the stuffing of the saddle, he showed Carr-Jones the bamboo grass seeds pointing viciously out of the saddle padding, and said: "By Gad, Jones! you're right. Those d&mne-d Hussars have bribed your syce to do this. By Jove! I thought they were gentlemen!" "Time! ,, roared the Judge, and uones turned to meet his opponent with on .angry flush upon his face. "So," he thought, "you tried to lick mc by foul play- out * or y° ur self now. By theaven, I won't spare you!'' Then he remembered an old school trick by which the more expert swordsmen used to drive their opponents frantic, and, chuckling to 'himself, he proceeded at once to put it into force. The iron-grey under him was an - experienced charger, and Jones felt a thrill of elation go through him as he exchanged a smashing cross-counter'with the Hussar, catching Mm beautifully high up on the ribs, just under the sword arm, and the grey backed, wheeled, and came up again with the ease and freedom of a country girl playing "ring-a-ring-a-rosie" at the local fair. Lieutenant Jones had noticed, from the commencement of the bout with the Hussar that his best, favourite, and most telling stroke was a cut fright over the head—-a regular skull-cleaver. To get this fine stroke in the striker had to raise his sword-arm high above his head, thereby laying bare the whole side from the armpit to the ihip. Carr-Jones waited and played with the wretched Hussar as a cat plays with a mouse. He would drop his guard as if tired out, then, like lightning, as the Hussar weaved in his skullcleaver, bang! Jones would catch him,. a beautiful cross-counter, high up on the ribs, just below the armpit. No score would follow, and on tdiey would go again. After about the sixth counter the, Hussar began to wince palpably, for Jones's back stroke was put in like the cut of a racing whip. It was dangerous work, he knew, and it was playing with his chance, but all the demon was up in him, and with set teeth, and calm, cold judgment, he went for the unfortunate Hussaf. At the sixth exchange Lieutenant Holderness let out an angry '"Damn" that was nearly a scream of agony. He gave up the head cut and tried finesse. "But in swinging for "Two," which he got home, he gave Jones an opportunity for a crosscounter not to be miesed. Bending low over his bridle-arm, the Lancer sent in a cut that rang aul over the ground, and with a howl of agony the Hussar dropped his fencing stick and commenced rubbing in the pain with the back of his right hand. "Go on!" yelled the Judge. But the Hussar rode out of the ring. He had had his fill. "Go on!" screamed bis friends. Tight it out! , ' "Look here, Holderness, stick to it, old fellow. Don't give in. For the regiment, stick to it, ,, said his squadron commander. "No, I'll be hanged if I do," growled the Hussar. "I don't mind his cute, but it's the same damn spot every time!" and he nearly cried with chagrin. ' On removing his singlet he showed a mass of black and purple flesh beaten tc a jelly by the savage, back strokes of the vicious Lancer. "My boy! I "wonder you stood it so long, , ' said the regimental surgeon. "This is worse than the Spanish Inquisition. Yot will be laid up for months over this. The muscles are lacerated very much, and yoi] will be lucky if you get through the rain? without fever/brought on by this.". . The final set-to 'between Carr-Jones anc Lai Singh was worth going a long -way t< see. After a splendid display of swords manship Lieutenant Jones was declared thi winner of the sword v. sword Competitioi by three points to two. A loud whisper of the attempt to de stroy Jones's chance by hoeussing hi charger, reached the 30th Hussars, and smarting- under unjust suspicion, they d€ manded a searching inquiry. The whole affair came out, but the miss ing farrier could not be found. He hai decamped to Travancore by the aid of 50 rupees, which Major Bruce had given Ei? to make himself scarce. And the ZOtl Hussars accepted Jones's apology for hi action towards their representative, ledsring that he had fairly met his superio