A Scion of the Kumpani Bahadur

Hastings Standard, Issue 240, 6 February 1897, Page 4

A Scion of the Kumpani Bahadur

A TALE OF INDIAN SPORT

[Specially whittk*x for the Hastings STANDAIiD.j By F. D'A. C. De Lisle. 'AH ri'jhtx rrx<-rr- ./ //// thf author.) Chapter YJ.—The Pixdi Sky Race Meetixg. There were fourteen starters for the Polo Cup, the pride of place on the card being held l\v : Major A. G. trace's grey Arab gc-lding, Eclipse. 4yrs, lOst olhs. H.II. tlio Xawab of Ulmur's white Arab horse. Sheitan, ;>yrs, lOst 21bs. Lieut-Col. Lord liertrand's b Arab mare, Lady Disdain, syrs, lOst The Cavalry Confederacy's b "\\ aler g, Signposi, Gyrs. 9st 121bs. The Kohat Confederacy's b or br Waler, % Bankbook, 4ys, 9st 121b. Followed by Lieut. Carr-Jont-s d.c.b.g. First Blood, 4ys, 9st 9!bs. Lieut. F. T. Prinsep's g.w.m Coat-of-Arms, :-Jyrs. 9st 91bs. Capt. Tlie Honorable "VV. Fitzgerald's b.c.b.g. Escutcheon, 4yrs, 9st 91b. The Pindi Confederacy's cr Manipouri m The Milky Way, Gyrs, 9st 91bs. The Hiizan*. Confederacy's ch Pegu li Burmese, 6yrs, 9st 91b Capt. A. Po'niil-Carew's blk w m Tottie, Bvrs, 9st 91bs. H. 11." The Xawab of Ulmur's eh.w.g. Gold, fiyrs, 9st 61bs. Col. A. Cleeve's ch.c.b.m. "West Coaster, Byrs, 9st olbs. And The Mardan Confederacy's wlit. Timor h Bangkok, Svrs, 9st. On the totalizator there was a rush to back Eclipse, Sheitan, Signpost, First Blood and Gold. For every ticket taken on Eclipse, Jones' Oorya bearer took one on First Blood thus precluding tiie possibility of any extensive hedging oil the part of the Major. At the start Eclipse, Signpost and First Blood were equal favourites followed by Bangkok who came on strongly in the betting. Young Dignam, a well-known professional rider was up on Eclipse, Rally Taylor rode Gold, and Captain Blake rode the hope of the 4th B.C. Signpost. Captain Polhil-Carew started in the interests of First Blood, the Milky Way raced in the interests of Eclipse and lI.H. the Nawab of Flinur declared to win with Gold. From the fall of the flag Tottie and the Milky Way dashed to the front, and making the pace a crackor, took the others along for half a mile. Here Eclipse forged ahead and leading Lady Disdain, Coat-of-Arms, Gold and Bankbook, by two lengths entered the straight, going strong. At this point First Blood gave Lady Disdain the go by, and the lookers-on saw a magnificent piece of horsemanship. With a spirt that made him look as if he had dropped from the clouds, Carr-Jones was alongside Eclipse. Then both men began to ride a long, exhausting finish. They fought every inch of the ground, and both ponies raced on unflinchingly under severe punishment. Slowly but surely Eclipse forged ahead until a hundred yards from home the universal shout was " Eclipse." But once more Jones called on the game little dun 'and once again, as if galvanised by the ribroasters. the little beggar raced up to Eclipse, until by sheer condition and brute strength, Jones fairly lifted him past the post a short head in front. It was thf: man not the pony, that won the race. All the dumbell exercise, all the long runs in the early morning, and all the pipes left unsmokcd had not been in vain. Jones had revenged himself. The mile had taken one minute fifty and four-fifths seconds. Had not Dignam failed in condition it is hard to say whether First 1 flood woubFhave scored. Gold was third two lengths away followed by Coat-of-Arms, Signpost and Bangkok locked togofhw ahead behind. The last two to linish being Lady Disdain and Sheitan. And Major Bruce had lost JL'">ooo to Lieut. Carr-Jones over the double event. ho ended the I'indi-Sky races. The SiMth B.L. were jubilant. The regiment bad won the big double and the quarter-mile flutter, and had been lec.ond in the Grand Military, and second in the pony steeple, where Captain Poihill - Carew finished on 11.11. The Nawab of Ulmur's Shot. The l'olo Cup win was a very popular one with the regiment, and everybody was glad when Major Bruce applied for twelve months' furlough. If was a well-known fact that lie would not. return. l'rior to hi i departure he called on ( arr Join and a tremendous row took phtee. Fragments of the conversation base been repeated by the iJijs--aldar's wife. '• We'll be quits yet," the Major -aid. "If ever you attempt to force your -oei- :y upon my wife, I'll call you din." •• .She told me of your brutal conduet, ;i.nd that she hud separated herilf from you for eur. Tin; only ri paration in your power is to make her your widow. Now go!" answered Jones. •• It is a duel to the death between ii lb-member that .--,oiue day vou •/•<>// ;.'ive lite satisfaction !" " Go, before I kick you out!" yelled Jones. '• I'll fight you with hon-e- ---•><, hip*." '• Voit shall tight me with pistols. It >■, a duel to death between us," -creamed the Major. " Ami I have drawn First Blood," said Jones. [EM< »>»■• CiUl'lkU Vl.} Old East India Company.