TWO TRICK PONIES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2923, 12 September 1896, Page 1 (Supplement)

TWO TRICK PONIES.

No IV. OF THE ‘JONES’ SERIES OF POLO STORIES. (\Vrilteh for the Keie Zealand Mail.) [By F. D’A. C. De Lisle.] All rights reservedl by the author. ‘ There's no parade to 'day, then/* no parade to-dai/ ,* . . Oh ! ain't you glad, ho don't he :-nd—there's no parade f*-ddijZ v Thank heaven for that!’ fervently ejaculated Lieutenant Carr-Jones, as the last blare from the bugles died away on the early morning breeze. 4 I’ll take a ran down to Dooli and gi”« First Blood un hour or two with the bail. Qni hiV (Anybody there ?) His Oorya bearer appeared at the door, making a deep salaam. 'Eclipse. Polo pony tyar karo.’ (Get Eclipse ready.) The bearer departed with another salaam, and Jones turned into hia bathroom for Kia usual dip, where his bearer, having immediately returned after giving the order to the syce, poured the water out of die large yumla (earthenware bath) on to hia master, thus providing him witli an alfresco shower bath—that item of luxury having us yet failed to r-'fich the lull stations.

While he was dressing—or, rather, while he was being dres-ed by his bearer—Jones devoted Ms time to going through his mdc (mail) Half a do4-in invitations were quickly tossed to One side* two or three of the usdal begging letters from the broken-down sports of the Hills who knew his neVer-failing generosity were marked with a blue pencil, and then his attention was fixbd dn ‘A challenge from the polo team of the 22nd Queen’s Own Hussars,’ which was the very Htiff, formal heading of the following:— The 22nd Queen's Own Hussars, having heard so much of the prowess of the 28th Bengal Lancers, hereby challenge them to * friendly gaihe of polo. Open dates will oblige. Tho 22nd Q.O.H. are open to visit or play at home. F. Leslie, Lictit., Fort, Calcutta.

1 Holy Ounpntty !’ Raid Jones. * Our reputation travels apace. I wonder what tlie 22nd QO. H. are like. I'll ask Fraser this evenin'?, he’s just back from all the delights of BallygunK.’ Then he scribbled on the back of the challenge, ‘Meet them here fortnight from date,’ and placed the letter amongst the others. Having performed hia toilet satisfactorily, he mounted Eclipse and cantered away to Dooli, four miles from the cantonments. Here he spent two solid hours, from G to 8, in schooling his polo pony First Blood in tricks. Four Hillmen, who wore the uniforms of the Sikhs and the Dogra*, were practising on the Dooli ground, and they gave the pulfaa sahib (officer) a hand, entering into the fun with great spirit, for they all kflew the dandy little Dancer both by sight ami reputation. And tin's is what the fun was; Jones, on Eclipse, with a D«*gra on his aide, played the three Sikhs. But the polo pony First Blood, without saddle or bridle, wan turned loose on the ground and, hunted round by Jones, was schooled into 'riding of! ’ the players opposing him. With great patience and perseverance Jones schooled and schodod away, the peny acting splendidly from lime to time, eo much so that the natives laughed uproariously over the fun. Whenever a Sikh gob the ball dopes would whistle the pony to him, and riding along on his ‘off’ side, would f'Tce him on , to the Sikh just as that player was about to hit the hull. Time and again the business was 1 repeated, till at lust the pony answered the whistle and went on his way as No.l without any guidance. Being without a rider, or in fact any incumbrance, First Blood could easily race up to any of the others on hearing his master whistle.

But that did notFatisfy Jones, *1 want him to be always alongside the hall,’ he explained to the natives. ‘I want him to do the work of two men, and then wo can play a whole tesm alone.’ The natives quite agreed with Jones there, and a present of ft fivw-ropoe note apiece sent them to work again, schooling the track pony with unflagging energy. And so the game went on morning after morning, until the pony became perfect in bis part, and then .Tores introduced hia other trick pony, Jingling Johnny, into the game. And it was really wonderful how the two of thfin played the game without any guidance except a whistle from Jt.nes, At length, one morning, Jones ran down to Dooli, and playing against the three Sikhs and the Dogra. beat them in a twenty minutes’ game by 4 to I. On his side there was only one striker himself and three ponies. Eclipse he rode, and First Blood and Jingling Johnny acted as Nua. 1 and 2, riding or running the opposing backs off with wonderful cleverness.

*1 am satisfied,* said Jones, *bufc we will keep up the practice regularly, as I’m going to have some big lamasha (sport) out of this/ The natives agreed with alacrity, asking leave to see the tamasha when it came off. On the night that Jones got the challenge from the 22nd Q O.H. to pjay a polo match with his regiment he questioned his brother officer Captain Fraser at moss with regard to the status «nd the playing powers of the challenging team. Captain Fraser laughed loud and long.

‘By Jove! old man, do you mean to aay they’ve had the cheek to challenga us ? Why, hang them, every team in Calcutta and the twenty-four pergunuahs (districts) round have taken them down.- They are the poorest players I ever saw. They have only been out from Home about six months, and think they can play pole. Yes, they are well in. A very wealthy set, I believe, but fearful anoha. Nearly all trade. Their colonel is related to “beer”; their major to 44 cotton goods one cf the nubs, is the sou of Lather, the great soap man ; another is son of Mildew, the whisky king. They are a famous lot, I assure you, and all Calcutta is laughing at them.’ ‘Well, upon my word, they are cool/said Jones. ‘.Shall we play them V ‘Oh, if they want an outing let them have ago at our non-coms. Nothing will please oni* fellows better than to give them a pasting. I’d be in favour of letting them down easily, but they’re such cads, they can't take a beating, They always have aorno high-flown excuse for not winning. You have heard of the Bast Lancashire, haven’t you ? Well, a finer lot of gentlemen I never met. T/iey have only been in India twelve months, and their polo dates from about their second month out here. Not a man among them know what it was to awing a slick until they started their club at Barrackpore. Naturally, they were at the bottom of the list in the Junior Competition at the last Calcutta tournament, Well, they met and defeated the 22nd Queen’s Own Hussars by four goals to one, and then the cada went about saying that every pony in the Bast Lancashire team was over height. _ They are great diners out, and all the civilian women are after them or their dollars, the latter for choice ; and all these women were cackling about the match two days after, and saying whnt a shame it was for the East Lancashire to play ponies over height. The rumour was traced to the 22nd Queen’s Own, and-things looked very like a shindy between the two regiments. But metal won the day. The 22nd carried it off with a very high hand, refused to apologise, and the East Lancashire allowed the matter to drop. There was a tremendous fight between the privates of Ihe two regiments, though, at the asaault-at-arms at Hugh. The East Lancashire were on top the whole time.’

‘l’m jolly glad of it/ said Jones. ‘By Jove ! I’ve half a mind to give them a lesson. Look here, Fraser ; there’s nothing kills so surely as ridicule. Do you think they would be satisfied to climb down if 1 played ’em by myself alone?’ _ , a , ‘Why, what do you mean, old fellow? asked Captain Fraser, with astonishment, ‘ Oh, I think I could play four duffers if they allowed mo to have the use of as many ponies as I required/ answered ‘The Sandflv.* ‘They can’t refuse, can they? I thought there was no rules with regard. to the number of ponies plaved by any individual player?’ said Captain Eraser. • Nor is there. But I don’t mean that/ went on ‘The Sandfly/ f I want to have a couple of ponies on the playing ground with me besides the one X ride/. * What on earth for?’ asked the puzzled that’s tellings !* said ‘The Sandfly/ * But I’ll go and see the chief. If he’s agreeable. I'll give them a lesson they will never forget.* And he marched over to the genial commander of bi» regiment and had a long, serious conversation with him. When they separated, Colonel Cleeve said— - ‘ I think it would be better to leave it to the non-coms., Jones. There is nothing so galling to a lot of/'griffins” ae being taken down by the common or garden native. I’ve no doubt they would feel it acutely. ‘ However, if, as you say, it is only to official—as long as the regiment is not implicated—l have no objection. But don’t make it too. hot for them, my dear boy ; I know what a demon you are at the game/ ‘The Sandfly’ laughed deprecatingly and, leaving his chief, made his way to his quarters, where he wrote the two following letters and mailed them away at once. Rawal Pindi, Dec. 4th, 18 —, Lieut. Leslie, 220 d Q.0.H.. Fort, Calcutta, Dear Sib,— „ , . The 28th B.L regret exceedingly the mipossiblity of measuring sticks with yours this season, all dates being unfortunately engaged. Should you care to meet a private team of players here a line to the undersigned will arrange a match without delay, Yrs truly, A. F. B. M. Carr-Jonfs, Lieut., 28th B.L, Rawal Pindi, Dec. 4th, IS—. My Dear Hosito.n*,— As you are stationed at the Fort now, you must be enjoying the society of that very swagger retriment, the 22nd Qu* p n s Own Hussars. Hope you like them. I’ve heard a little about them from Fraser, of Oura, who was down your way last month. Iney (the 22nd Q.0.K.) sent Ours a polo challenge, hut we did not care to play them, as you must guess. However, if you do meet them, try and make thsm believe we funked it. And tell them they can make po»s of money if they make a match with Jones* private team, and win. Ive a little sensation in store for them if they come up i end 1 will promise yon something t<* Lugn «l«nut f-ir the uhu;«l nine <1 ‘V« if it comeoff. Do your best to bring about the geairfd result, and you will earn the everlasting gratitude of yours truly. By-the-v/ay. I hear that Bruce, of Ours, at home «m furlough, has applied for an exchange into your regiment. He is a devil on the parade

ground, as you will find if He gets his exchanged llis leave is up next month, so he is bound to bo out soon. Don’t ever mention iny name to him. He’ll hale you if you do, Try and get tHe swagger 22nd to make a match wMi me, there’s a good fellow. Best regards to all of yours. Will meet yon at the big ‘Assault’ next month. Ever yis., A. F. -B. M. Cauu-Jones, 28th 13. L, Li.'Ut. J. H. A. Honiton, 37th Dopras, Fort, Calcutta And within a week ‘The Sandfly’ received the following challenge from the ‘ swagger ’ regiment: - The 22:id Queen’s Own Hussars will play a private polo team organised by Lieut. (Jarr-Jones ; but can only’visit Rawal Pindi upon the condition that no natives shall be included in the team, as the 22nd Queen’s Own Wuisara have made it a standing rule never to play against natives or a native team. A date by return post will oblige. (Signed) Lieut. Leslie, 22nd Queen’s Own Husinrs. ‘Whewl That’s the first time I’ve seen the colour-line drawn in India. What insufferable snobs. Gad! I’d back my regiment to cut theirs into mincemeat in action. Tho 22nd Queen’s Own Hunsaral By Jove! they must think themselves something—l see he has mentioned tbo regiment in full three times in that small epaco. Here goes to send them the date in their own style.’ And *Thfc Sandfly 1 sat down at his desk, his eyes dancing with fan, and dashed off an answer to the challenge.

Quarters of the 38th Bengal Lancers, (Jantonmentsi Rawnl Pindi, Dec. 12th, 18—* A. F. B. M. Carr-Jones, Lieut, 28th Bengal Lancers, will be glad to meet the 22nd Q.O.H. on the ground of the 2Sth Bengal Lancers oh Thursday, 17lh inst., at a friendly gailfe of polb. The 28th Bengal Larcera will bo playing at Mhow on that date, but the private team organised by Lieut. Carr-Jones, of the 2Sth Bengal Lancers, will he at liberty to meet the 22nd QO.H. No natives played. (Signed) A. F. B. M; Cahh-Jones, Lieut;, 28th Bengal Lancers*

By tho following mail 'The Sandfly’ received an answer front Lieiit. Hbniton, of the Dogras. ‘ They are frothing to get at you,* be wrote. *l’ve toll them that your first team are the only players in the regiment, and that your lot are the biggest duffers in the army. They are backing themselves wholesale down here. They must ,bo blind, net fco see how eagerly the lloyal Irish and the Bedford snap them up. The K.I.F. and the Bedford know you from sad experience, and they seem to “scent the battle from afar.” I don’t think you would have felt flattered, old fellow, if you could have heard their remarks on the native troops. Some idiot in their regiment started the rumour that you were going to play 'natives. My lords got on their stilts, and, after insulting every man in the native contingent. h'*ro, tried to cancel their bets. But it was “ Kuch pnrwansc merae jahu" (Never mind, my love) with the RilF-Kaffs (Royal Irish Fusileers) and the Cords (Bedford Regiment). Nary a man among them would cancel a bet. So I hope you will play aU your non-conn., and cive them gehurrmn fftirvum (particular H—l). Lot me have all the khabhuv (news) when the fun is over.’ ‘Hang it!’ said Jones, 'why didn’t I get this before I answered them. I would have given up my idea, to see them pasted by some of ray troopers. Never mind; they’ll get u taking down they never had before.’ And ho wont to practice harder than ever with the Dogrns and the Sikhs at Dooli, The 22nd QO.H. polo team arrived at Ra-.val Pindi the day before the match. Each man had six pomes, and the captain of the team, Lieut. Leslie, had seven. Such sheafs of polo sticks, such tone of p<do bridles and bits and bandages wore never seen at Pindi before, A Casual spectator would have imagined that a regiment of polo players had arrived. _ _ With lordly mien tho 22nd Q.O.H, took possession of their quarters, and scores of servants and syc?s were diving about in and out of compounds and verandahs arranging the baggage and gear of their masters, while those lords of creation walked down to tho clubhouse and left their cards with the ihirwan (doorkeeper). They had a mess-room of their own by special request, so that the 28th were saved the infliction of their presence that night. But afterwards at the club many wagers were booked that Carr-Jones’ team would beat the 22nd. ‘The Sandfly’ had widely circulated tho report that tho swagger English regiment bad drawn the colour lino, and every officer of'a native regiment at Pindi whet itching to hive a few rupees on .with the strangers.' So they were accommodated to their hearts’content. On the morning of the match, as ihe Sandfly* was standing examining the ponies of the 22nd, the orderly of the day cantered up, and saluting, doliveied a letter to him. 'Oh, damn!’ Raid Jones, after reading the note, * this its absurd. Hero’s a note from Fraser saying that he can’t play because the river’s up and he won’t be able lo across. It was signalled from Dooli bv the helio. By George I that is provoking. I say, Leslie, let ha play a native non-com., there are no other white players in our regiment.’ But the 22ml QO.fi. worn inflexible m their determination not to play against natives, and they said so. ‘ Oh, all right, * said Jones, sulkily. ‘I suppose we shall have to play with three men. Jolly hard, when we stand to lose so much. After tiffin Lieut. Leslie received a note from Lieut. Jones, asking to be allowed to use a native non-com., as hia No, 2, Major Concannon, was down with a touch of jungle fever and would not be able lo play that day. The 22nd returned ft negative answer. They would allow white substitutes, but no natives.

At last they were all assembled on the polo ground. The funs the visitors made was wonderful. Every man who could get leave turned out to see the game, and the awkward attempts ox the 22ad Q O.H. while practising before the match called forth roars of ironical applause from the native troopers looking on. Just before the'commencement of the game * ihe Sandfly ’ was standing talking to Lieut. Leslie, when an orderly galloped up and delivered a letter.

Jones’ profanity on reading it appeared pardonable to tho visitor, for the letter said that Captain Polhill-Oarevv was not going to make an ass of himself by playimr with Jones alone against a full team of the 22nd Q.O.H. ‘Abandon the match and let us pay up. Tliere’s nothing else for it/ said the note. ' ‘Do you still adhere to your determination not to play against a native, Lieut. Leslie. asked Jones. . __ , rm And the whole team said Yes. Iney would rather cancel aU wagers and go home than break their resolution. • Very well/said Jones, ‘you shall have a flutter for your money. * I’m hanged if I don’t play you myself.’ , . , „ • Oh, that’s nonsense, said one of the lordly 22nd. *We don’t wont to take any advantage of you, you know, dcah boy/ • You are not taking any advantage, coolly answered ‘The Sandfly/ ‘H you are agreeable to play me and my polo ponies, 1 11 net each of you a thousand rupees that I score two goals to each one you score. I’ve played singlehanded against your sort before. Is it a wager?’ , „ . . . After a lot of hee-hawing and fussing about they were persuaded to play. They had brought up their own umpire and coal judge. ‘The Sandfly’ agreed to these officials with alacrity, and the fun began. As the ball was thrown in Jones said— f •Now go ahead and score your first goal, and he drew his pony aside and let the 22nd t»ke the ball down the field He to his two ponies First Blood and Jingling Johnny, and they charged down the first two players of the 22nd amid a roar from the onlookers that was deafening. Then Jones calmly rode off No, 3, and First Bipod '.was whistled back and ho rode off No, 4. r XJp the field like lightning went Jones, and in three hits the 'ball was banged through tho 2-nd Q.O.H/s goal, while the whole team were hopelessly bunched up at the cither goal. It is not exaggeration to say that some of the native onlookers rolled on tho ground in paroxysms of laughter. A feeble appeal for off-side was heard from the swagger Hussars, but was given against them.

‘ 111 give you off-side and all in/ said Jones as they assembled for the throw-iu, and ‘ take you 2 to 1 in thousands you don’tscore to-day/ •Done!’ cried the back; but the others didn’t appear at all eager to bet more, On the throw-in, Jones scored again, in two hits; and on resuming he came with a run at tho ball and sent it through, a clear hundred yards, In on© slog. And so the farce went on. In the first ten minutes’ spell Jones had put up nine goals, and his opponents had hardly struck the ball. In the second spell eleven goals resulted to Jones. Then came the five minutes* interval. *Bai Jove! don’t you know, old fellah’.’ said Lieut. Leslie to * The Sandfly, * wa didn’t come hoah to play a circus, don’t you know. Those blasted ponies of yours are absolutely dangerous, don’t you know—tho way they come charging into a fell»w t don’t you know.’ ‘ What the deuce d’ye mean by a circus V asked Jones, hotly. ‘ Those are my ordinary polo ponies—they have never been iu any show before to-day/ ‘Ah, well, I don’t think it’s fair, don’t you know 1 They have no weight to carry, and so they can easily race our ponies, don’t you know/ ‘I see/ said Jones, ‘I knew you were bound to make some excuse. You always do that, I have beard. But I’ll keep you to your agreement, as I wish to teach you a lesson. Besides, the wagers demand a finish to this farce.’

In the second spell ‘The Sandfly* went in for fancy business, and put iu angle shots, back strokes, and cuts, and drives from the near side with his back to the goal aimed at, until the goal bitting became monotonous. Forty four £o«ls in two spells ! Forty-four goals in forty minutes ! It was marvellous. ‘Shall I bo for a hundred?’ asked Jones of a grinning Havildar of his regiment. Bat the noble native begged for pity for those who would not play against his colour. 'Ah', sahib—chore dohl chore dohl Khub tamasha Tvuo. hai!’ (Ah ! sir—stop !do stop ! There has been sufficient fun !) In the second five minutes spell Jones, with some pity for tbs ‘griffins’ who had been so mercilessly roasted, askfd if they would stop playing. But the ‘g-ufa * were mad with rag-*, and they ;»nm>uiwd th-ir sj::enli‘Mi of playing out tiuiV, if otoy for the nake soring one goal arid boat’m? Jours on that on« wager, •It’s only the du.uM circus yaw© that’s fcea’ing us/said Lieui, Leslir. ‘No on* ever played against riderless ponies before. I defy anv man to score against those brutes/ ‘Look here/ said 1 The Sandfly, ‘it’s a big

handicap, but t want to clearly demonstrate to you fellows what duffers you are. I d play yod this last spell without the ponies, and if you can score I’ll make that two u> t>ne; even money twice. Now if that’s not giving you a chance I don’t know is. _He walked away to a Kessaldar of the 2bth B L. ‘ Lai Singh, pass the word to clear the ground. I don’t wLh these gentlemen to be laughed at any more.’ The non-com. saluted and marched off. In five minutes not a native tfooper tethainen on the polo ground. In the last epell (thtsre was , only ten minutes to play an aCUotint of tiihe taken off in the other spells). Jones showed his marvellous skill against such great odds. Had the Hussars played even an indifferent game they could have scored. But they were such rank duffers, and ‘The Sandfly* was really such a demon at the game, that in spite of all their efforts, they failed to score and Jones put on-six more goals, before the whistle blew lor the call of ‘ time.’ The Hussars left the polo ground without exchanging a word with Jones, They settled their bets by letter and returned to Calcutta without paying any of those marks of courtesy to their hosts, the 2Sth 8.L., whose quarters they had occupied, that are cuitomary. And In Calcutta what a roasting they got! As they entered the club-room at the Fort a telegram, pinned up on the notice-board, met their eyes— Liedt. Honiton, 37th Dogras, Fart, Calcutta. Carr-Jones, single • handed, beat 22nd Q.O.H, polo team by fifty goals to nil, Fkaseb, Capt., 2Sth 8.L., Rawal Pindi.

The 22nd made a big fuss talked very loudly about playing some ‘circus fellah, don’t you know, and his darn’d trick ponies!’ But they were unmercifully chaffed and badgered, until they were brought to see what aasca they were; ami they recognised at last what a demon they had met when they were beguiled into playing 1 The Sandfly ’ and his Ti vo Trick Ponies^