The Badminton Magazine

MARCUS, WINNER OF THE NEW COVENTRY STAKES

The Badminton Magazine

A LOOK ROUND

BY ALFRED E. T. WATSON

Photographs by IV. A. Roach, &c.

t h e Two pleasant letters account of current racing in a monthly two-year-olds have reached me from magazine is that so many readers in Somewhere in Franee, ’ ’ this country know all about it ; they one approving of the stories I have lately have already made themselves been publishing, “ with just enough and acquainted with what has been taking not too much savour of war in them,” place at Newmarket, and accounts of the other asking for a more extended bygone sport can only be made interest­ account of racing. The latter writer ing to them by the introduction of little says that he is, as he knows several of individual details which have not been his friends are, endeavouring to keep in published. We arc all perfectly desirous touch with what is going on by means of fulfilling every request sent by our of this Look Round, and he particularly friends in the trenches—and surely the wants to know whether the twro-year- men who are risking their lives for us olds are supposed to be of good class, as are all our friends !—but the Editor of also which is considered the best of a magazine has to keep an observing them ? The worst of writing a detailed eye—a pair of them indeed—on the

A n o . ccxi.il. vol. xltii.— Septem ber, 1915. 2 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE look-out for matter calculated to please Neumann’s Figaro was favourite, and the majority of his supporters. failed by a head to beat Mr. J. Barrow’s As for the best two-year-old, the Marcus, of whom a picture is given. In meetings which have taken place at the ordinary course of events a pound Newmarket since I last wrote do not is allowed for a head beating, and it throw much light on the subject. might consequently be supposed that Nothing need be said about the Second Queen of the Seas is 6 lb. better than July for the reason that the form was Ali Bey, Figaro exactly as much in in a great measure straightened out at front of Marcus. Not seldom, however, the Second Extra Meeting which took it illogically happens that the same place on the last days of the month. result is obtained when two horses meet

ALI BEY, THE^WINNER OF THE WEDNESDAY TWO-YEAR-OLD STAKES AT NEWMARKET We had some of the best young ones at even weights notwithstanding that in the Wednesday Stakes and in the in their previous encounter one has New Coventry, between which two there only appeared to owe his success to his was a somewhat curious similarity : in advantage in the matter of poundage. each case the winner got home by a If Ali Bey and Queen of the Seas are head from an animal who was trying to again found in opposition the colt will give him 7 lb. In the Wednesday Stakes not be without supporters. Indeed it was the favourite, the Duke of there are some racegoers who are inclined Westminster’s Ali Bey, 8 st. 81b., who to doubt whether he has a superior. As beat Mr. G. D. Smith’s Queen of the Seas, for Marcus and Figaro, an important 8 st. 12 lb. Probably it is needless to question which would have to be con­ say that sex allowance adds 3 lb. to the sidered is that of distance. It seemed to filly’s credit. In the other case Mr. be generally concluded that Marcus A LOOK ROUND 3 reaches the end of his tether at five the July Course.” The winning-post, furlongs, and that Figaro is the better those who are unacquainted with this stayer. This is one of the eccentricities course will perceive, is still some way off, of breeding. Sundridge, the sire of and watching from that stand the Figaro, was a sprinter, yet he is the sire spectator is quite in the dark until the of a Derby and of an Oaks’ winner, and numbers are hoisted. The same thing of other animals who stay at least a constantly occurs. A horse on the left- mile-and-a-half. Cicero ran for the Ascot hand side appears to have a long lead, Cup. He never showed prominently in one of two others are in pursuit and the race, it is true ; but Lord Rosebery, there seems just a faint chance that he who knows as much about the capacity may be caught. Whilst you are specula­ of the thoroughbred as anyone alive, at ting on this possibility, horses on the any rate thought it worth while to have right-hand side flash past you, and it is

RACING ON THE JULY COURSE AT NEWMARKET SECOND JULY MEETING his colt trained for the trophy which is more than likely that the one you have the chief test of a stayer. Like does imagined to be winning easily is not in not always beget like. the first half-dozen. Even when you are almost in a line with the winning-post t h e I was surprised after the angle is deceptive. In this picture it difficulties watching the finish for looks as if the left-hand horse, carrying of judging the New Coventry Stakes, the dark jacket and light sleeves, has to see from the announce­ won his race, but it is by no means certain ment on the board that Marcus had only that his will be one of the three numbers won by a head. It may once more be presently displayed. Another instructive remarked that only the Judge can tell picture is that of the start for The what has happened. I often watch races Wednesday Two-year-old Stakes, which from the smaller stand under the trees was won by Ali Bey. The animal on shown in the picture called “ Racing on the extreme right may have been the

A2 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

TWENTY-SIX RUNNERS IN THE WEDNESDAY TWO-YEAR-OLD STAKES

THE RACE FOR THE NEWMARKET GOLD CUP. CARANCHO, APOTHECARY (WINNER), AND CHINA COCK A LOOK ROUND 5 best of the lot, but it will be necessary opinion that Fifinella ought probably for him to have a tremendous amount to be placed at the head of those of weight in hand in order to win after already seen, and I am by no means this start. His head is in the air, his inclined to abandon that view. The jockey unbalanced, those who have filly was engaged at this Second Extra struck off will be lengths in front before Meeting. She had shaken off her half-a-furlong has been covered and the cough, and, it was believed, recovered bearer of the light jacket, dark hooped from the effects of it. I am told that sleeves, has settled down to his work. she went in admirable form on the No doubt the flag fell to what should previous Saturday, and that the have been an excellent send-off, but it desirability of running her was debated,

THE WHITE KNIGHT. PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN RECENTLY IN IRELAND is”-this sort of thing that swells the Mr. R. C. Dawson thinking it would do banking account of the ring. A mishap her no harm ; but in the end Mr. Hulton at the start is difficult to repair. decided that she should stay at home. She will doubtless be out at one of the t h e b e s t When the subject of the approaching fixtures, as it is to be hoped o f a l l best two-year-old is being will her owner’s Atheling. Students of discussed, one is apt to forget make and shape can contrast Marcus horses who have not been out, or who and Ali Bey from the pictures here given. have perhaps made a single appearance. The former seems to display more quality Writing last month 1 leaned to the than the sturdy, thick - set son of 6 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

Bayardo, who has not inherited his James de Rothschild’s Apothecary ne>xxt sire’s beautiful head and neck. His to him, Mr. Nelke’s China Cock, whoo se hocks are also farther from the ground jockey, like Carancho’s, is evidentltly than was the case with Mr. Fairie’s beginning to be anxious, or it may be champion ; but he is a lucky man who said has already begun, on the l e f t , owns a better colt ! There are rumours and behind Carancho is the d efea ted to the effect that in two or three other favourite, Black Jester, who s e e m s stables young ones are to be found better entirely to have lost his form. T h e r e than any yet produced, and the question is truly a melancholy difference b etw een of the best of all must certainly be left the colt who so readily took the C i t y to the future. One does not quite know and Suburban, subsequently cantered

SILVER TAG (DONOGHDE UP), WINNER OF THE FALMOUTH STAKES AND THE MIDSUMMER STAKES AT NEWMARKET SECOND JULY MEETING what to make of Mr. J. B. Joel’s Star away with the June Stakes, and tithe Hawk. There is a disposition to regard Black Jester of the Newmarket G o ld the running in the Ditch Stakes, when he Cup. His struggle against Sir J o h n beat Ali Bey, Salandra, Marcus, and Thursby’s Rossendale seems to have b e e n others as wrong. But it may not be so. fatal to him. Apothecary in the p ictu re is going comfortably, as it will be se en , t h e g o l d A spirited picture is given of whilst the riders of the two in front of c u p the race for the Newmarket him have their whips out, a fatal sign ! Gold Cup, which ended in What was thought of Apothecary tithe such a complete surprise. Mr. E. betting shows. Very few backers w ere Tanner’s Carancho is on the rails, Mr. tempted by the comfortable odds < of A LOOK ROUND 7

3 3 1to 1, Black Jester having started at His Majesty’s Sunny Lake, when practi­ tH e least shade over even money, indeed cally everyone imagined that the King in many cases odds were laid on him had won his first race of the season. b e fore Mr. Gilpin’s strong fancy for Before the number of Lord Stanley’s Snow w Marten brought the winner of the Young Pegasus was hoisted the only N e w Oaks to 7 to 4. Apothecary was no doubt seemed to be whether the Royal n e a re r than eighth for the New Derby, colours had been victorious by a neck, hte had been fourth for the Dee Stakes half-a-length, or a greater margin, and at Chester, beaten many lengths and there was amazement amounting to sttarting at 20 to 1. For the Two stupefaction when it was proclaimed that T?ho>usand Guineas he started at 50 to 1, Lord Stanley, at the first time of asking,

ipMriirrr:

COLT BY SOLFERINO REDFERN’S DAM in deed there has been no greater surprise had taken a substantial prize. As for this season than this Gold Cup. After the best of the three-year-olds, there is th e New Derby it was debated whether general agreement that Pommern holds Black Jester would not beat Mr. S. B. that distinction, and no apparent ground Jo e l’s Pommern. Whether he will be to dispute the conclusion. afforded a chance of redeeming his character, and if furthermore he will be the present Money is still forthcoming able to take it, remains to be seen. The v a l u e o f for good horses, though on great disappointment of the Second bloodstock the whole it seems to be E xtra Meeting was the defeat of considered that they are 8 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE fetching something like half the amounts next he started a strong favourite amnd for which they would have changed won in a canter by four lengths ini a hands had racing been continued without field of six-and-twenty. Still I shoiuhld interruption. It is at the same time very have said that 3,000 guineas fuillllv far from probable that My Ronald would represented My Ronald’s value. I In have made much more than the three ordinary times, however, the Whif ite thousand guineas which Mr. Ralli paid Knight would have made more than t h e for him. He was decisively beaten for 4,100 guineas at which he was sold. H e the Cambridgeshire Hunt Plate—the is standing at a fee of £149, and m u s t race which Young Pegasus won—though be said to be doing well, with Radwrauy, the 8 st. he carried was of course a severe Knight’s Key, Knight of Glin, and o t h e r weight for a three-year-old : he was set winners who have inherited their sirree’s

JUMPING AT THE ROYAL LANCASHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW, BLACKBURN to give 3 lb. to Mr. Bower Ismay’s staying powers to represent him. Tlneere Costello, and 61b. to the Duke of have been few more sensational raic.ces Westminster’s Manxman. Of course than the Ascot Cup of 1907, which 1 he My Ronald is a good colt ; he was only won on an objection, as many read ers in receipt of one pound from the five- will remember. He was an even m o n ey year-old, Rather Bolder, when beaten a favourite for the trophy, Lord D e r b y ’s length for the Hare Park Handicap, and Bridge of Canny being regarded as tithe Rather Bolder is decidedly useful just danger, and the French colt, the Due: < de at present. In the Milton Welter Grammont’s Eider, in moderate dermannd Handicap he gave within 21b. of 2st. at 9 to 1. The objection was inevitaitble to Cerval, and when Cerval was out when The White Knight and Eider lhaad A LOOK ROUND 9 poaissed the posts inseparable by the Stakes, when it was thought that she Jfuidge. An objection after a dead-heat took so little out of herself that she might iss rare, and it may be imagined that it just as well run for the Midsummer w a s made with extreme reluctance, seeing Stakes next day. Robinson, the Foxhill th at the offender was the property of a trainer, had no fear that Mr. Hulton’s much respected foreign visitor. The tally would give Costello 7 lb. and sex, S tw a r d s , however, had a simple duty but to his great surprise Silver Tag won too perform, and could not avoid it. as easily as she had done twenty-four hours previously, giving, moreover, SEI1LVER I give another picture of 12 lb. or 15 lb. having regard to sex, to TAG Silver Tag, who may possibly Mr. Neumann's Elkington, who had been owe her defeats in the One second, in one case beaten only a head Trhousand and the New Oaks, in which by Rossendale (Sir John Thursby’s colt,

ROYAL LANCASHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S SHOW. JUDGING HUNTER MARES

raaces she was second and third, to however, giving 7 lb.) in his two previous backwardness of condition ; at least it races. Frank Hartigan, looking at the will be interesting to see her again in race impartially, as he had nothing in it, opposition to Lord Rosebery’s Vaucluse, told me he thought Elkington would win. fo r Frank Hartigan’s excuse that the The half-a-dozen lengths by which Silver heard ground stopped the filly when she Tag beat him must have represented was fifth to Silver Tag’s third in the something like another stone. The other New Oaks may be accepted as at least racing picture is of the yearling son of having some sort of justification. Solferino and Redfern’s dam, sold for Nothing could have been easier than 900 guineas. In ordinary times he would th e victory of Silver Tag in the Falmouth doubtless have made much more. 10 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

THE ROYAL Great interest was when we felt the thrust of our h o rse ’s LANCASHIRE SHOW occasioned by the hindquarters ; the man in the p ic t u r e Royal Lancashire is riding more or less in the fashion ( of Agricultural Society’s Show at Black­ the American crouch. Another photo to- burn, the official catalogue of which is graph gives a characteristic sceintne. quite a book. I have been favoured Doubtless the owner of the hunter w h o with some pictures taken during that is being inspected knows where its w e a k week, and give three. Show-ring riding point lies, if it has one, and is watchi n g differs widely, as will be seen, from intently to see whether the eyes of the

that to which we are accustomed in Judges appear to be dwelling on it. T h e the hunting field. It would look truly remaining view is of a sheepdog en g ag ed remarkable if in the course of a run men upon the business which these a n im a ls went at formidable fences, or indeed at accomplish with what appears to be fences of any kind, as the rider is here such amazing intelligence. One wonde rs seen to be going at this w all! We used how the animal knows what he is to be taught to sit back, and experienced wanted to do, and marvels at the s k i l l the extreme desirabilitv of doing so with which he does it. THE QUALITY OF MERCY

B Y OWEN MOORE

O n c e upon a time—it was not so very let him a house—we are no lovers of long ago, really—there lived a man in a unmoneyed idlers in Five Oak Borough. Kentish village who was a waster. His But Torgan, so it is said, delighted in mame (so he said) was Stafford, and he the outrageous, and a man possessed, in w as a fine, upstanding figure of a man. the common knowledge, of wealth T h e sight of him swinging loosely along approximating to one hundred thousand made the women sigh, and wish that he pounds is entitled to indulge any little w as—oh, well, just the things that eccentricity. women do wish men to be. Torgan turned the hose on the curate The authentic story of his arrival in when he called touching the matter of a th e village was known to few. He was subscription to the “ Peal of Bells” fund. mot a native of the South ; at times his As some belated measure of compensation s peech was that of the Bennett “ Five he provided the bells, and a new belfry Towns.” As to this, he made no to house them, himself. A travelling pronouncement, and the Potteries Methodist, hearing of the incident, suggestion is, on the whole, mere guess­ expressed his determination of offering work. Still, the name, Stafford. . . . ? his body as a similar sacrifice—it was Anyhow, it is not material. a new tin tabernacle they wanted. Hendry, the grocer, remembered his Unfortunately he went through the first appearance. Hendry was having wood as a short cut and disturbed the and Sons ” added to the title above sitting birds. Torgan fell on him and th e shop, and, walking out at frequent threw him into the duckpond. The i ntervals to inspect progress, his attention pastor clambered out, smiled forgivingly, was naturally attracted to the stranger. blessed the aggressor in a loud forgiving Stafford, says Hendry, walked down tone, and went home—a wet rat of a th e High Street in the blazing sunshine, figure—to await the arrival of the a. heavy pack slung over his shoulder. healing cheque. On the third day he He sat on the form under the great was served with a summons for damage yew fronting the old pleasant church, by trespass ! throughout the day. As the evening These, and other things, Torgan did, closed in, and the men returned from and they explain in part perhaps their work in the fields, he rose from the why Stafford was accepted as a tenant. seat and went into the bar-parlour of The newcomer’s store of ready money the Half Moon. At ten o’clock, evidently lasted for the better part of Thorn, the landlord, called “ Time, two years, for during that period his gentlemen, please ! ” and Stafford asked character and habits, if they occasioned to be accommodated for the night. no cause for commendation, gave little ‘Some of those present claim that he room for reproach. He was self- produced a handful of gold as evidence contained, and did what little housework of good faith. However that may be was necessary himself, scorning feminine Thorn took him in, and he remained as assistance. His outlook was broader a guest of the hostelry for the better than that of the villagers, and he some­ part of a month ; until, in fact, he had times spoke in a sharp, abrupt manner concluded negotiations for the tenancy that would, used by a better circum­ of a cottage. stanced man, have been termed It is extremely doubtful if any other commanding. Now and again he said property owner but Torgan would have things indicating that he had spent some 12 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE time abroad. As to this, however, none cheerfully, and returned fully prepareed could claim to be in his confidence. to take up the threads of his existencce After a time his money must have run at the precise point where they had been short, and rumours concerning him abruptly snapped. The keepers, faced spread through the village. They were with his strange attacks, were as children not pleasant rumours—rather the reverse in his hands, and it is to be feared th a t —but, for all that, they remained nothing they suffered more under the verbal but rumours until he was caught in the lashes of disgusted employers than dud “ Trench ” coppice with birds stuffed the author of the outrages himself in h is into his pocket. The local magistrates lonely cell. On the infrequent occasions gave him a month, and he returned to when Stafford was caught it was te n Five Oak Borough a pariah. to one that the enfolding net had been The villagers were undecided how to spread by the owner of the estate o v er treat him on his return. As Stafford did which he was operating at the time o f not seem to mind how he was treated in the disaster. In point of fact, thoe the least, he gradually evolved a sort of poacher brought superior intelligence to social stratum of his own. The villagers bear, and it was only the superior brains felt it as a slur on their fair names that a of the educated men that could copoc reprobate—and a stranger at that— with him at all. Most apparent miraclees should be housed among them. It is are capable of simple explanation ! doubtful if there was a man, woman, or Old Colonel Mac John took a very child in the place who, far from stealing personal interest in the pariah. When birds and hares, would not have given his keepers proved impotent to stop the up their Sunday dinner to a sick hen ! raiding, the Colonel evolved a strategical This sort of village is becoming rarer— scheme which beat Stafford time a n d perhaps the spread of industrialism and time again. In all he paid for his raid American libraries .... no matter. on the soldier’s birds with over six Unfortunately for the orthodox village months in gaol. On his release, he a cted viewpoint the local landowners were as loader for the Colonel at what proved almost to a man strong, vigorous, virile to be the last big shoot that either o f sportsmen. It has been suggested that, them assisted in for purely sporting when once open war was declared, they reasons. regarded Stafford as something of a “ Why don’t you stop it, you rascal ? sporting acquisition to their estates. He demanded the old officer, apropos oof was a novelty, anyway, and the methods nothing very much in particular.r. he used—strange foreign methods that Stafford, taken at a disadvantage, played left the old keepers gasping and impotent for time. —called for quite a measure of alertness “ Stop what, Colonel ? ” he asked to combat them. Stafford, having some­ with an air of innocence. thing perilously akin to a sense of “ Stop what—stop ! ” spluttered humour, realised the position and enjoyed the soldier. He broke off and pulled a the affair to the full. Whereas the quick, successful left and right. T h e hardworking, honest villagers contented dog brought in the birds neatly. “ Stop) themselves with deferential bobs to what ? ” he resumed. “ You know veryy “ the gentry,” and the receipt of the well ! Why don’t you stop stealing my annual bounties at Christmas time, birds, and take the job of looking afte r Stafford was almost on *' hail-fellow-well- them for me ? You’re a disgrace, sir ? ! met ” terms with most of the owners. that’s what you are—a disgrace ! ” When he was fairly caught in the act The loader hid a grin behind his hand.l. of poaching, the proportion was about “ I do keep my eye on them, Colonel,' one in five hundred, he paid the penalty he said, with colossal impudence. THE QUALITYf OF MERCY 13

Yes, damn you ! I know that. You doorstep of the War Office waiting for add sixpence to the cost of every bird employment. Truth to tell, there was I’v e got, or am ever likely to have ! I a lurking fear in his heart that he was do n ’t mind your keeping your eye on too old. Rumour had it that he would them if you’d only keep your thieving have given every one of his live thousand han ds off them. I ’ll make it my pounds per annum to have had ten years business to see that you get it hot the knocked off his life. In the course of a n ext time we get you, my man ! The few weeks he was offered a position as thi ng that would save you would be a Governor of an internment camp, and war. I ’m a soldier, thank God, not a he took it hoping for better things. politician, and it seems to me that we’re Coincident with the shortage of officers going to have trouble, and very soon following the opening months of the too. Those dashed old women at war he tugged divers official wires, and Westminster—you mark my words— December saw him in France with his they'll be sorry sooner or later. Don’t regiment. tell me that the German army is kept to It is sad but true that his eagerness— provide the Kaiser with decorations for he was old enough to know better—was Berlin squares. I know—I ’m a soldier. partly responsible for the wound that You’ll join the Army when the trouble put him out of action. Unscathed, comes, Stafford—that would wipe out he tore through the wild, choking, a lot.” cheering, cursing charge that ripped The poacher carefully elevated the through and over the wire-guarded se cond gun and squinted through the defences of the enemy. His sword was barrels. “ No, I won’t,” he said. snapped by a shell fragment as he first “ By Gad, but you would, sir ! You climbed the lip of the protecting trench. would, or you’re no sportsman, and I He snatched a rifle and bayonet and gi ve you credit for being that, anyhow. used it vigorously as they cleared the You couldn’t keep out of it, I tell you. Germans, room by room and house by By Gad, sir, if I ’d had the handling of house, from the village. Non-coms, and you in the old days you’d have been a privates tried to keep him from the different man now. Yes you would, sir ! places of greatest danger, and he cursed Y o u ’d have been a hardworking, self- them lovingly, until a machine-gun respecting man with a bit of Army snapped into action towards the end of dliscipline behind you, instead of a—a the fight, and the Colonel dropped, his diashed poacher ! ” leg smashed under him. He looked across at Stafford, and they Early on denuded of its responsible l aughed together. men, Five Oak Borough was left to the When Kipling wrote of the underskin administration of double-sexed old ladies. si sterhood of women it may be taken for Even their enfeebled intellects, however, granted that only space and rhyme grasped the fact that an excellent exigencies prevented mention of the opportunity offered for ridding the village brotherhood binding sportsmen of every of its incubus. degree. The matter was put before the incubus Time passes slowly in Five Oak —in other words, Stafford—both by Borough. But to Five Oak Borough, as select appointed committees and by well- to every other place on earth, came that intentioned, but brainless, individuals. black day in August of 1914. Old Colonel Much to their surprise he refused to see Mac John caught the 8-40 a.m., train to eye-to-eye with them in the matter. If London with the regularity of a business report be true he elevated rudeness man for nearly a fortnight. It was said almost to the level of a fine art on these th at he spent the days sitting on the occasions. Certain it is that Mrs. Bryane, 14 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE following her interview with him, resigned leg. For a few weeks he was confi ned her position on the “ Committee for the to the house and grounds, but, as the taking out of the Wounded for Motor bones set and strengthened, he hobbled Drives.” along with the aid of sticks. So, ini this Mrs. Bryane—a successful sheep-wash manner, he came on Stafford in. the established the family fortunes—has village street. The face of the p ariah three sons, and the lady, blessed with brightened ; his hand went up in sa lu te ; that universal knowledge which is the his words of greeting were cheerful. The badge of the tribe, took it upon herself old warrior looked him through w ith to declare their physical unfitness for steely eyes, noting the civilian clot hes, the fighting forces. She lamented it and he went by—without a sign i of passionately and urged everyone else to recognition. go. What actually occurred at the inter­ Stafford stood as if stunned. H endry, view with Stafford she never said. It who happened to be a witness off the is believed that the poacher suggested incident, said that he thought the man the Army doctor as the best judge of would cry. He stood motionless, s t arring her sons’ fitness or otherwise. It is after the slowly retreating figure off the said that he offered to join at the same Colonel until he turned up the lam e to time as the younger Bryanes. And he his house. He wiped his hand acrross was even so rude—this is certainly true, his eyes, and for the first time in w eeks for more than one person overheard it— went into the Half Moon, and stayed , as to shout after her retreating figure : drinking steadily, until the even i ng. “ I ’ll join if you can make even one of Where he found the money to pay for them go ! ” the drink, goodness knows, for he had Stafford was alternatively pleaded not taken a bird from the first d a y of with, threatened, bribed, stormed at, the war. and cajoled. The vicar did his best and The alcohol left him deadily, worst, and neither was very effective. dangerously sober ; a slight flush was The schoolmaster’s daughter duly and on his face, and the veins across his publicly presented the white feather. forehead swelled. About six o ’clcock, Stafford took it coolly and rammed it Sergeant O’Hara and four priv ates through the stem of his pipe before entered the hostelry. They were out thanking the donor. Village recruits, recruiting, and were in high go o d home on leave, jeered at him as he dug humour. The trained eye of the non- in the plot of garden before the cottage. com. fell on the pariah. He nodded! to Stafford went deadly white, put dowai his men. the spade, and walked into the road “ Hello ! Hello ! ! Hello ! ! ! ” said facing them. They closed instinctively he. “ And here’s the very chap we’ve for mutual support. For a moment he been looking for, or I ’m a bloomin’ H u n ! stood with clenched fists, glaring at I ’ll bet you what you like, lads, that he’s them, and then, pushing his way through, only stayed out so long ’cos he w anted went into the house, and was seen no to join along with us. Ain’t th at so, more during the day. Schoolchildren cock ? Why, o’ course it is ! D ash it, prompted by their elders, shouted after don’t I know a soldier when I see o n e ? him as they passed, and, growing bolder, Now then, lads, this is on me. W h a t threw stones at the cottage door. The is it ? ” only effect of the collective treatment The privates voiced their desires. was to make the poacher avoid the “ What’s your’s, boss ? ” asked the Half Moon. sergeant of the landlord. He slapped On a Saturday in February Colonel Stafford on the shoulder. “ And y o u r ’s, Mac John came home with his fractured old son ? Come on, give it a name !! ’ ” THE QUALITY OF MERCY 15

He pushed Stafford’s mug across the immediate control when he did join the counter. “ Fill it again, boss,” he Army. commanded, and turned to the poacher. For an hour he exerted his best “ Now then, lad, what price the Army? persuasive powers, and led the talk to "You’re not a married man, I can see. service abroad, and the chances of fine Good pay. Excellent grub, chance to sport attending it. He talked of the have a whack at the Huns, and—the honour of the flag, and the regiment he finest regiment God ever made, God served. His word picture and his Irish bless it ! ” He removed his hat eloquence represented a sort of improved reverently. heaven. “ Look at me now. Twenty years In spite of himself, Stafford occasion­ married, and nineteen of ’em spent in ally grunted some surly retort ; truth the Army, an’ never known a miserable to tell, he was sick for human companion­ miaute since I took the shilling. And ship. As he spoke, the quick wit of the I've still got half-a-crown in my pocket, Irishman served him well. He had not e h ? ” given himself body and soul to the Army ‘ You keep it there,” snarled Stafford. for nothing. Slowly his suspicions were “And take your dirty hands off me ! ” aroused ; he noticed the set of Stafford’s ‘ Whoa-ho ! ” said O’Hara. “ You’re shoulders, and the knowledge of military married after all, I can see. Well, now, matters that his conversation indicated. if you want a bit of relief—it’s so simple, He decided on a line of action, and as little Miss Mary said—join the Army. motioned his men to stand by. She can’t follow you there.” “ Look here, son,” he said. “ This war has made a lot of changes. There’s He turned to Thom, and shook his no interfering questions asked now. head sadly. “ Boss, boss ! ” he said. Every man’s got his chance to do his bit. “ You’ve been letting our old pal’s mug How about it ? Are you going to come get empty, that’s what you’ve been along with me ? ” dcing, naughty man ! ” He took the Stafford replied gruffly that he had reolenished mug, and slid it along the no such intention. counter to Stafford. “ Then,” said the sergeant, “ in that “ Here you are son, have a swig at case, I ’d like to have a look at your that.” discharge papers if you happen to have Lifting his own glass he gave a toast. them handy.” “ Happy days, and may we all be Field- The pariah looked at him sneeringly. Marshals when the war’s over ! ” “ Come on, I’ve wasted enough time “ Good luck, sergeant,” chorussed the on you ! You’ve been in the Army right privates. enough, I ’ll take my Davy, though it The landlord produced a swab and may be a good bit ago. If you’ve been mopped the counter. Stafford took the in the Army, you’ve got your discharge filed mug, walked to the door, and flung papers, and—I want to see them. D’ye the beer into the road. hear ? ” “ Give me a pint,” he said, returning. “ Go to hell! ” snapped Stafford. “ In a clean mug,” he added. “ Fall in ! ” commanded O’Hara. Whereon O’Hara did something very “ Take that man prisoner on suspicion much in the nature of a miracle. In of being a deserter. I ’ll chance it.” other words, he suppressed his hot, A sadly battered file of men took the Irish temper. In his inmost heart he high road to the local town. Thorn hoped that his efforts to secure Stafford gazed at his damaged bar and wondered as a recruit would be successful—and if the village would make good his loss, that he would have him under his own if only in gratitude, if it so chanced that 16 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE the incubus had indeed been taken from himself up stiffly, and stood at attenticoin, them by the Fates. Unconsciously waiting. Stafford fell into the military swing and “ Well ? ” said the Colonel at lengtlh.. stride as he walked along a prisoner. “ It was in India,” began Stafford. Two privates went ahead, the sergeant “ Of course you know that. It was t h e marched by his side holding to his sleeve, thought of a possible commission spurrred and the remaining privates brought up me on. You were a subaltern in thos e the rear. There was no chance of escape. days, sir, but you’ll agree that I w a s In this manner they came to the Colonel about the keenest man out of commiiss- of the regiment billeted in the town. sioned rank. She—of course it was a O’Hara put the matter before him in woman — was always talking abou t terse, respectful, military language. The having married beneath her, and a ll officer glanced at the prisoner. that. I ’ve thought since that I left h e r “ Very good,” said he. “ I’ll investi­ too much alone, but it was alw ays gate.” Again he looked at Stafford, and regimental work that kept me away . turned to the sergeant. ‘‘ You can go,” Anyhow, when I got the first inkling of he added. The non-com. saluted and what was going on—I can remember th e went out. shock even now— I was inclined to k ill “ So ! ” said the Colonel, very slowly. her there and then. Instead of that, I “ Ah ! ” He crossed the room and warned her—and him. They laughted switched the lights into action. Return­ at me and assured me that it was id le ing, he stopped before the prisoner and gossip. No more and no less—just id le gazed searchingly into his face. After hill-station gossip. And 1 was fo o l the inspection he sat again at the desk enough to believe them. and pushed the papers before him farther “ But it wasn’t gossip, and they had back. lied to me. You know what happeneed “ Well ? ” he said, after a minute. then ? I got him a couple of days’ leawe “ What have I got to do ? ” —we preserved a semblance of friendship, “ What can you do ? ” asked Stafford. I was supposed not to know anything----- “ I t’s no use trying to get out of it . . . and we went shooting. He didn’t co m e now, is it ? back. I ’ll leave you to guess w h a t “ Sir,” supplied the officer. happened. And I got away and ca m e “ Sir,” amended Stafford. here. Since then I ’ve lived in the The Colonel picked up a pen and village where O’Hara found me. That' s prodded his thumb-nail with the nib. all. Now you can send for the police.’” ‘‘Anything to say ? ” He remained standing at attentiom.. The prisoner breathed deeply. “ No,” The Colonel looked him squarely in thee he said at last. “ I suppose you must eyes. He was still prodding his nail. give me up. God, that man knew what I ought to have explained,” he said he was talking about when he said slowly and deliberately. “ I am slightlly ‘ Murder will o u t! ’ Mind you, I didn’t deaf. My memory is not so very good,, call my case murder, though I’ve no either—I had a fall when playing polo doubt that the law would—I call it some years ago. Did I understand you elementary justice. I ’ve never told the to say that you have been drinking ? It whole facts of the case to anybody. caught something about your havimg When it comes to the trial, they’ll get been in the Army at some time or other.. nothing out of me. Would you mind, Well, now then, I want old Army men sir, if I gave you my own version of it ? badly. Training these young recruits i s The Colonel still prodded his nail with the very devil of a job. Old Army memi the pen. Stafford shuffled about un­ joining now get very quick promotion easily. With an obvious effort he drew get a stripe almost at once if they are: THE QUALITYc -*J OF MERCY 17 e f ficient. Do you Uiink that you’d like advanced line at an angle, and it was in to join ? no way connected with any of the other The blue eyes never wavered in their trenches. In point of fact it was a mere searching glance. Stafford rocked for a slot in the ground. Of no actual fighting m oment on his feet, his mouth twitching importance—it accommodated a dozen strangely, and then both his hands men at the outside—it was extremely covered his face. He stumbled to a useful as an observation post. An chair and sat down. excellent view of the German position, “ Oh, my God ! ” he said. “ Oh, my a small village, was obtainable from it. (dear God ! ” Any big concentration of men or artillery The Colonel dipped the pen, evidently was quickly seen, and the English guns tbent to his satisfaction, in the ink, and, were made acquainted with the fact per (drawing the papers before him forward, trench telephone. Unlike the enemy the began to write. From time to time he English had not an unlimited quantity glanced at the man in the chair. The of ammunition to expend, and the rule broken sobs were quieter, became more was to save it until such time as it could infrequent, and at length stopped do most harm to the enemy and good to altogether. the English. Stafford pulled himself together and And in “ Death Alley ” stood Sergeant (came to attention before the desk. The O’Hara, Corporal Stafford, and half-a- (Colonel looked up. dozen men of th e regiment. For two “ I wish to join your regiment, sir.” days the Germans, anxious to concentrate “ That’s the style—er—Mayhew.” munitions in the village, had marked the “ Stafford, sir.” slot in the ground out for destruction. For “ Ah, yes ! I was thinking of another two days big, high-explosive shells had man for a moment, Stafford. Good luck dropped near it, and in front of it, and to you.” behind it, and in it. The sheltering “ Thank you, sir, and—and------” banks were blown in again and again, “ Yes, Stafford ? ” but deafened, bewildered, benumbed, yet “ And—God bless you, sir ! ” still determined men, had heaped back “ Thank you, Stafford,” said the the earth and held grimly to the slot. Colonel gravely. “ God is very good.” During the night the sergeant had He pressed the bell, and O’Hara crept back to the English lines, dodging (entered, and brought up at the salute. the searchlights and star-shells for “ This chap here,” said the Colonel, ammunition. In some miraculous way indicating Stafford with the mishandled he got back uninjured hauling the boxes pen, “ is anxious to join us. Get him of cartridges with a rope. The maxim attested, will you, sergeant, and .... was buried under a fall of earth early on he joins as corporal.” in the morning. Desperately they dug it “ Very good, sir,” said O’Hara. out and fixed it again in position. A big They saluted, swung on their heels, shell went thudding into the wall behind. . and left the room. There was a blinding flash, a terrific roar, Many things happened during the first a stinging smell of acid—and O’Hara weeks of the regiment in the firing-line. found himself alone with Stafford, the The little incident of “ Death Alley ”— onlv men left alive in “ Death Alley*’’ its unofficial name was “ The Jug Many greenv-grev figures appeared in and Bottle ”—possibly attracted most the village, and a body of them broke attention. Of course, at a later date, for the little, battered trench. The the regiment did—but that is neither English shells had the range to a nicety, here nor there. and the bursting shrapnel crumbled up “ Death Aliev ” was thrown across the the figures as they ran. O’Hara thinned 18 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE them out further with the maxim, and capturing three hundred yards of t h e sang a ribald song of the Kaiser as he enemy trenches, including the village oof trained and swung the weapon. ------. Our positions were consolidateed A hand grenade came over, and the before the Germans could make a counter sergeant, rising to his feet, stood for a attack. We repulsed three attacks in a ll moment, until, sagging at the knees, he during the night, and the position s till dropped sobbing. Stafford took over the remains in our hands. ...” gun, and the Germans, a dozen of them, Stafford got very badly handled during reached the trench and leapt. the fighting in the village. When t h e The corporal swung the machine-gun Colonel found time to visit him in t h e round and swept the broken ditch, hospital, he was conscious and that is ab o u t lengthways, with a torrent of spraying all. The officer, however, was evidently lead and nickel. The group of Germans very anxious to discuss matters. changed abruptly from a body of swear­ “ I am rather at a loss what to do,' ing men to a soddened heap. The few he began. left alive climbed the lip of the trench, “ They can have me now—what Vs using the bodies of their comrades as left of me,” whispered Stafford. springing-boards, and ran for it. “ Of course,” said the Colonel, ignoring For the third time in his life Stafford the interruption, “ I could put you in saw red. The second occasion when he for a commission, but those m iserable did so was when the Colonel cut him picture papers probe so. It m ight dead in the village street. And the first conceivably be awkward . . . yes.” time—well, that is a matter that does He stroked his chin thoughtfullyy. not concern us at all. “ Then again, on a respectable pension He snicked his bayonet savagely into yes, I think that would be best. ...” the socket and, leaving the shelter of He took Stafford’s unwounded h a n d the trench, went after the enemy. Two gently. There was a lump in his throat hundred yards farther back the men in and a mist before his eyes. “ You to o k the English advanced trenches witnessed a life that was of no value to God n o r the manoeuvre, and three great-limbed man. And against that you’ve savecd Scotsmen acted without orders. In dozens of really good lives. I think—er a moment the hitherto empty space Stafford, that, when the final ledgers between the lines was covered with are cast up, you’ll be well in cred it. running khaki figures. For once the This war is responsible for a lot . . German plan of leaving a position to be sergeant.” The hand he was holding held by a few men with machine-guns flinched. “ Tut, man, tut ! Damn it a l l, failed. By mistake the weakness of their man, you can’t live even in a village on a position was discovered. corporal’s pension ! ” said he, feeling One officer retained his head sufficiently the movement. He cleared his th ro a t, to stay behind and tap desperately over and tried to make cheerful conversations the telephone to the English gunners to “As I said, this war has wiped out a lengthen their range. From shattered lot of things. On the other hand, lo o k houses and bams the enemy was chased what a lot of things it’s brought b a c k and bayoneted. The unexpected attack sergeant. Hand grenades, armourr,. in force was entirely successful, and the stinkpots, and ” Germans broke and wilted away under "Memories, Colonel,” s u g g e s t e d the rush. Stafford, softly. The public at home was treated to an " Dammy, sir! ” said the officer. account of the affair from the pen of “ Dammy, what ” “ Eye-Witness.” He bent over the broken figure. T h e “ On Tuesday,” wrote that gentleman, sergeant looked up and smiled. A n d “ we made an advance east of ------, the Colonel went out on tip-toe. r

THE HOBBIE MARE

BY COLONEL W. HALL WALKER, M.P.

W h y is it that Ireland h a s for many than, comparatively, is the case in other centuries been so celebrated for its countries. All these are important production of hunters and troopers ? factors, and I, for one, admit them ; but That it has also played no mean part in there is something else to be considered, the production of racehorses must be and my object in writing this article is admitted, and it is more wonderful still to try and save Ireland from losing what when we consider that it is the very best, is one of her greatest assets, indeed to mares included, that are for ever and prevent Irish breeders, if possible, from always leaving the country. There is “ killing the goose that lays the golden no other country in the world that I can eggs,” viz., ceasing to preserve the native think of that can show such wonderfully mare of all classes. and consistently good results in the If the history of the horse in Ireland production of the horse. In the face of is studied, we find that at an early date the most wanton improvidence, and dis­ a distinct type was established there, regard of the importance of keeping the “ small, clean legged, and hardy,” said best mares to breed from, one would to have sprung from ancestors brought naturally have expected the production over from Spain in the sixteenth century, to deteriorate, and yet it is not so. which when mated with the native mares What is the secret of this success ? produced what were known as Haubini, Some say it is the climate, others Hobbini, or commonly Hobbie horses. appreciate the fact that the extent of This type has been described as grazing land is large and its quality follows : “ The Irish Hobbie is a prettie excellent, and I have no doubt that there fine horse, having a good head, and a are many more individuals who use the bodie indifferentlie well proportioned, thoroughbred stallion for productive saving that many of them be slender pin purposes in preference to other sires buttocked; they be tender mouthed, 20 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE nimble, light, pleasant, and apt to be raised still exists, and it is to the value taught, and for the most part amblers, of this strain that 1 wish to call attention. and therefore verie meet for the saddle, Antiquarian research has shown that, and to travell by the way ; yea, and the prior to the introduction of the Spanish Irish men, both with darts and with ancestor of the Hobbie there existed light spears, do use to skirmish with in Ireland a tvpe with distinct North them in the field. And manie of them African characteristics. This type do prove to that use verie well, by meanes very probablv originated from North they be so light and swift. Notwith­ African ancestors brought to the country standing, I take them to be verie nesh in the days when there was direct and tender to keepe, and also to be some­ commercial traffic between Spain and what skittish and fearful, partlie perhaps Ireland.

CURRY, IRISH DRAUGHT MARE WITH FILEY FOAL BY ROYAL REALM

by nature, partlie for lacke of goode Notwithstanding the constant drain on breaking at the first.” Irish horses over a very lengthy period, The effects of the crossing of Spanish and the fact that this old Irish taproot blood with the native breed which has been mixed with all kinds of hackney, produced the Hobbie are said to have carthorse, and other strains, the merits died out, at any rate as regards outward of the taproot are still there, even though appearance, the only recognisable signs in some cases it has been deteriorated. being found in the Connemara pony. In the same way that Bruce Lowe’s This may be so ; but I contend that “ No. 1 ” family goes on producing the taproot of the original Irish mare winners of our classic races so will the upon which the famous Hobbie was “ No. 1 ’’ taproot of the native Irish THE HOBBIE MARE 21 mare go on producing the good horses its architecture of the results. But to cor which Ireland has been famous since use a cart mare descended from cart the time of Cuchulainn, as far back as stock in the female line is quite a different the dawn of the Christian era. thing. By using the thoroughbred on any I do not wish to be drawn into any mare of this good old blood, be it the argument as to how to breed a hunter. Regenerate Connemara pony or the hairyh I have only lately begun to make neeled cart mare of genuine taproot, out experiments, some of which I hope will ;comes the great blood of the old Irish be interesting. Rorse better and better as you build My sole object in writing this article tt up. is to deplore the fatal policy of permitting

STOUT JANE, IRISH DRAUGHT MARE, SERVED BY ROYAL REALM 1915

In the columns of Country Life I read the Irishman to continue to sell his some correspondence on the problem of mares. No matter how common they whether it was wise to introduce the are, we must remember the blood of the carthorse strain for breeding bone. Hobbie is there, and in this wonderful From a Hobbie mare with a cross of country of Ireland, and perhaps in no shire or any other cart blood in her, I other country, because of its natural say Yes. The blood of the thoroughbred endowment, will it always be an “ uncut and the original strain will nick, and gem.” nothing but the superior qualities of You can never bring it back. Ireland these two strains will Nature accept in will always be able to produce the 22 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE thoroughbred, because we can take the to sell mares prevailed in North Afridca mares there ; we know what they are and the Orient in mediaeval days.” and where they are. But you cannot be Apparently it required the influence of sure that you have the Hobbie strain Royalty to obtain brood mares from th e when once it leaves its home. If I saw East, for Professor Ridgway states th a t a short backed, hairy heeled, mare of Charles II. sent his Master of the H orse fifteen hands, black in colour, pulling a to the Levant and brought back som e cart out of a hole for all it was worth, I brood mares as well as stallions. These should wonder what its mother’s mother mares, known as “ King’s mares,” a r e was and its mother’s mother’s mother the foundation of many of our b e s t before that and that again. racing families of to-day. The Aratbs

CURRY, IRISH DRAUGHT MARE. 1913, COLT FOAL BY WHITE EAGLE ; 1914, FILLY FOAL BY

WHITE EAGLE ; 1915. FII.LY FOAL BY ROYAL REALM

If the Irish people carried into practice not only traced their own descent i in the precepts of the Arabs in their horse the female line but carried this out w ith dealings we should not have the their mares, and, in my opinion, rig h ty . continual drainage of Hobbie blood from The average English breeder lays to o Ireland. Professor Ridgway in his much stress upon the stallion and n o t “ Origin and Influence of the Thorough­ enough on the mare. bred Horse ” says : “ The readiness Holding this opinion I wish m ost with which Arabs will sell colts, and strongly to insist upon the preservation their reluctance to part with mares, is for Ireland, and through her for the re s t a fact so well-known in modern times of Britain, of all mares that trace b a ck that we safely assume a like objection to the Hobbie strain, notwithstanding THE HOBBIE MARE 23 that it may have been corrupted with Ireland. When once the mares leave carthorse, hackney, or any other strain. Ireland there is no possible chance of How can this be done ? In the first tracing them as being of the true Hobbie instance I would ask Irish breeders to blood, which has for many centuries refrain from selling their mares, and the been a veritable gold mine for Irish War Office to cease buying mares from breeders.

'

FLOOD, IRISH DRAUGHT MARE, SERVED BY ROYAL REALM, 1915 THE NEUTRAL FLAG

BY J. VICTOR

I. “ Well, I ’ll have another look ! Shove T h e small, dirty Norwegian tramp a Jacob’s ladder over and I ’ll come passed up Channel at a steady nine alongside,” answered the voice, and a knots. As Dover dropped astern the few minutes later a smart navail crimson hues of sunset spread over the lieutenant and two seamen sprang over western sky and the pilot directed her the rail with typical service agility. between the South Goodwin lightship He went straight to the chart-roon and the Foreland and into the Downs and held converse with the captain . with the precision born of long The register, log, articles, and manifestos experience. were examined, and a few more questions “ We’ll anchor in another ten minutes, asked and answered. cap’n,” he said to the man beside him “ Got your own certificate?”’ on the bridge. demanded the English officer. “Anchor ! Vot for ? Der wedder is “ Certainly,” was the answer, and the? fine nuf ain’t it ? ’’ the captain replied, parchment was produced. and there was a note of satire in his “ What are all those big barrels I saw voice. stowed on the after deck ? ” “Admiralty orders ! Mustn’t navigate Dose casks ? Dey vos casks of wince between the Downs and the Nore after ve pick up in Cadiz coming home.” dark,’’ answered the pilot, laconically. “ I didn't notice ’em on the manifest.’” “ Bud vy nod ? Ve shall miss der The tramp skipper turned over the; morning tide at Gravesend!’’ manifest and pointed to an entry. “ De re - expostulated the other. dey are,” he said. The pilot gave a shrug of indifference, “ Sorry ! I overlooked ’em, I suppose.. walked to the lee dodger, and You can heave up and proceed at 6 a.m.” expectorated into the sea. the officer answered, and he went back “ Can’t help that, cap’n ! We’re at into the inky night as quietly and as. war now, you know, and the British mysteriously as he had come. Navy have things the wav which suits “ Dese naval men of yours are, vot ’em best. You’d better tell the mate to you calls it ! keen—yes, dat is the word, go for’ard and stand by, ready to let go.’’ keen, is it not ? ” the skipper remarked as The captain grunted, but gave the the sound of the departing boat died necessary instructions, and the ship soon away. brought up. “ Yes, I guess they take some wiping A long, dark, form glided silently out of out,” replied the pilot, adding, with a the gloom on their port quarter and the yawn, “ there won’t be anything for me captain turned to the pilot, quickly. to do this side of daylight, so I reckon “ Vot’s dat ? ” I’ll turn in.” “ Torpedo-boat.’’ “ Bud first you must come to mine “ Ship ahoy ! What ship’s that ? room and ve vill haf a nightcap—dat is came a sharp hail out of the darkness. vot you calls it, don’t it ? ” “ Thor of Bergen, Canary Islands for “ Thanks ! Don’t mind if I do.” London.’’ They retired to the captain’s room “ What cargo ? under the bridge and the steward “ Fruit.” brought whisky and cigars, over which “ Have you been examined ? ” they chatted for half-an-hour, after “ Yes ; a French man-o’-war stopped which both men went to their respective me off Ushant.” bunks. THE NEUTRAL FLAG

II. liners may be blown up,” the skipper It was about ten o’clock when the replied. mate on watch went and called his They went along to the after deck, captain, and the latter turned out and the captain inspected, as best he immediately. could in the dark, the work which had “ Everything all ready ? ” he asked. been done while he slept. The big casks “Exactly as you ordered,’’was the reply. had disappeared. The hoops which had Both men spoke in a foreign tongue, only been on lightly had been lifted off, but it was not Norwegian. German and the staves lay about on the deck was the language they favoured. “ Good! in confusion. In their place stood a We will have one drink to keep the cold number of mines, and, over the stern, out, and then to business ! ’’ the skipper a contrivance had been rigged for said, pouring out two stiff measures of lowering them in the water. spirit and continuing to talk at the same “ You have done well, my friend. time. “ These English dogs are as Get the second officer and enough men, simple as schoolchildren. Did you hear and we will set them adrift,” said the that fool officer questioning me ? Half captain. I told him was lies, but he took it all in The order was carried out thoroughly and gave us permission to go ahead at and noiselessly. By midnight some daylight. Ha ! Ha ! This rule which twenty innocent - looking machines, makes all merchant ships remain here painted to match the colour of the sea for the night makes our task very easy, were floating slowly down towards the my friend, eh ! ” Straits of Dover. With the turn of the “ Yes, captain,” laughed the other, tide, they would come back and deal “ and the amusing part of it is that the death and destruction to any ship English dogs think it is a smart move which might be unfortunate enough to of their’s.” meet one. “ Well, we’ll make a start, comrade. The skipper rubbed his hands jubilantly The tide is running down and by the as the last one was lowered into the water. time it runs up we shall be on our way “ A good night’s work, my lads ! ” he again, and these little surprise packets exclaimed. “ Now, put the gear awav we have on board will be drifting up and you shall all come to my door and right in the track of all the ships. have one drop of spirit—a drink to the Himmel ! but it was a grand idea of success of the Fatherland.” our admiral when he thought of charter­ All around was the black, illimitable ing a neutral ship and sending her on a void. No sound except the lapping of peaceful trip for a cargo of fruit and the water against the tramp’s iron plates wine.” broke the weird silence. Overhead, the “And wine, as you say. Ha ! Ha ! stars peeped out shyly, but there was no I ’m glad I haven’t got to taste it.” moon. The ship might have been in mid­ “ What about that dirty pilot ? ocean instead of anchored in the Downs. asked the mate, as they went out. The captain gave a slight shudder as “ He’s safe for two or three hours. he turned to his chief officer. I gave him a drop of whisky, but there “ It is cold,” he said, “ let us go to was just a little drug in the bottom of my room ; the others can follow when the glass.” they’ve finished.” “ Excellent, captain ! If we succeed as we expect to I hope I am present III. when our Kaiser decorates you.” “ Thor, ahoy ! Hullo there ! Any­ “ Well, well, time will tell. Bv to­ body awake ! ” morrow night three or four English The words came out of the surrounding 26 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE blackness with startling suddenness and cigarette from a silver case and then the skipper and mate both stopped in snapped open a pocket light. “ I ’m surprise. For a moment they were too hanged if I know,” he laughed, aftee amazed to answer, and a long black craft getting the cigarette to draw, and them crept up abeam and focussed a search­ added, “ Come up on the bridge—it’s’: light upon them. my watch really, but the ordinary “ Boat ahoy ! Vot you wants ? ” routine gets a bit out of gear nowadays.’ ’ shouted the skipper, regaining his They went up to the bridge and the< presence of mind. officer dismissed the man who had beenr “ I want to borrow your pilot ! You relieving him. can have him back before you get under “ If this Dutchman takes me long, T way,” was the answer, and the light was shan’t be back to the Norwegian ini shut off. time,” said the pilot. “ Bud I haf paid the pilot to attend “ Perhaps it’s as well. Just keep youn: to me ! Vy should I let you haf his eye on the spot where we left the< services ? Hey ! ” Norwegian and I ’ll tell you a yarn.” “ Look here ! I ’m a British torpedo- “ Yes,” the pilot said, and there was: boat, so don’t argue. Wake the pilot up, a note of interrogation in his tone. put a ladder over the side and I ’ll send “ Yes. That hooker which you weret a boat. Look sharp ! ” There was taking up to Gravesend, my friend, was: nothing to do except obey, and the a German minelayer.” German awoke the sleeping pilot with “ Minelayer ! Impossible !” ex­ unnecessary vigour. The latter came claimed the Trinity House man. out on deck, muttering profanity with “ Fact ! She’s put over about twenty each footstep. to-night.” “ Who wants me, anyhow ? ” he asked " But—but—dang it all ! What about angrily. the cargo ? ” “ I do, pilot ; I ’m the officer who “ Oh, that’s genuine enough as far as: boarded you early in the evening. it goes, but she only carries it as a blind.” There’s a Dutchman, without a pilot, “ But she’s Norwegian right enough ; anchored in a dangerous spot close to she’s registered in Bergen,” persisted the: the sands, and I want you to get him pilot. into a safe place,” explained the officer “ That may be, and the Norwegian in charge of the torpedo-boat. owners are as innocent as you are. Some: “ Aye, aye, sir,” answered the pilot, firm, acting secretly for the German climbing over the rail and descending to Government, charters the ship in the the waiting boat. usual way, probably pays a round sum He was suffering from a bad headache, per month for the hire, and man and but the cold night air soon cured it and store the old tub themselves. So long he boarded the naval craft alert, and as the owners get their cheque every ready to do the lieutenant’s bidding. To month they don’t bother wdiether their bis surprise the boat headed southwards. ship’s carrying bananas or bombs, He could not see the compass, but the savvy ? It’s as simple as A B C for a chalk cliffs of the Foreland showed neutral ship to carry mines.” vaguely on the starboard side and he “ What licks me is how you tumbled knew they were making towards Dover. to it,” the pilot said, admiringly, and “ Where’s the Dutchman you want the officer laughed in self-depreciation. me to bring to an anchorage ? ” he asked “ There’s alot of little things happened presently. since last August that would surprise He was standing aft, close to the most people, that is, if they knew,” he lieutenant, who deliberately extracted a answered. THE NEUTRAL FLAG 27

‘ I quite believe it, but then it’s just the impenetrable blackness far astern as well the public don’t know every­ and then disappeared. thing.” " Good heavens ! What’s that ? ” “ Certainly it i s ; and if you read exclaimed the pilot, and, even as he to-morrow night’s papers you’ll learn all spoke the sound of a terrific explosion he public will ever know of this affair.” reached them. “ My God ! Something’s “ And that is ? ” hit one of those mines ! ” he added in “ Not much. I ’ll tell you a bit more an awestruck whisper. seeing you’re mixed up in the job. Of “ That’s the one which won’t be swept course, every man Jack in the service up,” the officer remarked nonchalently, knows this sort of thing goes on, but it’s and then laughed. devilish hard to catch ’em red-handed. “ But what about trying to save the There were several things which struck crew ? ” the pilot asked, hastily. me as suspicious on the Thor, but I let “ Plenty of ships in the Downs. her skipper think he’d hoodwinked me. I ’m not sure the crew’s worth saving Those supposed casks of wine on the anyhow.” after deck which he said he shipped in “ I don’t understand,” the pilot said, Cadiz were on the same manifest as his shortly. Canary Island freight, and my opinion “ Well, you see, we’ve been lying under is that he entered them there himself. the shadow of the land since eight o’clock In fact all the entries on his documents watching the tramp’s little game from a relating to Cadiz appeared to be forged, boat with muffled oars, and the last mine and I doubt if he ever went in there at he put over we attached to a line with all. Not only that, if each of those casks the idea of paying him out in his own were full of wine they’d be of considerable coin. So we killed two birds with one value, and no sane skipper would carry stone—got you off the ship and quietly ’em on deck across the Bay in winter made the line fast to his rail at the same with plenty of room in the holds.” time. Now the tide’s on the turn, and “ Why didn’t he put ’em below I suppose he’s fouled his own mine. I ’m then ? ” going into Dover to send the sweepers “ Because the job of getting them up out.” again would have taken too long ; to Only the regular throb of the boat’s do it quickly he’d have to use a winch machinery broke the silence, until the and that would make too much noise. pilot spoke. Each one of those casks covered a mine, “ There isn’t any Dutchman for me my friend.” to attend to ? ” he asked. “ Well, I ’m blowed ! ” the pilot said. “ Not to my knowledge.” He was thinking that naval officers “ .Seems to me, sir, that I owe my life weren’t such fools as many people to you,” he said, with warmth. imagined. “ Glad to be of service,” the lieutenant “ I suppose you’ll go and arrest him said, grasping the proffered hand; presently? ” he remarked later. “ we’re both Government servants, any­ “ Arrest him ! That would never do. how, and it’s all in the game. You’d Why, the German Navy would know the better go below and have a sleep till game was up and never send another daylight, but don’t forget to look at the ship on the same lay.” evening papers to-night—you’ll read all “ But what about all the mines he’s about a peaceful neutral ship striking a put over to-night ? ” German mine off Deal, and they’ll have “ They’ll all be swept up by daylight,” leading articles asking what the Navy the lieutenant said, “ all except one.” is doing. Good-night—here’s Dover A blinding flash suddenly illuminated harbour just ahead.” FORMING FOURS. CANADIAN REGIMENTAL MASCOTS AT THE ZOO

ARMY MASCOTS AT THE ZOO

BY E. KAY ROBINSON

E v e r y gathering in London is freely value. So perhaps a scientiiicallw- streaked with khaki nowadays, and minded bear or leopard may identify scarcely anywhere, outside military Tommy Atkins by his clothes as th e parade grounds, more strongly than at special variety of human being who the Zoo, where the Fellows of the Society caused its change of life from hungry have granted many concessions to our wild freedom to a lazy existence with warriors. It seems appropriate that regular meals behind safe bars. For, fighting-men should like to look upon absurd as it may seem, even the great savage beasts ; and perhaps those carnivores, the lion and tiger, quickl y animals which have been hunted in a learn to value the protection of their wild state reciprocate the interest, for cages against the public. khaki was the costume of the hunter Perhaps the bears think differently ; before the soldier learned its protective because from a bear’s point of view the ARMY MASCOTS AT THE ZOO 29 public seems to carry about an in­ has so fallen into the ways of “ school ’’ exhaustible store of buns and chocolate that he prefers a fourth-eleven cricket and things, which it distributes with so match to all her tenderest lures. And bad an aim that nearlv everything hits other animals have this in common with the bars and bounces back again. Now human beings, that no change in their if the bears could only walk freely among circumstances permanently affects them. the public, like the elephants and camels At once they find their new level ; and which carry children at the Zoo, the thenceforward, the only things which transference of buns would be made really count are rising or falling from much more simple and satisfactory—for that level. Untold is the blessing that the bears. To some of them, moreover, “ the men in the trenches ’’ should thus the constant presence of men in khaki be able to take their new lot as it comes on the other side of those bars might be to them in the same spirit as they took expected to make confinement just now their previous lives ; and although other doubly irritating. These are the animals may not have our capacities regimental mascots, four in number, for joy and sorrow, it is also a blessing which have been deposited at the Zoo that they “ adapt themselves to their while their collective owners are facing environment ’’ with equal celerity. the Hun in Flanders or the Turk in When you see the four little mascots (Gallipoli. romping clumsily with their new play­ But, if the truth must be told, the mates round the artificial rocks in their sight of familiar khaki moves these enclosure on the Mappin Terraces, you greedy little bears—for all the mascots might imagine that they had never are young in years and small in stature known any other home, although some­ —not at all. Route-marching battalions times you may be inclined to attribute may even pass through the Zoo—for their goings-on to military training. this is one of the concessions of war­ When for instance, in order to solicit time—but one small girl with a paper buns more effectively, they all get on bag of chocolates counts for more with their hind legs and “ form fours,’’ the them than all the pomp and circumstance suggestion of the barrack-square is □f troops. Many times in the day manifest. It is true that the military martial music swells and falls along the precision of the manoeuvre is somewhat roads to neighbouring depots and marred when one of the four in­ barracks ; but regimental bands make continently sits down to scratch himself, no such sweet sounds as the treacle-tin allowing his place to be taken by an which one kind lady brings round every interloper ; but the general effect is afternoon ; for when she rattles her distinctly suggestive of martial drill, long-handled spoon against it they all and it is greatly to the credit of the come galloping and cavorting to her. little bears that they have taught it to Even when the tin has been emptied, themselves since their arrival at the Zoo. the scent of the treacle hangs round it As a stratagem for enticing the buns of dill, and as it tinkles about the plaster the public out of their paper-bags it is ~ocks of the Mappin Terraces, propelled unrivalled. by licking tongues, the little bears hear Although when grouped together the nusic more attractive than any that four mascot bears present marked drum-majors control. differences in fur and outline, especially We cannot blame the little bears for of the head and neck, they are all of the his. Many a human mother’s heart is same kind, the Black Bear of North :orn with silent anguish when her darling America (Ursus americanus), the cause boy after only a few days’ absence from of their apparent difference being that her encircling arms and watchful love, they are in various stages of the marked THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

THE FOUR MASCOTS. PATSY, ROGER, CHIRGWIN, AND WINNIE ARMY MASCOTS AT THE ZOO 31 c hange which comes over most creatures bear which has always made it a favourite (between infancy and adolescence, captive, and gave to the Teddy Bear corresponding to the “ leggy ” phase of his vogue in the nursery. But as a house­ (boys and girls or the “ ugly duckling ” hold pet the real thing palls sooner even (period which is so marked in waterfowl. the toy; for if the bear’s growth is Ju st as newly-hatched ducklings, which quick, so is his temper, and the owner are delightful little balls of yeilow fluff, of a tame bear willing to keep his pet

THE HIMALAYAN BLACK BEAR’S DISTINGUISHING MARK [soon become awkward long-headed birds, for more than one year is rare. “ Never so the little bear, which looks a cuddle- buy a Black Bear cub,” wrote Mr. some angel in a halo of fur when it is no Hornaday, Director of the New York l arger than a retriever dog, shortens its Zoo, “ in the belief that it can be kept hair as it lengthens its limbs, until its for amusement and resold at a profit ; only charm remaining is its quaint but if thine enemy offend thee, present ;caricature of human ways and looks. him with a Black Bear cub.” It is no doubt this human aspect of the The constancy of children’s affection, 32 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE therefore, for their old and dilapidated namely the Himalayan _ Black Bear Teddy Bears is probably due to the fact (Ursus torquatus), the Canadian m ascots that these, like Peter Pan, never grow at the Zoo are easily distinguished up ; but whether they are supposed to because they lack the conspicuous w hite represent Black Bear cubs is not certain. mark upon the chest which characterises In outline they agree indeed with the the former. The utility to its wearer of Black Bear, being “ highest in the middle this striking distinction is one of th e of the body,” and, like it, they have many little puzzles which make up th e shorter hind feet than the Grizzly Bear. fascinating problem of animal colouring g ; By the latter peculiarity you may and the most likely explanation seems to distinguish at a glance the Black Bear’s be that in the dark it catches the e v e track from the Grizzly’s. Nor does and gives a possible enemv a false id ea Teddy’s golden-brown hue debar his of the bear’s nature and size. Advancing

CHARACTERISTIC ATTITUDES. PATSY ON THE LEFT, SHOWING THE POINTS OF A TYPICAL AMERICAN BLACK BEAR ; CHIRGWIN, ON THE RIGHT, IN HIS FAVOURITE BEGGING POSE claim to be a genuine Ursus americanus, to attack an invader of its lair the bean for both the Black Bear and the Grizzly would naturally rear itself up with it have varieties of that colour, sometimes forepaws raised in readiness to strike mistakenly classed as a third species and if the enemy were peering at tho under the title of “ Cinnamon Bear.” white band—which would be all that it So in spite of his colour we may regard could see in the dark—the blow would Teddy as a Black Bear and certainly the come unexpectedly upon him from above specific name “ americanus ” describes But to discover a plausible explanation! the country of his origin. Otherwise he for the peculiarity of one animal is might be mistaken for the old fashioned always easier than to explain why allied Brown Bear of Europe. animals, living similar lives, do not shares From the Black Bear which is most it. Perhaps, however, in this case it is familiar to British military sportsmen, significant that occasionally specimens! ARMY MASCOTS AT THE ZOO 33 of the American Black Bear are dis­ occupy the front corner above is content covered with distinct white streaks on with a back place below. Chirgwin, who thte chest, although none of the mascots is on the right in both groups, seems to is thus decorated. have tried to make up for the conceal­ The military titles of the latter, not to ment of his face in one by sitting steadily be; confounded with their scientific for his portrait in the other; while appellations, are Patsy, Winnie, Winnie has managed to secure by Ch irgwin, and Roger, all pleasantly precedence of size and activity the reiminiscent of the fact that Canada still central position next to the sugar in cherishes the names and associations of both. th e old country. In another group, containing three of

Those who think that bears, even them, Patsy illustrates well the points yo ung bears, are slow and steady which distinguish the American Black creatures which make easy subjects for Bear, with her rounded back, head th e camera should try to tempt four cubs carried low, greyish-brown muzzle, and from the riotous company of their play- short hind-feet. In the same group m ates and then photograph the group. Chirgwin on the left illustrates only his in two illustrations herewith, however, own favourite attitude towards the a ll four of the mascots have been public. He finds that it pays. caught.” Patsy, who is hidden behind And the readiness with which almost th e keeper in the lower picture, shows to all bears teach themselves quaint little m ost advantage in the other ; while tricks to win the lavour of visitors seems Roger, whose smooth head and shoulders to dispose of the humanitarian theory

B n o . c c x l i i . v o l . x l i i i .— September, 1915. 34 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE that great cruelty is necessarily involved in a comically supplicating attitude ; in the education of performing bears. while a fourth sat down with open mou th Before the denizens of the old row of and all limbs extended, as much ass to cages were removed to their more say : “ Here is a target which the worst- spacious quarters on the Mappin aimed bun must hit ! But of all the Terraces, the public used to be treated performers the funniest was perhaps the to a continuous performance, in con­ huge Brown Bear of Europe, who used tributing to which each occupant of a to put all four feet together and, bendling cage backed up the efforts of his unseen his nose to the ground, proceed to jig partners with a clever and original solemnlv up and down with the abstract “ turn ” of his own. At the far end there air of one performing a religious rite.

used to be one Grizzly who rang the That he has not forgotten this paying dinner bell, by means of a loose bar bit of business on transfer to the Terraces which vibrated in its sockets, as soon as is shown in the illustration ; and instead a member of the public sauntered round of turns like the rival dinner-bells, for the corner, while next to him another which the properties are lacking, n ew responded with a more insistent signal quips have been invented by which each by violent downward strokes of his furred comedian evidently hopes to claws upon the polished surface of an “ bring down the buns.” In man v upright beam. A third would then respects, too, the larger stage of the thrust out both his arms, through the Terraces offers new scope for artistic bars, to their full extent and raise them effort. Thus the Polar Bears have a ARMY MASCOTS AT THE ZOO 35

delightful trick, when they descry from view is that the wider spaces permit of a ove the British public flattening its troupes acting together. Under the old noses against the little underwater cage system, for instance, the mascots windows in the tank, of diving suddenly would have had scant opportunity to down and confronting the surprised justify their military training by forming visitors through the glass. Perhaps fours in the manner shown. Sam and Barbara can hear in the water While all the American bear mascots

A MASCOT FROM INDIA [the shouts and screams of delight with belong appropriately to Canadian troops which their apparition is usually greeted ; —Patsy to the Divisional Ammunition but, however this may be, it is probable Park, Roger to the 10th Battery, 2nd [that they get their reward afterwards Brigade, Chirgwin to the 10th Battery, from above and that, after all, is what 2nd Brigade, and Winnie to the 2nd counts. Another advantage of the Infantry Brigade, all of the 1st Canadian Terraces from the performing point of Division—they have a near neighbour

B2 36 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE in a Blackbuck from India, which is the and perhaps every ridge and curve o f mascot of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal their horns. For the object of each is to Warwicks. The Blackbuck, so-called throw the other to the ground on his sidele because, although nearly all the members and for this purpose to catch and hold of a herd are fawn colour, the old males, him first. This can only be done by such as this one is becoming, are almost getting the opponent’s horns wedge black on the back, the outsides of the within his own, and to this end much legs and the middle of the muzzle. clever fencing takes place, in which the Owing to this the old male shows up buck with the longer and therefore widet conspicuously by contrast with the pair of horns has a distinct advantages protective hue of the harem which he Using all his strength the winning buck commands, and thus he illustrates the then drives his advantage home, untiti wide principle of nature that to the male the spirals interlock and the ridges hold belongs the danger and the privilege of so firmly that the loser cannot evade theu death, if need be, in defence of his family. swing that almost flings him off his f e e t In our civilised state we are apt to Only with a frantic upward wrench can lose sight of nature’s leading principles, he free his horns, and only with a swift and when a newspaper opens its columns sideways spring escape the vengeful to the discussion of such a question as stab aimed at his unarmed flank, lucky “ Should girls propose ? ” many and if he leaves no more than a tuft of black various are the affirmative replies, all hair on his enemy’s horn and carriers eagerly ignoring the principle that the away himself only a deep scratch on then privilege of sex which makes man the' hide. fighter necessarily makes him the suitor But, although the pointed tip of too. For the weapons which nature has the horn is only used in Blackbuck! given to the Blackbuck, formidable as combats to administer the final blow they may appear, and clever as he may it would of course be used at the outsets be in using them, are not intended for if all Blackbucks, through constants defence against the Cheetah, which with practice from infancy, were not so quick! a tremendous spring and simultaneous of fence that a frontal stab would b e blow knocks the strongest Blackbuck effort thrown away. Both in fight and to the ground as dead as a ninepin. The play, however, the bucks always beging means by which the Blackbuck defends by presenting the points of the horn s his family is by attracting the Cheetah’s to one another and, the challenge beings attention to himself, not by fighting for taken with lightning rapidity, the long them. He will, of course, fight to win fencing-match begins. And, of course or keep his wives, like a black demon too, serious or fatal accidents may ensue but this is against other males ; and when, as is almost sure to happen soon there is not a ridge or curve upon those or later, a tame Blackbuck in skittish tapering spiral horns which has not its mood challenges his owner to a fencing use in such combat. For a short distance match. If the man is quick enough to from the tip each horn is straight and seize the menacing horns, no harm may) smooth ; this can be used by the Black­ be done ; but I knew an estimable! buck as a dagger to stab or rip the rival Babu in India who had a tame Blackbuck who is at his mercy.' But by that time which used to feed from his hand. One the fight, as a fight, is over, and all that day the buck in its own sudden way remains for the vanquished is to escape proposed a fencing match. The next or be stabbed. He almost always instant his horn was plunged deep into manages the former; but during the the stomach of the Babu, who died that struggle itself both combatants have used evening. And since the adult Blackbuck every ounce of their fighting weight, in captivity, with the sexual lust ob ARMY MASCOTS AT THE ZOO 37 com bat strong upon him in the proper that would soon be awkward for all season, thus always becomes a dangerous parties may be found advisable also in beeast as a free pet, although no more the case of the Canadian bear mascots, thaan a small and timid antelope in a delightful as the romping youngsters state of nature, it is probable that the may seem now in their enclosure at the R oyal Warwicks may not want their Zoo, and I should like to close with a m ascot back again when the war is over. suggestion that when the proper time H e will then have become habituated comes arrangements should be made by to idle Zoo-life, with flamingoes and the Fellows of the Zoological Society to bears for neighbours, but no one to fight supply the gallant soldiers who have w ith—for neither his wives nor his deposited their mascots at the Zoo, with children will aspire to that privilege— other pets which may be no less amusing an d it may be quite enough for the men and lovable in youth, and will have the of the Royal Warwicks to renew the added advantage of being harmless and acquaintance on occasions when they pleasant company in maturity and old visit the Zoo. age too. They would also serve as A similar convenient close to friendship mementoes of the Great War.

PEACEFUL LIFE WITH FLAMINGOES FOR NEIGHBOURS OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH

BY MURIEL C. LINDSAY

Author of “Naturalised!'’ “ The Silent Witness,” “ Methods of Barbarism” eztc.

C h a p t e r I. while Philby stared moodily at his feeet, Philby Ripley entered the private office and Philip drew meaningless figures on and shut the door with a bang. His his paper and rubbed them out again, brother looked up from the specification each trying to account for the presemce he was making and surveyed the other’s of a spy, or spies, in their well-guardled anxious face. works. “ You look worried, old son,” he The resemblance of twins to one observed, “ What’s up now ? ” another is often a source of mingled “ Small wonder if I am,” was the entertainment and irritation to out­ vigorous retort ; “ it’s enough to give a siders, but the Ripley twins were th e worm the jumps. Look here, Philip, exception. Save for their names th ey someone is spying round the place. were as unlike each other in appearan ce When I opened my desk this morning and disposition as they could be ; for I found all my papers disarranged. They while Philip was tall, dark, and serious, had been taken out, every one, and put with deep-set reflective grey eyes, Phillby back just anyhow. Looking for the was medium height, fair, with gay blue ‘ Seagull ’ plans of course. I wonder eyes and a cheerful, light-hearted nature. who it can be.” But in spite of the twenty minutes Sir Philip tapped a pencil thoughtfully seniority which gave Philip the title and against his strong white teeth and drew estates Philby was the leader ; Phillip his heavy black brows together in a being content to listen whilst his livel y puzzled frown. junior talked, and to follow blindly “ Very careless of the spy to be so where he led. untidy,” he replied. “ Expect he was When they left school Philboy, disturbed before he could replace them instead of pursuing the pre-arrangced properly. I wish I knew who it is. I plan of a university course and then a don’t think it can be any of our men ; probable land agency, insisted ion they all seem trustworthy, that is so apprenticing himself to a firm of far as we know them.” engineers ; Philip resolutely refused do “ Exactly, so far as we know them, be separated from his twin, and side by but in these troublous times who can side, a grimy happy pair, they worked say he knows any man or of what he their way through the shops, and now may be capable ? ” was the caustic on the sunny side of thirty, blessed w ith retort. perfect health and money, they were There was silence for a few moments in amongst the foremost flying men an d the office, unbroken save for the voices inventors in England. They lived w ith of men and hum of machinery outside, their mother and her ward, Joyce OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH 39

Featherstone, the orphaned daughter of concerning their work, and their men tan old friend, who was to Lady Ripley appeared bribe-proof. But since the tall her own dead daughter might have outbreak of hostilities one or two Teen, in Philip’s roomy old house on the disturbing incidents had occurred, small morth-east coast; and on his wind­ but significant, which were giving them swept open land he built hangars and some uneasiness. workshops where with a band of skilful A more serious one than usual, this enthusiastic mechanics they designed and tampering with his desk, was the cause experimented to their hearts’ content. of Philby’s anxiety this morning, and Their latest invention, a war biplane determined the brothers to get to the fitted with an improved stabiliser and a bottom of the mystery. two hundred horse-power twenty-cylinder “ What about Jose Gonzales ? Do engine, to carry bombs and a gun, was you think he is all right ? ” queried complete, and they expected great things Philby again. “ Of course as an alien ifrom her. It was designed for use on he ought to be dismissed, but as he is one land or sea, and was fitted with skids and of a neutral and as far as we know friendly floats. In appearance it differed but power it seemed safe enough to keep him. slightly from the ordinary biplane, but Only, lately I saw him talking to a rather the secret of the construction and the seedy-looking chap after working hours ; twins’ invention lay in the fact that and once I came on him with a woman. with the starting of the engine it rose It was dark and I could not distinguish almost vertically into the air, could who it was, but 1 heard her voice and hover poised over an object, and be she was certainly speaking German! lowered so as to alight gradually on a Fishy / call it if nothing worse ! ” given spot. In this way a waterplane “ Oh, I think you may set your mind could be made to settle on its parent ship at rest about Jose,” answered Philip, without the assistance of a long length lightly, “ there’s no fear of his betraying of platform for taking off and returning, u s; he’s devotion itself to Ripley and also the wide open stretch of ground Brothers.” hitherto required on land for the same But as he spoke he recalled where and purpose could be abolished, for it was how he found the Spaniard. Jose possible now to descend in the most Gonzales was starving in the streets of constricted area. The brothers had made Berlin when Philip literally dragged him countless experimental flights with the from under a recklessly-driven taxi. biplane which so far had proved entirelv When the young man, after the first satisfactory, and since the long-expected decent meal he had tasted for days, was war had broken out between England able to speak, he poured forth his story and Germany they were straining every in a wild flow of words. He had been a nerve to equip her for Government draughtsman in a big German engineering service, and to complete others from the firm, and had done good work for them same design. until one day designs entrusted to him Naturally something of what thev went astray to re-appear later in the were doing filtered now and then into possession of a rival firm. In vain he the papers, and enterprising pressmen protested his innocence ; he was known descended on them and tried to extract to be friendly with some woman who interesting details for their papers; turned out to be the mistress of one of envoys from foreign powers had also come the members of the opposing firm, and nosing round to see what they could it was believed she had robbed or bribed discover or make offers on behalf of their him to part with the plans. Dismissed governments ; so far without results, without a character he could not obtain for the Ripleys were close of mouth work, and desperately attempting to 40 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE commit suicide he deliberately flung thoughtful face in contemplative silence himself in front of the taxi from which for some moments. Philip rescued him. Sorry for the poor The truth was the twins were in lo v e , wretch, and convinced he had been an and unfortunately with the same w om an. innocent victim, Philip brought him to So far they had gone on their way h e a rt Rylands to give him another chance, and whole and consequently care free, buut so far had not repented his Quixotic act. now with the thoroughness with which. Jose was one of the finest draughtsmen they did everything they tumbled head- he had ever met, and proved of incal­ long into the snare spread for them inn culable value in the working out of the person of pretty Lena Nesbitt, a several small inventions. Philip could newcomer to the district who with h e r not bear to think he had been guilty in father, a harmless semi-invalid with a the first instance and was about to repeat passion for insect collecting, lived in a his offence. tiny furnished house on the links, a b o u t “ Well, I hope it’s as you say, old half-a-mile from Rylands. chap, but just to make sure I ’m going Lena was a dainty fragile-looking to set a little trap. I’ve got a brain creature with masses of feathery f a ir wave. You remember that powder the hair curling round a small pink-and-white old chemist gave us some time ago ? babyish face, big innocent blue e y e s Almost invisible, sticks to your fingers which took in more than was suspected, without your knowing it and stains ’em and a slender graceful figure. S h e violet when washed. Well, I intend professed an intense and flatterinng preparing a dummy set of plans, sprinkle interest in the brothers’ work, and ’em with the powder, and then, my boy, though her ignorance on the su b ject you can bet your sweet life we’ll have was appalling and needed much a n d some fun and spot the thief by his gaudy patient explaining, she proved a n hands.” appreciative listener and an intrepid passenger in the few flights she hand “ Where are the originals ? You don t made with them. leave them lying about in your desk, The twins were in agitating uncertainty do you ? ” asked Philip anxiously. as to which of them she preferred, as s h e “ No fear. You don’t catch this child divided her favours equally betw een doin’ no sich fool thing,” replied his them, and it was to put an end to t h is twin. “ I carry them round with me in uncomfortable and disquieting state o f the day time and sleep on 'em at night— affairs that made Philby break through better even than the safe, I think. But, his reserve and speak. of course, our spy doesn’t know that, “ Old man, what about Lena ? ” he and if the dummies go to our dear friends began at last. “ We are both of us in across the water, well, I don’t envy them the same boat so far as I can see, but o n e when they come to apply them, that’s of us must row stroke, and as vou a r e all !j” he chuckled • appreciatively. the elder I guess it’s up to you first t to Then his face sobered and his blue ‘ make good.’ Whatever she decides eyes grew unwontedly pensive. Pulling goes. If she takes you then I ’m g la d , a pipe from his overall pocket he filled for your sake. If she refuses you I ’m and lit it with ostentatious carefulness also glad, for my own, as then I ’ll havve while he considered how best to broach a look in. If she cares for neither of mis, a subject over which he had been well, that’s our misfortune, of course ! ! ” meditating almost as anxiously as the Philip, his eyes shining, nodded as he spy business for the last days. Seating held out his hand to his brother w h o himself on the edge of the desk he gripped it heartily. smoked and watched Philip’s handsome, “ Right you are,” he said, huskily. OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH 41

You are a thorough sport, old man, her claws sheathed,” she suddenly a d if it isn’t I, I hope it will be you.” remarked. “ And when do you propose pro- Her aunt and cousins stared at her po sing ? ” asked Philby with assumed in amazement. lightness. “ What on earth do you mean, child ? ” “ Soon. This afternoon, if possible.” asked Lady Ripley at last. “ Good hunting to you, then ! So long. " Well, Philip said the other day she I’m oft to ‘ Seagull II.’ Must bustle wras like a cat,” answered the girl with th e old bird up ! The more ’planes we bland innocence, her hazel eyes roving turn out the better, for they are going guilelessly over the perturbed faces before t o be no small factor in this war, you’ll her, “ and ” see,” and with a wave of his pipe he was “ I said nothing of the sort,” inter­ g o ne. rupted Philip, heatedly, his cheeks When the brothers were alone again flushing angrily. “ What I said was th a t evening Philby looked inquiringly Miss Nesbitt’s grace and daintiness a t his twin who shook his head. reminded me of a kitten’s.” " Wasn’t in,” he explained briefly. “ And kittens have claws, haven’t Gone to Berwick for the day, so the they ? ” demanded Joyce, triumphantly, cold man told me. Must try again to- “ and, as I was telling you, she had ’em m orrow. And I saw that chap you sheathed. In gloves ! Ugh ! Fancy rmentioned, an inquisitive sort of beggar. wearing gloves in the country ! I never Tried to pump me about the people do,” with a complacent glance at her about here and our men, but didn’t get own brown paws. much change out of me, I can tell you.” “ Probably she finds the sun inflames Philby grinned. them,” said Lady Ripley, trying to “ Can jolly well believe he didn’t,” find excuses for the hapless Lena. he replied. “ I wish it had been me he “ Everybody cannot expose her skin to met. I’d have talked to him like a the sun as you do, Joy, and I remember IDutch uncle, you bet. I ’ve set my trap,” that only the other day Miss Nesbitt lhe added. “ I wonder what surprise for was telling me how sore her hands were ius to-morrow will bring forth ? ” becoming, and how she was afraid she'd have to wear gloves continually.” C h a p t e r II. Joyce sniffed contemptuously, and as But the trap so carefully prepared she helped herself to biscuits mentally drew blank. True, the plans had gone, thanked her stars she was not as this but as all the workmen’s hands were other. Her self-complacence was short normal it was a case of “ as you were.” lived, however, for with a face like Philby rubbed his clean-shaven chin thunder Philip turned to her and in a perplexedly as he considered the rifled few sharp sentences that left her quiver­ desk, and with a duster carefully removed ing with a feeling she had been badly every speck of powder. “ Wily beggar beaten, soundly scolded her for speaking must have worn gloves,” he reflected. of Lena in such a fashion, adding that Never thought of his doing that. Must in his opinion she was becoming fix up something else ! ” coarse and unwomanly and that she He worried about his lack of success would do well to try to copy Miss (all the morning and sat silent and Nesbitt’s exquisite femininity. Then preoccupied during lunch until Joyce feeling perhaps he had said too much mentioned a name that made him look and anxious to escape the natural u p with awakened interest. consequences, he flung down his napkin “ I met Miss Nesbitt coming out of and strode from the room, leaving a the post office this morning, and she had very stunned and subdued young person 42 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE to whom it was as if the heavens had exclaimed, and listened intently whild opened and swamped her. he described with some humour his That Philip, her idol and hero, should failure to detect the thief. While he have spoken to her in such a fashion, talked a curious expression flitted across that he should desire her to mould her mobile face, and once she seemed herself after Lena, hurt her terribly. about to speak then firmly closed her Brought up with the brothers from lips. She believed—she wasn’t sure, of childhood she had received nothing but course—that she could lay her hands: loving kindness from them both ; but on the thief if she liked. But she might: while she and Philby were the best of be mistaken, and they’d rather neglected pals, to Philip she had given all the love her of late for that Lena, so it wouldn’t of her young heart and was desperately do them any harm to puzzle over the jealous of his liking for Lena whom she matter a little longer, and anyhow until disliked with the instinctive unreasoning she was certain she would keep her repulsion of youth for what it distrusts, suspicions to herself. her feminine intuition divining the deeps “ Come and have a round of golf,” underlying that plausible exterior she suggested, as his tale ended and he which were hidden from the men’s love- made a motion to depart. Philby blinded eyes. hesitated. He meant to overhaul the Philby rose and strolling to the window “ Gadfly,” their latest monoplane, as one stared out on the fine September after­ of her high-tension wires appeared faulty noon, softly whistling as he thought over and needed attention, but reflecting that the scene of a few moments ago. While no one was likely to use her at present he, too, was inclined to be annoyed with Philip having probably gone to look for Joyce for her attack on Lena, a sense of Lena, he decided to postpone work until humour—unfortunately denied to Philip after tea. — made him laugh inwardly over the “ Come along then,” he replied, “ and girl’s adroit misinterpretation of his see if for once in your life you can beat brother’s meaning, and softened his me. It will take you all your time ! ” anger towards her. Turning, he came to “ Oh, you story ! You know I can where she sat, crushed and subdued, her give you two up and beat you to a small brown face under its cloud of russet frazzle every time ! ” she declared, hair looking unusually pensive, and laid indignantly. a kindly hand on her shoulder. “ Not being addicted to slang like “ Buck up, old girl,” he said, cheer­ some persons of my acquaintance, I am fully. “ Don’t mind Phil. Control’s a ignorant as to what a ‘ frazzle ’ may bit out of gear ; didn’t mean half he mean, but you are welcome to try and said. Fact is,” he added confidentially, reduce me to it, if you can ! ” he retorted, knowing nothing pleased her so much solemnly. as to be told intimate details about their So in a cheerful wrangling game which work, in which she took the keenest ended as usual in a triumphant win for interest, “ he’s rather worried just now. Joyce the girl recovered her spirits, Things aren’t quite as they should be Philby forgot his worries, and they in the shops ; spies messing about and returned to the house in time for tea. giving us no end of bother, and my little “ Phil back yet ? ” he asked his mother. trap to catch ’em hasn’t come off, worse “ No dear, at least I haven’t seen luck.” him,” replied Lady Ripley absently, She roused as he expected she would looking up from her letters newly arrived and looked up eagerly, winking back by the afternoon post. “ Joyce dear, some tear drops that threatened to fall. pour out for me, will you ? I must just “ Oh, do tell me about it ! ” she finish this.” OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH 43

Philby drank his tea in silence, appeared too large for her small face. wondering how Philip was progressing Otherwise she was quite calm. w ith his wooing. “All right,” she said, laconically, and “ No, no more tea, thanks,” he said, watched him as he tore upstairs, to a s he put his cup down. “ Fm going to re-appear in a few moments in his pilot’s t h e workshops, mother, so you’ll know dress. w here to find me if you want me.” “ Don’t tell mother until it’s absolutely As he approached the hangar he met necessary, and ” struck by the anguish a mechanic. in her eyes, “ keep a stiff upper lip, old “ Just run out the ‘ Gadfly,’ will you, girl,” he forced himself to say cheer­ Ja r v is ? ” he said. “ I want to have a fully, “ things may turn out to be all lo o k at her. I fancy she’s a bit faulty right, and I a fool for alarming you. somewhere.” Still, it’s just as well to be on the spot The man looked at him in some in case one’s wanted.” s u r prise. Then he was gone leaving her to bear “ The ‘ Gadfly ’ Mr. Philby,” he her burden as best she could. queried. “ But Sir Philip and Miss N esbitt are out in her.” C h a p t e r III. “ Sir Philip out in her,” echoed the The “ Seagull ” was ready waiting for him young man aghast. “ Good Heavens, and when Philby saw the great creature Ja r v is ! Are you sure ? I never heard gleaming in the sunshine he could not Op saw them.” help a thrill of pride as he looked her “ Perfectly, sir. Sir Philip came up over, thinking how like she was to her about half-past three with Miss Nesbitt, namesake as she lay there with white a n d said he was going to take her for a wings outspread. flight, and ordered out the ‘ mono.’ They “ Petrol tanks full ? ” he asked, as he went north, I believe.” climbed into the pilot’s seat, and receiv­ “ My God ! ” said Philby again, his ing an affirmative, ordered the men to face growing grey. “ Here, get out the stand clear. The engine was started, Seagull ’ as fast as you can. Fm going and almost immediately the biplane after them.” began to rise, slowly at first, but as the “ Shall I come with you, sir ? ” asked powerful motor gathered way faster and Jarvis, anxiously. faster until he was a considerable “ No, I think I can manage alone. distance up. Then he swung her north, At any rate I must try, in case I have to hugging the shore as he flew, for suddenly bring home a passenger.” he remembered Lena’s hankering to fly Leaving Jarvis to summon the men seaward, and to-day Philip unfortunately a n d get out the biplane, Philby ran back might have humoured her. Also a to the house. Joyce met him at the door. streak of romance in him would probably S h e was alone he was thankful to see. suggest that here was the ideal moment and place for a proposal. " Joyce,” he began, breathlessly, " I ’m Philby’s sight was unusually long, going up after Philip. He’s out in a and as he tore through the air he kept a d ick y ’plane with Miss Nesbitt. My keen look-out for slower-flying craft and fa u lt, I should have warned him. It also for anything that looked like a may be all right and it may not. Send disabled aeroplane on land or sea, Someone for Mac Kay and Grant in increasing the speed until the indicator cease. . . .” he broke off with a gulp. rose to over one hundred miles an hour. Joyce nodded. Her heart seemed to The sun was setting now, slipping fierily stop for a moment, she went deathly behind the distant Cheviots. Soon the white and her big hazel eyes suddenly waning light would make it difficult to 44 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE distinguish things clearly and lessen his “ Come down in the sea, both preitty chances of finding the two if anything far gone,” he said, briefly. “ H a ie went wrong. plenty of hot bottles and blankets for Presently he turned and flew south. Philip. I hope I may bring him in alivre,” They could not have come this way, for and he was off seawards again. by now he must have overtaken them And now temptation black and terrilble with his advantage of speed. Then gripped him. Supposing . . . supposing suddenly as he raced back a tiny speck he did not find Philip, that he just l eft out to sea caught his eye. It might only him to die, who was to tell the trutlh ? be a boat, or it might be the aeroplane ; It would be quite easy for him to say anyhow it was worth going down to see. his brother had gone down before he Altering the angle of his elevating got back, and then—then the title, and plane he glided swiftly downward until estates and Lena would be his ! No one he was almost over it, when with a sick could give the lie to his tale, and knowing throb he recognised the disabled the brothers’ devotion for each other, “ Gadfly,” and clinging to her with one such a dastardly action on his part hand and arm, the other supporting would not be suspected for a moment. Miss Nesbitt who was unconscious, was For a moment the idea held him, and Philip. He at any rate was alive, and then with a sudden frenzy of horror he with a thankful heart Philby lowered cast it from him. What was he doin g the biplane until she lay alongside, to imagine anything so horrible ! Leave gently rocking on the heaving water. Philip, his twin and pal, the being to “ Thank God you’ve come ! ” said whom he owed so much, to drown hike Philip, in a spent voice. “ I thought we a dog ? What an inexplicable brute he were done. ...” was ever to have harboured the ghost of “ Is she dead ? ” asked Philby, as he such a thought ! He flew on faster th an anchored the “ Seagull ” to the “Gadfly ” before, but when he reached the cripped by means of a small grappling iron, and “ Gadfly,” mercifully still afloat, what stepping on to the floats bent over to he had been considering had actually raise the girl. happened. Philip, numbed, exhausted, “ No, only fainted I think. It and unable to hold on, had sunk ! happened so suddenly, on the homeward Circling round and round he searchted journey, but we were thrown clear, and I the darkening waters with frantic eyes, managed to swim to her and then reach There was nothing. Despair clutchted the 'plane. I couldn’t have held out his heart, gone was all thought of self, much longer, it has seemed like an he only knew that Philip, his other half, eternity lately...... ” was gone, and that life henceforward With infinite care Philby lifted and would be blank for him. . . . lowered the limp body into the cabane, What was that to the left ? There then taking a flask from his pocket he was a flash of white. . . . Was it a h a d unscrewed it and gave it to his brother. or a dead man’s face ? Cautiously Philb y " Take a nip of that ; it will prevent approached the spot. . . . Yes, theire you becoming numb and going under. was a figure, sinking, slowly sinking...... For God's sake, old man, hang on until Swiftly he was out on the floats amd I return. I won’t be a minute longer leaning over to the utmost extent, hiis than I can help.” He drew in his feet twined round a strut to prevemt grapnel, then, rising, set his course for overbalancing, he made a frantic d i e Rylands and dashed off at full speed. and caught something. Seaweed ? N o, Arrived at the hangar where Joyce just a handful of wet hair. Clutchin g with the doctors awaited him, he gave it desperately he drew the body gradually Lena into their charge. towards him until he could grasp th e OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH 45 coat. Slowly, inch by inch, every muscle lifted in a labouring breath, another and and sinew taxed to the utmost by Philip’s another. dead weight, he drew his twin on to the “ He’ll do now! ” said one of the float, and then by a frightful effort that doctors, Philby never knew which, as left him sick and trembling, hoisted him Philip opened his eyes and shut them into the cabane. When his heart’s mad again while his face became convulsed beating subsided a little he was able to with the pangs of returning life. “ Get climb into the pilot’s seat and set the him to bed, keep him warm, and give “ Seagull ” going once more. him a little nourishment presently. . . . This time only the doctors met him ; Hullo! Look to Mr. Ripley. He’s Joyce was within, comforting Lady fainting.” Ripley and seeing that everything needful was ready. C h a p t e r IV. Carried head downwards Philip was But Philby did not faint ; it was brought into the hall where artificial merely the relief of knowing Philip was respiration was started at once. They alive that turned him giddy and caused worked strenuously for some time but a momentary collapse. A stiff dose of with no result, and at last Grant, the brandy soon pulled him round. He elder man, the sweat pouring down his felt tired beyond expression but wonder­ face, looked up to Philby and shook his fully happy. He had saved his brother, head. and the “ Seagull ” had surpassed his “ I ’m afraid it’s no use,” he said, expectations, so what more did a man despairingly, “ he’s too far gone.” want ? For the moment Lena wa? “ Impossible. . . . He can’t be ! ” forgotten. Philby burst out. “ Damn it all, man, Dr. Grant eyed him thoughtfully. go on. I t’s your business to save life. “ By rights you, too, should be m You must save his.” bed,” he said; “ but I want a few Once more they tried. Hot bottles minutes with you first.” were applied to his feet and sides, every­ ‘‘Make them short ’uns,” answered thing was done that could be done, but Philby, strangling a yawn. in vain, and the doctors raised sorrowful “ It is about Miss Nesbitt. When she eyes to the anxious watchers and shook came in I noticed her hands were gloved their heads. and of course I at once pulled them off, When he realised that they acknow­ and to my astonishment discovered her ledged themselves beaten, Philby seemed palms and fingers stained bright violet! ” to go mad for the moment. With a loud Philby sat back on his heels hardly cry he flung himself down and took the believing his ears. lifeless body in his arms. “ W what did you say ? ” he “ Philip . . . Philip, old chap ! ” he stammered, “ stained violet ? ” called wildly into the deaf ear, “ Philip “ Yes. You look incredulous, but I . . don’t go . . . . Come back, I want assure you it’s true, and if you’ll come you. Philip, do you hear me ? Philip, with me I ’ll show you.” come back . . . come hack I say ! With his head in a whirl and wondering P h ilip ! ” if this were all part of a particularly For a moment or two there was no horrible nightmare, Philby stumbled to sign, and then as if his twin’s frantic his feet and followed the doctor to the beseeching, and the old impulse to room where Miss Nesbitt lay asleep. respond and follow roused him and With her dark lashes motionless on her brought him back, on the agonised cry soft white cheeks she looked like a a long shudder ran through the snowdrop, pure and innocent, not in the apparently moribund body, the chest least like the spy and thief he now knew 46 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE her to be. So soundly did she sleep that The man smiled, and opening his coat she never moved when the doctor lifted showed a small badge. the sheet, and raising a flaccid hand “ I am Inspector Dean from Scotland exposed it to view, showing it violet Yard.” Philby looked up sharply. stained. After all Philby’s trap had “ Come to warn you against two persoms, closed, and on the last person in the German spies and agents, who have world he would have suspected. And turned up here. They call themselves to think he had nearly made himself a Nesbitt, and pose as an invalid professor murderer for her ! What an escape he’d and his daughter. The girl is half- had, what an escape ! German ; the man, her stepfather, has Silently he gazed at the sleeping girl, been bribed, and in his character of and wondered what on earth to say to insect hunter collects all manner o f the doctor. He must surely suspect information likely to be of use to th e something, his own agitation over it was enemy. Before war was declared we enough to set him thinking. Frankness heard they were over again, but only was the only possible course. traced their whereabouts a few days “ Look here, doctor,” he said at last, ago, or you should have had notic e “ will you keep this—this discovery to sooner. They are after that new war ­ yourself for the present ? You shall plane of yours, Mr. Ripley.” have the whole story later, but just now. “ Thank you, Inspector ; I am much You understand ? ” obliged to you for the hint,” said Philby, Dr. Grant willingly assented, though quietly. He had made up his mind he glanced with some curiosity at what to say. “As a matter of fact we—we Philby’s sober face. suspected them from the beginning, and “ Does anyone else know ? ” asked were fully prepared for them. You are the voung man as they left the room. not thinking of arresting them by any “ So far as I know only MacKay and chance ? ” Miss Featherstone. It was she, by the “ No, not unless you have lost any­ way who asked me to tell you.” thing and have proof that they took it.. “ Was . . . Did she seem surprised ? ” I ’ll merely see them away from the? Dr. Grant considered. coast. And I ’d advise a military guard,, “ No, now I come to think of it she sir, for you never know who may be? didn’t. In fact from her manner I should about. That Spaniard now, he’s ai say she rather expected it than other­ dangerous fellow. Clever but weak. wise.” Best get rid of him or you may have- Philby was saved further reply by the trouble.” butler coming up to him as they reached As the Inspector’s opinion of Gonzales- the hall. coincided with. Philby’s own, he promptly “A man wishes to see you, Mr. Philby, arranged for the Spaniard’s dismissal, the a most persistent person, won’t take no.” detective undertaking to remove him Philby shrugged his shoulders resignedly. with the Nesbitts. “ Oh, all right then. I ’ll see him. After a much-needed meal he went in Have to I suppose. Help yourself to a search of Joyce and found her mounting drink, doctor. I ’ll be with you in a guard outside Philip’s room. jiffy.” “ Will you find out if Miss Nesbitt is In the seedy-iooking individual who awake and ask her to see me ? ” he said, rose to meet him Philby recognised the and while she went on her errand he inquisitive hanger-on of the past days. softly entered. “ Well ? ” he demanded, wearily, “and Lady Ripley sitting beside the bed held what do you want ? If it’s a job here up a warning finger as he approached. I tell you plainly there’s nothing doing.” He nodded and looked silently down on OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH 47 hisi sleeping brother. Beyond an unusual indignation melting; insensibly he palllor and an appearance of extreme softened. After all she was very young, exlhaustion, Philip showed little of what probably she did not realise what she he”d been through. His left hand, brown was doing. anid sensitive, lay outside the counter- “ Inspector Dean will take you and pame, and, kneeling, Philby laid his cheek your father South to-night,” he said, to it for a moment in passionate quietly, “ and if you are wise you will thianksgiving; then as if his twin’s drop this sort of thing. You may not toiuch was enough to bring him back get off quite so easily next time,” he fro:>m dreamland as his voice had added significantly, thinking it un­ suimmoned him from the jaws of death, necessary to inform her of her failure. Philip opened his eyes and, meeting It would be brought home to her sooner Philby’s anxious ones, he smiled weakly. or later. “ Why do you do it ? ” he “ Hullo, Phil,” he said, faintly, “ so asked, hoping to hear an explanation you brought me back ? I was nearly that would restore to her a little of the gon e, but I heard you calling and I had position in his mind she had forfeited. to come ” “ Well, the pay is good, of course, His voice trailed off and he seemed to whenever you get hold of anything worth sleep again. Philby rose and, kissing while, and we are very poor. My father h is mother, left the room to find Joyce was German—Mr. Nesbitt is only my waiting for him outside. stepfather—and he told me never to “ Miss Nesbitt is awake and will see forget I belonged to Germany and to you ,” she began, adding, breathlessly, work always for her. Then I enjoy “ Philby— 1 must tell you — she — I outwitting people, and am proud to suspected before, but just now when I think I am helping my country to saw her hands I knew for certain—she conquer and subdue you arrogant is the spy.” English.” “ I know.” Philby’s tone was non- “ But surely—you’ve lived all your beetraying, but his eyes and mouth were life over here—surely you owe some hard, and for once Joyce rather pitied loyalty, some gratitude to this country ?” l ena her coming interview. stammered Philby aghast. “ Germany Philby found Lena seated comfortably to you can be only a name, a shadow.” in an easy-chair pensively regarding her “ To a German no matter where he dyed hands. She looked up as he or she be born or brought up, naturalised en tered, and at the knowledge and or not, Germany is not a name or a contempt in his stern blue eyes her white shadow but a very great reality, and we cheeks suddenly flamed and her golden work for her advancement wherever we head drooped for a moment then raised are. And would you not do the same itself defiantly. for England ? ” she demanded. “ Of “ Well,” she said, hardly, “ so you course you would ! ” know now! What are you going to “ Yes, but by fair means,” he to ? Have me arrested ? Rather too expostulated, “ we do not turn and late in the day, isn’t it, seeing that I betray the hospitality received or play m anaged to secure the plans and safely the spy amongst our friends. We play disposed of them,” with a triumphant the game.” laugh. But notwithstanding the bravado “ Then the more fools you ! ” was the in her voice and bearing her eyes were contemptuous retort. more frightened than she knew as they At the flippant reply the last scales fell sought his, and there was a little catch from his eyes, and stripped of the in her voice that betrayed her inward glamour with which his love-filled mind an xiety. In spite of himself he felt his had clothed her he saw her for what she 48 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE was, a brazen unscrupulous little For the first time during the interview adventuress who debased the allure of a faint smile flickered round Philb y ’s her beauty for unworthy ends, and mouth. At the door he turned for a marvelled at himself for being so easily parting shot. duped. “ Oh, no, for you forget I carry a He turned to go, then paused. There duplicate set—in my head," he said, was something else he had to know. suavely, and was gone. “ How did you get in ? " he asked, Joyce was still at her post, and as he curiously. “ Someone must have helped approached glanced questioningly at him. you ? Who was it ? ” He looked very tired and subtly older “Jose," she replied, with a she thought ; the boyish lightheartedness reminiscent smile. “ He is susceptible which had been his distinguishing featur e and weak, and when I saw he admired had vanished, leaving him strangely like me it was not difficult to bribe him to Philip. take impressions of all your keys.” “ Lend her what she needs if her own Philby’s jaw hardened again. things aren’t ready, the motor will be “ Thought so," he said, grimly. “ Then round immediately,” he said. “ The I suppose it was you with whom he was sooner they are away the better." walking the evening I met him. That “And Philip ? " she queried, wistfulliy. explains much. And so Jose under­ “ He need not know until the morning, stands German ? ” or later if possible ; better keep it from “ Naturally, since his mother was a him as long as we can. And afterwards German," was the reply. . . . why Joyce, time heals all wounds, “ But what I don’t understand," he and . . . who knows ? Anyhow there;’s said again, “ is that having the entree to always hope, and work,” he concluded, our premises you only went for the plans. thankful for something tangible to help I should have thought that nothing less fill the sick emptiness of his heart, and than the destruction of the aeroplane rejoicing in the knowledge that soon would have contented your employers ? " their powerful air weapons would be able “ Oh, that was to follow later,” she to inflict deadly destruction on the foe. answered blandly. “ If the biplane had “ Yes," she softly assented, colourin g been damaged first there would have a little as she met his eyes, so kind, so been no difficulty in reconstructing full of understanding they were. “ Y es, another from your designs, but with the there’s always . . . hope." plans gone you would have been some­ And later, hope was merged in what hampered, wouldn’t you ? ” realisation. GOLF: FIVE WAYS OF APPROACHING

BY GEORGE DUNCAN Photographs by Sport and General Press Agency

B e y o n d question approaching is the mark from a range of 50 or 100 yards. most fascinating department of the whole And perhaps in his innocence he forms constitution of golf. It has infinite a sound estimate of the relative values variety, its effects are decisive in the of shots. highest degree, and it calls at once for That a great many players, while able the exercise of judgment, boldness, and to hit the ball cleanly, never attain accuracy of touch. There is no more great proficiency at approaching is due, soul-satisfying experience on the links, I think, to a failure to take into con­ and no better sight to see, than the sideration the particular circumstances playing of an approach shot which comes in which each shot has to be accom­ to rest almost on the brink of the hole. plished. When one is between 50 and It is the one spectacle that impresses 100 yards from the pin, the first points the uninitiated onlooker ; he may not to consider are the direction of the wind think much of a drive of 250 yards and and the character of the ground on very often he regards the holing of a which the ball will fall. Yet many long putt merely as a thing that ought golfers pay scarcely any attention to to be done every time, but he is frankly these matters ; they just play a stereo­ enthusiastic about the feat of making typed sort of shot and are surprised that, a ball stop within a yard or so of a given having struck it cleanly, it finishes on

STANCE FOR THE APPROACH. THE RIGHT LF.G IS SUPPORTING MOST OF THE WEIGHT 50 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE the edge of the green, or even farther ascending blow. It is an excellent from the hole. In numerous instances method to employ when we have a they have a penchant for what is known bunker close up to the hole and a follow­ as the “ cut ” shot, which, in these days ing wind, or when the ground is baked. of the rubber-cored ball, I venture to There is little spin on this shot, and the describe as the curse of approaching. ball flies much more like a dead thing J . H.Taylor was the first of the than in the case of any other stroke and champions to become famous for deadly falls practically lifeless. Edward Ray mashie play, and people mistook the is a master of it, and I would suggest underspin which he imparted to the ball that it is a very good shot for anybody for “ cut.” Nearly everybody tried to to learn, because it is not particularly “ cut,” with the result that at the difficult. present time that kind of mashie shot The question as to whether one hits is a downright obsession. It may be the ball a descending or an ascending useful on occasion, and a suspicion of blow is settled by the distribution of the “ cut ” certainly helps to make a ball weight at the impact. It is correct rise and stop quickly ; the trouble with always to start with rather more weight many players is that they invest the on the right leg than the left (it is a shot with too much of that influence. natural condition that promotes comfort) They endeavour to put on all the “ cut ” but in order to effect the descending of which they are capable. That is the blow that produces the underspin tendency which, I think, is a mistake in approach, we must transfer the weight this age of the resilient ball. smoothly during the swing to the left Standing near the green of a short leg until, at the instant of striking, hole during a competition one notices about three-quarters of the weight is on that the majority of shots have a the left foot. For the purely lofted pronounced measure of left-to-right spin. approach, the weight is kept more on Directly they pitch they break away the right leg throughout the stroke. to the right. My personal opinion is A third kind of approach is the “ run that the approach should be executed up ” which is generally the best method with an eye to straightness all the time, when the wind has to be faced and the and that the run of the ball should be ground is favourable to the run. The checked in a manner other than by the ball skims over the turf before beginning liberal application of “ cut.” to run, and we must be particularly There are five ways of approaching. careful to observe that there is a good First there is the shot that is entirely piece of ground on which it can fall. underspin. It is the most valuable of The shot is a descending blow, but we the lot, because it can be adopted in reduce the loft of the club by giving the any circumstances, except when the right wrist a half-turn (the action of ground is so hard as to render difficult turning a key in a lock as it has been so the taking of turf. The ball has to be often described) at the instant of impact. struck a descending blow—that is to This movement of the wrist has the say, the impact must take place the effect of bringing the face of the club instant before the club-head reaches the into contact with the ball nearer than bottom of the arc of the swing—and the usual to the latter’s centre, and so full loft of the mashie has to be brought producing overspin. That is how the into play. It is a stroke for an advanced run is imparted, but we must be sure golfer. not to overdo the half-turn of the right Then there is the purely lofted shot, wrist. An excess in this direction may which differs from the underspin shot be a frequent fault of the player in the sense that the ball is struck an practising the stroke for the first time. GOLF: FIVE WAYS OF APPROACHING 51

The pitch-and-run approach is a cross attention first on the pitch-and-run. betvveen the run-up and the pure under- Where there is no bunker in front of spin shot, and is, I think, the easiest the green (a frequent condition nowadays) For the average golfer to learn. Its and the turf is hard, it is the best method chief essential is that the ball must be to employ for the reason that it is the struck just as the club-head arrives at least intricate. The player should stand th e bottom of the arc. A fraction of a well over the ball and decidedly open ; second too soon or too late makes a that is to say, the body should be facing world of difference. It is impossible more towards the hole than for an iron to impart to this shot the same degree shot. Let him perform the back swing,.

TOP OF THE SWING FOR A DESCENDING BLOW. THE WEIGHT HAS MOVED FORWARD

0 )f “ stop ” as is secured by striking the which will be an upright one on account ball immediately before the club-head of the openness of the stance, without reaches the bottom of the arc, but, for allowing the club-head to be pushed ordinary purposes, it is a good enough outwards in the slightest degree. It means of approaching. should come back as straight as the Fifthly, there is the “ cut ” short, human frame will permit in the case of which is worth knowing, but the value such an operation. In making the hit, o f which, as I have already suggested, it is unnecessary to endeavour to put is over-rated. I would advise the any sort of spin on the ball. Just strike ordinary golfer to concentrate his the ball firmly and plainly ; hit straight 52 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE through it in such a manner that the it can hit the ball a descending blow. turf is merely grazed. Proficiency at the shot is the reward of When this shot has been mastered, perseverance. Probably there will be there is no harm in trying the underspin many duffed shots at first, but if you shot, although perfection at it will come impress upon yourself that you are only after a deal of practice. The stance trying to hit down on to the ball and at can be much the same as for the simpler the same time utilise all the liberal lo ft stroke, with most of the weight on the of the mashie, success will come soon er right leg at the beginning of the swing, or later. but the whole blow is a more resolute These are the two approach shots to

FINISH OF THE DESCENDING BLOW one than for any other kind of mashie study diligently ; the others are what shot. Keep the wrists distinctly firm, one may term subordinate methods. and do not allow them to bend or weaken The entirely lofted shot, as I hav e at any stage of the operation. As the mentioned, is the antithesis of the unden- club is taken up, the left arm should spin shot, and it is the natural shot. It become as straight a continuation of the is made with the weight behind, rather shaft as is comfortable, and the bulk than in front of, the ball and it calls for of the weight should be transferred with less incisive hitting. We need always rhythmic ease to the left leg. In that to play a mashie shot firmly, but th e way, the club-head will be put into such lofted approach can be, and should be, a position at the top of the swing that made with a sense of muscular relaxation GOLF : FIVE WAYS OF APPROACHING 53 that would be fatal in connection with irregularities in the turf and keep the other approaches. The “ cut ” shot is ball running fairly straight. useful where the ball has to be made to The cause of a lot of bad approaches rise quickly and sharply, as, for instance, is the effort, of which so many golfers where trees only a short distance ahead are guilty, to “ cock ” the ball up into have to be carried. The stance should be the air with the wrists, instead of allowing more open than for the strokes previously the loft of the club to do the duty of described ; for the rest, the action is which it is quite capable. They turn practically the same as for the underspin up the right wrist at the impact so as shot. The increased openness of the to get the club-head under the ball. Thus stance will have the effect of making the the shot is ruined. There is no need club-head move outside the ball during deliberately to “ work ” the wrists, and the up-swing; we are facing round the nearer one is to the hole, the less the towards the hole in such a degree that a wrists should influence the proceedings. natural lift of the club must necessarily Socketing, a common fault, is generally send it outward at the start. As a result, the outcome of prising the club up with when it comes down it glances across the the left hand and not giving the right its ball, and so secures “ cut ” spin. The fair share of the operation. As a rule, the difficulty is to invest the shot with just player afflicted with socketing pushes the the right amount of “ cut,” while also club up with the left hand by bending judging the distance and hitting the ball the wrists, with the consequence that cleanly, and the more confident a player the hand in question does not go far becomes the more “ cut ” he is likely to enough. When he starts to come down, apply until at length he may acquire the the club-head has a long way to travel, habit of obtaining toohnuch. while the hands have very little distance. The mid-iron is generally the best club Therefore the club-head never quite with which to play a running up-shot draws level with the hands, which reach of fifty or sixty yards, because we do the level of the ball first and bring down not want much height on the ball. It the socket on to the ball. is desirable to stand rather in front of The average player when approaching the ball, which should be just inside the finds his ball more often than not to the right toe. The weight should be about left of the pin, and yet he knows that he equal, the club-head should be kept close has not pulled the shot. There is a to the ground all the while, and overspin simple explanation of this fact. A slight introduced by the half-turn of the right turn-over of the right wrist is bound to wrist at the impact. happen at the impact, even though one does not try for it, and unless allowance In considering which means of be made for it, the result will be to cause approaching to adopt, the player should the ball to fly to the left of the straight be governed very largely by the nature line to the pin. It is necessary to ground of the ground on which the ball is going the club so that its face is turned very to pitch, assuming that he hits it slightly away from the ball ; the toe properly. If it seems probable that the should be turned a trifle outwards. ball will fall badly at a spot selected for This small precaution will counteract an underspin shot, and that the ground the inevitable turn of the right wrist at will beat the ball, then it is better by the instant of striking. far to play a pitch-and-run. If we Nine golfers out of ten ground the cannot observe the chance of a satis­ club at carefully studied right angles factory fall for either of these shots, the to the intended line of flight. If they game is to resort to the run-up ; because hit the ball truly, they are nearly sure the overspin will generally conquer to finish to the left. S E PARATO R BY OSWALD CROWE

T h e horses kicked up clouds of dust as Perched on the cap of the fence they trampled round in the sale-yard. and peering through the rails were The cool champagne air of a North young overseers from the plantations, Queensland winter carried it away over European cane farmers, all the the wooden houses of Mackay like a townsfolk planters, a few Kanakas “out broken column of smoke puffs. Gathered of their time,” and last, but not least, thickly round the yard, and perched on the kindest and most extravagant of all its stout post and rails of split iron-bark, horse-buyers—John Chinaman. wTere the horse-drover’s ideal of a “sale- Laughter and jokes rained in from yard ” crowrd. The only man in the the crowd. Tom Brush, with small township who did not appear to want twinkling eyes, enjoyed it ; he smudged a horse was the old town crier. He still the dust and perspiration across his face clanked at his bell and called out lustily with his free hand, and answered the about the sale, but to empty streets. chaff about the raw-boned colt. Everybody who could go was at the “ Make a dashed fine culvert over yard to pick up a good ’un cheap at Fagin’s Creek if he was stuffed,” called Tom Brush’s sale. Had you asked at a large, stout man sitting on a post. the post-office for a stamp, or wished to “ Half your stuffin’ would bust him, send a wire, a small but innocent child old man,” chirped Tom Brush, and the would have assured you that his father laugh was with him. had been called out on business, and “ Dog poor, I know, gentlemen, only would be back before very long. hides and bones, but Mr. Brush knew On the chemist’s door you would his market when he fetched them here,” learn that if he was urgently wanted charmed the auctioneer. “A month’s you would find him at the sale-yard. spell over the Range and they’d have The bank managers went, of course, all been mud fat, but that’s only wasting the clerks who could sneak out followed time with men that know a good horse, to the yard, and so did everybody else. if he’s as poor as a rake.” Seated on the flat top of the great They were, indeed, in very low round gate-post was snowy-haired old condition ; “overlanding” had left its John Alexander, the auctioneer, cheeriest mark. “ Next lot ! Now, gentlemen ! of salesmen and a prime favourite. here’s a grand stamp. Don’t see this Below him in the small selling-yard, and kind every d ay!” Tom Brush led into holding a rough-coated,bony draught colt, the yard a very good-looking chestnut, was Tom Brush, the man of the day. short-backed and nicely topped, rising Five foot four of tough bush manhood, six. “ There’s a horse to fill the eye, black-bearded almost to the waist, travel- gentlemen ! ” and indeed he was, as worn with four-and-a-half months’ handsome as paint, with plenty of droving over 1,200 miles of badly ‘‘ quality,” about 15.1, and the very grassed stock tracks. His black beard model of a hunter up to fourteen stone. was dust colour, and so was every inch Unlike his ragged-looking mates, he was of him, from his rusty old leggings and in capital condition, his coat shone, and saddle-stained moleskins to his battered he was almost round. old cabbage-tree hat. Pinched and worn “ Look at him, gentlemen ! Twelve in face, but cheery as a lark ; for after hundred miles in a bad season, and he 1,200 miles, and every yard of it watchful looks corn fed. Hard as nails, and fit anxiety, he had reached his goal at last, to carry a man a hundred miles to-day.” and his dream of a good “ crowd to sell For a few minutes the bidding was to ” was being realised. keen, then it suddenly stopped. A SEPARATOR 55 knowing one had whispered that “ Tom stroking his dusty beard thoughtfully. Brush was not the kind to have one fat “You’re at the Brambles? No? At horse among eighty odd poor ones unless Saulton’s—same thing. I ’ve six draught there was a very good reason for it.” colts to deliver there; I ’ll take the “ Done dashed little work on the road chestnut out same time this evening.” over,” said a local dealer in Tom Brush’s Blayton, with a few of his friends, hearing. stood admiringly round the chestnut. “ The man don’t live that’ll ride that “ Such a kind horse, so quiet, so different cove poor. Take a steel man to get to from those New England scrubbers and the end of him,” retorted Tom. brumbies.” They caught him so easily “ I’m thinkin’ it would,” said the local in the yards, patted him and stroked dealer drily ; but honour, even among him, and English fashion passed their horse-dealers, restrained him from hands down his legs to feel for the splints further audible conjectures. that never grow on Australian bush legs. “And twelve pun’ he goes for. Twelve ten — ten -— ten — ten, thirteen.” The There was a gathering on the verandah auctioneer’s eye was on a young man in of the “ bachelors’ quarters ” at Saulton’s a very horsey “ get-up ” — a new plantation the next morning, when it importation—and at the same time was known that Blayton was going to receiving bids from an imaginary person put a saddle on his splendid new chestnut. at the back of the crowd. The invisible He was so quiet, just a light snort or bidder ran the horse up to £16. At two as he came up the verandah, and £16 10s. the good-looking chestnut fell a slight shrinking as the saddle was to the horsey young gentleman. placed lightly on his back, then he was “ Yours, Mr. Blayton, and a grand girthed up and led round the “ megasse ” horse.” yard. It seemed a needless precaution It was a condition of sale that every for Joe, the bullock driver, to hold him saddle horse should be ridden before by the ear for Blayton to mount, for the delivery to show that he was quiet. chestnut was not in the least alarmed ; Somehow, Tom Brush omitted this with and why should he be ? He stepped the chestnut — mere forgetfulness, of off turning the big snaffle over contentedly course. in his mouth, when, as if he had suddenly “ You’re not the kind wants the starch forgotten something, down went his head, took out of ’is for him,” Tom Brush and in the same contented way—nobody said, taking a grave head-to-foot glance knew exactly how it was done, it was at the perfect horseman. such a gentle, easy buck—Blayton was “ Well—er, no, don’t matter,” said Mr. deposited on his back on the soft Blayton. megasse, and the chestnut trotted off to “Wouldn’t bother you one straw if he some cart-horses standing loose at the did ‘ root ’ a bit. A cove that can ride far comer of the yard. A shout of ain’t like one of them flat-headed delighted laughter from the Kanaka boys Germans or Chinkees that can’t sit a brought the engineers and sugar-boilers fence.” to the mill-windows to see what the joke The matter-of-course tone of Tom could be they were all enjoying so at the Brush’s estimate told at once. For “ quarters.” Such a childish spill, it Blayton the riding test was of course seemed to Blayton ; there was surely absurd, and it did really seem ridiculous nothing so ridiculously easy as remount­ that little Tom Brush should be required ing and staying there, so the chestnut to take the “rough edge” off a horse for was brought back. ^ich a perfect-looking horseman. Blayton was np again at once, and “Let’s see,” said little Tom Brush, with just a shade more purpose in his 56 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

bucking the chestnut laid him out as engineer, with a twinkle. “ Ye sot her before, on his back on the megasse. fine on ‘ simple ’ ; but was when she put The quarters were delighted with the herself on ‘ comp’und ’ that ye leaft encore. It was indeed very strange. her; ye’ll have to learn the ‘ comp’und.’ ” There was nothing vicious or bad- Blayton, still combing dry megasse tempered about the horse. His large, out of his hair and shaking it out of kindly eye only dilated a little as he was ears and eyes, straightened himself. led a third time ; for Blayton was still “ Hang the brute ! I ’ll sit him yet, determined to get up and stay there. though ! ” “ Wet the saddle ! Put on a Johnny It was Joe who pointed out the strap ! Put your hooks on and go into cruellest cut of all. With a jerk of his him ! ” called the verandah, and work thumb over his shoulder, he said, “ Bin almost ceased at Saulton's to see the takin’ stock of yer all the time,” and third time of asking. they all looked towards the homestead Blayton was warm now and meant a verandah, where the Miss Saulton’s, with fight. The saddle was wetted, Joe, the field glasses, had thoroughly enjoyed the bullock driver ran a strap from d to d contest. across the gullet plate for a good hold. “ Never mind, Blayton, she’ll be richt There was a good gallery, too, which enough when ye’ve learned her at always helps good fighting. In build, ' comp'und.’ An’ what’ll ye be callin’ Blayton was the “ cu t” of a rider, and her?” asked old Mac at breakfast. But doubtless made one in time but he lacked Blayton was not in the humour for the practice, grip, and balance only pretty or suggestive names ; only a very acquired in boyhood. A third time he bad one, or rather an ugly one, escaped was up ; this time he rode out warily him, and seemed to appease him. taking a good stout switch. Down went “ How—how would ‘ Separator ’ do ? ” the chestnut’s head for buck one, a mild suggested the junior overseer, referring one ; two, with feet all under him and to a very important part of the sugar head out of sight. He bucked straight machinery. Separator caught on, and up, and landed on all-fours with such a so was Blayton’s horse known for ever jarring thud that Blayton’s eyes watered. afterwards. Three, up and down again, harder than It was after working hours that Joe, before, Blayton still there, but shaken the bullock driver, a New England native, slightly forward ; the chestnut felt it, appeared at the verandah steps to solicit and measured his stroke accordingly. the honour and pleasure of a “ seat on With a bunched-up jump, half sideways Separator.” Joe was an old hand at the and backwards, he shot Blayton a dozen game, and his fame drew a very full feet over his off shoulder, this time in a house; all Saulton’s, in fact, as wobbly ball. “ Ha ! He ! H i! Y ah ! ’’ spectators. shouted the Kanaka boys, and there was “ Don’t say I ’m goin’ to stop aboard, a rush from the verandah to pick up Mr. Blayton, but if he parts me he’s no Blayton. commoner. They say Tom Brush never “ I think,’’ said Blayton, with a gasp rode ’im for pastime, and Tom's the best —for he had lost some wind—and man ever I seen on a rough ’orse.” shaking the megasse out of his hair, “ I Joe, in saddling, took every pre­ think I ’ll go in to breakfast now, and try caution known to buck-jumper riders, him again later.” in which Separator seemed to share a “ Ten minutes’ interlude for refresh- placid kindly interest. There was double mong ! ” called the junior overseer. surcingle in case the girth straps “ It’s that side derleevery that bothered “ busted,” a wet saddle seat, and a “kid” ye.” consoled old Mac, the Scotch (a short, stout stick strapped across the SEPARATOR 57 front of the saddle), an additional picture cut of a horse. Give you ten security for the thighs when the “rocking” notes for him, Mr. Blayton. No ? Make becomes severe. a fine wager horse, backin’ ’im against The gentlemanly chestnut yawned and the flash coves who think nothin’ can then shook himself as Joe led him out sling them ; pick up a note or two with into the middle of the yard. Something him that way. Or you could throw a prompted Separator that it would save leg over him yourself and get a bit of time with Joe to go into “comp’und ” practice. Learn you fine ! ” at once, and he did. “ And she’d make a verra sincere It was a rare good tussle. With all teacher,” endorsed old Mac. his screwings, jarring bucks, sideways, “ Do splendidly to lend Knox of the backways, and frontways, the chestnut Brambles ; he’s always coming over here kept to within a few feet of the same to borrow a horse,” benevolently ground. The pride of Saulton’s in their suggested the junior overseer. “ bullocky ” rose high. “ He could ‘ sit ’ “ No, don’t sell him, Mr. Blayton ; try and no mistake.” He gave Separator his him in harness, make a lovely dog-cart head and flailed into him. Rained it on horse.” him with a belly-winding supple-jack, Many were the satirical congratula­ “ Ker-wak-wak,” right and left real rib- tions Blayton received, but he turned roasters punctuating every buck. the laugh on his deriders. A week or “ Joe’s collared him ! Good lad, Joe ! two later he picked up a light dog-cart Sock it on to him, Joseph, my son.” dirt-cheap, and Separator made the very It looked now as if the chestnut must perfection of a tandem leader. tire. Hard as he was, the sweat was It was certainly the dandiest turn-out glistening on him in tiny speckles. in the district, and the envied of many " Hooray, Joe’s got h im ! ” But plantations ; so thus was Blayton’s suddenly the chestnut changed his “ horse” reputation somewhat restored. tactics ; there were grand flying bucks, Besides, Separator paid for his corn all the world knows how delightful and in many other ways. Knox of the easy they are to sit, like going off spring Brambles, the notorious horse cadger, boards and alighting on them again, came, borrowed, and was bruised ; and clearing twenty feet at a spring, then a as “ horse cadger ’ Saulton’s knew him sudden jerking, crouching “prop,” as if no more. Then, too, as Joe had pre­ the horse had struck a wall, and the New dicted, he was safe backing (in the Englander, saddle and all, made a short, financial sense) against the “ flash coves ” rapid flight through the air, sending up at the annual roughriding contests at a splash of dry megasse where he lit. the show. All Saulton’s shouted applause. All this happened in the days when “ That's the ‘ Pan ejector,’ ” quoth sugar “ paid ” and Saulton had just built Engineer Mac as the shouts and laughter himself a new homestead. Mrs. Saulton subsided. at once insisted upon having a proper “A bit too good at the game for what house-warming, and everybody came, I call a nice Sunday hack,” said Joe, a few including a squatter or two from over minutes later, plumping his saddle down the range. Blayton would much rather on the verandah, and patting the chest­ these last had remained at their stations, nut. “ I reckon he’ll sling any saddle, for one of them, Tim Ashley, had the Mr. Blayton ” and to show there was no impertinence to be in fatal agreement unworthy vindictiveness. between two with himself as to the incomparable such doughty champions, Joe passed his charms and fascinations of Molly hand regretfully over the weals on the Saulton. It was a spirited and “ most chestnut’s ribs. “ No mistake, 'e’s a delightful ” dance, on a cool, fresh night, 58 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE and the large verandah that ran right “ Oh, if it’s a horse, I can lend you round the house made a capital overflow an animal that will take you to Bolton’s, ballroom. To-night Blayton was not and he’ll mount you on from there.” having a good time, and it did not cheer But the track by Bolton’s meant a him to see that Tim Ashley decidedly round, and a fatal delay of quite half a day. was. There was the added aggravation “ Thanks, verv much, but Bolton’s that Tim Ashley might be hanging won’t do ; I must cut straight from the about and spoiling Blayton’s chances top of the Range to my out-station at for another fortnight at least. He had Old Rockton—that’s just about a just come down with a draft of his own hundred—and I ’m sure to find some­ fat cattle and sent all his horses back to thing in the paddock there to take me the station. He said he was only waiting on the odd twenty.” for a steamer to take him south for his “ Offers of nags to do a hundred, and annual holiday. over the Range country, are just a bit It was just before the party was scarce, Tim,” said Saulton, drily. breaking up that the belated mailman “ Who’ll lend Ashley a mount to do a rode up and caught sight of Ashley on little hundred-mile canter ? ” called the verandah. Saulton. “ That you, Mr. Ashley ? dashed lucky “ I w ill; I’ll lend you a quad that’ll I sighted you. The Highlander’s coming do it, if you can sit him,” called Blayton, down a banker, and the water’s backing with a suspicion of a jeer. up your flats already ; didn’t think I’d “ Not your horse; not Separator ? get through pact Topdale’s myself.” The That’s madness! ” interfered Mrs. mailman, an old stockboy of Ashley’s, Saulton, with a menacing wave of her knew well what this “backin’ up” the flats palm-leaf fan. from the Highlander in flood threatened. “ Why not ? Why, what’s the matter To Ashley it meant that, unless he with him ? ” asked Ashley, keenly. “ Oh, could get back to shift quite the most that bucking fraud ! Well, he’ll have to valuable half of his stock, he would lose do if there’s nothing else.” every hoof in the flood. He must get “ What a generous offer ! ” said Miss back, and at once, too. To do this he Molly Saulton. “ Why, nobody has ever must borrow a horse, and a good one, to ridden him yet.” cover a hundred and twenty miles before “ Well, it’s losing a couple of thousand the following night. True, his partner head of cattle if I don’t,” said Ashley, was at the station ; but he was literally shortly. “ One can put up with a rough a sleeping partner, willing enough, but canter for that. D’you think he can see a poor bushman. It would be quite the distance out, Blayton ? ” beyond his powers to muster up and shift “ Double the distance, if you can stay the stock on to the high ground out of on him.” Blayton anticipated a very harm’s way. His old stockman was satisfactory finale to his evening ; either away on a holiday, and the black boys Ashley would reconsider, or Separator were useless without a leader. would “ distribute ” him before a very “ What’s the matter ? Nothing wrong brilliant gallery, and either contingency I hope ? ” asked his host. was pleasing. “ Wrong enough, confound it ! Who­ “And you don’t mind my gruelling ever would have dreamed that the him ? Well, that’s awfully good of you ! ” Highlander would have come down so “ Won’t gruel him very much,” late in the season as this ? Just a bare remarked Blayton, and the men laughed, chance of being able to save matters if while the generous Blayton thought I can only get across something really pleasantly of the “ rare rocketer ” in good to carry me and start at once.” store for the “ hated rival.” “ Tell you SEPARATOR 59 what, Ashley,” he added, “ to make the “ I ’m all right ! ” called Ashley from ‘ rocketer ’ a certainty, if you get him to the semi-darkness. “ Not sure the horse Rockton I ’ll make you a present of him.” is ! Yes, he’s right,” and they heard “ Done ! That’s a bargain with you, the rattle and twang of released wire my boy.” Perhaps in cold blood and in as the horse struggled and kicked him­ cold matter-of-fact daylight, with no self free. “ Stay where you are ; don’t Molly Saulton or the other women to come out ! ” called Ashley. A paper see him, being a fairly sane man with a lantern flared up and showed him in the fair allowance of common sense, he saddle and Separator on his legs. The would have placed Blayton’s offer at its lantern was put out and they lost sight true value, and chanced losing the half­ of him. “ Now we’re o ff! ” They heard day by the round to Bolton’s. But it hoof-beats on turf for a minute, and then, was different now. He disappeared for farther off, the sound of a horse swinging a few minutes and returned prepared for along the road at a striding gallop. the road. “ Well, I ’m properly bio wed ! ” blurted “ We’re all going to wait and see the out Blayton. start, the conquest of Separator,” said “ Nothing to what your pretty gee-gee a vivacious little lady, a planter’s wife. will be before Mr. Ashley has done with Then Separator appeared, led over by him,” said the little lady, and there was the horse-boy, and everybody admired a laugh and almost a cheer. him as he glanced up wisely at the “ Got him going, at any rate, and Chinese lanterns and the bright, laughing nobody ever did that before. Might party on the low verandah. get through after all,” ventured old Ashley carried down his saddle with Saulton. the stirrups clanking down the steps Molly Saulton, pale and quiet as a after him. mouse, hidden behind her mother, heard “ Such a lovely horse. What a pity those hoof-beats for many a long day. he’s so wicked ! ” said the little planter’s She hurried to the farther end of the wife, leaning over the verandah rail to verandah and peered out into the get a good view of the saddling. Like darkness, listening intently for the last many young squatters, Ashley was his of them. They were galloping when she own horsebreaker at Rockton, and knew last heard them, still striding away, but well the virtues of the Mexican surcingle were soon out of earshot. It was murder, he adjusted with such care. sheer murder, to lend him that horse, “ Just simply madness,” jerked out and I fear me that bright-souled little old Saulton, encouragingly ; but it was Molly Saulton would have passed sentence midnight or after, and the English have of death on Blayton that evening. a weakness for mad performances at Then everybody drove home, and a that hour. few wondered whether Tim Ashley was Ashley mounted, and there was a still going, or whether he was lying a faint little cry from the verandah as “ shutter-load ” on the road. Separator, at once, and in his very best One thing well known to Ashley style, “ went to market,” without any Blayton had not yet learned—the most formal preliminaries, and bucked away irreclaimable of buck-jumpers does not into darkness. like bucking in the dark, and doubtless “ By gad ! right into it, straight for Separator, after his crash into the wire the wire fence ! ” said half-a-dozen voices fence, with its cuts and bruises, thought in one breath. There was the crash of it would at least have been wiser to wait a breaking post, and an indistinct mass till he got used to the light, instead of of horse and rider came heavily to the bucking straight away from the glare ground. of the lanterns into black darkness; 60 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

but he was sent along at a pace that out on the level ground with the fine gave him enough to do to keep going on free walk of a really game, willing horse. the road, without regretful reflections. “ Corn-fed and in rare buckle too.” Ashley hardly drew rein till he had Ashley noticed his “ bellows were covered the ten miles to the foot of the mended,” after the long climb, and his great dividing coast range. When he breathing quietened before he had did pull into a walk it was to leave the walked a dozen yards. “ He’ll do the regular main road that zigzagged up the distance, I ’ll swear, ij he’ll only behave mountain, round spurs and cuttings at like a gentleman.” an easy gradient for the steep direct At the top of the Range he left the track, “ the old road ” that mounted main road, thence onward it was only straight up a spur. “ Take him all his a bush bridle track, but he knew every time to keep his feet without bucking yard of the way. Once on the upper here; stands as good a chance of plateau of undulating ridges the timber breaking his own neck as mine if he was lighter and the sky seemed to does,” thought Ashley, grimly. brighten. All night he pushed on at a The darkness under the shadow of the lively pace. To swing along a bush Range and its tall timber was almost bridle track at a canter, through timber cavelike in its blackness, and it felt and up and down ridges and in and out oppressively lonely. In places the “ old of steep creeks was surely taking liberties road ” was almost a scramble. Separator with a gentleman of Separator’s reputa­ reached out for his head, and was granted tion, and lessening the chances of a it, not to buck—here he was fairly on whole neck at daybreak ; just then, parole—but to sniff for the track, which however, neck risks were a drug in the he kept unfalteringly. “ Riding an market. outlaw on the Range when it’s as dark Day was breaking at last. The sky as the inside of a cow don’t seem like a was lightening and the stars behind him strawberry picnic,” mused Ashley. Now were paling. It was broad wide-awake the dare-devil excitement of the start day when he pulled up at Smoke-stack had worn off, but the stake was a heavy Creek. A dissipated dingo faced him one, and well worth the chances he was on the opposite bank, eyed him for a taking. If the floods were first in the minute, then dropped his tail and race it meant “ blue ruin,” for the scuttled just as the first old “ Jack ” banks would never help him again ; broke out into joyous cackles at the and then think of the shattering of dingo’s poor nerves. certain newly-formed hopes of “ the “ Deserve your breakfast, and I believe girl he’d left behind him.” “ Eighty it’s going to be pax between us, old man,” odd miles of bush track, a hundred to Ashley said, as he pulled off the saddle one against meeting a soul on it, and and hobbled Separator with a stirrup the ‘ boss ’ buck-jumper of the district leather. He pecked away at the contents to do it on.” It was what they would of his saddle pouch, while Separator call “ a steep contract ” in America. mowed hungrily at the long, coarse grass. It seemed darker than ever ; the silence Now and again the horse paused, looking was broken by Separator’s panting and up from the belly-high grass with cocked the rattle of the stones he kicked down ears and a kindly inquisitive eye at the the mountain-side behind him. The man who had been his nightmare, long, steep climb ended with a scramble munching away reflectively, with long of some yards to the main road. “A good grass wisps hanging from his mouth. He ’un, by gad he is,” as the chestnut took a keen interest in the man, and negotiated this with two or three springy seemed quite pleased to know him by bounds like a cat, and at once stepped daylight. SEPARATOR 61

“ You’re a good horse gone wrong,” brute ! ” shouted Ashley. The compound, reflected the man as he stretched himself the sideways, the screw and backwards, on the long grass, noticing that he tried like any fencing-master. Ashley, Separator was no colt in hobbles, but roaring, swearing, and driving in his moved about without tripping or lifting spurs at every buck, was hauling in on both legs together like a young 'un. the lacing of the “ Mexican,” taking in “ Took to bucking late in life and found every inch which slackened. it pay,” was Ashley’s comment. It “ Is the beggar ever going to stop ? ” would have been interesting to know Then away he went with the great flying what the horse thought of the man. forward bucks which had “ bested” Joe. “ What an honest, calm-eyed old Now his last coup ; saddle and all must beggar it is,” mused Ashley, “ and how go. Whoop ! one fly, but the “Mexican” quiet ! ” for Separator was browsing was cutting him in half, the saddle-tree round in the most friendly way, hardly must go. Two ! now the third great his own length from Ashley’s legs. flying leap, and then with a crash he lit “ Time’s up, my sonny.” Ashley on a dead poplar gum hidden by the high closed his watch with a snap, put it bladey grass, and rolled ignominiously on back in his belt pouch, and proceeded to to his head while Ashley spun away saddle-up. “ Pretty far from anybody, unhurt, still holding the reins, his fall a thousand to one against anybody’s luckily broken by a great grass tussock. passing to pick me up, so it is just as The man was up first, and into the well to prepare for squalls,” and he saddle before the horse could get to his hitched the end of the raw hide lacing feet. A spank of the hand on his of the “ Mexican ” within comfortable quarters, and Separator sprang up and reach of his hand. w'alked away as if nothing had happened, He mounted, and to his relief thinking—for horses think, there is not Separator stepped off like a good horse the shadow of a doubt—all sorts of without any “behind thought.” He terrible and puzzling things. “ This swung into a canter, but had barely man must be something uncanny. He covered a mile when “ war was declared.” rode me all night in the dark, when With hard, fierce, determined bucks nobody ever dared ride me by daylight Separator bounded off the track into before.” Twice only had they differed, the high grass, and Ashley found that and each time he had been worsted. he had to sit. Six hours’ fast travelling Clearly this wranted thinking over ; this had taken a shade of powder out of rider knew more than was contained in Separator’s fighting, but certainly not Separator’s philosophy. more, and he put his whole soul into “ Try again, old man ; we’d better “ hard, honest bucking.” All things have it out while we’re on the job,” considered, there could not have been Ashley said, taking Separator short by a more even match. Separator’s well- the head ; but that noble animal merely merited reputation as a cunning fighter strode away at his springy, gliding canter. was more than set off by his previous Many times later during the day he exertions, and Ashley was a horseman suddenly raced off the track and in the most complete sense of the term. “ shaped ” but there was no longer any The best of the “ Mexican ” is that, real fire in his fight, a shout or even a besides affording the rider something of swear-word was enough to bring him to an additional hold, the least slackening his senses. Ashley’s only fear was that of the surcingle can be immediately the outlaw would take too much out of taken advantage of by pulling on the himself with his useless fighting, and soft green-hide lacing. knock up before he reached Old Rockton. Separator was fighting hard. “ You He could see that already the creeks 62 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE were rising with the backwater from the a most determined scamp ; had to watch river, and time was short. him every yard of the road after daylight, “ ‘ Knock up ’ is not in his dictionary,” and that’s fatiguing, I can tell you. It thought Ashley exultantly, as just at was joy to swing along and go to sleep sundown he came to the paddock fence on old Whitefoot.” Little Bradford, of Old Rockton out-station. “ There’s eyeglass fixed, sat like a note of something up your sleeve yet, old man ! ” admiration. He scanned the small horse paddock keenly in the waning light, and blessed It was late the following afternoon, his luck, for Whitefoot, an old favourite, and the very last of the cattle were being was in there. swum across Deep Creek from the flats, No “ beer and gruel,” English reader, already nearly girth-deep in water. for the horse that has done his hundred “ Another four hours and we could not miles on end, no dressing and careful have done it.” They had been hard at it rub down, and loose-box, &c. A kindly since daylight, sweeping over the flats, slap on the quarters from Ashley as he splashing and swimming after cattle and put him through the slip panels was all horses. Every hoof had been crossed the attention the conquered Separator over the creek and put through the received. fences on the ridges. This was the last “ He’d go the whole distance, but lot, and after putting them through the he’s done enough.” The chestnut made fence they dismounted, made a blazing a hungry snatch or two at the grass, and fire, and enjoyed a pot of tea as their stepped off gaily down the paddock in clothes dried, clothing themselves for search of company. the time in smoke as a defence against With a fresh horse, the most delightful the mosquitoes and sand-flies. relief to a tired horseman, Ashley was not “ That’s something for you to allow, long in covering the twenty miles to Tim,” said Bradford in reply to Ashley’s Rockton head-station, where, swinging admission that for once he felt baked. open the paddock gate and cantering “ Shouldn’t be surprised if your chestnut the pebbly ridge, he surprised his little wasn’t dead after the gruelling you gave partner at a late supper. him.” Ashley thought not, but a black “ What, Tim ! you or your ghost ? boy was despatched to bring him to the What the dickens has brought you back ? station next day, when, excepting some Thought you were half way to honourable scars from spur-digs, he Brisbane ! ” looked none the worse. “ Well, old chap, we stand to lose •every hoof on the lower flats, two There were extraordinary floods that thousand head—close up—unless—unless year. Rockton head-station itself was we can get down there and clear them flood-bound, a thing which had never off by the first streak of day—which occurred before in the memory of man, we’ll do, please God ! Thanks, I can do white or black. a nip to begin with, and I ’ll lay in a When there is nothing to do but watch square one as a preparation for to­ the yellow flood-marks, and when even morrow.” the ridges are so boggy that they will Ashley gave a short account of his not bear a horse’s weight, well, there’s ride as Bradford hewed him some good nothing for it but to stay at home and fair rounds of silver-side. “ I shook smoke, read, and work green hide or hands with myself, I can tell you, old play euchre or whist till a general liver man, when I said good-bye to him at insurrection makes a devilment of some Old Rockton. He’s a rare bit of stuff kind or another a necessity. to do both the distance and the bucking ; It chanced that there were two or SEPARATOR 63 three other flood-bound men there, anybody would think I’d never had a and on this particular afternoon pent-up cropper in my life,” said Bradford, and devilment would not be denied. nobody contradicted this. Dunstan, of Phantom Downs, was the A black boy on foot drove the horses moving spirit. He would chaff poor splodging and splashing over the soft little Jack Bradford about his horseman­ ridges to the yard ; and little Bradford ship, and about his bushmanship with a huge rough-riding saddle on his generally. Bradford, he estimated, head, led the way to the arena where he averaged about six croppers at every had undertaken to “ catch, saddle, ride, muster, would be bushed anywhere on and remain ten minutes by the watch the run half-a-mile from the creek, on Separator.” couldn’t tell a bullock from a horse at “ Seems quiet enough to handle,” a hundred yards away without his eye­ remarked Dunstan. “ I suppose that is glass, and two hundred yards away with the horse ? Bradford don’t mean to do it, and many other things which really us, I know, but then he don’t know a did Bradford scant justice. When horse from a panel of fencing.” everybody is bored, rum is plainly the “ That’s the horse all right,” and antidote, and, as Ashley was ever Ashley took a seat beside the others on hospitable, the boredom was alleviated. the cap rail, watching Bradford saddling Bradford listened cheerfully, and ad­ up the great buck-jumper. Bradford mitted many of the soft impeachments finished, and led the horse out to the till his riding was questioned, and then, middle of the yard to mount. as it was notoriously his very poorest There was a low laugh among the accomplishment, he rose fiercely. wagerers as he shortened the reins up. “ Anyhow,” chaffed Dunstan, “ I ’d “ Aren’t you going to ” began just like to see you on that chestnut Ashley, but was interrupted by a chorus gentleman Ashley rode up.” from the others. “ Shut up, Ashley ! Hi ! “ And so you shall; you’ve only got fair does. Let him alone, it’s his mount.” to make it worth my while.” Bradford “ What’s up ? ” asked Bradford, look­ sat up in his chair and glared through ing round, taking Separator by the ear. his eyeglass, manfully taking up the “ Oh, nothing, nothing. Go on, up challenge. “ I ’ll lay you an even with you,” called Dunstan. “By the ‘ fiver ’ I ride him.” way, Brown, you and Porteous might “ Done. In the big yard, and stay on field out wide for a good catch.” him ten minutes by the watch.” “ Time ! ” called Dunstan to Ashley Brown, from the Mackenzie, and with the watch, as Bradford put his leg Porteous, dropped their books and looked cautiously over the saddle and settled up hopefully. Here was something at himself; but to everybody’s surprise last to break the monotony. They would the chestnut walked round the acre of all lay even money on the chestnut. herding yard as sweetly as a prize hack “ Even money, indeed ! ” Bradford on show day. Walked round and round, demanded odds, five to two, and got them. stepping out freely, and looking about “ You duffer, Bradford,” called Ashley; him in the kindliest way, passed round “ leave it alone. Why, it’s safe money and under their noses, aggravating the to them at a hundred to two. Hang it ! “ takers” with his gentlemanly I wouldn’t back myself to do it. I only behaviour. Their faces lengthened. bossed him by a fluke.” “ Well I ’m blowed ! This looks a bit “ Shut up Ashley ! Don’t spoil sport,” doubtful. Now canter him, Bradford ; ” dissented the layers. their bets were looking blue. “ All wagers chargeable to my estate “ Don’t you ! It’s not in the wager,” if I break my neck. Hang it, Ashley, called Ashley, and he wondered why the 64 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE horse was so quiet. It dawned on him top of the big saddle. “ Rub it in ! just then. You’re the champion now, Bradford. “ Canter him ? Rather ! ” called Separator bossed the district, and you’ve Bradford cheerfully, and Separator broke bossed him.” into the smoothest of lady canters. “ When we come to think of all he’s “ You ass ! ’’ called Ashley, bitterly done for the firm,” said Ashley a few regretting having had the run out so minutes afterwards on the verandah, as early in the afternoon, expecting every referee, counting the stakes over to moment to see Separator begin one of Bradford, “ I don’t think it would be his well-known “ senders.” To Ashley’s right to let Separator leave us. We’ll disgust, feeling safer every minute, take Blayton at his word. What do you Bradford began to take liberties with think ? ” the horse ; but he was not to be moved % 3fC Jfc 5|C out of his good behaviour. It was very soon after the floods had “ What a have ! A dead bird for you, subsided that Blayton, to his disgust, Bradford! ” called Dunstan as the saw Tim Ashley ride up to the gate at minutes crept on. “ How many now, Saulton’s new house. And, worse, he Ashley ? ” was riding Separator, who was carrying “ Barely two—T im e ! ” and Bradford him in the sweetest way. dismounted triumphantly. “ Ashley ! by the Smoke ! I am glad “ I ’ll swear to the horse,” said to see you,” called Saulton from the Porteous. “ I saw him chucking them verandah. “ Thought you’d been sky-high at the autumn show. By Jove ! smashed and killed ages ago. Might have you’ve bossed him, Ashley.” sent us a line to say you were alive.” “ Don’t think I have ; nothing will The verandah at once filled with the ever boss him when he means business. Saulton household eager to welcome Tell you what, though. If I felt inclined him, the only undemonstrative one to skin my guests I ’d double the stakes being, of course, Miss Molly. and lay the same odds that none of you “ Don't feel much as if I ’d been fellows will sit him ten minutes. I smashed and killed long ago.” won’t be greedy, though. Why was he “ But where’s that wretch of quiet with Bradford ? Well, I ’m pretty Blayton’s ? Why, you are riding him sure it was because he forgot to crupper now ! ” him. It was real kind of you fellows to “ I should think so, he’s a ripper ; you block me from telling him about it just needn’t tell Blayton. I ’m going to take now.” him at his word and stick to him, And it was the crupper that was the however much he wants him back. real casus belli. Against it he would be Besides, I ’ve got something that will do “ Separator ” as long as he had a leg to him much better.” In the matter of stand upon ; without a crupper, a real another appropriation, however, Ashley insult to such shoulders, he was “ the failed to provide something that will do pick of the basket.” him much better. Ashley’s trip south “ A very wholesome lesson, gentle­ was delayed for some weeks, and then men ”—Bradford looked round at them he took Miss Molly with him—on their as he led the way back to the house, his honeymoon. eyeglass glaring from under the shade of To put it mildly, it was just a little the big saddle—“ A very wholesome rough on Blayton to see Separator lesson ; teach you my riding is not a very carrying Molly Saulton ; and what a safe thing to lay against.” pair they looked ! “ I should think not, old man,” Altogether, Separator seemed to him laughed Dunstan, playfully patting the a cruelly appropriate name. PARTRIDGE AND MIXED GAME PROSPECTS

BY OWEN JONES

T h e chief interest in studying the circumstances of their duty will not this estimates of what game will be available season so much as even see the old for the coming shooting season has to familiar fields and woods. do with its value in supplementing the S c o t l a n d . North: “ Abnormal food supply of the nation. There is none drought in May and June. Partridges of that customary looking forward with and wild pheasants are Al up to now, joyous hopefulness to the convincing and very forward. In fact I have never issues of the opening days. Yet in the seen a year with better prospects, or so hearts of all of us the spirit of sport is good in many places. Hardly a Highland sobered only for a time, and it is wise place is let, and there will be no guns to take timely stock of what useful to be got, except here and there.” provender will be procurable in the shape Banchory, N.B.: “ Rains have drowned of game. a lot of newly-fledged partridges.” The winter of 1914 was mild, and not Ross-shire : “ Game prospects (low only wet but the wettest for a hundred ground) are splendid.” Spean Bridge : years. In December the rainfall was “ Pheasants have done well, and rabbits over six inches, which entitled it to the are quite a pest this season, which on distinction of being the wettest month the whole ought to be fairly good, if we of all the year. January and February only had the guns to shoot.” Aboyne : also were copiously wet. In view of the “ Partridges and wild pheasants good.” results throughout the country during Speyside: “ The partridges and the breeding season of 1915, this record pheasants are thought to be good, and, rainfall seems not only to show that it so far, I should say they are.” washed away diseases that lurk in the Gifford : “ There was an abundant soil but that it was not at all palpably stock of partridges left last season, and disastrous to the subsequent state of although the winter was mild they were game left for stock. It is hoped that a few days late in starting to nest; the the following symposium of reports, eggs, as usual, hatched well, but the besides in fairly inclusive measure ful­ rain of late has reduced the coveys, and filling its plain purpose, will recall the now a few barren pairs of birds are to precious memory of many good bygone be seen. Pheasants were also later than days to those who through the various usual in beginning to nest ; they were

C n o . c c x l i i . v o l . x l i i i .— Septem ber, 1915. 66 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE favoured with good weather for a the number of woodcock breeding in considerable time after hatching, and Ireland, there being a noticeable increase there is a good show of wild birds. of quite fifty per cent. It has been Hand-reared pheasants have also done wonderful during the early part of July well, although the drought during the to watch the woodcock, old and young, latter half of June and first half of July flighting in the evening; but, alas, was much against them.” they are already leaving for other Borders : “ Partridges have done quarters. Owing to so little shooting extra well, especially in Wigtownshire.” last year very many snipe were left to East Lothian : “ There is very little breed ; these have done well, with the hand-rearing, as the shootings are mostly result that home-bred snipe have not all to let still. Partridges—everything been so plentiful for years.” promised well till the beginning of July, W a l e s (South) : “ For partridges it but since then we have hardly had a has been a good breeding season with dry day, and it has been mostly thunder regard to the weather. Pheasants—both showers with very heavy hail. The nests tame and wild—have done well, and so hatched out finely—in fact on this estate has ground game. The fine weather I have heard of only two nests being was also in favour of ground vermin.” destroyed ; but the barren pairs are E n g l a n d . Northumberland: turning up everywhere since the thunder “ Probably this is going to be the year storms began. Several keepers tell the for partridges, due to the good breeding same tale ; one told me he had twelve season and the very large stock left, as pairs of barren birds in a single hay field. so few were shot. Partridges have done Of course on estates where there is a extra well. No one rearing pheasants, lot of grazing land the birds have fared but wild birds have done well. Ground better, but where it is all crop, as it is game is too plentiful, I hear; foxes round here, I should^say that fully half ‘ rather ’ plentiful. There are few men the birds are barren. Still there will be left to shoot and those who are won’t a fair show of partridges, as very heavy have much heart, and drivers will be— stocks were left last year. Wild or should be—impossible to get.” pheasants have done well, the hand- Staffordshire. (1) : “ Up to a month reared ones also. Ducks are plentiful. ago the prospects of partridges and wild With the great increase of hares we pheasants were most excellent, and we should have some nice mixed covert were looking forward to having a record shoots—that is, if we have shooters.” year with the former, but the rain and I r e l a n d : “ Very little pheasant- storms we have had during the last few rearing has been done in Ireland this weeks (from the last week in June season, and on estates where it has been onwards) have considerably decreased carried out the number has invariably these good prospects, as we find a great been reduced to one-third the usual many young pheasants drowned, and quantity. The chief reason for this is the coveys of partridges are very con­ that there is no one to shoot, all the siderably reduced in number ; so that Irish families having nearly all their I am afraid the outlook generally is not active members in one or other of the very encouraging, and I know the same Services. However, pheasants have remarks apply to the prospects of my flourished on the rearing-held, and wild neighbours adjoining me. I may say broods have done exceptionally well. that we are not rearing any pheasants, Very few eggs were picked up from the and I only know one estate where coverts, and on most shoots quite good many are being reared.” sport will be afforded by wild birds Staffordshire. (2) : “As to the game alone. A feature of the season has been prospects, as far as I can gather from PARTRIDGE AND MIXED GAME PROSPECTS 67 all quarters it is a good season. I am stock. All eligible keepers have joined looking forward to a record season. The the Army.” Bingham district : “ I partridges laid full nests, several over hear that it is an exceptionally good twenty eggs ; and I have seen a good look-out for partridges and pheasants.” many strong coveys with up to twenty Yorkshire : Reports are much the birds in them. Wild pheasants are same as for Nottinghamshire. There is a comparatively not so good. I think promising account of duck and teal. Of the frosts, which we had here rather course it should be remembered there severely, did them some harm ; several are a lot of foxes in some localities ; nests that I knew of only hatched about they are described as “ rather plentiful ” half the eggs, and one or two never in Yorkshire and the North of England. hatched an egg at all; but still, as wild Ribbledale : “ Partridges and pheasants pheasants have all done well since they have done well ; the outlook for hatched, I think it will be a good season partridges is better than it has been for them. The hand-reared birds did for years.” well, although the number reared was Derbyshire. (Netherseal): “ Partridges cut down to half the customary amount. have done well, and in view of the good I never had birds do better ; also the stock left a big season is predicted.” hand-reared partridges, of which I have Drakelow : “ Partridges and pheasants about fifty and only lost one bird. Wild have both done well.” Repton, duck have done well on the Trent, but Faremark, and Brailsford: “ I hear I have reared none by hand. Rabbits good results with partridges and throve all the first part of the season ; pheasants.” the hares are moderate. I don’t think Warwickshire. (Nuneaton) : “ I gather the recent heavy rains have done any that partridges and pheasants have both damage, unless it may be to birds that done well, good coveys of the former hatched very late.” well on the wing.” Cheshire (South-east) : “ There seems Leicestershire. (Stretton) : “ Looking to be a good lot of partridges, but one forward to a good season. Plenty of cannot see much of them as the clover partridges, and the wild pheasants have has only just been cut, owing to July done well.” being a very wet month. There is not Norfolk. (1) : “ It has been one of much hand-rearing going on this time the driest and coldest springs ever about here; pheasant eggs hatched remembered in this part, with severe badly, many being infertile, but the late frosts up to the end of June. We birds did fairly well on the fields. had little rainfall during April, May, and Ground game has done well. Meadow June. The drought broke up on June grass is only moderate ; corn looks 26, since when we have had nothing very well, also potatoes ; mangolds but dull cold wet weather, and I ’m and turnips moderate.” afraid it has played havoc with wing Nottinghamshire : “ Partridges did game, especially partridges, of which we well until the night of July 16, when we never had a better hatch or prospect ; had a very rough time for twelve hours but the continual drought caused insect which has thinned them somewhat ; but food to be scarce, and since the rain we the parent birds are very quiet during have had no sun, with awful cold nights. the evenings, therefore I hope for a We notice a good many barren birds and, decent show. No pheasants are being worse than that, a good many reduced reared; wild ones have suffered very coveys, showing they are dropping off much from the storm, a lot of old hens gradually, which I don’t like to see. being found dead. Hares have bred But local good coveys still survive, and well in spite of only a few remaining for no one can really tell what there is in

C2 68 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE the big cornfields until harvest-time. Lincolnshire. (Bourne) : “ Partridges From present observations things don’t began to lay very late, therefore they look any too good. Little hand-rearing went down to sit on small nests of from of pheasants has been done ; wild birds twelve to fifteen eggs, but they hatched doing middling. All single keepers have well. They seemed to be thriving joined the Army, and a good many until June 30, when we had very heavy married men as well.” thunder with torrents of rain and hail ; (2) : “ Partridges, it is stated, are on the following Sunday, July 4, we very good on some beats, but on the got it again, with more rain than on the driest land they suffered from the Wednesday before, and on this latter absence of water or insects. More occasion it flooded the heavy land for a recently, there is every reason to believe time. We have had very unsettled that these cold deluges of rain have done weather ever since, with at times very considerable damage to both young cold winds. Pheasants began to lay partridges and young pheasants, as some quite early. I saw the first egg on March old birds have been seen without any 31 ; the birds went down on full nests young or with only two or three. There and hatched well, but from June 30 is a splendid plant of roots in Norfolk, the weather was against the broods, as but the root fields are diminished in was the case with the partridges ; many number, many farmers having sown oats lots of young pheasants are reduced to instead, but as the crops will be good one or two. Hares have done well up there will be ample cover for driving. till now (the last week in July) ; I have As many as eight and ten men have been found a few dead ones with spotted liver seen singling roots in one field, so that on account of the wet weather, and a it does not appear that there was a good many now begin to look very poor shortage of labour.” and rough in coat.” (3—Downham Market) : “ Partridges Essex (North) : “ It is rather early to have done well, plenty of stock left last give a correct forecast with regard to season, looking forward to a fat supply partridges. In most cases they hatched of birds. Not many pheasants hand- well, and the early ones got a good start, reared, but wild ones plentiful.” as the rains held off till the end of June ; Suffolk (East) : “ No pheasants at all since then there has been rather a lot of have been reared anywhere in East rain, and probably some of the later Suffolk to my knowledge, and the nests coveys have diminished through clogging, of wild birds were very largely destroyed where the soil is heavy. The stock left by the constant manoeuvring of the very from last season was excellent. A great large bodies of troops quartered in and reduction in hand-rearing is noticeable training in the district. Apart from this, on most estates, but where any has been both pheasants and partridges hatched done the results have been excellent. out fairly well, but the long spell of East Wild pheasants have done well, many winds very much checked their growth, broods having from nine to fourteen and it seems highly probable that the each. Ground game, both hares and recent heavy rains will have considerably rabbits, is plentiful, and harvesting reduced their numbers, more than would operations will probably show up a have been the case if they had been record crop of both. The prospect for stronger and better grown. There is game in this district all round is good.” not likely to be any shooting on any Hertfordshire. (1— Watford): large scale. The game will be killed off “ Partridges are doing very well in this as can best be managed, and most of it neighbourhood. Rabbits have not done will be sent to the numerous military so well as last year, and were backward hospitals established in the district.” in breeding through the late spring.” PARTRIDGE AND MIXED GAME PROSPECTS 69

(2—Hitchin) : “ A good prospect for hand-reared pheasants, from eggs we were partridges. More pheasants than for obliged to take up, but I do not know years. Not so many hares, as they have of anybody besides ourselves who is to be kept down.” rearing any pheasants by hand in this (3—Bayford) : “ Partridges hatched part. If it had not been for this terrible well and have done well since, a few war it would have been the best season barren pairs about. Pheasants hatched for game for the last fifty years. I do none too well, and broods have gone not know how the game is going to be down to five or six.” shot, for all the young sportsmen of this (4—Harlow): “ Never knew partridges neighbourhood have gone to the front.” hatch better, and they appear to be doing Kent. (Canterbury district) : “As far very well. Pheasants hatched well; as we are concerned, and in our tame birds doing well at present ; there immediate neighbourhood, the reports are some good broods of wild ones. of partridges are good. The weather Ground game above the average. was good all through the nesting and Everything at present is looking very hatching time. We have had the usual prosperous with game.” losses through mowing-machines ; where- Bedfordshire. (Sandy) : " I am afraid ever there has been a field of grass or the partridges have suffered loss through clover mown there are the usual two the very heavy rains ; I hear several pairs of barren birds. With so many barren pairs have been seen. I know corn and green crops standing not much they hatched well. Still I think there is to be seen of the partridges, but when are more here than usual, but cannot you do happen to meet with a covey really say until the corn is cut. Pheasants it is generally a good one. Wild have done well on this estate, as I pheasants are good, for this district, believe they have all round. Ground although I am afraid gapes will develop game has done well, more hares. Looking in the later ones, as we have had a forward so to speak to a good season.” shower every day since July 15. We Shropshire (South) : “ I have seen have no hand-reared birds, and I fear some very good coveys of partridges. there will be no shooting in the good Of wild pheasants there are a splendid old style.” lot about, strong and healthy, all early Wiltshire. (1) : “As far as one can broods ; but I find the later broods are judge at present, the coming shooting not doing so well; we have had some season should find us with a good show heavy rains for the last three weeks, of partridges. Nests were well filled, and the weaker birds have had the gapes and the hatching was remarkably good, very badly. A nice lot of hares, any there being very few bad eggs ; in many amount of rabbits, and plenty of foxes, cases all the eggs in a good nest of from rather more than are pleasant; they have fifteen to twenty hatched, and as the had a good time as there was so little hunt­ weather was exceptionally good the ing. I am not rearing any pheasants at all birds got a very useful start. At the this season, and everything has had to time of writing there are many splendid take its chance—thousands of eggs spoilt coveys to be seen. Of course the on this estate—the unhappiest season manoeuvring spoilt many nests, though I have ever known, though I should think that was unavoidable. It is much to that so far as game is concerned it is very be hoped that the shooting of partridges promising everywhere in these parts.” will take place early, for the birds will Somersetshire (Frome neighbourhood): soon become very wild, as I understand " Partridges, wild pheasants, hares, and there will be a lot of manoeuvring about rabbits have all bred well, and no signs this part as soon as the harvest is got in. of disease. We have about 2,500 “ Pheasants did not hatch as well as 70 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE usual, there being many eggs that failed well there were a great many nests to hatch, although there were birds in forsaken, as the birds would not sit them which seemed to have matured to on their eggs; on this estate alone, the hatching stage. The wild birds that thousands of eggs were absolutely wasted. did hatch have done exceedingly well, Hares and rabbits have increased and no doubt if there had been any enormously, owing no doubt to the hand-rearing it would have been a very dry weather." Other Berkshire tidings good year for it. We luckily escaped indicate that game has thriven excel­ the thunderstorms which we generally lently all through the county. get. There has been no hand-rearing Hampshire. (1—Alresford part) : “ I anywhere in this neighbourhood, and am afraid the partridges and pheasants everything was done last season to kill will be getting gapes now (July 25) the birds down as much as possible. with all this wet weather and cold nights. “All ground game has done very well, They both seemed to be doing very well the rabbits, especially, have multiplied before the rain, but of course it is rather greatly, and no doubt will be very useful difficult to say much until after the corn for food during the winter. I think it is cut. I do not know of anyone having has been an exceptionally good breeding tame pheasants this year. Hares and season for game. There remains only rabbits have done well.” one thing to wish—that we could have (2— Micheldever) : “ I think the our old sportsmen back to do the prospect for partridges very good. I shooting ; so many are away, and also have had a record hatch. The rain, so many of the beaters." far, has not been heavy enough to drown Wiltshire (2—and boundaries of Hants any, but there is a tendency to gapes, and Berks) : “ Partridge prospects are which would be aggravated if we get a exceedingly good this year, excepting spell of wet weather. Should the weather where troops have been manoeuvring, or prove hot and dry, I think there will be marching across preserved land, where, some record-breaking done—if the guns unfortunately, a large number of nests can be found to kill the partridges. The have been destroyed, as well as a lot of wild pheasants in the fields doing well; young pheasants. Wild pheasants have in covert, dying with gapes. Any amount done exceedingly well. Hand-reared of hares, but not so many rabbits.” pheasants show splendid promise ; they (3 — North-east of Alresford): hatched out well, are strong, and free “ Partridges—the early nests hatched from disease. Hares very numerous ; well; the later ones (first nests) had rabbits, the best season for many years.” six up to nine bad eggs, that is to say, Berkshire. (Newbury district) : “ I with dead birds in them, which I consider this will be one of the best attribute to drought. We had a years for partridges for some time. magnificent downpour of rain about Their nests hatched extremely well, and three o’clock in the afternoon of May the weather was very favourable during 24, but it only lasted ten minutes or the early stages ; one can see splendid so, and only one bird forsook her nest, coveys which can fly well, and now so far as I am aware. The subsequent should be able to take care of them­ drought, which lasted till June 24, selves. Pheasants have done exceedingly and the spell of it previously to May 24, well, although we are only rearing about caused the birds to be very irregular and three thousand, and on other estates in erratic in going off their nests to feed ; the neighbourhood they are either not for instance, one bird to my personal rearing any, or only a few to keep up knowledge left her nest four times in a breeding - stock. Though the wild one day, while another was off for pheasants that there are have done very three hours at a stretch. From June PARTRIDGE AND MIXED GAME PROSPECTS 71

24 we had sharp doses of thunder, rain, That is to say, I saw partridges that I and hail quite severely enough, off and was able to count sixteen times. These on, for some days. The rains we have sixteen lots consisted of five sets of old had since intermittently, and somewhat birds (twelve birds in all) without any too continuously towards the end of young, and eleven sets of old birds July, were from one point of view (twenty-nine birds in all) with broods of beneficial on the light parts of the young, of from six to twenty, that ground, but ushered in our old acquaint­ aggregated 134—an average of twelve ance, gapes. It was not a good sign that to a covey (in cases where there were the starlings got gapes badly soon after any young birds at all). But if you put the rain of June 24 onwards. I am the total of old birds seen and counted quite certain that at any rate the chief (41) against the total of young birds cause of gapes is rain, especially after a seen and counted (134)—well, you find spell of drought, by suddenly bringing the the rather poor-reading average of only earth-worms within reach of partridges three young birds to one old—or six and various other birds, including, of young ones to each numerical pair of course, pheasants. old birds. “ On one beat of about 1,200 acres “ I am sure that from the first I had I this year knew of 185 nests that an excess of fully fifty old cocks ; some hatched ; these yielded 2,800 birds, or pairs of those included in the above an average of fully fifteen a nest. Last figures would certainly be those that season my figures for the same beat were lost their nests through grass-cutting ; 116 hatched nests, which produced 1,800 and it should be remembered that barren birds, giving an average of fifteen to a birds show themselves, especially by way nest—the same almost as this season of taking wing, much more readily than but for a fraction of a bird lower. I do the family coveys. I have never had 1,000 more birds known to hatch known more wild pheasants, which have this year than last, but this has been on the whole prospered extremely well due partly to an exceptionally large in this part, and so have hares and stock. On an adjoining beat 103 nests rabbits since the spring rains abated. known to hatch turned out 1,500 birds. Wherever last year’s rabbits were not “ Proportionately to the increased severely thinned there is no mistaking number of birds known to hatch, I do it now.” not think this year will be as good as (4 — Andover) : “ Partridges are last, simply owing to gapes, which is our plentiful, and so are wild pheasants. I usual bugbear on this ground, on which have hand-reared a few pheasants, which partridges do best with fairly frequent have done well. There are plenty of warm showers while they are sitting, but rabbits and hares. Game generally in after hatching preferably a drought. this neighbourhood has done well. On There are now too many lots of young some of the surrounding shootings a birds of about six, which I know at one good number of pheasants have been time were many more. The following bred by hand, and with good results.” is the entry of birds I have seen to-day (5—Whitchurch) : “ According to (July 21) reports the partridges all round this

OLD WITH YOUNG OLD WITH YOUNG district are very good, and I have seen 3 8 3 , n on e some very nice lots myself. Rats have 2 6 2 , 10 been more trouble to us than usual this 2 n o n e 2 , 16 ir, 4 2 , n on e season. There has not been much 2 n on e 2 , 6 pheasant-rearing just round this part, 3 n on e 2 , 10 but we have somewhat over a thousand 4 18 2 , 20 4 12 2 , 12 tame birds, with which we have had 72 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE very good luck. As to wild pheasants, the foregoing accounts, should be very though there are some very nice broods satisfactory. Norfolk, where there was about there are a good few hens without such a fine promise, unfortunately any young ones; we had a good suffered a good deal from the wet spring, stock of hens left, more than ever subsequent drought, and then more wet before.” and cold. It appears that except locally (6—South-east of Basingstoke) : “ In there has been no very considerable this district of many and big woods it damage by way of drowning of very has been as good a breeding-season as I young birds, the majority of which when have ever known for game of all kinds. there have been rains that would have There is not much land well suited to been perilous were old enough and partridges, but so far as possibilities go sturdy enough to pull through. I have the partridges have fared quite well. received no complaints of birds being Only about 2,000 pheasants have been washed off their nests or found dead reared, from eggs that otherwise would on them through wet. Here and there have been wasted, and they have done gapes it was feared some time ago excellently. Of wild broods there are had not improved the outlook, and the numbers mustering six or so, which is rains which have fallen so frequently very much above what is usual round since the middle of July have no doubt here. There is a nice lot of hares, in some places (both directly, and considering how closely they are indirectly through gapes) reduced the persecuted.” average number of young birds in the The counties that will show the best coveys. But there is always something yield, especially of partridges, are, so far if it’s not the gapes to take a spot or as can be made out from a large collection two of bloom off the very best season of evidence, Hampshire and Wiltshire, that ever was. The greater difficulty and probably Essex. Several others, in this time will not be to find the birds minor degree, as will be gathered from but the guns to shoot them. PLAYS AND PLAYERS

BY S. R. LITTLEWOOD

W i t h the end of holidays—those important and fruitful thing. The holidays which war-time makes so much pageant-vogue came and went, and more necessary and so much less possible taught us much. The pastoral-play has —the beginning of theatres! This blossomed into all sorts of original efforts little fact, that the theatres, in London at in the way of fairy-spectacle. any rate, should be starting their real But why should we not attempt, in season just when the call to duty brings some of our larger watering-places for us to the treadmill again, is worth instance, plays of a much more ambitious remembering in face of all those who order ? As we all know, both the Greek pretend we do not take the drama and Elizabethan theatres were open-air seriously enough. theatres. Not only so, but everything— To a great extent, of course, it simply even to the walking of the ghost of means that a good many of the people Hamlet's father at midnight on the who can afford to go to the best West- battlements of Elsinore—was enacted in End plays are out of town during August. broad daylight! For myself I have seen And where they are the best plays cannot no performance of that still-greatest of always get, save in the case of the big miracle-plays, “ Everyman,” half so seaside towns and spas. But I fancy the impressive as the first of all, which was chief reason with us is the same every­ in the open-air in the old Charterhouse. where. It is our national instinct for The sparrows were hopping and chirping the open-air, the hunger for every around the very grave into which moment of it possible, above all in Everyman descended, but if anything holiday-time. It is, in some degree at they only added to the beauty and least, because the theatre has become solemnity of the scene. divorced from our open-air life that it So, too, with comedy and, above all, has so largely ceased to be a recognised of course, with romance and fantasy of part of our intelligent recreation. It has all sorts. I notice that Sir Arthur Quiller so above all just when, under ordinary Couch has been contending that “ The circumstances, we should have most Midsummer Night’s Dream,” being a leisure to enjoy it. marriage-masque and probably written for the marriage of some nobleman’s T h e O p e n -A ir T h e a t r e . daughter, should be played by rights in Already, to be sure, much has been the hall of an old country-house—with done towards the developing of the just screens and tapestries and the stone open-air holiday-theatre, which to my floor strewn with fragrant herbs. What mind might be made into an immensely a delightful experiment that would be, 74 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE say, in Penshurst or Haddon Hall ! But Puck and the fairies should come troop­ the chief need would be, to me, that ing out of the moonshine and

MISS MARIE BLANCHE, IN “ ALL SCOTCH ” AT THE APOLLO THEATRE breeze to blow in, and for the moon­ Think what a delicious performance- beams to stream as they should upon could be given of “ The Tempest ” in an Titania’s couch and Theseus’ feast. I open-air theatre, as rough as may be,, think, too, it is through this door that somewhere near the seashore itself ! PLAYS AND PLAYERS 75

Would it not be worth an evening’s sweet airs that give delight and hurt leisure to have, not so much the actual not.” Is it beneath the gilded ceiling sea-scene, which can be imagined easily of a modern playhouse that one hears enough, as that sense of the magic of best the music which “ crept by upon the sea permeating every line and thought the waters ” ?

MISS JEAN AYLWIN, IN “ ALL SCOTCH ” AT THE APOLLO THEATRE Photograph by Bassano

which it is so difficult to convey by any “ A l l Sco tch .” spectacular seance ? It was once managed So far as the tag-end of the summer well enough by just Shakespeare’s verse season was concerned, there was little and as much of the sea-breeze as was to alter the situation in the West End wafted over the old unroofed Globe from theatres that I outlined last month. the Thames tide. “ Curtsied when you There were new revues and rumours of have, and kissed ; the wild waves wist.” new revues. “ All Scotch ” at the The isle is full of noises, sounds, and Apollo still affords the refreshment of a 76 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE complete holiday from rag-time, for two ago no one would have believed it which I and others have been crying out. possible that nearly a whole scene in an No other “ time ” has yet arrived to up-to-date revue should be given up to take its place, so we put up meanwhile the singing of simple old ballads like

MISS GRACE LANE, IN “ READY MONEY ” AT THE NEW THEATRE Photograph by Bassano with once - upon - a - time ; and it is those ! But we have grown at once wonderful how little more one wants wiser and more simple-hearted than we than just the old songs well sung. were. We have learnt that nationality “ Caller Herrin’,” “ Annie Laurie,” does mean something very deep “ Cornin’ through the Rye ”— a year or indeed—far deeper than any jingoism— PLAYS AND PLAYERS

MISS UNITY MOORE IN "SHELL OUT” AT THE NEW REVUE AT THE COMEDY THEATRE Photograph by Bassano 78 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE and that it is something that we may as Jerrold should have made his village well remember even in our mirth. beauty talk like Evelina, with a dash of Under ordinary circumstances, to be Dr. Johnson himself, is among the secrets sure, there is no reason why we should of the past), there is no possible doubt not take all necessary delight in jigging about the glorious native breeziness of to what were originally Hottentot William. “ What, am I left alone on rhythms and recalling the joyous life, the doctor’s list, whilst all the crew are the whoops and guttural laughter of our engaging ? I know I look as lubberly coloured co-humans in the plantations as a Chinese junk under a jury-mast— of the Southern States. But just now, with my heart knocking against my as a signal to memory, “ Maxwelton’s timbers like a jolly-boat in a breeze braes ” are really more important to alongside a seventy-four. Damn it, us than anything “ ’Way down in messmate, give us your grappling-iron!” Dixie.” Moreover, in all courtesy to There were no affectations about all that. Louisiana Lu, it is for bonnier lasses He was the real Jack Tar who won nearer home that our brave fellows are Trafalgar for us, though it is significant fighting. So, without making any rules that the play did not get written till about it, I am sure we may be forgiven nearly a quarter-of-a-century after. So for having just now and then broken in probably we shall have to wait a few upon the monopoly of rag-time—in years yet before the Jack and Tommy of war-time ! to-day, who are just as breezy and racy and sound as William was, are rightly “ B l a c k -E y e d S u s a n .” immortalised. And while we are about simple old But since the spirit is the same, why Scotch—what about simple old English, not revive “ Black-Eyed Susan ” just not only in songs but in plays ? Nothing as it stands, with something of the same has been more certain during the war- care and faithfulness with which the late season than the terrible failure of so Laurence Irving produced “ Margaret many of the attempts to write up Catchpole ” ? The last revival so far Tommy and Jack into melodramas of as I can remember was that at the the moment. It seems that it cannot Adelphi nearly twenty years ago, when be done— and one can quite understand the late William Terriss played William. that it cannot. The average war-play Of all our present actors I think I should betrays itself all too soon as a mere like to see Mr. Matheson Lang as William. expansion of newspaper paragraphs a If he did it as well as I believe he month or two old. But why not revive could I feel certain that anyone who some of the old “ true-blue ” plays that found himself unmoved when William sits are as good — so far, at any rate, double-ironed in the gun-room awaiting as national inspiration and national his sentence would thereby prove him­ character are concerned—as anything self to have “ no more heart than a that could be concocted nowadays, if bag-pipe,” as Gnatbrain said of Doggrass, not far better ? and deserve to be thrown overboard for One such play, which I am perfectly the consumption of “ St. Domingo certain would have a magnificent chance Billy,” together with the admiral’s just now—though it would probably cocked hat and the three pilots’ need to be helped out with something telescopes ! And “ Black-Eyed Susan ” else for a run—is Douglas Jerrold’s is not by any means the only worthy “ Black-Eyed Susan.” What a fine old tribute that might be recalled to the play it is—not only finely constructed character of our British fighting men, but brilliantly written ! However out- who are the same now as ever, though of-date Susan’s talk may be (why with less grog, perhaps, and more guns. PLAYS AND PLAYERS 79

MISS DORIS LYTTON, IN “ GAMBLERS ALL ” AT WYNDHAM’S THEATRE

Photograph by Bassano 80 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

MISS JOSEPHINE BRANDELL, A LUSITANIA SURVIVOR, IN “ BETTY, AT DALY S THEATRE Photograph by Bassano PLAYS AND PLAYERS 81

O u r P o r t r a it . actresses have stooped now and then. No social appearances, no interviews, M is s L i l y B r a y t o n . no fuss about anything except her work There is no actress whose name stands as an actress. And that work has been for a purer, surer, and more consistent absolutely single in its aim. It has been idealism on our stage than that of Miss solely and unswervingly in the direction

MISS LYDIA KYASHT, THE FAMOUS PREMIERE DANSEUSE Photograph by Bassano Lily Brayton. From the time when she of the poetic and the ideal—of tragedy came into the Benson company an and romance. Miss Lily Brayton has unknown Lancashire girl, one has never never toyed with modem comedy. So heard, in connection with Miss Brayton, far as 1 can remember—apart from a of any of those tricks and public blandish­ performance of hers in Lady Clifford’s ments to which some of even our greatest play, “ The Lonely Millionaires,” at 82 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE the Adelphi some nine years ago—the Shakespearean romance and comedy, playgoing public have had no means of Miss Lily Brayton long ago found herself knowing what she looks like in everyday a princess who was to reign happily ever dress. Miss Lily Brayton without a after. The finest Katherine since Ada crown, without the flowing robe and veil Rehan’s—Miss Brayton’s is even greater of classic queenhood, or the barbaric than Ada Rehan’s in one thing: whilst pearl and gold of a savage princess, or Ada Rehan had all the help of a some accoutrement or other of romance tremendous physical personality Miss —the thing is unthinkable ! Lily Brayton achieves the whole thing It is possible that Miss Lily Brayton with no such advantages but by sheer has had to postpone — not assuredly woman’s will. As a battle of personali­ through her own fault—an ambition that ties the conflict becomes far less fair, for she has been more than once on the with Miss Brayton, Katherine’s hope is verge of realising, that of being a great a more or less forlorn one from the first tragic actress on the highest plane. —the only wonder is that she holds out so Enough that at a time when there was long. But from the point of view of the precious little public for tragedy she study of feminine temperament the remained unflinchingly faithful to that interest is increased immensely. highest ideal. Her performance in Mr. In all her Shakespearean parts, too— Rudolf Besier’s effort at an Anglo-Greek in her particularly beautiful Helena in tragedy, “ The Virgin Goddess ” ; in “ A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in her Mr. Walter Hampden’s poetry - play, Olivia (which I like better than her “ The Prayer of the Sword her Isabella Viola, partly as giving the regal air more in “ Measure for Measure ”—assuredly of a chance), and even in the charming the finest Isabella there ever was or could domestic touches that there were in her he ; her Ophelia to Mr. H. B. Irving’s Desdemona—one gets with Miss Lily “ Hamlet ”—the one really unsparing Brayton the sense that romance is her and genuinely mad Ophelia there has natural element, in which she moves at been within memory, but then Ophelia perfect ease, while any little suggestion herself is such a wretchedly weak of homely comedy is a matter of art, creature !—her Desdemona in “ Othello and all the more precious on that account. her Iseult in “ Tristram and Iseult ” ; It is romance delightfully condescending her Mariam in “ Herod ” ; her Ildico to comedy; not, as with so many in “ Attila ”—all these pointed, perhaps, actresses, comedy anxiously climbing up to greater artistic possibilities than for­ to romance. tune has chanced to evolve. It has been, There is, by the way a splendid none the less, a pleasant and distinguished quality of Miss Lily Brayton’s especially fortune which has fallen to the wife and worth noting, and that is her whole­ leading lady of so able and successful a hearted loyalty to her authors — her manager as Mr. Oscar Asche. Moreover, belief and joy in whatever play it is if the path of pure tragedy has not led as that she happens to be doing. I have yet quite to the fruition one had hoped, it known her attack the most formidable is to a very great extent the playgoing lengths of blank verse of which our public that has been to blame. If it is modern poet-dramatists have been guilty determined to see Miss Brayton in with a kind of radiance and pride, as pretty-pretty characters like Hajj’s one who should say, “ This may not be fair daughter, well, sooner or later it poetry, but at least it’s verse, and I am must have its way ! And our modem going to do the best I can.” It makes poets might certainly have helped more. one wish all the more that some poet If only “ The Virgin Goddess ” and had been found of the right quality— “ Attila ” had been better plays ! apart from Shakespeare, whom naturally Meanwhile, in the surer kingdom of she has had to share with others. T H E BROKEN LINK

BY GEORGE KERNAHAN BETTANY

S t r u n g from pole to pole, from tree tusks to the bitter sky. From some­ to tree, across the rocky, wind-swept where in the gloom of the spruce- ledges of cold, brooding, mountains, deep clothed ledges the wire emerges, in the dark depths of menacing canyons, following the curve of the canyon’s over sombre, spruce-clad forests, past jagged lip until it touches the cabin. white, storm-lashed plateaus, far into It passes on, and is lost to view among the frozen heart of the Yukon, runs a the black depths of the peaks beyond. thin silvery thread of wire, crusted thick The setting sun, between its sullen, with frost crystals, beaten and bent by glaring “ sun-dogs,” passes behind the a thousand storms. fringe of fir crests, painting them for a Lashed by bitter arctic winds, it fleeting moment with a golden glow. sends out its thin, humming note of Then the bitter arctic night descended, protest to the grim, silent, mountains. black and silent, and the mountains Staunchly straining, it sings in the were shrouded in darkness. storm, as if conscious of the powers of A dot of yellow light appeared at life and death with which it is trusted ; the little square window of the cabin ; for it is the only living link between the the operator, the only human atom for Klondyke gold-fields and the heart of a hundred miles, was lighting his lamp. civilisation : a white crusted, silver “ Oh God, for someone to speak to ! ” thread, strung through the heart of the he groaned, his young face haggard in wild, linking cabin to cabin, through a the warm light, as he placed the lamp thousand miles of utter loneliness and upon the rough table, upon which Was desolation. his telegraph instrument. Set high on the brink of a frowning For two days, the wire, his only means canyon, half-hidden among the sombre of communication with the outside snow-burdened spruces, is a small world, had remained silent. Two days log cabin, moss-chinked, with door of crushing loneliness, which seemed to and window frame of whip-sawed lumber, have added years to his young life. a tiny dwelling in the midst of mighty “A hundred dollars a month— for brooding mountains, baring their white this ! ” he cried bitterly, as he paced the 84 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE tiny room, his grey eyes strangely bright, be for long now. By Heaven, Jim and his hollow cheeks flushed. “ I t’s a bad I will be millionaires in a year ! ” sign I guess when a feller gets talking to The first fine snow beat against the himself," he went on, “ but thank God window, but he paid no heed. The firs it won’t be for much longer ! Jim ought and poplars bent and swayed before to have the deal put through about the first onrush of the blizzard. now, it’s a month or more since he left Suddenly, with a cry of fear, the man here, and he had good dogs. Just as sprang to his feet, and with blanched face soon as he gets the deed, I ’ll quit, and stared at the door. A stranger, a big we’ll work the claim together.” fur-clad figure had silently entered the His own words seemed to calm him, cabin. The intruder carefully shut the for he paused, watching the play of the inner door, then he turned, and threw Aurora Borealis through the frosted back the hood of his “ parka,” disclosing window. A sudden gust of wind rattled a kindly, weather-scored face, the grey the storm door. hair and beard heavily coated with ice “ Guess that’s more storm coming,” and frost. he said, thickly, “ Sun dogs for the last “ Guess I scared you some ! ” he three days, and now the wind is getting greeted. “ You fellers are sure liable up, that means storm for sure ! ” to get nerves ! Gee ! I wouldn’t be As if in answer to his prophecy the a ‘cabin-boy’ for any hundred a month, wind increased, hurling heavy gusts no Siree ! ” against the sturdy logs, and ebbing to a He threw off his furs as he spoke, whining whisper in the pine boughs. and moved over to the stove. The The man took his fur cap and mitts operator stared in dumb astonishment ; from their nail on the log wall, and began at last he spoke. “ Joe Mackenzie ! by carrying in big armfuls of wood from all that’s holy ! ” a pile outside, the dry frozen snow “ Sure thing,” answered the Klondyke crunching and grinding under his millionaire easily, as he seated himself moccasins. He filled up the stove, on the bed beside the other. “ The turned on the draughts, and seated him­ storm is getting up,” he added as he self on the bed, laying his cap and mitts removed his moccasins. The operator beside him. It was time for supper, moved over to the rough cupboard and but he was not hungry ; from force of began preparing supper after the manner habit he rose and filled the kettle with of the Yukon. snow-water from a pail, placing it on “ You sure scared me ! ” he said, over the stove. The wind shrieked among his shoulder, “ guess I wasn’t expecting the trees, and in answer the flames visitors, but I ’m darned glad to see you. roared in the stove pipe. It takes a ‘ Sourdough ’ to be on the Mechanically the man turned off the trail a day like this—come from draughts, then he sat still, listening to the Dawson ? ” howling wind, and the steady strident “ Yep, trails are bad, too—the dogs ticking of the cheap alarm clock above are pretty well all in.” his bed. A home-made calendar upon the The odour of fried pork and beans opposite wall caught his attention, and began to pervade the atmosphere. he wondered what day of the week it “ Well I guess your job ain’t a snap,” was ; somehow he had lost track of the remarked the old miner, as he cut flakes days lately, each was the same as the of tobacco from a plug, preparatory to last ; his time was measured by meals, lighting his pipe, “ but you’re sure of and he had nothing to look forward to your money and that’s a heap more than but the messages coming over the wire. most of those guys at Dawson are!” “ Oh, well,” he muttered, “ it won’t “ Guess I ’ll be in Dawson just as THE BROKEN LINK 85 soon as the Lord will let me ! ” the “ guess I ought to know—I sold it to operator told him. the Vancouver Gold Syndicate.” “ That’s so ? Well I guess you’d best The operator gazed at him in horror. quit that notion I tell you, all the creeks “ Good Heavens, man ! we’ve raised are staked to the limit, and you’re liable every cent—and borrowed—to buy it ! ” to drop every dollar you’ve got on that “ Then get busy with that instrument racket ! ” and stop your brother from closing the The operator grinned wisely as he deal if it’s not too late. That claim is set the crockery on the bare table. worth just $5,000, and that’s the limit “ Guess by this time I ’m right in to in my opinion. I sold it for three the neck,” he retorted, “ and it’s a claim thousand.” even you might be glad of ! ” But the other was not listening. He The old “ Sourdough ” smiled in his was frantically working at the telegraph turn ; he knew it was no use to tell these instrument. Out across the bitter, greenhorns if once the gold fever got storm-lashed mountains, sped the urgent them. Nothing but experience gave call. For a full minute the operator them wisdom where mining was concerned. bent over the instrument, tapping out The two ate in silence and the storm a long succession of “ dots.” grew in intensity. At last Mackenzie Then he turned, mute, and wild-eyed pushed back the box of canned pork to the old miner. Joe Mackenzie noted and beans that served him as a seat ; the haggard face and staring eyes. the other watched him with something “Anything wrong ? ” he asked. like awe. This was one of the few “ Old Without answering, the “ cabin-boy ” Timers ” that had staked Eldorado in turned back to the instrument. the first rush of “ ’98.” Now he called Vancouver. Each of them was now a millionaire, “ Vr—Vr—Vr ” flashed out into and between them they owned nearly the storm ; a mute cry from the wild, all the most paying claims in the voicing the anguish of the operator, Klondyke gold-fields. Both men lit far out in the bitter mountains. their pipes ; the cabin-boy was the first No answer. to speak. “ What’s the trouble ? ” asked the “ Guess you knew ‘ Lucky Creek ’ ? ” miner again. “Anything wrong with the “ Sure.” instrument ? ” “ My brother and I are buying No. 3 “ My God ! Anything wrong ! Why, —Jim has gone to Vancouver to put the man, I can’t get through— there’s a deal through, it’s owned by the ‘ break ’ or maybe an ‘ escape ! ’ ” Vancouver Gold Syndicate. I guess “ Now, see here, guess it ain’t no good he’s there by now.” getting rattled ; just explain the trouble, The operator watched the miner’s face and then, maybe, we can do something.” narrowly, waiting for his verdict. Joe Mackenzie spoke roughly, but his Mackenzie did not seem impressed, sympathy was none the less sincere. however. With a visible effort of self-control the “ How much are you going to pay ? ” telegraphist explained the difficulty. he asked, at last. “ It’s common enough,” he said, “ you “ Twenty thousand dollars.” see there’s mostly a storm somewhere, “ Holy Mackinaw ! You’re crazy ! ” and when the weather lets up, there’s The younger man started up, wild —fog.” The other nodded, and the alarm in his eyes. operator went on. “ Why ? What’s wrong with it ? We “ If the wire goes through one of got a straight tip about it ! It’s big ! ” those fog banks—well, it’s pretty hard “ Big nothing ! ” retorted the other, to get a message through—you see the 86 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE current penetrates so far, and then ‘ dies.’ firm as bedrock. If he had sold number Maybe it will be days before you can three on “ Lucky Creek ” there was no get a message through—maybe a few more to be said. hours. How many lonely days he had “ Of course this may be a ‘ break ’ dreamed of freedom, and riches to come ! somewhere, you can’t tell at once.” Now he was ruined, utterly ruined, and “ Sure you can ! ” retorted the old in debt for ten thousand dollars. Then miner, “ just see if you can get through as he stared unseeingly at the dumb, to the next cabin-boy—it's only a useless instrument which might have hundred miles.” saved him, he saw in his imagination a For some seconds the dots flew over room he had often pictured in his the wire ; this time a private call. The dreams of the future. In it now he saw answer came readily, and the operator a girl, her head buried in her arms as was intent on the message as pencil in she sat at the table—weeping. With hand he wrote the words as they came. a hoarse cry he sprang to his feet. “ Escape . . . south,” he wrote. Then “ God in Heaven ! it can’t—it shan't rapidly he tapped out — “ Repeat— be ! ” he cried, raging in frenzy, with repeat— go ahead—third word and fourth clenched fists before the impotent word.” instrument. The receiver brought the full message. Then his shaking nerves, strung taut “ Escape two divisions south.” The by long months of isolation and loneli­ operator handed it to the old miner, who ness, gave way, and he dropped on the read it without comment. He replenished bed sobbing convulsively. The old miner the fire while the operator worked at the retained a sympathetic silence, well instrument. knowing the conditions that had brought At last the tapping ceased, and the about such a breakdown ; how many cabin-boy left his seat at the table, cabin-boys had been driven mad by this lighting his pipe with the calmness of isolation ! It was a case where only the despair. The storm lashed the log fittest could hope to survive. Knowing walls, moaning, raging, in insensate this he waited for the paroxysm to pass. wrath. The alarm clock ticked steadily. The blizzard raged with added vigour, “ You're sure there’s no mistake— and the miner fed the fire at short about the claim ? ” asked the operator, intervals. At last the operator lifted his in the dull voice of the hopeless. head. “ Guess if it comes to that there's “ I guess my nerves are all to pieces,” nothing certain about gold,” Mackenzie he said, with some shame, “ but I ’ve told him. “ You see,” he went on, got to hold my job—now ! ” “ gold is liable to show up where you “ Too much is plenty ! ” answered least expect it—and it’s just as liable Mackenzie, gruffly, “ you’ve had too to quit while you’re ‘ rocking ’ the last much now, you’d best apply for a shovelful. But I ’m sure I wouldn’t change.” have sold that claim for three thousand Before the operator could answer, the bucks if I wasn’t pretty sure there is instrument tapped ominously. With a nothing to it. That’s just common bound he reached the table. The other horse sense ! ” waited anxiously. The operator nodded. It was an “ I ’m through ! ! ” indisputable fact that Joe Mackenzie For several minutes the tapping was the best authority on the subject. continued, then the operator turned a He was universally recognised as one of ghastly face to his visitor. the greatest experts in valuing a claim, “ He’s bought it—an hour ago ! ” and his reputation for honesty was as Joe Mackenzie could find no words ; THE BROKEN LINK 87 this man had sheltered him ; could he young man, I am glad it has come to see him ruined for the lack of $20,000 ? you—I can back Bailey’s opinion if you His kindly, frost-scarred face was like by buying it back from you at expressive of his sympathy. He was 100,000 dollars.” thinking deepty. “ What is it,” asked the miner, “ That’s pretty tough luck ! ” he said, anxiously. at last. “ That was Jim. The Syndicate Again the instrument ticked. offers him a profit of 10,000 dollars if “ Don’t sell Circle City Claims. Bailey he will re-sell the claim two hours after insists hold plug hole at all costs.” he had made the deal, and he asks my He tapped out O.K. and passed on advice.” the message. His head ached intolerably, “ Tell him to hold on and say you at that moment nothing mattered to have a bigger offer.” him, mechanically he muttered : “ Bailey “ But are you sure there is no insists — hold — plug — hole — at all— mistake? ” asked the operator, anxiously. costs.” “ None whatever. ‘ Plug-hole ’ is our Joe Mackenzie at this moment was slang name for the claim you bought— handing him a strong cup of coffee and No. 3 on ‘ Lucky Creek.’ You can caught his half - distraught words : stand on my offer or chance your luck.” “ Bailey insists—at all costs.” A queer The telegraphist hurled the good news look came into the keen eyes of the old across the continent to his waiting miner (the look of a man who is nearly brother Jim, whose reply : “ We'll hold sure he has struck the trail). “ Did on,” was soon flashed back. “ But you say Bailey ? ” thank your friend heartily on my behalf " Yes.” as well, for I was nearly selling at the “ Heavens ! My old mine manager— certainty.” tell me the exact message.” The howling of the storm without The operator repeated : “ Don’t sell seemed the music of a master to the Circle City Claims. Bailey insists hold mind of the operator, as he grasped the plug hole at all costs.” hand of the old miner and prospector, Mackenzie leant back and roared with and repeated the “ far-flung ” message laughter. from the west. Puzzled, the operator looked an “ Bailey was always a lucky dog,” enquiry. muttered Mackenzie. “Always right ! ” Mackenzie jumped up, placed both But the operator was not listening ; hands on the operator’s shoulders, and he was looking into the room of his said : “ So the gold is there after all— dreams, and now—the girl was smiling. HOW TO START A PACK OF DRAGHOUNDS

BY THE O’LOONEY.

So m e [years ago I found myself a something. “ And it is the first double sojourner in a strange land, a perfect I ever rode ! ” country to ride over, but no hounds to But to return to the description of the ride to. Previously there had been a country. Roscommon is one great pack of staghounds presided over by one grazing plain, and you are on top of the of the finest judges of a horse in the ground even in the wettest season. A United Kingdom, who gave the best of horse galloping there has a couple of sport on a subscription that would not stone the better of his brother in meet the damage fund of some packs of Leicestershire. The fields are enormous. foxhounds. The name “ Roscommon” I know one that contains 100 acres, and may not seem to convey to many the Irish acres, too, which are much bigger idea of a perfect hunting country, but than English ones. The fences are, say, some readers have sampled it in days 70 per cent, walls, 20 per cent, banks, gone by, and I have no doubt will bear and 10 per cent, all others. The walls me out, the Duke of Westminster among are the grandest a hunting man could them, who had the luck to hunt with wish for, all sizes from three feet to “ The M ajor” before “ he gave them up.” six feet, well built of loose round stones, To digress and get off the line for a that though they may bruise and give minute, I will tell a short story of the big knees, do not cut. A few of them Duke’s first day in Roscommon. He had are “ sodded,” that is when well levelled not, I think, then succeeded to the title. off a flat sod with the grass growing He was, of course, well mounted and from it is laid on top, which has the possibly had some feelings of boyish effect of binding the wall and prevents nervousness as he wended his way to the it from giving if struck by a horse. The enlargement, wondering if he would find great charm of the country is the almost the country what it had been described, entire absence of hedges, so that you can or if he would be drowned in a boghole, see hounds a mile off. It is really an but determined to do or die. Apparently easy country to ride over, not because he got off well, and found himself in the the fences are small, as they require a wake of poor Willie Byrne, as good a good jumper, but because an eye for a fellow as ever stepped, with a laugh and country is not required. You may have joke for everyone, and the straightest of a wall of a quarter-of-a-mile in length, riders. Byrne landed safely over a very with one spot as good as another ; the big double, and turning to the stranger same may generally be said of the banks ; who followed him over it he said, “ That a hundred men could often jump abreast, is the biggest double I ever rode ! ” no waiting your turn for the two or three The stranger replied, with no intention jumpable places. There was no wire in of making little of his pilot, but because my time a decade ago. I often thought I suppose he thought he ought to say a Field Master of a pack of foxhounds HOW TO START A PACK OF DRAGHOUNDS 89 would have had a bad time of it with a would be hard to hunt hares in the very big crowd on a bad scenting day. But big fields, arguing that when a hare on the other hand, as it is a country doubled or attempted to lead hounds you could always get a start in, the field astray, it would be so very difficult to might hold back. know in which direction to cast. As to In such a country did I find myself, this I learned afterwards I was entirely houndless, and fifty miles from the wrong. I found that a hare principally nearest pack of foxhounds, with a train executed her manoeuvres when near a service that meant leaving the day before fence, and that as we had much fewer to enable one to get to a meet. fences than a county with small or Circumstances that there would be no ordinary-sized fields, we had much less object in re-opening led to the pack, manoeuvring, much straighter running which was a county one, being dis­ and much easier hunting. continued, and to start it again on its At length I carried the day, and a drag old lines was impossible. In vain I held it was to be to start with, to be converted out the bait of the glorious country, and into hare hunting if it did not work. the distinction of wearing a hunting You can do anything if you are a trier cap, to friends who could afford to run and have money—triers certainly some a pack. It was, “ No, thank you,” all of us were; money, certainly few if anv round, “ Don’t wish to bury myself. of us had. But we sent round the hat What should I do on non-hunting and begged hounds from all we knew or days ? ” So there was nothing for it could hear of. There is a great free­ but to try and start a pack of some sort. masonry amongst sportsmen, and you Money was the principal difficulty. The never know how good a man is till you O’Grady, a local gentleman, very fond try him. Money we got, certainly not of a hunt and a good horseman, was a fortune, but what helped our own “ on.” He was a busy man, but after contributions in the many incidental a deal of persuasion, sooner than stop expenses necessary to start, and hounds the way he said he would carry the horn. we got in abundance. It is rather The O’Ryan, another local, who sold uncharitable to say that some of them a lot of really high-class horses, was we had to condemn at sight, poor very keen. A fair number of farmers, brutes that we got to save the all of whom used to have young horses knocking on the head at home, and of the right sort for Ballinasloe, jumped our railway bill looked like swamping us at the idea, and above all we had the at the very start. But undoubtedly we co-operation and advice of “ the Major,” got some quite useful hounds, with a who, as I said before, was a past master season or two in them, and a few good in houndcraft and all matters connected ones cast for some fault or other. Dear with hunting. The question then was old Jem Brindley of the Wards, always what were we to hunt ? Most of the ready to help sport, sent us a couple and future pursuers said the hare. I stood a half, one a grand looking dog that used out for a drag, from pure selfishness I to go lame behind in the evening coming believe, and from drawing wrong con­ home. clusions from right premises. It was The Baron de Robeck, who then was October, we had advertised for a pack M.F.H, in Kildare, also sent a couple ; of harriers and got no replies. I thought it Dick Burke of Tipperary gave us a impossible to get together from odds and good bitch, rather slow for him, that ends anything like a decent pack under eventually entered well on hares, and two years, and I wanted to be at it at another, several packs of foxhounds in once, especially as my stay in the England and Ireland contributed, and country was indefinite. I thought it it was quite an event to meet the 90 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE midday train to get our consignment. describing him, as he turned out to be Lots of boys and idlers attended to the backbone of our pack, one of see the new “ dogs ” escorted to the the best hounds I ever rode to and building, originally for pigs, now styled nicest dogs I ever met. He was a “ the kennels,” and their remarks were grandly-made hound, a trifle under dog choice. “ Look at that fella, Davey ! size, and would have been better placed Look at the teeth of him ! Take care he in a bitch pack ; possibly a trifle long in doesn’t bite ye ! ” “ Aw laws ! look at the back, but well coupled, the best of that ould one ; sure she can’t walk.” shoulders, good bone without being “ Do ye see this weeshey thingeen ? excessive, what I should consider the Sure it’s a pup ! ” and so on. Some best of legs, with no modern deformity came whence we did not know, as about his knees, good natural feet, a different lots arrived together; one grand neck, well set on, with head a

in particular we never could trace trifle of the mastiff type, heart good and for certain. The label on his collar stern well carried. was torn, and the only words we Whilst considering what sport our could decipher were “ Major ” and scratch pack would show us, I saw an “ fast.” We put him down rightly or account in some sporting paper of a wrongly as coming from the “ North drag hunt being run in Lancashire with Warwick,” and assumed he was cast for “ trail hounds.” I never heard of being too fast. He certainly did not trail hounds, but gathered from that answer to the name of “ Major,” and he account that in a part of Cumberland and certainly was fast. We called him Lancashire the sport of the country was “ Nameless,” to which after a while he a race between hounds running a drag, answered. I may be excused for the owners and spectators not following HOW TO START A PACK OF DRAGHOUNDS 91 but standing on an eminence from which appointment in Ballinasloe, I deter­ they could see most of the “ race.” The mined to kill two birds with one events were open to various numbers, stone, and asked the advertiser to meet sometimes for prizes and sometimes for me. When I arrived at my friend's house sweepstakes. Each man owned and I found an old farmer waiting for me in trained his own hound. a donkey cart, with a big wench of a Here I thought might be my opportu­ daughter ; the back part of the cart was nity for beginning with the ready-made covered with sacking, and underneath it article, and here it was, and there I am there was a commotion. " I have the sure it still is for anyone wishing to start dogs, your honour, and the grandest you a pack of draghounds that can go. I ever seen. There’s the mother, Gaylass, accordingly wrote to a gentleman whose that taught them all. She was the best name I saw in the report. He lived at in the pack before it was broke up, and a place called Carnforth—you can see there’s Rambler, Kitchener, Buttercup, it on the map. His letters were highly and Daisy.” He unloosed the sacking interesting, he was most obliging, and and out came four hounds instead of five. he promised to buy me some hounds if I " Why, Mary,” said the old man, wanted them. We got, I think, three “ where’s Daisy at all ? Didn’t I tell couple through him at £4 a couple, and ye to put them all in ? “ Sure I did they were great hounds for their own put them,” said Mary. The old man particular job, rum-looking beggars was in a terrible fuss looking for Daisy, that gave one the idea they were a cross but a hole in the bottom of the cart between a foxhound and a greyhound explained her absence ! with a dash of the pointer thrown in. Gaylass certainly was a nice little They had very little bone, and all ran bitch, and I thought I would chance her, mute, save one little "badger-pied,” as we might hunt hares some time. The or rather "hyena-pied” hound, that owner asked £5, and after a deal of occasionally spoke with a very cracked haggling she was mine for £\. Rambler, note. They are bred entirely for nose on the small side, I got for 10s. Kitchener and pace. For four miles or so they can was a most awful brute, and Buttercup fly, and only one that we had could stick no sort of temptation. After a deal of it farther at top pace. They are trouble my two were stabled, and the encouraged to run jealous and entirely old man got his lot back in the cart. independent of each other, as they are I then started on a long drive, and when used for racing only. All we bought had returning to Ballinasloe I saw a donkey- raced, and, of course, were not able to cart slowly wending its way towards me, win in good company, or they would not driven by a buxom girl. Lying prone, have been sold to us, but the oddly- drunk to the world, was the late owner marked one, who looked a four or five of Gaylass, and two hungry harriers’ seasoned hound, had won a good many heads were peeping out from a sacking. prizes in his day, and though doubtless The girl grinned, but the old man was going off, was still a little clinker. too far gone to acknowledge my cheer Whilst the correspondence about our to him. Gaylass proved a good bargain ; “ trailers” was in progress, I saw an Rambler was worthless. advertisement from someone in County Having got together quite a lot we Galway that he had a grand “ hunting determined to have a quiet bye-day harrier” and pups for sale. His letters before our opening meet. Most of the were most amusing, he said his poor hounds had to be coupled, and Nameless, wife couldn’t sleep at night with the who was very headstrong, was able to baying they had when they chased the pull any hound where he liked and to foxes round the house. Having an eat him if he resented. 92 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

About four of us were mounted, and the drag. Nameless andone of our Welsh the Master, who had practically lived in hounds went well, and two or three the kennels, was on very fair terms with couple very fairly. We had a second his hounds. His wife and myself whipped go with the “ also ran lot ” only, with to him. The first drag was only to be a the result that we determined some of couple of miles—a stocking stuffed with them would never benefit the Lloyd tow and saturated with aniseed was the George of that day again. “ quarry/’ How I remember the excite­ We had about ten couple out for our ment and anticipation before they were opening day. First there was a great laid on! At last couples were off. The lunch at the Master’s house,some speechi­ trailers at once flew off like a sprinter fying and much jollification before starting for a race, and each one went we followed him to the meet. What a in a different direction; the others didn’t mixed crew we were ! The Master riding seem to know they were intended to a real clinker that subsequently won a hunt anything. In vain the Master tried hunters’ flat race, a hot little mare that to cast them and blew the horn he had went sideways on the road and as been so religiously practising on. straight as a bird when hounds ran ; Now and then a trailer seemed to his wife on an undeniably good hunter ; acknowledge something, but could not the O’Ryan with three or four young hunt, and they took no notice of the ones out that subsequently went to Master’s attempts to cast them. In England at long prices ; the Major despair he appealed to the Major, and mounted on a show winner that was well do I remember his effort to shove better than he looked ; myself on one them on the line. With cap off, galloping I wish I had now. There were some forward, he gave a view holloa that good young horses, three-year-olds would make any hound try and any man mostly, some bad young ones, and ride ; every hound seemed to awake, some of the rummest animals you came to him; they gathered themselves ever saw, trace marked, collar marked, for an effort as he cheered them on, and lame, halt and blind, some with their (as they seemed to settle on the line heads in the air and some needing the which none of us knew) my heart rose whip to raise a hound jog. Cars galore, from 33 below zero. But it was no use, a Victoria, inside traps, and so forth. they could own no scent, and I rode We were to have about four miles, home a dejected and very disappointed then a check for ten minutes or so, and man, thinking of the fiasco our near then another four miles before the pack approaching and much boomed opening got their leg of horse ; and in honour of meet would be. the first day the line as much as possible Later in the day, seeking consolation was within sight of the people “ on from my friend the O’Donohoe, he asked wheels,” on whose subscriptions we had me where we got the aniseed. I showed an eye. This time there was no mistake him the bottle with the name of the about the aniseed, and a little paraffin nearest chemist, twenty miles away, on was added, whilst the men who ran were it, and he laughed loud and long. “ Why, told to sprinkle an odd dash from their you ass, it is ‘ spirit of aniseed ’ and not bottle on the way. ‘ oil of aniseed ’ you got, and of course You may talk of hounds flying : those it evaporated at once ! ” trailers seemed to have wings. Mute and Heavens, what a relief ! I wired for ghost-like they ran—I never thought the right article, and next day we had scent could diffuse so much. They another try. This time the Master and hunted at times with a margin of some I were on foot. Off went the trailers forty or fifty yards in breadth between like greased lightning, fairly coursing them. Nameless again ran well, and the HOW TO START A PACK OF DRAGHOUNDS 93

farther he went the nearer he got to the drag, and one hare—of the drag alone leaders, or possibly they came back to I am writing, and the Master and I him ; the Welsh hound also showed soon found that on drag days only two speed. or three came out with us. Casualties When it was over there were mutual reduced the trailers to two couple, congratulations. “ Did you see my and we only brought out these with mare lep the double ? “ Did you ever Nameless and the Welshman, three see a better wall jumper than my couple in all; and I am firmly convinced colt ? “ Aren’t the Baslicks great that this is about the right number for stayers ? ” “ Only for fear of lepping a drag, if people would have the moral on£a hound I would have been about courage to run no more. the first.” “ My mare is not fit, but will Next season it was determined to

be worth £200 next Ballinasloe,” and hunt hares only. Curious to say two so on, whilst the hounds worried what of the trailers entered well and learned portions of the defunct horse Nameless to hunt, not merely to race. Nameless would let them look at. It was a really and one trailer, Danger, I kept myself; fast gallop, far better than I ever antici­ he weighed only 45 lbs. in hard con­ pated when forming the pack, and much dition, had a wonderful nose and for too fast for most of our members. They three or four miles went like a swallow. wanted to school their young horses, My first day as an owner and hunts­ who were quite unfit for a flying dart man of a pack of hounds in the following over a galloping country. And when year comes back to my memory. I met the excitement was over they freely at the Major’s and he played me a bit owned up to it, so there and then we of a trick which gave me much amuse­ determined to have one day a week ment afterwards. My “ field ” was I 94 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE think five. We were all on young a rounded top of about a foot wide and horses that had been schooled but not a small grip, drain, ditch, or whatever hunted; mine was a five-year-old that you like to call it, at each side. As the won a point-to-point for me afterwards, banks were so straight it meant that a and subsequently made a name for horse must “ change” on the very top himself in England and Ireland, a rare and go off very quickly and cleanly, little quidnunc horse, a great galloper “pit! pit! ” without a second’s hesitation. and extraordinary good fencer. I forgot to say that at the Southpark “ Now, Major,” I said, “ tell the man Double I had a look back, and not one where to go and don’t make the country of my field was in sight. I presumed too stiff, as you know we are all on green they had failed to get over the first wall. horses.” With fear and trembling, and betting “ Never fear I ’ll have a good line; they on a fall, I got my horse to a trot at the will learn as well over one as another,” first of the little doubles. I never felt a he replied. horse do a fence better, and I landed I got my pack together with my safely to see Danger and Nameless whistle, as I did not possess a horn, and topping the next fence. They were off we went hell for leather ; after his decidedly beating me in these small practice on aniseed the previous year, fields. My five-year-old reproduced his Nameless now hunted very keenly and form at the second fence, and I let him was not so very much slower than sail along. I think I had half-a-dozen Danger. I fairly had to race to keep of these fences running, and never before with my flying couple; with difficulty or since have I ridden a horse I would I steadied my horse at the first wall, prefer to ride at the same class of a very testing jump, but although obstacle. Then our line bids adieu to hounds were new to him and I don’t that breed of country, and bends to the believe he saw his friends Danger and right. A horrid, undefined double has Nameless, yet he seemed to enter into to be crossed before I get into a prairie the excitement and pulled me a good pasture ; the bank is high and narrow, bit. I did not know the country or more of a run up than a jump, and down where the drag was to be taken up ; I come ! I always thought the little there was quite a half mile to the next horse would kick me if we parted fence, a big straight double, and thinks company, as it was in him, but he stood I to myself, “ Your idea of an easy like a lamb when I was under him. country Major, is curious!” My horse Before I mount, Danger, who has shot refused it the first time, the second his bolt, is three hundred yards ahead of try he jumped it up sideways, as me, and Nameless, running as strongly he had pace on, it meant he must jump as ever, leading him by fifty. My horse is it sideways off, and as the “ grip” on a bit blown ; as I gather him together I the far side was wide, it was a very see five horsemen in front of me, and they big jump tor him, which he just did with pull up at the end of the hunt beside the a struggle. I subsequently learned I had leading hound. I tried to be angry with got over the “ Southpark Double,” in the Major but could not. its broadest spot. Then a few small “ You have a little champion ! ” he fences, then a bye-road, all in a perfectly said. straight line, and then I ran through “ But, hang it all,” I replied; “ I asked a bit of country quite unusual in Ros­ you to lay an easy line and you laid me common, small fields about fifty yards the devil of a one and didn’t ride i t ! ” wide fenced with a bank or small double No ! you could not be angry with the peculiar to the country, not high but Major. He laughed, so I had to laugh just too high to fly, perfectly straight, too, and now that it was over safely, I HOW TO START A PACK OF DRAGHOUNDS 95 was glad he directed the runner on the and get both hands free (a trick of the line he did. He subsequently told me country I never caught on to) he laughed that he kept behind in the big fields and told me how some countrymen tried coming to the first wall, got over it, and to seduce him from the path of a sports­ then galloped as fast as he could by a man. He was in the neighbourhood of line of gaps to the finish, on an inside a six-foot sodded wall on to a road and right circle to me the whole time. passed some men working. I do not intend to weary my reader “ Hould on, Mr. O’Grady,” they said, with descriptions of my bye-days, with “ give me the cord and I ’ll climb over what I termed the fastest pack in Europe. the wall with it, whilst you can gallop Generally I was alone, sometimes I had round by Mrs. Finnerty’s gate, and we’ll one man to make the thing more see him take a toss into the road.” exciting. We then ran the drag our­ But my friend scorned the suggestion. selves ; that is to say one of us with a I found the pursuer nearly always had long cord attached to a whip laid the two to one the best of the gallop. drag on the out journey and the other Unencumbered by the drag, and knowing laid it on the second go. In few countries it was clear sailing, he could slip along, could you do this with success, as, of and it was unwritten law that the drag course, you would be held up at times never was to be lifted except at the and would have to seek for jumpable fences. spots ; but in the plains of Roscommon Twenty minutes was the ordinary law. the world was before you, you could Ofttimes one sighted the man in front, so see for miles and you seldom had to open was the country, and if no friendly divert your course. But at times it was hill or big wall was about, the last creepy work! mile or so was always a “ view.” There was a friendly rivalry between If readers are interested in the home my friend and myself and we dearly life of the pack I must tell it. Danger loved to pound each other— I don’t know was a nice inoffensive fellow, amenable which position was fraught with more though not particularly sociable. Name­ danger ; the hunted one had to chance less, once the wayward and unruly hound the fences, but he had the satisfaction cast from some pack for bad manners or of knowing that if he was downed and being too fast or both, became from lying under his horse he might be constant association and the run of my extricated in a quarter-of-an-hour or so. house one of the most lovable dogs I The pursuer had not this consolation, ever owned—-a real pal. Though always but he knew at least the fences were a fighter, at times he played with my jumpable. Danger and Nameless needed terriers, gambolled with the kittens, and no hunting, they ran the line like a followed like a shadow. I had a fast machine, very occasionally they swung trotting pony, and Nameless gloried in over it, but always righted themselves ; following him, winter or summer. He as Nameless always opened with his left behind him entirely the listless hound grand deep note when he picked up the jog and galloped on the roads like a line, Danger had a great advantage, terrier. which he was mean enough not to repay, Yes, reader, if you happen to live in a as he at all times ran mute. When they galloping country and by stress of were running hard Nameless spoke but circumstances you must hunt a drag, little, the pace was too fast. procure three couple of trailers—no Coming home .one day my friend more to start with. Don’t try amongst proceeded to light his pipe, and as his the kennels of England to get a second usual custom was to put the reins Nameless, because one is not to be behind his neck to steady the little mare found! TRANAMOE

BY THE HON. ALEXIS ROCHE

[The opening chapters of Tranamoe began with the introduction of the four children of James Cosgrove, owner of the estate, the narrator being his youngest son, Denis. “ Aunt Kate ” is the ruler of the establishment, and we are introduced to Davy, the Huntsman, and his son known as “ Tom the Duck.” A curious character arrives in the neighbourhood, Nicholas Carmodv, who falls over the cliff and breaks his leg ; he is rescued and taken to Tranamoe. At his cottage he keeps a curious collection of animals. James Cosgrove disappears, and it is doubtful whether he has or has not been drowned. His old father-in-law comes to put his affairs in order. He finds the estate mortgaged beyond its value, but has delighted Davy by promising to keep the hounds going at his expense until Claude, the eldest son, comes of age. He returns to Liverpool to wind up his own business and announces his intention of returning to Tranamoe to end his days there. Nicholas Carmody has given an exhibition of hawking at which Aunt Kate was an interested spectator. Jack, Aunt Kate’s favourite nephew, has been sent to a public school by his grandfather, much against her advice. On his return home for the Christmas holidays a meet of the hounds was arranged at Condonstown, the seat of Sir Thomas Condon, a young cavalry officer. The end of the day saw Jack’s favourite hunter dead, his master at Condonstown with a broken collarbone, and Sir Thomas’s horse lamed and stabled at Tranamoe. Aunt Kate paid constant visits to Condonstown to see her favourite Jack who was also suffering from concussion, and Sir Thomas went daily to Tranamoe to bandage his lame horse under Nell’s direction. Nell, twin to Jack, was a thorough sportswoman and almost equal to a veterinary surgeon.]

C h a p t e r XI. She was a kind woman and a very N e l l ’s visit to Condonstown was happy one, for the gods had certainly prolonged from day to day till well into not given her the gift for which the poet the hunting season. Tommy had long Burns seems to have craved. It has since rejoined his regiment, and with his always seemed to me that “ to see oursels departure all the gaieties had ceased, as ithers see us ” might leave many of us and the house had relapsed into its with a just grievance against Providence, normal state of dulness which must have which should go far towards embittering soon become unbearable to my high- lives at present safeguarded by a com­ spirited sister but for her love of music. fortable armour of conceit, that most Lady Condon was an accomplished becoming of garments which enables a musician, and played the piano and harp very gorgon of ugliness to stand before equally well, but gave the preference to the mirror with complacency. the latter, as she failed to realise that the Her ladyship seldom left the house fat and mottled limbs of to-day were not during the winter months except to pay as attractive as those so liberally dis­ a stately round of calls in the shut played in the book of beauty, which carriage, which was driven by a portly always lay open on the drawing-room coachman, and drawn by equally portly table at the page which showed the lovely horses, who walked up the slightest Miss Georgina Talbot, in court dress, incline to save their wind, and walked playing the harp, presumably for the down the farther side to save their fore­ edification of Queen Victoria. legs— a ponderous method of procedure TRANAMOE 97

which effectually prevented more than ever to take up music seriously. My one call per diem being paid in that grandfather had always been in favour sparsely-populated region. During Nell’s of her going abroad to study, but Aunt visit these drives were entirely dis­ Kate had thrown many difficulties in the continued, for she flatly refused to sit way. with both windows shut, and Lady “ If she could take a horse with her I Condon was convinced that death would might consent,” said she ; “ but that’s be her portion if they were opened. The impossible. Nothing else ever kept a afternoons were usuallv spent in the Cosgrove out of mischief. Of course, I music-room, where Nell sang to the don’t include Claude. He’s a Dobson to accompaniment of the harp, which her the marrow of his bones.” ladyship played in the self-same attitude Now, however, Nicholas took sides as the young lady in the book of beauty, with Nell, and helped her to carry the the intervals being filled up by long day. Claude had just left the Dutch stories of the hearts she had broken in house of business and moved to a branch the days when “ I was best known by office in Paris, so there was a chaperon the name of Egypt, my dear, from my on the spot who could be trusted to look likeness to the famous picture of Cleo­ after her. Nobody ever suggested that patra being bitten by the asp, a copy that staid young man might wish to sow of which you have no doubt noticed on wild oats on his own account, even in the wall of the dining-room immediately the gay city where seeding time lasts the behind my chair. The resemblance is so year around and where harvest must not striking when I am in evening dress— be mentioned. The choice of a master rather decollete—with my serpent neck­ was left to Lady Condon, who still kept lace, that I have frequently noticed up her connection with the musical gentlemen become quite hot and confused circle in which she had once moved, the when their attention was drawn to it. centre of which was Paris. Everything Indeed, Thomas says that he can no was now settled but the escort. Nell longer bear it, so I have left off wearing was all for starting without one, but the ornament while in the same room Aunt Kate, who prided herself on never as the picture.” having set foot out of the British Isles, I tremble to think of what her lady­ or learnt a word of what she called ship’s feelings would have been could “ foreign lingo,” and whose fixed idea it she have overheard the description of was that all foreigners spent their leisure this particular work of art as given bv hours in the pursuit of innocent English Davy in the Tranamoe servants’ hall on maidens, was firmly opposed to this. the night after the memorable drag hunt. I’d take her myself,” said she, “ if I He had been taken into the dining-room was able to tell the French mvj candid that morning by Sir Thomas, before the opinion of ’em. It would be more than company assembled, to see the grandeur I could bear to have to watch their of the apartment, and, incidentally, to goings on in dumbness. Upton is a timid drink the toast of fox-hunting. poor creature, but he must do.” “ Twas a grand room, fit for the On the day that Nell started for Paris Queen herself,” said he, “ only for the a gloom descended on Tranamoe. Every­ won thing. The most disgustful sight I one, from Aunt Kate to Cora, missed the ever saw. A big lump of a half-naked girl whose voice and boisterous manner woman an’ she suckling an eel. There kept the little circle of relations and is no doubt but the quality must have dependants from settling into the stagna­ great mind for their vittles to be able to tion into which isolated communities are ate wid the like of that facing ’em.” so apt to fall. Cora openly wept for her Nell was now more determined than young friend and pupil. Nicholas took

i) n o . c c x l i i . vox., x l i i i .— S ep tem ber, 1915. 98 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE to spending his entire days with his uniform he ceased to be a companion, hawks, and Aunt Kate went on her and after his first training with the daily round of farm and kitchen with Militia he came to treat Nicholas and all a heavy step and a set face that boded his works as something beneath the ill to those idlers whose time-honoured notice of “ an officer and a gentleman,” excuse, “ Sure Miss Nell took me away titles which were continually in his from the work,” was no longer available. mouth. He returned to his studies with “ Thank God, Master Jack will soon be the crammer as soon as the Militia were home,” was the pious thanksgiving with disbanded, but I doubt whether he which William expressed the feelings of worked very hard, as it was only after the servants’ hall. " His new uniform two failures that he succeeded in passing might be the manes of takin’ her face off into the regular Army. The miniature of us.” of the great Claude now occupied a Aunt Kate felt the absence of her prominent position on the dining-room favourite nephew more each day now mantelpiece between a bust of Napoleon that his twin sister was gone. I was but a and a daguerreotype of the Duke of poor substitute for the dashing Jack, being Wellington. shy by nature and of a rather delicate “ If one could only shave the whiskers constitution. I in no way resembled off it,” said Aunt Kate, “ it would be the Claude the duellist, of honoured memory. living image of the boy. It’s surely a P erh ap s if I had been given the sin to waste him on the line when the advantages of other boys I might have Almighty so plainly intended him for a overcome that shy and awkward manner horse soldier.” which has been my handicap through She still hankered after the cavalry life, but then, on the other hand, I for her favourite, but his grandfather certainly should have missed the quiet remained so resolutely opposed to it and happy boyhood to which I now look that Jack was at last gazetted to the back with pleasure untinged by regret. South Wales Borderers. I was—and still am—almost entirely During the year which Nell spent in uneducated, as the term is generally Paris, I do not think she wrote more understood. 1 have read little and than half-a-dozen letters to her aunt, written less, and that little I have read, and these were almost entirely taken not in school books under the eye of a up with descriptions of the costumes stern pedagogue but in Nature’s great of the French ladies and of the shops primer with Nicholas Carmody as my in which they purchased them, with kindly teacher. occasional complaints of C lau d e’s “ Eyes and ears are but useless “ meanness and old maidish ways.” Very appendages to most people,” was one of little mention was made of her music, Nicholas’ favourite sayings. “ They see and it was only through Lady Condon nothing but big things, and only hear that we heard that her master was loud voices. Nature mostly talks in disappointed with her slow progress. whispers, and keeps her secrets close She seemed to have quickly tired of the hidden from the vulgar gaze.” drudgery of scales and exercises, without The few days that came between Nell’s which no singer can hope to pass the departure and the return of Jack were hard and fast line which separates the but the prelude to a year of quiet happi­ amateur from the professional, and had ness, spent almost entirely in the open plainly given offence by disregarding her air in the company of Nicholas and his master’s advice. Claude, on the con­ birds, or in training the dogs and horses trary, was an excellent correspondent. which were, from time to time, added to There was seldom a week without a long the circus. When once Jack had put on his letter to Mr. Dobson, from which he read TRANAMOE 99

aloud such extracts as he thought “ that unbearable prig of a brother may interesting to Aunt Kate and myself. drive her to desperation at any moment.” The greater part of these letters seemed “ Then Cora must come with me,” to be taken up with business details replied my aunt ; “ you know very well which the old gentleman kept to himself, I can’t speak a word of their lingo, and only repeating the portions which besides, I shall most likely die of sea­ referred to Nell. At first Claude seemed sickness on the way. It’s twenty years pleased at having his sister with him, since I was in a ship.” and wrote quite enthusiastically about “ Cora can’t speak a word of French the beauty of her voice, but later on he either,” said Nicholas, “ and besides, began to complain of her extravagance there is the babv to be thought of. Take and the manner in which she set his Upton.” authority at defiance. At last a letter “ I ’d sooner take the baby,” replied came which fell like a bombshell on Aunt Kate ; ‘‘ he was nothing but an the Tranamoe breakfast - table. It encumbrance to Nell on the journey out. contained the appalling news that “A How she ever reached her destination disreputable French artist has just had with that creature in a state of collapse the insolence to ask for my consent to and nothing but Martha Shortt’s French his marriage with my sister. The girl to rely on is more than I can under­ has got quite beyond my control, and stand.” must be removed from the zone of “ Then take Martha,” said Nicholas. danger without a moment’s delay. I “ What her French accomplished once would have brought her home myself it can accomplish again.” but she refuses to leave, and as I am It was all very well for Nicholas to say neither her parent or a Frenchman it is " Take Martha,” but much had to be useless to appeal to the authorities for done before that poor victim was ready assistance. It is my opinion that nobody for the sacrifice. To begin with, Susan but her aunt can coerce her. I beg of would not hear of her meek younger you to send her to my assistance sister being given the preference in an immediately.” emergency of this kind, which gave It is quite beyond me to depict the promise of so much scandal, to say horror of my aunt at this dreadful news. nothing of the excitement of a journey to The water poured from the urn into the foreign parts. overflowing teapot until it had made a “ Martha is far too young and in­ brown lake on the clean tablecloth and experienced, dear Miss Cosgrove,” said still she sat, white-faced and with she. “ Why, I have never allowed her startled eyes fixed on mv grandfather, to go to Cork since the day she lost her as he read. At last she found sufficient reticule, and you surely must have heard voice to whisper, “ Send for Nicholas.” of the time she had her pocket picked in “ I beg your pardon ? ” said the Patrick Street.” bewildered Upton, to whom this order “ If you are putting in for the job had been addressed. yourself,” replied my aunt, “ you may “ Nicholas—you fool,” snapped she, just save yourself the trouble. Why, with a force and suddenness that added you can’t speak the lingo any more than the contents of Upton’s cup to the lake I can. As for Martha’s youth, the woman on the tablecloth as he sprang out of his must be fifty. We’ll take one box seat. between us. I’ll be sorry for the French­ Nicholas was almost as much upset as man that tries to carry off my property.” my aunt when the situation was “ If a few judiciously-selected phrases explained to him. were written down for me,” persisted “ You must go at once,” said he ; Susan, “ I feel sure I could manage

D 2 100 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE beautifully. Pronunciation is quite a long letter from Martha, armed with secondary consideration. A determined which Miss Susan hastened to Tranamoe. manner and a loud voice are much more “ Oh, my dear Mr. Dobson,” panted important when one is dealing with Susan, before she was well inside the ignorant foreigners. It was quite dining-room door, “ my poor Martha, surprising how well that shipwrecked such terrible experiences ! Only just sailor, who we all thought was a German, what I expected and foretold. Listen but who turned out to be a Greek, to this :— understood me.” “ My Dear Sister, Poor Miss Martha herself was allowed “ Thank heaven we are once again but little voice in the matter, and sat on British soil, beneath the flag of our trembling between the Scylla of Susan’s own dear Protestant Oueen. If I am angry disappointment and the Charybdis spared to return to the bosom of my of Aunt Kate’s iron determination. family in the peaceful parish of Garry- duff, I faithfully promise never to “ Indeed, Miss Cosgrove,” quavered recross the stormy gulf which still she, “ I hardly feel equal to the respon­ divides me from that haven of rest. sibility. Susan is so much more capable. Oh, my dear Susan, what have I not But pray, pray do not think for one suffered in mind, body, and estate moment that I am not longing to fly to since the fateful eve on which Sam the assistance of my darling Nell. I have Steede’s whaleboat bore me away from never spoken to a real French person, those peaceful shores ! To begin with, and I am sure I should feel dreadfully I was barely landed on the inhospitable nervous, especially if it was a soil of that most immoral county gentleman.” before I was forced to see all that I Of course Aunt Kate got her way, and held most private—indeed, I mav the visit ended by her carrying off several almost say sacred—in the shape of paper packages and a bandbox contain­ underlinen, spread out to the public ing Miss Martha’s share of the luggage. gaze, by bearded foreigners. 1 must She would have carried off Martha say in justice that Miss Cosgrove did herself but that she begged hard to be all that one woman could do to prevent left at home till the last possible moment this outrage on our modesty. The so that she might refresh her memory by bottle of ginger cordial was broken in learning a few pages of Ollendorf’s the struggle before she was over­ Vocabulary by heart, in preparation for powered by two brigands in cocked the dreaded interview with the French hats. gentleman. This strange couple started “ Strange to relate, I found that the for Paris that same afternoon, Aunt Kate entire French language had been carrying a large parcel of sandwiches altered since the happy days when I and a bottle of ginger cordial (most was counted the best linguist in Miss sustaining my dear, and equally valuable Maher’s Seminary for young ladies, in case of sea-sickness or cholera), while with the sole exception of the words Miss Martha clasped Ollendorf’s Vocab­ Out and Non, and the phrase 'Bon jour, ulary in one hand, and waved a damp M adame.’ I pass over the horrors of pocket handkerchief in the other. that dreadful railway journey to Paris, Nothing was heard of them for ten days, which, as far as I was concerned, was and Mr. Dobson was seriously thinking but a repetition of our tempestuous of sending Upton in pursuit, when a voyage across the Channel. My suffer­ letter came from Claude announcing the ings were not at all alleviated by the arrival of the whole party, Nell included, ham sandwich, soaked in the spilt in London. The same post brought a ginger cordial, which Miss Cosgrove TRANAMOE 101

compelled me to swallow as an anti­ brother, when he arrived at Tranamoe, dote, although she ate the remainder accompanied by his aunt and sister. of the packet herself with the best Everything about him, from his narrow effect. She did it for the best, so of black necktie to his square-toed boots, course I never complained, although denoted the man of business. Even the I still think it was hardly kind to say heavy gold chain and bunch of seals ‘ Waste not, want not ’ while I had stretched across a waistcoat whose con­ my head out of the carriage window. tour might have well belonged to a man After all our trials on land and water of forty. Altogether, it was impossible it was indeed disheartening to find to believe that Aunt Kate could have that the journey was quite unnecessary. ever seriously contemplated administer­ The dear, high-spirited girl had simply ing corporal punishment to a being of played a harmless practical joke on such mature dignity. her brother, with the assistance of a Nell, too, at the first glance, seemed most gentlemanlike and respectable altered almost beyond recognition, but young singer of her acquaintance, who I soon found that the dernier cri of the is already engaged to a charming Paris boulevards still covered the hoyden young lady of the theatrical persuasion who was as much at home in the hunting- who knew all about it from the begin­ held as in the circus ring and whose deft ning. There was never the slightest fingers could tie a trout fly or hood a idea of an elopement. Miss Cosgrove hawk as quickly as Nicholas Carmody was much annoyed and, I regret to himself. say, boxed Nell’s ears. Indeed, at one Claude was now the nominal owner moment I was quite alarmed lest she of the old place and gave himself airs should do the same to Mr. Claude, of proprietorship which Aunt Kate although he is now a most elegant found hard to bear, especially when he young man with long French whiskers. so far forgot himself as to interfere in “ Miss Cosgrove will not hear of the management of the farm and garden returning till we have seen the where she had so long reigned supreme. principal sights of this City as she “ You seem to forget that you’re only says nothing shall ever induce her to a guest in Mr. Dobson’s house,’’ said cross the sea again. she. “ It’s true that I ’m only a paid “ Your affectionate sister, servant myself, but I suppose I ’m entitled “ M arth a S h o r t t . to a month’s warning, which is more “ P.S. : Should my dear father than you can say.’’ desire to return thanks for my pre­ Later on that same day she reproved servation from the manifold perils, I William for addressing him as “ The trust he will do so before my return. Master.’’ I really could not bear the publicity, “ Call him Mr. Cosgrove,” said she. it would be so very similar to the “ Mr. Dobson’s the master here as long churching of a married lady.” as he pays the wages, and I ’d advise you not to ask for the mistress unless you want me to come. I ’m too long answer­ C h a p te r XII. ing to the n^me to recognise any other I think that those long French in this house.” whiskers must have been a mere figment The old relations between Claude and of Miss Martha’s excited brain, for it Upton were quickly resumed, and the was a pair of ginger-coloured mutton arrival of several large cases of books chops, of the most staid and businesslike soon weaned him from agriculture. The cut, that ornamented the sleek and schoolroom came to be known by its pompous countenance of my eldest old title of library, and there they spent 102 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

most of the vacations which he took in Liverpool that Michael Linehan the from the cares of business during Mr. solicitor was sent for to make his will. Dobson’s life. He died towards the end of that sum­ The presence of Nicholas Carmody in mer, honestly regretted by everyone in our family circle was deeply resented by Tranamoe where, as he said in his last this priggish young man who habitually will and testament, he had spent the final wore broadcloth and whose favourite years of a busy life in peace, amongst recreation was bookkeeping. Cora and kind friends. the child, whom Upton had long since When his will came to be read it disowned, were also the innocent cause proved to be a surprise to everybody. of offence. Their occupation of the There was very little for him to leave, groom’s cottage angered him to such a for he had already disposed of the greater degree that he one day so far forgot part of his property during his lifetime. himself as to tell Mr. Dobson that he Claude was already the owner of the objected to having his house turned into large Liverpool business and a substantial a foundling hospital. The old gentleman sum of ready money. This had been retorted that the house was his while given in exchange for the title deeds of he paid for it, and added, “ Your house Tranamoe, which he now left unre­ is honoured by the presence of my servedly to Aunt Kate. friends, my very dear friends, and I Nothing could have displeased Claude expect you to treat them as such while more than this disposal of the property. you remain my guest." At first he thought of disputing the will, This well-merited reproof rankled in but it was pointed out to him that, as the narrow7 mind which always placed he had already been paid for the place, deportment and a bank account before he had not a leg to stand on. He then genius and generosity, so that his visits looked round for some means of retali­ became shorter and the intervals be­ ating on his aunt, and quickly found one. tween them longer as time went on. The The hounds were still his. Here was the breach between him and his aunt became weapon ready to his hand. widened at each successive visit till at “ I have not yet decided whether I last they were hardly on speaking terms shall sell or destroy them," was the and, as a general rule, avoided one answer he gave to his aunt when she another as much as possible. Things asked what he intended to do with them. were in this unpleasant state between It was the day after the funeral. Davy them when my grandfather’s health was walking the pack on the stretch of began to fail. The old gentleman had grass that sloped from the house to the a paralytic stroke which deprived him sea, as his custom was each morning of the use of his limbs but left his brain during the summer months. Jack, whip as clear as ever. During the illness in hand, walked at the old huntsman’s which lasted till his death, nearly a year side, discussing the prospects of the next afterwards, Aunt Kate was his faithful season’s hunting with all the solemnity nurse and com p an ion, being only of a newly promoted M.F.H., while Nell occasionally assisted by Cora, to whom amused herself by tossing bits of biscuit the old man seemed greatly attached. amongst a struggling group of eager Claude and his lawyers had many inter­ puppies. views with him towards the end of his “ Destroy the Tranamoe hounds ! ’’ illness, whenever Doctor Trail considered cried Aunt Kate. " Don’t be a fool. It him fit to attend to business, and there is not a subject to be joked about." was much signing and witnessing of “ I suppose a man may do what he documents, but it was not until his likes with his own property even in this nephew had returned to his business savage country," replied her nephew. “ I TRANAMOE 103 have always hated the brutes and shall uttered. Still it took some moments be­ be glad to know that they are cleared fore she realised to the full the horror of out of the place. That insolent old man. the deed he proposed to commit. She too, with his disgusting hands, has been felt hopeless and powerless from the first, a life-long horror to me.” for she knew his vindictive nature and “ Of course I shall purchase them,” saw that she was but reaping where she replied his aunt ; “ name your own price. had sown. She had never liked the boy I might have known what to expect who was some day to oust her favourite, from one who never had the sporting and she hated the man now that the instincts of a Cosgrove.” hour had come. Her one ray of hope " I forgot to inform you that according was Nicholas, and to him she literally to my grandfather’s will I have now tottered. The shattering of her long- assumed the name of Dobson,” said cherished plans had suddenly made an Claude, in his coldest and most business­ old woman of her on whom we were all like manner. “ As you so truly remark, accustomed to lean and whose willing I have none of the instincts you mention, shoulders had borne the cares of the and within the last few moments I have Cosgrove family for so many troubled finally decided to save my sporting years. relatives from ruin by destroying these Her voice was choked by tearless sobs most unprofitable animals.” as she poured her tale of woe into the " Name your price,” repeated Aunt sympathetic ears of her friend. “ Save Kate ; “ this is no time for your trades­ the hounds,” she cried ; “ save them or man’s haggling. I must have the hounds, my heart will break. For ten years I and you know it.” have prayed night and morning that I ” You’ll never have the hounds,” might live to see my boy master of this retorted Claude, with a bitter laugh, place and of the hounds that have been How many years have you spent in handed down with it from father to son telling me that I ’m not a Cosgrove, not for so many years. And now when the a sportsman, not even a gentleman, and day seemed to have come this cold­ not in any way fit to compare with that blooded reptile cheats my darling out of uneducated young squireen who I see the best part of his inheritance.” strutting along in the middle of my pack " Nothing but harm can come of my of hounds ? Yes, my hounds, Miss interference,” replied Nicholas ; “ the Cosgrove of Tranamoe. Mine to keep or man hates me also. Our only hope lies mine to kill, just as 1 please.” in Davy. He will fight to the death to protect his hounds. Let us go to him Then he turned to Upton, who sat at once and tell him everything.” cowering in his chair, wishing himself " Pison me hounds ! ” roared Davy. anywhere but in my aunt’s neighbour­ I ’ll put himself an’ his tuthor in the hood under the present disagreeable biler if I ketches ’em in me kinnel. Don’t circumstances. be botherin’ me wid your foolishness, “ You have studied medicine,” said Miss Kate. Maybe 1 might have a bither he. " Find out how many grains of pill ready for him whin he comes. I hope strychnine it takes to kill a dog, and then there’ll be plinty there to see me give it ask Davy how manv hounds there are.” to him. G’won home out of this. Ate Aunt Kate had not seen her nephew hearty an’ sleep sound. There’s nothin’ grow from a silent and self-reliant boy to be troublin’ you.” into a hard and selfish man without With that he put his hand behind his knowing that jokes of any kind were ear and gave forth a series of view holloas foreign to his nature, and that each word that set every hound in the pack baying he spoke was well weighed before it was in a deafening chorus. " Pison me 104 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE hounds, indeed,” repeated he, “ God help That forbidden ground, the saddle-room, the crature ! Maybe he thinks ’twas for was openlv invaded by a giggling kitchen- that I spint me day yesterday worming maid who rushed excitedly backwards em. and forwards between there and the open When the family assembled at the kitchen door, through which the portly breakfast table on the following morning form of Mrs. Callaghan could be seen, it was easy to see that poor Aunt Kate dressed in the mournful grandeur which had taken little comfort from Davy’s had been supplied to each servant in confident assurance. Her red and honour of Mr. Dobson’s funeral, and swollen eyelids showed that she had not which by right ought now to have been “ slept sound ” and she certainly was carefully packed away in readiness for not “ eating hearty.” Neither Claude the next family festivity. The arrival of nor Upton were of the party, but as they Sam Steede and half-a-dozen fishermen, frequently breakfasted together in the dressed in their Sunday best, gave the library, this caused no comment, until impression that a second funeral pro­ old William came in and asked, “ Are cession was about to be formed, and this there any commands for Cork ? ” idea became almost a certainty when " Who is going ? ” asked Jack. the group was joined by Davy and Tom- “ The Master— I beg your pardon, the-Duck, in full hunting costume. Miss, Mr. Cosgrove, I mane—is sending Against this was the presence of Peter the tuthor for pison,” replied William. Dempsey and the other members of the " What does he want poison for ? I circus band who, with their instruments, can tell him he shan’t lay the beastly occupied a post of vantage in the hay­ stuff in this place,” said Jack, angrily. loft window. The row of anxious noses “ I couldn’t rightly say,” replied which sniffed through the cracks of the William ; “ maybe ’tis the way the rats coach-house door, at which Connie’s are ’atin’ the books on ’em. The house yellow cur made angry snaps, showed is creepin’ wid ’em since Miss Kate where the pack of hounds was hidden in banished me ferrets.” readiness to take part in the performance At the word poison, Aunt Kate hurried —tragedy or comedy, whichever it might from the room. By Nicholas’ advice she turn out to be. had told the twins nothing, and she It was almost tea-time before Upton dreaded being questioned as to the cause returned from Cork, and immediately on of the agitation which she could not his arrival William announced that Mr. control. For the remainder of that Cosgrove wished to see Davy in the morning she remained shut up in the library. groom’s cottage with Nicholas and Davy, “ Tell him to walk out here to me,” while Cora, to the extreme wrath of Mrs. Callaghan, carried the household keys replied Davy, “ an’ say there’s a depit- ation waitin’ to presint him wid a farewell and dispensed the weekly supply of tea and sugar to the wondering maids. address. He’ll come leppin’ whin he From an early hour in the afternoon hears that. The consated counther- it had been evident that something un­ jumper. I ’ll tache him to pison hounds ! ” usual was on foot in the stable-yard of Aunt Kate and Nicholas stood on Tranamoe. Horses neighed in vain for either side of the old huntsman as, with their evening buckets of water, while the cap in hand, he held a stamped blue stable helpers stood about in whispering paper towards my graciously-smiling groups of two or three, some even brother. venturing to smoke, although Aunt Kate “ Miss Kate will read it to your was plainly to be seen as she peeped honour,” said he. “ She’s a bether through the window of Cora’s parlour. scholar than I am, an’ knows more law TRANAMOE 105

than any councillor in Cork, or Dublin had always spoken of “ my hounds ” and itself.” deported himself more as Master than “ August the first, eighteen hundred servant. and seventy-one,” read Aunt Kate, in a “ I didn’t travel for ten years with loud voice. “ In consideration of the T. P. Barnum without learning to bring sum of one hundred pounds paid to me the entire company into the ring for by David Ronayne, huntsman of the the grand finale,” laughed Nicholas, as Tranamoe hounds, I hereby agree to sell Tom-the-Duck threw open the coach­ to him the entire pack of foxhounds house door in answer to a piercing yell which are at this date in my kennels, it from his father, and the excited pack being understood between us that if at rushed out to the enlivening accompani­ any time any member of the Cosgrove ment of “ Foxy Davy ” played by Peter family should refund the aforesaid sum and his son on the drum and concertina. of one hundred pounds together with “ I see the finger of God in it all,” interest at the rate of five per centum, said Mrs. Callaghan, as she threw her he shall deliver up the aforesaid hounds eyes up to heaven. “ The poor ould or as many of them as may be at that gintleman—may the heavens be his bed time in the kennel.—Signed, J a m e s in glory this night, Protestant or no C o s g r o v e .” Protestant — was buried widout the “ Ha, ha ! ” roared Davy. “ Now dacency of a wake. 'Tisn’t too late yet where’s your pison ? I ’d make it the to do something for th’ 'onour of the dear dosing for you if I cot you at it.” family. I’ll engage I ’ll have what “ The hounds are mine still if I choose mate’s in the house cooked before to pay for them,” said Claude, as he Peter Dempsey is back from town wid glanced angrily at the grinning crowd. a tierce of porter.” “You’re late, me bucko! ” replied Davy, Silence on Aunt Kate’s part being “ Miss Kate paid for ’em while this lad taken for consent the entire party was buyin’ the medicine. Give it up, adjourned to the servants’ hall where you pup,” continued he, as he grasped festivities were kept up till the small the trembling Upton by the collar and hours of the morning. snatched a sealed package from his That was Claude’s last visit to pocket. Tranamoe. He and Upton spent the The murder was out. My father, being greater part of that night in packing up hard-pressed for money, had borrowed their books, and they departed together all Davy’s savings and given the hounds next morning without a word of farewell as security. No wonder the old man to anybody.

(To be continued). BLANKNEY HALL Photograph by Harrison, Lincoln

SPORT IN THE COUNTIES No. 20.—LINCOLNSHIRE

BY ARTHUR W. COATEN

L in c o l n takes high rank as an all-round Lord Henry Bentinck, Mr. Henry sporting county. The excellence of its Chaplin, and four Earls of Yarborough fox-hunting has attracted many notable have shown consistently good sport. sportsmen to the shire. The races at its It would be difficult to surpass the county town have an ancient history, splendid record of the Brocklesby and they still enjoy the honour in most Hounds, which have been maintained years of starting the new season on the as a private pack from early in the fiat. It offers good shooting and angling eighteenth century. It is one of the few in many parts, and, as I shall endeavour remaining Hunts in which no subscription to show in these pages, the county can is taken from the followers, and one of boast of many other substantial the few countries in which you can ride attractions for the lover of sport. for days together during the hunting First we must touch upon Lincolnshire season without being obstructed by hunting. Some of the finest packs ever barbed wire. bred have run over the Lincoln wolds Much of the success of the Brocklesby and ploughs, and such famous M.F.H.’s pack is doubtless due to the exceptional as “ Squire ” Osbaldeston, Mr. T. cordiality which exists between the Assheton-Smith, Sir Richard Sutton, farmers and those responsible for the SPORT IN THE COUNTIES: No. 20—LINCOLNSHIRE 107 hounds. As Lord Yarborough once is little worried by those internal troubles pointed out to me, the situation is a good which continually arise in more thickly deal different from that in many populated countries. countries. “ The majority of the estates Lord Yarborough’s Hounds are among are extensive,” he explained, “ and the the oldest established packs in the

SCRIVELSBY COURT, THE RESIDENCE OF MR. F. S. DYMOKE Photograph by Harrison, Lincoln occupiers of land comparatively few, kingdom. From heir to heir for eight the Wold farms being mostly large ones.” generations the Pelhams have carefully Thus fox-hunting has progressed very maintained the pack. Each huntsman smoothly in these parts, and the Master and master has kept the same ideal 108 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE before him. No hound has ever been Will Smith, who took over the hounds entered without being up to the well- in 1816 and hunted them until his death known Brocklesby standard, and in this in 1845 ; Nimrod Long, who began his way the kennel has always held its proud career at Brocklesby Park in 1864, and

ENTRANCE TO COURTYARD, SCRIVELSBY COURT Photograph by Harrison Lincoln place as one of the three or four best had a wonderful gift of killing his foxes in the land. in the big woodlands ; Will Dale, who Some clever huntsmen have helped had charge of the hounds from 1884 to to establish the reputation of the pack. 1896; and Jim Smith, who succeeded SPORT IN THE COUNTIES: No. 20—LINCOLNSHIRE 109

Dale, and is still huntsman, are perhaps twro years with the harriers Dale served the most famous professionals who have with various packs before returning to served at Brocklesby. Lincolnshire in 1871 as first whipper-in For nearly 150 years the Smith family, to the Burton Hounds, under Mr. from father to son, hunted the pack. Frank Foljambe. They were tenants on the Brocklesby “ In 1873 I was promoted to be hunts­ estate before the first Tom Smith took man,” says Dale, “ and under such an charge of the hounds. He served for excellent authority it was a great step many seasons until 1761. Then the for a young man. I am glad to think second Tom Smith hunted the pack from that satisfactory results followed both 1816 to 1845, followed by Will Smith, in kennel and field, and we had the best to whom I have alreadv referred. A of sport. With fine wild foxes and a

HAKiMSTON HALL, TH E RESID EN CE OF MR. N. C. COCKBURN Photograph by Harrison, Lincoln third Tom Smith wras huntsman from splendid schooling-ground, no doubt 1852 to 1862. Altogether an interesting good runs were sure to come. The noted and probably unique record. Wragley Woods, so much spoken of by Will Dale, who is passing his well- Lord Henry Bentinck, gave excellent earned leisure days in the Duke of sport. Small fields wrere the rule, no Beaufort’s country, has told me of some ware, and very seldom a railway at that of his experiences of Lincolnshire sport. time. Foxes made long points, and He was only 13 w'hen he left his father’s some of the runs are talked over to this home at the Surrey Union kennels to go day by the older school.” to a pack of harriers in this county, Many great runs also followed Will owned by a line sportsman, Mr. A. C. Dale’s engagement with the Brocklesby. Johnson, at Wytham-on-the-Hill. After He speaks of it as a “ fine sporting 110 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE country, noted for its good sporting Disturbance and Reugny, at Limber farmers and its well-preserved foxes.” Magna. Some weeks before the Aintree One of the best hunts was in November, meeting Mr. Richardson made no secret 1886, with an afternoon fox from of Reugny’s merits to his friends, and Linwood, which was killed after very Captain Machell, having neglected to strenuous hunting for an hour and thirty- “ get on ” so quickly as he might have five minutes in the pouring wet. done, found himself obliged to take a " Hounds and hunt servants travelled comparatively short price about the a long way that day,” recalls Dale, “ as horse for the Grand National. Vowing we had seventeen miles to the meet, that he didn’t keep horses for Lincoln­ and after the day’s work had a nice jog shire farmers to bet on, Captain Machell home of twenty-four miles, which was threatened to scratch Reugny, and run reached at 8 p.m. Only a select field another of his horses at Liverpool were out, and none went better than Mr. instead. Mr. Richardson, angered in J. M. Richardson. We were all soaked his turn, retorted that he had lived to the skin before we got to the meet ; amongst and hunted with the Lincoln­ but it was well worth it ! shire farmers all his life, and was glad The mention of Mr. J. M. Richardson to be able to put them on a probable by Will Dale will recall a flood of winner. “ Carry out your threat,” he memories to seasoned Lincolnshire added, “ and I ’ll ride Furley ”—a much- sportsmen. I doubt whether the county fancied horse— “ and beat you.” has ever produced a better all-round It was “ The Cat’s ” proud boast that man than “ The Cat, ” and his career there was not one of the big steeplechase clearly calls for more than passing events which he had not won twice over. mention in this article. He was bom at He did much to promote the success of Limber, not far from Brocklesby, and the Brocklesby Steeplechase Meeting, so spent most of his happiest sporting days that it was quoted in the Badminton on the soil of his native county. Lincoln­ Library volume on Racing as a model shire has seldom boasted a finer cricketer. gathering of its kind. Master of the For Harrow he twice played against Brocklesby Hounds from 1875 to 1880 Eton, and in the three following seasons (this being during the minority of the he took his place in the Cambridge eleven present Lord Yarborough), Mr. which opposed Oxford at Lord’s. Richardson hunted the diag-hounds two But it was as a rider, both with hounds days a week for ten seasons, and showed and in steeplechases, that Mr. Richardson some brilliant runs. was chiefly famous. To young horsemen Another famous sportsman closely he commended the following lines:— identified with Lincolnshire for many “ Your head and your heart keep boldly up. years is Mr. Henry Chaplin. Pleasant Your hands and your heels keep down ; seasons in the Mastership of the Burton Your legs keep close to your horse’s sides, Hounds are no doubt still a happy And your elbows close to your own.” memory to that fine old English gentle­ Six or seven years ago I was discussing man. hunting with this redoubtable Lincoln­ He followed Lord Henry Bentinck in shire sportsman. “ Thank God,” he the Mastership of that pack, the latter exclaimed, “ I can still ride over fences having hunted the country from 1842 to and see the fun ! ” He died in 1912, 1864. That was long before the Blankney to the deep regret of all who knew him. was thought of in Lincolnshire as a Especially was his loss lamented through­ separate Hunt, the Burton being then out his native county. He had brought a six-days-a-week pack. The hounds sporting fame to the shire by training were full of Grove, Belvoir, and two Grand National winners in Brocklesbv blood, with several strains of SPORT IN THE COUNTIES: No. 20—LINCOLNSHIRE 111

Osbaldeston’s renowned pack. Sir memorable Derby for Mr. Chaplin, who, Reginald Graham, who hunted with them when the horse’s racing career was over, at this | time, says that their chief brought him to Lincolnshire and put characteristics were drive, speed, stout­ him to the stud at Blankney Hall at ness, and extreme quality, and the drag- the low fee of 20 guineas. Hermit hounds, though rather light of bone, eventually raised himself to a fee of were never known to tire. 250 guineas, and added to Lincoln’s All this was the result of a “ master reputation as a horse-breeding county. mind devoted for over twenty years to Galopin, Friar’s Balsam, and other good the study of hound-breeding.” The art thoroughbred sires also stood at Blankney of handling the hounds in the field was Hall, where the Derby winner Shotover also brought to perfection in Lord was bred.

HARRINGTON HALL, SPILSBY, THE RESIDENCE OF MR. E. P. RAWNSLEY, MASTER OF THE SOUTHWOLD FOXHOUNDS Photograph by W. A. Rouch Henry’s time ; noise, holloas, whip- Here is an interesting sketch by Sir cracking, and overriding were his special Reginald Graham of his old friend abominations. When asked to account Mr. Chaplin as the latter was in those for his success in hound-breeding, Lord roseate days when he hunted the Burton Henry Bentinck replied : “ I breed a country : “ Always a heavy-weight and great many hounds and I hang a great rather short-sighted, but gifted with many.” heaven-born hands, no one could beat Mr. Henry Chaplin bought the hounds the Squire of Blankney over Wellingore for £3,500, and agreed to hunt them as or any other country. With a natural they had been hunted under Lord knowledge of hunting, a quick eye for Henry’s leadership. During his Master­ hounds in or out of kennel, and ship of the pack Hermit won a very marvellous memory for their pedigrees 112 rHE BADMINTON MAGAZINE and breeding, he frequently hunted the in Lincolnshire. The district round pack with much success. His establish­ Folkingham gives the Belvoir some of ment was on a magnificent scale, and their best sport. such hunters as his Emperor and Another line pack of foxhounds Snowstorm were perhaps never seen. claimed bv this county is the Southwold, Genial, generous, and kind-hearted, he of which Mr. E. P. Rawnsley has been was ever anxious that his countless the Master since 1880, having had Mr. friends should share the sport and J. St. V. Fox, Lord Charles Bentinck, entertainment which he could so well and Sir William Cooke (the owner of provide.” Hornet’s Beauty and other good horses) Rapidly increasing Parliamentary as his partners at various times. As

THE PUMP ROOM, WOODHALL SPA Photograph by Harrison, Lincoln duties somewhat restricted the time elsewhere in Lincolnshire, plough pre­ which Mr. Chaplin was able to devote dominates over pasture in the Southwold to hunting, and so in 1871 he gave up country, except in one corner where the Lincoln side of the big Burton shooting interests supervene. Mr. country, and established the Blankney Rawnsley finds plenty of foxes all over Hunt with kennels at Blankney Hall. his district. The farmers are the best Since that time the Burton and the of friends to hunting, many come out Blankney have been run as separate themselves, they walk puppies, keep institutions. On the south the Blankney foxes, and are the mainstay of the country, an attractive area now hunted country, claims for damage being hardly five days a fortnight, adjoins the Belvoir ever made. There are no big towns country, of which the greater part lies close at hand, and the Southwold is an SPORT IN THE COUNTIES: No. 20—LINCOLNSHIRE 113 ideal country for a Master to hunt his Lord Londesborough eventually bought own hounds in. Stockwell and sent him to the stud near Nor do the packs I have mentioned Tadcaster in company with West exhaust the fox-hunting possibilities of Australian. Subsequently Stockwell was Lincolnshire, as the Marquis of Exeter bought by Mr. R. C. Naylor and ended has a private pack kennelled at Burghley his days in Cheshire. House, Stamford. He hunts by per­ I am doubtful whether the distinction mission a corner of the Cottesmore of being the oldest race meeting in the country which lies in Lincolnshire. A county belongs to Lincoln or Stamford. former Lord Exeter won the Two The latter town can produce records to Thousand Guineas and St. Leger with show that races were run there as far

GENERAL VIEW OF THE COURSE AT LINCOLN

Photograph by Sport & Genera iPress Agency

Stockwell, who was subsequently sent to back as the fifteenth century. The Lincolnshire, to the Burghley Paddocks, course was laid out on the Burghley where many high-class stallions have property, and the sporting Exeter family stood. Curiously enough, Stockwell was were among its staunchest supporters. unsuccessful with Lord Exeter’s fine Stamford races were of no small mares, as out of the twenty foals which importance in the middle of the past he got none of them ever did any good. century. Glancing at the Racing He was then on sale at £2,000, and Calendar in the early ’sixties I find several foreigners came to Lincolnshire that the meeting was then being run to look at him, but, luckily for the on prosperous lines. Large fields of British stud, they refused to buy him. good-class horses were contesting the

E n o . c c x l i i . v o l . x l i i i .— Septem ber, 1915. 114 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE races at a two-day meeting in July, and now one or tw'o steeplechase training winners were owned by Mr. George stables in the neighbourhood of Stamford, Payne, Lord Exeter, Lord Coventry, while National Hunt meetings are Lord Strathmore, Count Batthyany, regularly held at Market Rasen and in Lord Westmorland, Lord Clifden, Mr. connection with the Brocklesby Hunt. Ten Broeck, and Mr. Fred Swindell. The antiquity of Lincoln Races is The Stamford St. Leger, the Burghley shown by an entry in the corporation's Handicap, the Clifden Cup, and the papers dated 1597, referring to the Stamford Cup were among the chief erection of a “ scaffold ” for the horse events at the meeting in question. races. The scaffold in question was, of Stamford continued to hold its place course, a temporary stand.

NOCTON HALL, THE RESIDENCE OF MR. NORMAN HODGSON Photograph by Harrison, Lincoln in the flat-racing fixture list until 1873, When King James visited Lincoln in in which year Fred Archer won several 1617 one of the local festivities took the races there, but in the following season form of a horse race on the heath for a it disappeared and was never revived, cup. For a quarter-of-a-mile the course though the then Lord Exeter organised was “ railed and corded with ropes and some meetings under National Hunt stoops on both sides, whereby people Rules in connection with his harriers to were kept out, and the horses which ran take its place. Old-time racegoers were seen far.” regretted the passing of the Stamford Towards the end of the seventeenth Meeting, which had one of the best century an attempt was made to straight miles in England. There are establish the meeting at Lincoln upon SPORT IN THE COUNTIES: No. 20—LINCOLNSHIRE 115 a permanent basis, but for a long time £500 was to come from. “ Why, we’ll Stamford was always the more important get it out of the ring,” declared Steel. of the two fixtures. In 1799 the meeting Mr. Ford, the Clerk of the Course, having was held on three days in September and assented, the £500 was easily collected consisted of three events, His Majesty’s from the bookmakers. After the race Purse of 100 guineas, for four and five- Mr. Ford, in returning thanks, said, year-old mares (two heats), the City “ I t’s the best meeting we have ever Purse of £50 for all ages (five heats), had. In future a thousand shall always and a Purse of 70 guineas for all ages be added to the Lincolnshire Handicap. (two heats). The distance of each heat And we can now afford the money was two miles. ourselves.” With the establishment of the Lincoln­ No doubt much of the popularity of shire Handicap in 1853 the meeting the Lincoln Spring Meeting is due to the

NATIONAL SKATING ASSOCIATION ONE MILE STRAIGHT RACE AT COWBIT WASH, SPALDING Photograph by Sport & General Press Agency rapidly grew in general popularity. The fact that it is nearly always the first circumstances in which the value of that fixture of the year, when trainers are race was raised to £1,000 in Tomahawk’s anxious to run their horses even in the year (1874) were interestingly narrated smaller races in order to get an early by Mr. George Hodgman in his line as to current form. Fortunately reminiscences. Mr. Harry Steel, the the going is nearly always good, the old bookmaker, had said to him in the turf of the Carholme being of the real preceding year, “ Hodgman, don’t you Lincoln green, and never in the least think that this handicap ought to have hard in the early spring. In shape the a thousand added ? The others are all course is not unlike that at Doncaster. going up, and if something isn’t done The distance of the circular track is this will be left in the lurch.” Hodgman about one mile and three-quarters. Its agreed, but enquired where the extra top side, that farthest from the stand.

B2 116 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE has rather a strong hill for a little more events. The Lincoln Autumn Meeting than a quarter-of-a-mile. After passing takes place in November, its chief races the mile-post there is a slight descent being the Great Tom Plate and the for a quarter-of-a-mile ; the remaining Lincoln Autumn Handicap. parts of the course are level, with a At Baumber, near Homcastle (famous straight run in of nearly half-a-mile. for its fair), the centre of a good sporting The “ new course,” on which the district, C. F. Elsey has a training stable, Lincolnshire Handicap is run, is rather which is not so large now as it was ten more than one mile and perfectly years ago, when W. E. Elsey trained straight. It is generally accounted an no fewer than 63 winning horses, who easy mile, and we have seen horses run between them won 124 races during the well in the Lincoln who cannot properly season, while the stable jockey, E. stay a mile at Newmarket. Wheatley, headed the list with a similar

MEET FOR THE BLANKNEY, BOOTHBY, AND NAVENBY COURSING MEETING Photograph by Sport & General Press Agency

For7a number of years it was the number of winners. I have already custom to decide the big handicap of mentioned the old breeding establish­ the Spring Meeting on its second day, ments at Blankney Hall and Burghley but now it is run on the Wednesday. Paddocks ; Lincolnshire can show other On the opening day the chief events are stud farms at Baumber Park, where the the Hainton Plate and the Welbeck late Mr. W. Taylor-Sharpe bred many Plate. On the Tuesday the Brocklesby winners; at Willoughton Cliff, where Stakes, the first of the season’s important the late Mr. J. C. Hill bred Gallinule, two-year-old races, and the Batthyany Pioneer, Euclid, and other good horses, Plate, which usually produces a good all this showing the suitability of the field of smart sprinters, are the leading Lincolnshire soil for rearing bloodstock ; SPORT IN THE COUNTIES: No. 20—LINCOLNSHIRE 117 and at Tathwell Hall, the property of pheasants, woodcock, snipe, wild duck, Mr. Botterill. teal, widgeon, green and golden plover, Shooting people are well catered for wood-pigeons, and hares and rabbits. in the county, though of course the In rough weather large flocks of wild quality of the sport varies considerably. geese and occasionally swans are seen. You will not expect, for example, In some places woodcock breed plenti­ partridges to thrive in those great fully, notably at Manby, near Brigg, expanses of wold country, enclosed by where Mr. Arthur Soames has shot low-cut hedges and affording but little 90 in one season. Pheasants to the cover to the sitting bird. Elsewhere, number of 7,156 have been accounted

THE CLUB HOUSE, WOODHALL SPA GOLF LINKS Photograph by Harrison, Lincoln however, there is low-lying land where the for on this shooting, the average bag fields are on a much less expansive scale. of partridges being between 600 and 700. Here the hedges are big and in some At Gautby, near Homcastle, the late places not too trimly kept, with the Mr. Robert Vyner always had excellent result that the partridges breed freely. shooting, and another good estate in the A good deal of Lincolnshire is heavily Lincoln district is that of Mr. Montagu wooded, and the coverts are excellent Waldo-Sibthorp, at Canwick Hall. The for the pheasants. shooting here runs to 10,000 acres, and According to the Rev. J. F. Quirk, about 1,000 pheasants are got on the the principal game birds of Lincolnshire best days at Hatton and Canwick. Some are partridges (English and French), years ago the total bag for the season 118 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE was 16,763 head, of which 5,500 were Harlaxton Manor, the property of Mr. rabbits. T. S. Pearson-Gregory, is noted for its One of the best bags of partridges for partridges, and there are other good Lincolnshire was made at Tattershall, shoots in the locality. Tumby, near near Boston, when Mr. Alfred Shuttle- Boston, has produced a season’s bag of worth rented the shooting ; he and his more than 7,000 head, including 1,200 friends getting 303 brace in one day. partridges and 2,000 pheasants. Panton Hall, Wragby, the home of Pheasants do well at Elsham, near Lady Mary Turnor, and Haverholme Grimsby, the home of Sir F. E. Astley- Priory, near Sleaford, the home of the Corbett, and the Blankney shoot has Countess of Winchilsea, are good shooting been known to yield 100 brace of estates, and so is Norton Place, Lincoln, partridges on each of five consecutive

SEACROFT CLUB HOUSE, SKEGNESS Photograph by Sport & General Press Agency whose owner, Captain Sir Montague days. Lord St. Oswald and Sir Berkeley Cholmeley, formerly Master of the Sheffield possess some good shooting Burton Foxhounds, is one of the many. inside the Lincolnshire border. Lincolnshire men who have laid down Not the least of Lincolnshire’s their lives for their country in the great attractions from the sporting standpoint war now raging. The shooting at Mr. is its wild-fowl. The big expanses of Norman Hodgson’s estate at Nocton, flat foreshores and the widespreading and on Mr. G. E. Jarvis’s property at fenlands have offered a suitable home for Doddington Hall are also worthy of migratory waterfowl, though the birds mention. are less numerous than was the case in In the Grantham district fox-hunting what are often called the good old days. naturally takes a more conspicuous place The decrease may be attributed partly than shooting in the country life, but to the increased population of the county SPORT IN THE COUNTIES; No. 20—LINCOLNSHIRE 119 and partly to modern advances in in the river with the fly. There are drainage and agriculture. Yet there stories of this fish having been secured are many spots in Lincolnshire, notably in Lincolnshire waters with a spinning on the flat shores of the Wash, at bait, and perhaps a worm has been Freiston, and on the marshes of Kirton- successfully tried on occasions, but you Skeldyke and Fosdyke, where the shore- would scarcely be warranted in describing shooter as well as the punt-gunner can it as one of the English salmon counties. depend upon getting probably better Such rivers of fair size as the Witham, sport than on any other part of the the Nene, the Ancholme, the Bain, and North-eastern coast of England. The the Glen, offer an abundance of sport estuary of the Humber, too, is good with the rod, as do smaller streams such ground for wild-fowl, for here wild-duek, as the Lud, Lymm, Ean, Rase, and

THE I 8th GREEN AND CLUB HOUSE, NORTH SHORE LINKS, SKEGNESS Photograph by Sport & General Press Agency widgeon, curlew, and plover are tolerably Slea. Well known locally as the Steeping plentiful. river, the Lymm is strictly preserved for For the ardent angler too, there is any several miles below its source, and trout amount of scope within the boundaries are numerous. The same advantage is of Lincoln, and one could fill many pages enjoyed by the Lud, where it is not of this magazine with an account of the unknown for a 21b. trout to be hooked various waters where fish may be caught. above the mill-dam at the entrance of Apart from the Humber, the chief rivers Hubbard’s Hill. Trout up to 41b. have of the county are the Trent and the been taken from the Rase, and it is on Welland. Authorities assure us that record that one angler made a catch of salmon use the Trent and its tributaries 63 in one day in this stream. Another for spawning purposes, but I have yet excellent trout stream is the Bain, upon to learn that a salmon was ever caught which stands the town of Horncastle. 120 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

In the Slea, which joins the Witham under the name of the Blankney, about twelve miles above Boston, some Boothby, and Navenby meetings. big catches of trout have been made on Spalding, Wainfleet, Brigg, Barton-on- the mayfly, fish of 91b., 7flb., 61b., and Humber, and Eastville have been at several of 51b., having been secured in a various times the scene of Lincolnshire good season, but it is said that the fish coursing meetings. Generally speaking, are quite normal excepting when the the large enclosures and low fences of the mayfly is out. The Welland gives good county make very favourable ground for fishing in the neighbourhood of Stamford. coursing. In Revesbv Reservoir the Hon. Mrs. Needless to say there are abundant E. Stanhope once caught a pike of 241b., opportunities for golf in this eminently and the carp run to exceptional size sporting area. If you wish for a seaside in the large sheets of water on Lord course you may have the choice of several Yarborough’s Brocklesby estate. Grims- in Lincolnshire. The oldest of them, I thorpe Lake, on Lord Ancaster’s estate, think, is the Seacroft Club, whose links is also noted for its fishing, as an example are just outside that growing resort of of which it may be mentioned that one holidaymakers, Skegness. Originally angler landed sixteen pike, of which content wtih a short course, its members nine weighed 87Mb., the heaviest being laid out eighteen holes under the 151 lb. direction of Willie Femie in 1900. In cricket Lincolnshire has never been Another fine stretch of turf close to the good enough to take its place among sea is that used by the Grimsby and the first - class counties, though it Cleethorpes Club, and a newer seaside has produced many good individual course is that at Sutton-on-Sea, laid out cricketers. Its Association football is on the sandhills within half-a-mile of the better known than its “ rugger,” Lincoln town. One of the best-known Lincolnshire City, Grimsby Town, and Gainsborough courses is at Woodhall Spa, which has Trinity having been the best of its flourished since it was founded in a professional organisations during the modest way in 1891. Since then a fine past two decades. eighteen-hole course has been constructed Polo was played in the county nearly with the assistance of Harry Vardon on thirty years ago, and there have been a good stretch of sandy and heathery clubs at Barrowby, near Grantham, at moorland. These links have been Burghley Park, and at Lafford, but none described as among the most charming of them long survived. Coursing in in the country. Burghley Park, which Lincolnshire has rather an ancient is so much associated with the sport of history. It is on record that in 1806 the county, was the home of Lincoln­ Mr. George Chapman, residing at shire’s first golf club, though this was Tathwell, “ being an amateur of coursing quickly followed by the establishment of and keeping greyhounds,” agreed to a club at Belton Park, which became the furnish the ground required. In due headquarters of the Lincolnshire Ladies’ course the Louth Coursing Club was County Club. At Lincoln a course was formed, and for many years its meetings originally laid out on the Carholme, but were carried on successfully. A meeting twelve years ago newr links were adopted was instituted at Sleaford in 1885, and was at Torksey. There are courses, too, at revived after falling in abeyance for a Grantham, Gainsborough (Thonock few years. Gatherings were held in the Park), Louth, Holbeach, Boston, Spilsby, old days on the Blankney estate, these Elsham, Blankney, Sleaford, and other having been revived about ten seasons ago towns. DUCROT’S NEW HORSE

A B a c k -C o u n t r y S t o r y

BY JEFFREY SILANT

T h e day was hot, the mail-track was upon old Pin Pin, an ancient native, dusty, and Ducrot, to use a back- sleeping in the back verandah. country expression, was “ sweatin' a “ Hullo, Pin Pin ! ” said the white perisher.” You see, Ducrot was the man. first man to pass along just that way “ Hullo, Ducrot ! ” responded the on a bicycle. other with childish simplicity. “ How He had come two hundred miles from you come up ? Nothin’ hearem nora Walkaway, and what with heat, flies, and (horse) walk this way.” doublejees, coupled with certain stretches The old man was overjoyed to see the of loose sand, he had fairly “ worked his caller, for he had known him for over passage.” twenty years, when Ducrot first took up (The doublejee, be it known, is a land in that country. species of burr, very formidable to “ Nothin’ hearem ? ” inquired Ducrot, cyclists on account of its puncturing " Why, you altogether bumba (sleep). proclivities). You lazy pfella—you wodjy vundy (no The track, just here, was cut through good) ! ” a mulga scrub—cut just wide enough Pin Pin grinned. He was used to for the passage of single vehicular traffic. Ducrot’s little pleasantries. Presently the galvanised iron roof of “ Which way Dooner ? ” asked Dooner’s station shimmered, water-like, Ducrot. into view ahead, and Ducrot heaved a “ Oh ! he walk (meaning ride, of sigh of relief, for the water-bag suspended course) yabberoo (north) ; might he go from the frame-bar was long since dry, Eucragine p’raps, I t ’ink it. Come back and its owner was the possessor of a mornin’-time.” thirst that would have brought big Ducrot was sitting, stockman-fashion, money at an auction in a Southern town. upon his heels. He discussed all the Nobody seemed to be at home, so affairs of the local tribe with Pin Pin ; Ducrot leaned his machine against a asked after old Mary the jin, learned post and attacked the water-bag that Meena had a new codger — a hanging in the verandah ; then he made “ creamy ” (half-caste) ; and that the a perusal of the homestead, and came peedongs had had a difference of opinion 122 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE out on the desert with old Jacky, and Ducrot walked a few yards and cut a the verdict was “altogether spearem-up.’’ switch from a bush, returned, and led “ Well’ said Ducrot, “ 1 walk the bicycle a little way. Mudderudder to-night.” “ Him nothin’ walk self ! ” exclaimed “ Wodjee ! ” the old man laughed, the aboriginal. implying a negative, for Mudderudder “ Oh, yes,” Ducrot replied, letting go was fifty odd miles distant, and noon of the machine, so that it sank hopelessly at hand. on to the ground. “ Quoah ! ” affirmed Ducrot. “ Last “ My word,” he continued, “ Him night I camp Yalandra.” tired pfella. Soon get all right. He have ’em roll, and then he bundy. You The black fellow screamed with delight watch him roll ! ” at such a fairy tale, for no horse had ever And so he left the old man watching done the distance in that time (except closely for the new horse to roll, while when Ingham rode down the river to he went to fill his water-bag at the well. give warning of the ’eighty flood). On his return Pin Pin said : “ He “ Ducrot ! ” said the native, con­ nothin’ have ’em roll yet—reckon him fidentially, “ where your horse ? noondy (dead) ! ” The cyclist led the way round to where “ Nothin’ noondy. He walk now ! ” his machine stood. “ That my horse,” said the owner, picking up the recumbent he explained. machine. “ Now then, you hold ’em A puzzled look came into the old man’s up, so. Nothin’ let ’em fall down. That eyes, but the joke was really too good, right. Now I get on this way. Now and he roared with laughter afresh. you lead ’em up. Hay ! Nothin’ let ’em Again he asked : “ Ducrot, where vour fall down.” And the black held him up, horse ? ” laboriously staggering along. “ That him, right enough ! ” “ This dam horse no good, Ducrot ! ” Pin Pin came and bent down to summed up the old man. examine the trousers of the white man. “ Oh, he all right presently. You He scrutinised them below the knees. hold ’em up. Nothin’ let ’em fall down ! ” The white moleskin was unsoiled, save said Ducrot, bringing his switch into for the dust. play on the hind wheel. “ There, that “ Nothin’ get ’em nora-hair. Nothin’ better,” as the pace quickened slightly. got ’em sweat-’em-up ! ” commented the “ By C-r-r-rikey ! That’s the wffiich sage. way ! ” remarked Pin Pin, as his work Then he looked at Ducrot a moment became more easy, until at last the old with fear in his eye ; only to be reassured man was racing breathlessly alongside by the benignant smile on the face of the machine. the white. Ducrot hit his steed once more with “ Where your horse, Ducrot ? ” he the switch, and the old man shouted in asked once more. glee and reached his top pace, gradually falling behind with “ By Gr-r-rikeys ! ” Ducrot pointed to the machine. of excitement. Pin Pin turned and ran back down the Two hundred yards farther on, the track, examining the ground. He cast speeding cyclist looked back and, seated around looking for fresh horse-tracks, in the centre of the dusty track, legs or boot-prints ; returned to the road­ apart, and hand shading his eyes he saw way and followed the bicycle track up the bewildered ancient vainly endeavour­ to where the machine. ing to sift from his somewhat limited “ C-r-r-rikey ! ” he ejaculated, standing store of philosophy, the “ which-way ” with his mouth wide open. of Ducrot’s new horse. TWO AMERICAN DOCTORS MADE A DASH THROUGH THE GERMAN I.INES IN THIS CAR IN ORDER TO ]

PLACE THEIR SERVICES AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE BELGIAN GOVERNMENT

MOTOR SUPPLEMENT

BY W. H. BERRY a m b u l a n c e A v e r y good suggestion has The construction is apparently free from t r a i l e r s recently been put forward mechanical difficulties, and, in the case with a view to making of a sudden call many thousands of use of pleasure cars, without serious ambulances could be promptly supplied structural alteration, for the transport by this means. The idea is commended of the wounded. A great many to the owners of pleasure cars in general specially-built motor ambulances have, who are anxious to do anything within of course, already been supplied to the their power for the national cause. authorities for use both at home and abroad. At the time of writing the f u r t h e r A great deal has been number actually available is quite t a x a t io n ? written and said in the adequate for the work to be done. It matter of the American car is doubtful, however, whether these and its position in England during the existing vehicles could cope with the last few months. It is perfectly true work on the Continent in the case of that the English motor manufacturer is very heavy fighting such as has been so very well occupied on Government taking place on the Eastern frontier. work that cars cannot be supplied for The suggestion is that trailer sale to private users. The market has ambulances could be made at a small been left open to the enterprising cost, which could easily be attached to the American manufacturer who is taking back of almost any ordinary touring car. full advantage of the opening thus 124 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

A FLEET OF-AMBULANCES PRESENTED TO THE FRENCH RED CROSS BY THE AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION.

THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN AT THE REVIEW OF THE CARS IN THE COUR Il’HONNEUR afforded. It does not follow, however, t h e “ a .a . ” Mr. Joynson-Hicks made that the user is necessarily unpatriotic an interesting speech on the if he purchase other than an English- activities of the Automobile Association built car. Truth to tell, the Americans since the opening days of the war, at the are giving employment to a great annual meeting held quite recently. All number of people in this country, and the able-bodied employes (he said) have much of the purchase money for U.S.A. joined the Forces, and the Authorities, machines is of direct benefit to England recognising the value of the A.A. patrols at the present time. and their unique experience, sanctioned The average car from the States gives the formation of two special companies very good value for money, and the best to be attached to the 8th Battalion of solution of the difficulty is to impose a the Essex Regiment. These men have reasonable tax on these machines. A already done excellent work in transport­ heavy tax would fail entirely of its ing the wounded. For some long while it purpose, for imports would naturally was only the cars—voluntarily offered— drop, and it is hard to see how benefit belonging to members of the Automobile could then accrue to anyone, either Association which met the wounded at maker or user. It has been urged in the London railway stations. different quarters that a very heavy tax Through the activities of the A.A., should be imposed on all private motor­ over 120 motor ambulances have been ing during the war, and this is probably presented to the Allied Armies, and a second thought of those people who 150 private cars have been placed at not so very long ago were crying out the disposal of the various commands aloud for the total suppression of the for the use of staff officers. Unnecessary car. There is little need to outline the expenditure was cut down at the opening disastrous effect that a heavy tax would of the war, and there is now a surplus have on the industry. of £30,000 on the year’s transactions, of MOTOR SUPPLEMENT 125 which £24,000 has been invested in the restrictions in force which are now War Loan. so complicated that even the most Almost every motorist is nowadays experienced is likely to err and stray, a member of one of the motoring special attention must be given when associations, but it is to be feared that a tour is contemplated. Any information full use is not always made of the of almost every description can be splendid organisations. Road difficulties promptly supplied to members if a such as obscuring hedges, dangerous request is made to the offices of the corners, blind approaches, defective level Association. crossings, and so on, are all promptly and effectively handled by the Auto­ AMERICAN Our energetic cousins across mobile Association when once they are a c t iv i t y the Atlantic are not allowing brought to its notice. An efficient the present opportunity to service of patrols—all of them either slip through their fingers. Comment has men of over military age or who are been made before in these columns on prevented from joining by some other the eight and twelve-cylindered cars perfectly good reason—is now main­ which mark their latest developments tained. Members are invited to submit in design. This apart there are more particulars of any men suitable for this cars being turned out in American work to the Automobile Association, for factories during the present year than whom it is desired to find employment. has ever before been the case. Not so Owing to the lighting and other verv long ago, when we were told of

THE MOTOR HAS INVADED THE OLD-WORLD MARKET PLACE OF AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, IN ORDER TO

SECURE LITTLE LUXURIES FOR THE TROOPS 126 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE annual outputs in excess of one hundred shall be content to leave it at that thousand cars from the one factory, we for the present. Granted that neither were inclined to smile in a slightly lighting-sets, nor engine-starters, nor superior way. The statement proved mechanical tyre-pumps, nor any of the true, however, and we are now forced other modern appurtenances of the car are to admit that, in addition to the large perfect as yet—neither is the car itself. numbers of cars made, the all-round Both the complete structure, its com­ value given in them is excellent. ponent parts, and the accessories fitted The British market is not being thereto are liable to breakdown. The neglected, and our home manufacturers maker who reduces risk of failure to the will have a fine task in weaning many minimum is the one who will secure English users from the use of American future trade. cars when the war is over and an attempt In a way the American car invasion is made to recover the lee-way. It is is of direct benefit to this country apart as sure as things mortal can be sure that from the fact that motoring, chiefly English cars will never again be accepted through its aid, has become possible for by the purchaser in the same unfinished the middle-class man. Several of the state that marked so many of them prior bigger American firms have either to August, in 1914. The user will no factories in active operation in England longer be content to start his engine or else they are contemplating such a by hand-cranking methods under the departure at an early date. specious plea that engine-starters are not The Ford people have had an organisa­ sufficiently reliable. If the mechanical tion in full swing in Trafford Park, appliance does its work well on ninety- Manchester, for some years past. During nine occasions out of the hundred, we a recent week 524 complete Ford cars

WITH THE ARMOURED CARS OF THE BELGIAN ARMY. THESE UNITS HAVE OF LATE BEEN INCREASINGLY

ACTIVE IN THE ANNOYING OF THE ENEMY. THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARMOUR IS GREATLY IMPROVED MOTOR SUPPLEMENT 127

MR. CHARL3S JARROTT STANDING BY ONE OF THE 100-120 H.P. ARMOURED CARS WHICH HE HAS

DESIGNED TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT were turned out from this works, the “ j o y - r id in g ” The Government has busiest day giving an output of 130 a n d w a s t e proved particularly vehicles. Many of the component parts muddle-headed in the are actually made in the English works, matter of the cars required under the while the bodies are entirely manu­ existing conditions. There are un­ factured in the Manchester shops. There doubtedly men of sufficient experience is a common tendency to sneer at at the War Office who could have bought the Ford and compare it with other all the cars required in the shortest time cars. No fair-minded person surely, and at the lowest price. Why these men with the least knowledge of the subject, of the mechanical transport were not so can adopt this attitude. Who has seen employed it is hard to say. The present a Ford broken down by the wayside ? writer is personally acquainted with The occasions are few and far between. half-a-dozen who have been for years, One sees many more cars costing twice and still are, on the active list. He and three times the price of the Ford has visited motor factories in all parts broken down and being towed home. of the country with them ; has spent The wealthiest people are users of this weary days and weeks on the road wonderful vehicle. They can afford to testing cars and heavy vehicles of many use the cheapest both to buy and to descriptions ; and, knowing them, has run, and the man of moderate income the greatest respect for their ability and would do well, in many cases, to follow knowledge. the example of wealthier people, rather But the War Office has preferred to than to cripple himself with a high allow heavy commissions to be paid to first cost machine which needs a fortune outside people who have acted in an to maintain it in running order. introductory capacity. To our personal knowledge makers have offered cars to 128 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE ARMOURED MOTOR-CYCLE AND SIDE-CAR. THE DEVICE HAS NOT YET

RECEIVED THE OFFICIAL APPROVAL, BUT COMPREHENSIVE TESTS ARE IN HAND the War Office at low prices. The offers is intended, of course, purely as a help have been refused, and, later, greatly to to the cyclist, and it is not claimed to the surprise of these makers, a third be capable of carrying a heavy weight party has appeared, made an offer for up hill and down dale at any great speed. the same cars, received a commission, Such as it is, however, and as a cleverly and sold the vehicles at an increased thought out mechanical construction, it price to the authorities. It is particularly is admirable. On level roads it is said to be regretted that the fine patriotism to be capable of propelling a person of of the motor trade in general should average weight at a speed of from have been neutralised in this manner. sixteen to eighteen miles an hour, and Many complaints have been made as most hills of average steepness can be1 to “ joy-riding ” at the public expense surmounted with a little assistance from by officers. In truth the matter was the cyclist. It makes a special appeal getting perilously akin to a scandal. to the elderly and to ladies, and for such The newspaper exposures have checked purposes as shopping, running to and the practice to some extent, but the from the links, and visiting, there seems best remedy is in the hands of com­ no reason why this device should not manding officers, who should issue strict be more extensively used. instructions that Naval and Military The first cost is low—about £15. It cars are on no account to be used on is readily and simply attached to the other than official business. cycle, and about 150 miles to the gallon of petrol can be covered. The appliance a u t o - w h e e l s The little accessory was first introduced to the public some known as the auto-wheel few years ago, and since then it has been is now a familiar sight on the roads. It much improved, the lubrication system MOTOR SUPPLEMENT 129 in particular having received the atten­ came in first and second, Triumph tion of the designer. The motor is machines securing the next three places. classed as of 1 h.p. Most of the The winner’s speed was 62.5 m.p.h., functioning—a horrible word but the which makes a Russian record. only one that adequately meets the Class B, 500 c.c., trial, also saw Rudge case—is either wholly or semi-automatic, cycles take first and second place, and can be readily understood by the followed by two Triumph machines, with veriest novice. A single small lever on a third Rudge in fifth position. the handle bar is the sole controlling A Matchless cycle won the Class C, appliance. 1,000 c.c., open race, with a speed of * * * * 64.9 m.p.h., also a Russian record. In m o t o r - c y c l in g One reads with interest the fourth test for sidecar outfits, the that our Russian Allies, positions were Enfield, Premier, Sunbeam. although busy in other directions, can The results are a hue triumph for the still make opportunity for outside sport English-built motor-cycle, which is, un- and activity. The annual Russian Speed doubtedlv, the best in the world. Trials were held a month ago on the * * * * Volkonskoe Road, Petrograd. English- built motor-cycles showed up well and a n Am e r ic a n The American makers secured most of the honours. Great care m o t o r -c y c l e have concentrated for was taken over the timing, and the stated some years in the pro­ results may be accepted as accurate. In duction of high-powered, silent, and the Class A, 500 c.c., test, Rudge cycles economical motor-cvcles. The conditions

THIS ILLUSTRATION IS SUPPOSED TO SHOW THE ARMED TRANSPORT OF THE ARMY. FROM THE

EXPRESSION ON THE FACES OF THE MEN ONE GATHERS THAT THERE IS SOME SPORT AHEAD 130 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE obtaining on the roads of the U.S.A. make there is three-speed countershaft gear, it essential that a comparatively high- with a final chain - drive; a self - powered machine should be used. In contained reliable electric-lighting set is England, tor solo work—and even for fitted; even the horn is electrically passenger carrying if a two or three- operated. The machine will do, in the speed gear be used—the 3 1/2h.p., single- hands of the ordinary average user, 60 cylindered, air-cooled engine is quite miles to the gallon of fuel. Ridden solo powerful enough. Such a combination speeds in excess of 68 miles an hour are would be rattled to scrap-iron in a vety possible, while, with a sidecar and short time on the American roads. passenger a speed much greater than is The aim of the maker then, has been required in the ordinary way can be to produce a reliable motor-cycle, quite achieved without any need to force the self-contained, having several speeds, engine. Many people are cutting down light enough for solo work and yet with their expenses ; such people would do an ample power reserve. So far as is well to consider the claims of a cycle possible— allowing for the difference in such as this while the car is temporarily the speeds—the solo machine must have out of commission. The price of the the same advantages as the car in the motor-cycle described is given as £76 matter of lighting and starting. There complete. The English Agents are the can be little doubt that, in the design Harley-Davidson Motor Co., 59, New­ and construction of these bigger man Street, London, W. A postcard to machines, the Americans have the lead. this enterprising firm will bring a parcel The Harley-Davidson Model 11J, for of literature in reply that will prove example, is a fine product of the U.S.A. instructive to the potential motor - motor-cycle. It is rated as cf 7-9 h.p. ; cyclist. A PRIZE COMPETITION

ROYAL AUCTION BRIDGE

BY “ PORTLAND ”

BEGINNING OF A NEW COMPETITION

T h e problem set out herewith (Problem because we can promise themithat the- V II.) is the first problem in a new problems will not be of so abstruse a competition, which will cover a period kind as to make solving them a pain,, of six months—September, 1915, to but only just sufficiently difficult to February, 1916. As in our last com­ stimulate their powers of analysis. The petition all the problems will consist of rules under which the competition is to- hands at Royal Auction Bridge, and our be held will be found overleaf, and, readers will simply be asked to say how as in the last competition, the following they are to be played to the fullest prizes will be awarded to the three most advantage, having regard to the state successful competitors :— of the game, and so on. The conditions are precisely the same as those of actual F ir s t P r iz e : FIVE GUINEAS. play—indeed, most of the hands will be S e c o n d P r iz e : THREE GUINEAS.. selected from those which the writer meets with from time to time at the T h ir d P r iz e : TWO GUINEAS. card table. They will not be freak hands or Bridge curiosities, but just the The attention of readers abroad is ordinary problems of the game which called to the fact that extra time is present themselves over and over again allowed to them for sending in their in one’s daily rubber, though the oppor­ solutions to the problems, according to- tunity of playing the required coup— the locality in which they reside ; and if a coup it can be called—is not always we may add that a special degree of perceived. latitude (we are not using the expression It is hoped, therefore, that all our in the strict, geographical sense, but as. readers who play Auction Bridge regu­ a figure of speech) will be accorded, larly, whether they play in clubs or when needed, to members of the Army elsewhere, will enter for this competition, and Navy on active service. 132 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

PROBLEM VII. (The first problem of a new competition.) A and B are partners against Y and Z. Score : Love-all. A deals, and the bidding is as follows :— First round : A “ one royal ” ; Y “ two clubs ” ; B “ no ” ; Z “ two diamonds.” Second round : A “ two royals ” ; Y “ three diamonds ” ; B “ no ” ; Z “ no.” Third round : A “ no.” Y ’s and Z’s hands are as follows :— Y ’s hand (Dummy). H earts...... A J 9 6 Diamonds K 10 6 Clubs...... A K J 10 5 3 Spades...... None

A (Leader). B (Third Player).

Z’s hand (Dealer). H earts...... 7 4 Diamonds...... Q J 9 8 7 Clubs...... 8 7 Spades...... A K 4 2

The first three tricks are as follows Trick 1 Trick 2 Trick 3

+ O + B A B O B ° 0 ° O + •T*. + A 3. o o + + o o| z z Tricks: AB, 0; YZ, 1. Tricks: AB, 1 ; YZ, 1. Tricks: AB, 2; YZ, 1. At trick 4, A leads the 3 of hearts.

HOW OUGHT “ Z ” TO PLAY THE REST OF THE HAND, AND WHY ?

Problem V. was as follows :—

A and B are partners against Y and Z. Score : Love all. Z deals, and the bidding is as follows :— ^irst round : Z “ one royal ” ; A “ one no-trump ” ; Y “ two royals ” ; B “ three diamonds." cond round : Z “ three royals ” ; A “ double ” ; Y “ no ” ; B “ no.” lird round : Z “ no.” ROYAL AUCTION BRIDGE 133 Y ’s and Z’s hands are as follows :— Y ’s hand (Dummy). H earts 10 9 4 3 2...... Clubs...... A K Diamonds...J 6 5 Spades ...... J 9

A (Leader). B (Third Player).

Z’s hand (Declarer). H earts...... Q 7 Clubs...... Q 10 6 5 Diamonds.. . K 3 Spades A K 8 4 2 The first three tricks are as follows :— Trick 1 Trick 2 Trick 3

Z z Z Tricks : A B, 1 Y Z , 0. Tricks: A B , 1; Y Z, 1. Tricks A B , 2 Y Z, 1. At trick 4, A leads the 8 of clubs. Solution : Z is bound to lose two tricks in hearts, anywhere in Europe they will be received up to as he has no possibility of a discard, and must win the first day of the following month, that is to every other trick to make his contract and game ; say, solutions to the problems published in this or, in other words, he must make four tricks in issue will be received up to the 1st October, and so spades and four in clubs, in addition to the trick on. he has already won in diamonds. Now, of course, 3.—Solutions from competitors anywhere in he can make certain of four tricks in clubs by Asia, Africa, or America will be received if they letting the 8 come up to his own hand ; but bear a postmark not later then the first day of the difficulty is that trumps have to be drawn the following month but one ; and solutions from before A, who probably held queen, 10 to four competitors in Australasia, if they bear a post­ originally, gets a chance of ruffing a diamond, and mark not later than the 21st of that month. the trump suit is blocked. If Z takes trick 4 in his 4.— All correspondence relating to this column, own hand, for instance, and leads a small trump other than solutions to problems, which must not to the knave, he can only regain the lead by be accompanied by any other matter, must be ruffing a diamond, and A, who dbviously has no addressed personally to “ Portland.” more of the suit, can over-ruff. And if, having 5.— Five marks will be allowed for a perfect played his second round of trumps, he tries to solution, and a proportionate number of marks, throw the lead into A’s hand with a heart, B may according to “ Portland’s ” discretion, for one by put on the king— A probably holds ace, knave, &c., which a problem is partially solved. as he has kept off the suit—and lead the queen of 6.— The following prizes will be awarded to the diamonds. So his best course is to take trick 4 competitors who have gained the greatest number with the king of clubs, lead the knave of spades of marks at the end of the competition : the First from the table, and follow with the 7 of clubs, Prize will be F iv e G u in e a s , the Second Prize upon which he must finesse the 10. If this wins, T h r e e G u in e a s , and the Third Prize Two he can then lead out the ace and king of trumps, G u in e a s . make Y ’s ace of clubs, and recover the lead with 7.— In the case of a tie between two or more his long trump (assuming that A had not more competitors for any prize or prizes, the amount than four originally) to make the queen of clubs. will be divided between them, or they may be Of course it is not absolutely certain that A has called upon to solve additional problems, at not the knave of clubs, but it is better to risk this “ Portland’s ” discretion. than to credit him with only three trumps. If he 8.—The decision of “ Portland ” as to the has five Z cannot possibly fulfil his contract, so correctness of any solution and upon all matters this chance may be disregarded. connected with this competition, will be final and Correct solutions : Apex, Doggo, G. T ., Jacobus, cannot be called in question in any circumstances. Loch, Parabola. Pilot. 9.— A competitor who wins a prize will have four points deducted from his score in the two RULES OF ROYAL AUCTION BRIDGE following competitions. COMPETITION. 10.— A competitor may sign his solutions with 1.— A problem will be set each month for a a pseudonym or initials, but must send his full period of six months. name and address for publication when applying 2.—All solutions to the problems must be for his prize. addressed as follow’s : “ Royal Auction Bridge 11.—Only one solution to each probler must Competition, Badminton Magazine, 46 and 47, be sent by the same competitor, bu econd Shoe Lane, London, E.C.” From competitors thoughts are allowed. SPORTS AND PASTIMES FIXTURES FOR SEPTEMBER.

1 WED— R acing : Newmarket (second 17 FRI—R acin g : Newmarket. day) ; Cork Park. S hooting : Partridge Shooting begins. 20 MON— H o r se S h o w : Kington Horse Show. R acin g : Tramore. S hooting : 2 THURS—H o rse S h o w : Melton Mowbray Landrail and Quail Shooting begins in Horse Show. R acin g : Newmarket; Ireland. Cork Park. 21 TUES—R acin g : Tramore. 8 WED—R acing : Newcastle West. 22 WED—P o n ies : Pony Improvement 9 THURS— R acing : Ennis. Society Show (Little Stretton). R acing : 10 FRI—A n g lin g : Thames Trout Fishing Kells. (last day). 23 THURS—R acin g : Powerstown Park. 13 MON— R acing : Mullingar. 25 SAT—R acing : Phoenix Park. 14 TUES— R a c in g : Newmarket; Curragh. 27 MON—R acing : Athlone. 15 WED— K e n n e l : Hastings Dog Show (Cricket Ground). R acing : Newmarket 28 TUES—R a c in g : Newmarket; Baldoyle. (September Stakes) ; Curragh (Turf Club Cup). 29 WED—Co ursin g : Southminster Club Meeting. Racing: Newmarket; 16 THURS— H o r se S how s : Hay Horse Baldoyle. S hooting : Irish Fallow Deer Society Show ; Market Harborough Shooting (last day). Horse Show. H u n tin g : Otter Hunting ends about this date. R acing : New­ 30 THURS—Co u rsin g : Southminster Club market ; Curragh (Irish St. Leger). Meeting. R a c in g : Newmarket; Fermoy.

INDISPENSABLE for MOTORISTS, CYCLISTS, and WALKERS. The OPEN ROAD Book REVISED AND ENLARGED.

ENTIRELY RE-WRITTEN FROM COVER TO COVER.

Contains LARGE SCALE COLOURED MAP (with key) in pocket attached to cover, hitherto published separately at 17-

o v e r ONE HUNDRED MAIN ROADS AND MORE THAN SEVEN HUNDRED OTHER ROUTES IN GREAT BRITAIN Price 6 d . ------FULLY AND ACCURATELY DESCRIBED.------

On Sale at all Newsagents and Bookstalls, or 7 \d. post free, from E. HULTON & CO., Ltd., Withy Grove, MANCHESTER. NOTES AND NOVELTIES FOR THE SPORTSWOMAN

BY MRS. FLORENCE ROBERTS (“Butterfly”)

S a v in g a n d S m a r t n e s s . one of the most prominent millinerial W it h all the will in the world to be fabrics of the coming season. economical, the change of season even One of these newest of new models more than the change of style will now I met, and loved at first sight, at force women to make many new Debenham & Freebody’s in Wigmore purchases this month in the way, Street, where, indeed, one always goes particularly, of hats and tailor-made with the pleasant certainty of finding costumes and coats, which will be more something uniquely novel and fascinating suitably protective for the colder weather in the way of headgear. during which they will have to do And this particular and pretty thing is, continued duty. let me assure you, worth a special journey So that really the sooner the necessary on its own account, for on its small, choice be made the better, as every day’s smart sailor shape of grey taffetas count­ extra wear means better value for the less and narrowly encircling bands of money spent, to say nothing of the grey suede are stitched across with silk personal and proud satisfaction of being which shows a shimmer of silky bright­ the first to display these advance styles. ness. Then laid flatly on the brim at The new hat is, of course, the most either side and each one pointing in a urgent necessity, for never a straw will different direction are wings fashioned be seen again for many a long day and of cleverly cut and hand-painted velvet month, and even the popular taffetas in the most vividly beautiful of malachite hat which might have expected a green shadings, merging here and there renewed lease of life, seeing that, really, into deepest blue, a little softening touch it is suitable to any season, is being of real plumage being introduced into pushed into the background by some each stiffly modelled wing, the whole new and very attractive creations in effect, as you may imagine, being eye- which the silk certainly figures still, but arresting and attractive to a degree. in the unobtrusive position of a mere Quite a number of these velvet wings background for closely encircling bands and quills are being used on the new of the soft suede which is indeed to be Autumn millinery; another fashionable THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE adornment being clusters of amazingly, Then again suede is being used alone, and decoratively, un-natural flowers and and in the softest of mole and beige fruit modelled in velvet and hand-painted shadings, for the making of ideally and stitched with silk and broidered with comfortable little travelling toques and bugles in a dozen or more entirely motor-caps which, though of markedly different colours. demure aspect in themselves, have a Another miniature sailor model is of happy knack of developing a most black taffetas, though the silk only shows Parisian piquancy when placed at just on the crown and the brim is covered the right, and acute, angle on the head.

THE SMALL TOQUE OF VELVET OR SUEDE OR PANNE, TRIMMED WITH CLOSELY-CLUSTERED, FLATLY-LAID WINGS, PROVIDES MOST SUITABLE AND SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION FOR THE AUTUMN TAILOR-MADES by three overlapping bands of suede, One such motoring model in grey suede one deeply brightly blue, another green, has for its sole trimming a couple of and a third in brilliant burnt orange. Mercury wings, another and even more One of those aforementioned and extra­ fascinating affair being destined to prove ordinary little bouquets is fastened a real joy to the woman who travels by against the crown rather at one side in train, and incidentally to each and every front, its blossoms and berries and leaves one of her fellow-travellers, though, to bringing white and green and blue and be sure, the more or less unwilling brown into the already striking colour admiration of the feminine beholders scheme. may not be altogether unmixed with envy! NOTES AND NOVELTIES FOR THE SPORTSWOMAN: 137

For this soft, closely-fitting cap of with a piping of satin so that it acquires grey suede is bordered with a two or and retains just the right and slight three-inch deep transparency of brown outward “ flare ” for the protective and tulle vreiling cut on the cross and edged welcome shadowing of tine eyes on

THE UNTRIMMED TAFFETAS GOWN IS ALWAYS THE SMARTEST, AND ALSO THE MOST BECOMING 138 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

-glaring days. What is more, too, it towards the same desired and dual end lends at all times a distinct glamour to of economy and smartness, one silken •its wearer’s every glance. gown in black or navy blue being, if So it is surely well worth spending rightly chosen, equally suitable for after­ 3 1 guineas to put its special qualities to noon and restaurant dinner and theatre the test. wear. Incidentally it is trimmed, too, with Only, remember, that the simplest a couple of parrot’s wings laid closely style is really the smartest, and that against either side, cleverly cut and the taffetas gown which is at all hand-painted velvet taking the place of elaborately trimmed adds years to the the ordinary plumage, and blending green apparent age of its wearers, which is and blue and yellow and rose shadings perhaps the strongest of all possible in the most wonderful way. reasons in favour of simplicity and the Another and later favourite of Fashion one which will prompt you to take the — and probably of a great number of gown of the picture as your model. her followers—will be the black panne And really this is a style which can be Eat, either picturesquely low-crowned depended on to suit and improve any and broad-brimmed or else jauntily small figure, the cross-over scarf fastening of and smart with the diminutive brim the corsage being as adaptable as it is turned up sharply at one side against attractive, and then again the intro­ the rather high crown and with, perhaps, duction at either side of the frilled skirt of a black wing placed in exactly the a plain panel being of most grace-giving reverse of the usual position, the narrow­ effect. Such a gown as this will look ing end pointing towards the front well anywhere and everywhere, more instead of to the back. An even more especially as it can so easily be helped closely fitting creation is almost covered out by little differences and daintinesses with little outspread wings, laid so flatly of neckwear and a change of hat. against the panne that the final points -of the glossy feathers seem to merge into T h e N e w T a il o r - m a d e s . the shimmering surface of the fabric. The next necessity will, of course, be Moreover, there are any number of a tailor-made, whose novelty is pro­ black velvet hats, and a splendid variety claimed and whose usefulness is also of French and English-made velours increased by the new length of its coat, •shapes, some of these, too, being trimmed which will only show some three or with suede. four inches at most of the skirt beneath. But though their fabrics are thus And, in fact, I have seen one new model varied, the new hats are all alike dis­ costume at Harrods in the Brompton tinguished by a marked simplicity in Road, the coat being really a complete their scheme of trimming and by the garment and gown in itself, actually use of ornaments (such as those an inch-and-a-half longer than the velvet quills and plain wings) which will accompanying skirt ! This is indeed a come to no harm even in windy and wet model which I would recommend for weather. So you see that the present your very special consideration and early and universal necessity for saving money choice ; for it will be as serviceable as it has been as carefully borne in mind as is certainly smart, and to begin with the equally urgent desire for smartness ! it only costs 8| guineas—a price of wonderful moderation considering the T h e T a f f e t a s G o w n s t i l l in F a s h io n quantity as well as the quality of the a n d F a v o u r . material used (a navy blue gaberdare) Then as regards gowns, the continued its perfect cut, and all the decorative fashion for taffetas will really be a means finishing touches which include a collar NOTES AND NOVELTIES FOR THE SPORTSWOMAN 139

ONE OF THE NEW FUR-CLOTH COATS WHICH ARE GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF COMBINING SMARTNESS AND ECONOMY (iat Harrod’%, Brompton Road, S.IF.) 140 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE

of black and white striped panne and an fabrics are quite wonderfully durable, enormously wide waist-belt of black and that you need have no anxiety as patent leather edged at either side with to their welfare even when you wear white kid. them in wet weather. Harrods have a whole range of smart So now you will, I am sure, be ready tailor-mades at this one and popular to take a personal interest in those two price of 84- guineas, the majority of them pictured models, more especially when 1 being in the navy blue serge suitings and let you into the secret of the price. You gaberdares, and others in the black and must know then that the “ Risdale,” white check which is also assured of a whose upper part takes very becoming considerable vogue. One of these models bolero-like curves above the fulness of has a coat cut on the Newmarket lines, the skirt, which is made in the finest whose revival is to be a feature of the quality woven broad-tail cloth edged season, and is also provided with a with marabout and lined with soft silk, separate and well cut waistcoat which will only cost 101 guineas, though it has not only adds considerably to the effect all the appearance of costliness as well and the warmth of the coat, but, when as the actuality of comfort. And the this outer garment is removed, gives an " Rejane,” cut on the loose flowing appearance of special smartness and lines which are so specially becoming importance to the skirt and shirt. to any figure, and specially kind to those Altogether I can assure you that the inclined to stoutness, which can boast, tailor-mades at Harrods are absolutely too, of a trimming of fur, may be perfect for their present and particular secured for 8| guineas. So that, really, purpose of helping woman to dress there is no reason and, for the matter of suitably and smartly and economically. that, no excuse for any woman to deny herself the warm and smart wrap which T h e P e r f e c t i o n a n d t h e P o p u l a r i t y is a necessity of healthful comfort as well OF THE F u R-CLOTH FABRICS AND COATS. as of fashion. In still another and very important way are the famous firm going to help A S p o r t in g N e c e s s i t y a n d women out of what might otherwise have C o n v e n i e n c e . been a great difficulty. For, of course, Even when it comes to sporting the absolute changes of style and shape equipment, there is again a pleasant have made a new fur coat more than and profitable chance of making one ever to be desired this season, and yet thing do many things ! at the same time the question of cost Take, for example, the world-famous will probably make it an impossibility and well-named “ Perfect ” sporting for a good many. “ seat-stick ” or umbrella, in which, And so Harrods come to the rescue in one compact and attractive whole, with an alternative which renders it a you have combined the special and positive pleasure instead of a trial to successful uses of three entirely different economise the new coats that they are items of equipment, the transformation showing in the fur-cloth fabrics, which from one to the other being effected in have now been brought to absolute a moment, and by a touch. And when perfection, being of such perfectly up- you have once realised all that it is ready to-date and smart style, and such to do, you will also and surely come to wonderfully realistic reproductions of the conclusion that it offers the best broad-tail and Russian pony skin, that the possible return for an outlay ranging most fastidious and fashionable woman from 30/- to 47/-, and will therefore, and will be ready and proud to wear them. promptly, prepare to take, or dispatch, You must know, too, that these fur the necessary amount to Brigg & Sons, NOTES AND NOVELTIES FOR THE SPORTSWOMAN 141

ANOTHER STRIKINGLY SUCCESSFUL CREATION IN BROAD-TAIL CLOTH, WHICH GIVES PROOF OF THE GRACE AND EASE OF THE NEWEST AND FULLEST COAT-STYLES (at Harrod's. Brompton Road S.IF.) 142 THE BADMINTON MAGAZINE of 23, St. James’s Street, S.W. It is attaching the disc and pressing the available for both sportswomen and spike into the ground the height can be sportsmen too, for neither would be immediately regulated from 19 to 30 willing to allow it to be monopolised by inches by giving the open seat a twist the other ! to right or left as required. The seat, For shooting, racing, golf, sketching, moreover, will revolve in any direction coursing, and fishing, it will alike prove at will when sat upon, convenience itself indispensable, although at the and compactness in packing being also moment its greatest use is for military assured. purposes, either in the trenches or for Nor is this the only speciality and convalescent soldiers for whose particular success of the famous St. James’s Street benefit indeed there are provided de­ firm, for the number of military sticks tachable rubber-capped ends to screw which Brigg & Sons have sold since the over the spike, these costing 2/6 start of the war would, if totalled up, be extra. startling and colossal, and they are just Another additional equipment well as ready also to provide a woman with worth its price of 3/ , is a leather a trim, serviceable umbrella at a most, shoulder-strap and socket by moderate price, or to enable a man which the stick can be hung at to secure for presentation to “Her” the hip, though it is also quite some comparatively costly affair, possible and convenient to carry whose marvellously hand-carved or it by hooking the disc (which is bejewelled handle raises the ordin­ strapped to the side of the closed arily somewhat prosaic “ brolly ” seat when not in use) into the to such heights of artistic beauty, side of the coat pocket. that it will always, and proudly, be It is worth noting, too, that the carried, to give worthy com­ new telescopic seat - stick by pletion to the smartest costume.

RUBBER-EDGED DETACHABLE SELF-LOCKING DISC RUBBER-CAPPED END TO SCREW,! ON S P IK E > FOR USE ON HARD GROUND

THE “ PERFECT ” SPORTING SEAT AND UMBRELLA (at Brigg & Sons, St. James’s Street. London, S.IF.)