esides the horses which had been brought up from Calcutta we each had a little mountain pony. These ponies, about the size of Welsh ponies, were marvellously sure footed and invaluable on expeditions.

ine was called Scarlet Runner and I was persuaded to enter him for the races which took place every Saturday at Le Bong.

t was here that the troops were quartered and their parade ground had to serve as a race course as well. The ponies careered round this small space ridden by local boys who jostled each other and tried to push each other off course. The crowd was enthusiastic, the betting ran high and it was a very animated scene.

n our five years we were to spend three long summers at Darjeeling and got to know it well and the surrounding hills and valleys. Sometimes, to the discomfort of his staff, father would go on long walks up hill and down hill on stony paths visiting the local tea gardens and calling on the planters. He became so familiar with the neighbourhood that before leaving India he had produced a little book describing all the walks and expeditions which were possible from Darjeeling.