The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-06-25
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A RACE FOR LIFE.


and from the time when was small boy,
and labored for hours with bOneshaker,
to the days when | became the proud pos
SCISSOR of one of the first bicycles ever manu-
factured, | revelled in the enchanting pas
time, spending hours which should have
been otherwise occupied on the back Of
my iron horse, thus putting my physical
powers long way ahead Of my mental. In
fact, hated the sight of book, and was
never happy unless securing the country
on my bicycle. My father was doctor in
little Kentish village, and, having a large
family, he was thankful indeed when, at
the age of 10, commission was obtained
for me by wealthy friend in regiment
about to sail for India.
A grand new bicycle was fathers part
ing present to me, and great was my de-
light at finding that another young "sub'
in my regiment was also a bicyclist In
these days when the "Iron wheel has so
many yotaries this may seem nothing
strange, but to realize my surprise and
pleasure you must remember that bicy-
Gle was then comparative curiosity, and
bicyclist person to be stared at and ad-
mired or otherwise. Our bicycles were, |
believe, the first ever seen in India; and
as we rode together into the town, some
days after our arrival, one would have
thought it was the triumphal entry of some
eastern potentate.
could fill book with the curious in
cidents and accidents which befell us in
going Cup country" Our regiment was
always on the move and panics of one
kind or other were frequent on our bicy-
Icing excursions.
One evening after mess Fred and | drew
up and signed articles to ride ten mile
race.
There was grand native road within
short distance of our camp, running away
for ten miles as fat as drawing board.
1t lay through open plain, and then a
deserted tract was reached, becoming wilder
as the road proceeded, and finally swallow
ed it up in an impenetrablejungle. 1t was
on this road l intended to train. Bent
had found a circular path round some
native huts short way from the station,
measuring about six laps to the mile, and
here he prepared himself for the coming
struggle,
After week of such training as would
make modern athletes hair stand on
end-meat almost raw, chopped very finely;
and the adventure | am about to relate
occurred the evening before the eventful
day. | was just starting for last ride
over my favorite course when an officer
stopped me and said;
"Have you heard of the tiger, Harvie?"
"No," | answered.
''The natives have just brought word
that large tiger is marked down in the
Jungle about ten miles from here; so don't
90 to far this evening"
"All right" | laughed. Il think a
tiger would find it difficult matter to
catch me-my training would tell on
him."
had not seen any wild beasts as yet,
and my notion of tiger was thin, sleepy
looking animal as l had once seen in a
travelling menagerie. Away [ rode, my
comrades caution forgotten before | had
gone mile.
| started at good pace, but not rae
ing, as | intended to do all knew COM
ing home In about an hour | reached
my usual halting place ten miles from the
camp; but this being the last night of my
training, l made up my mind to ride an
other couple miles, and then do the whole
distance back at my best pace.
l rode on, and in another ten minutes
found myself in the jungle.
Now for the race home.
Dismounting, | oiled my machine,
frightened up every screw, and then sat
down on boulder to rest and enjoy the
prospect. A beautiful scene it was, too.
Above me rose the grand mountains,
their snowy tops blushing crimson in the
setting sun; here waterfall, like thread
of gold and silver flashing down the noun
tain side, and turning in and out among
the masses of trees and rocks; there
glimpse of fairyland through junge Vista.
A post or "tank, as they are called
surrounded by dense foliage, festooned by
parasitical climbing plants, glowing with
flowers Of every imaginable hue; humming
birds, like fiery gems, flashed hither and
thither, darting in and out among the trees.
On the "tank" hoated water fowl of every
kind, and the banks were alive with gor-
geous birds; their plumage rivaling the
flowers in brilliancy of color But now
the shadows were deepening, the crimson
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