HUNTING THE OOTY HUNTING THE OOTY In 1910 - Colgate Farm ...

ALLEN LLEWELLEN PALMER’S 

HUNTING HUNTING HUNTING HUNTING THE THE THE THE OOTY OOTY OOTY OOTY 

In In In In 1910 

1910 1910 1910

HUNTING THE OOTY IN 1910 

Allen Llewellen Palmer was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England in 1884 and 

educated at Harrow School. He was brought up at Lackham House, now an 

agricultural college, outside Chippenham as the eldest son of General George 

Llewellen Palmer, who was a successful woollen merchant at Trowbridge. He 

joined the army at the earliest opportunity to serve the 10 th and then the 14 th 

Hussars, with liason to the Wiltshire Yeomanry. He missed the Boer War and 

served in England between 1901 and 1910, spending many days hunting, mostly 

with the Beaufort Hunt, all of which are recorded diligently in a hunting diary 

that was filled in late at night or early the following morning. He was then posted 

to Ootacamond. He was about 30 at the time he wrote these diares and continued 

his passion of hunting to the full. He did not marry before being posted to France 

in 1914 with the Wiltshire Yeomanry, where he died just behind the front lines of 

a burst appendix. 

Charlie Llewellen Palmer is the grandson of Allen Palmer’s younger brother 

William. He was also born in Chippenham, also went to school at Harrow and 

also enjoyed in his youth hunting with the Beaufort. He has a career in the 

financial services business, founding FINANCIAL a financial adviser company of 

which he is currently chief executive. He has worked on a number of privately 

published biographical pieces and edited the Beaufort Hunt Diaries in 2007 

http://www.colgatefarm.co.uk/pdfs/Beaufort_Hunt_1901-1913_04.pdf

ALLEN LEWELLEN PALMER 

HUNTING HUNTING HUNTING HUNTING THE THE THE THE OOTY OOTY OOTY OOTY 

Edited by Charlie Llewellen Palmer 

Charlie@colgatefarm.co.uk 

in in in in 1910 1910 1910 1910

CONTENTS 

I N T R O D U C T I O N ...................................................................................................... 6 

THE PEOPLE OF OOTY .................................................................................................... 10 

HUNTING THE OOTY .................................................................................................... 19 

TRIP TO MYSORE ............................................................................................................ 157 

ALWAR, RAJASTAN ....................................................................................................... 162 

THE OOTACAMUND HUNT RACES .......................................................................... 171 

NOTES & OBSERVATIONS ............................................................................................ 175 

THE COUNTRY ................................................................................................................ 176 

THE FIELD ........................................................................................................................ 177 

HOUNDS ON FIELD ....................................................................................................... 177 

HOUNDS IN KENNEL .................................................................................................... 178 

THE JACKAL .................................................................................................................... 179 

HORSES ............................................................................................................................. 182 

BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 184 

INDEX ................................................................................................................................ 185

HH HH UU UU NN NN TT TT II II NN NN G G G G TT TT HH HH E E E E OO OO OO OO TT TT Y Y Y Y 11 11 99 99 11 11 00 

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Nothing impresses the mind with a deeper feeling of loneliness 

than to tread the silent and deserted scene of former flow and pageant. 

-- Washington Irving

HH HH HH HH UU UU UU UU NN NN NN NN TT TT TT TT II II II II NN NN NN NN G G G G G G G G TT TT TT TT HH HH HH HH E E E E E E E E OO OO OO OO OO OO OO OO TT TT TT TT Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y 11 11 11 11 99 99 99 99 11 11 11 11 0 00 

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I NNTROD T RODUCTIO UC TION N 

This is a book about Allen Palmer, Ooty, Madras, India, Hunting Jackal, Colonial 

rule and 1910. 

FIGURE 1: ALLEN LL PALMER ALMER IN 1903 

The author 

The diaries were written while the author was posted to India with the British 

Army. I read them for the first time almost a exactly a hundred years later. They 

have lain in various attics since the author died at the western front in 1914. They 

were not written for publication but rather for the author – Capt Allen Ll Palmer’s 

- personal record – and much of the information is of individual hound work and 

comments on horses and the countryside. 

“The The most sporting 6 months I shall ever have have” ” he wrote in the last entry and indeed 

he was well equipped to write such a line. line Allen recorded some 276 days with the 

Beaufort Hunt alone over over the the previous eight seasons, as well as many other other days 

in between with with his own own pack pack of of Bassets (The Trowbridge Foot) and with the

HH HH UU UU NN NN TT TT II II NN NN G G G G TT TT HH HH E E E E OO OO OO OO TT TT Y Y Y Y 11 11 99 99 11 11 0 00 

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neighbouring VWH, and further afield with the Bicester and Grafton hunts. He 

routinely hunted four or five days per week and completed 11 consecutive days in 

one season, during which time he also attended two hunt balls! He knew what 

good sport was and he recorded this season with the Ooty, as his best. 

Allen was the eldest son of a self made man General George Llewellen Palmer 

who had accumulated a fortune in the woollen mill trade in Trowbridge. Allen 

was educated at Harrow and the family lived at Lackham House (now an 

agricultural college) just south of Chippenham, on the southern side of the 

Beaufort Hunt Country. In fact his father started the Avon Vale on a lease from 

the Beaufort a few years before. 

After school he joined the 10 th Hussars and was seconded later on to the Wiltshire 

Yeomanry. He went to India with the 14 th Hussars. Ten months of almost 

uninterrupted hunting hounds are recorded here. Whether this was paid for by 

the British Army is not recorded. 

India 

The English arrived in India in 1639. But India had undergone a transformation 

during the 50 years before this diary was written, at least in the eyes of the English 

rulers. For instance a journal kept by Walter Campbell in 1830 describes the 

gloom amoung his regiment when it received orders to embark for India. 

“The news fell like a thunderbolt to many. India was to them a land of hopeless 

banishment – a living grave – a blank in their existence – a land frm whence, if 

they escaped an early death, they were to return with sallow cheeks, peevish 

tempers, and shattered constitutions. And such alas was the fate of many.” 

But by the time XYZ Campbell (who you will meet in these pages) graduated 

from Cambridge in 1895 coming second in his year, the most promising career 

path was in the Indian Civil Service, much as they might today be in the media. 

There was a clear path to progress to Governor of a district and thence to rule a 

population of 50m people or so with all the challenges and difficult decisions that 

brings with it. 

Ooty 

The English found Ootacamond about 400 years ago but the indigenous Todas 

have been there for much longer. Todas feature throughout the diaries and their 

cathedrals and dwellings are documented here. Ooty was the British Hill Station 

of Ooctacamond was fondly known as “The Snooty Ooty”. Lord Lytton wrote 

“Imagine Hertfordshire lanes, Devonshire Downs, Westmoreland lakes, 

Scotch trout streams. Such beautiful English rain, such delicious English 

mud.”


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It was the summer residence of the Madras Government – an oasis away from the 

heat in the summer on the plains. The population was 18,596 in 1907, according 

to the comtemporary District Gazette of the Niligris. 

There was a railway station eleven miles away at Coonoor and this opened up the 

district to the tourist English. Allen was delighted to be sent to India to serve 

albeit in the army, with sport and social life occasional interrupted by service on 

the North West frontier or any other spot where trouble might erupt. 

Some other facts about Ooty for the unfamiliar reader. Vivien Leigh – who 

starred as Scarlet O’hara in Gone with the Wind, was born in Ooty at roughly the 

time that this was written. Ooty lies in a valley (the bottom of which is 7,228 feet 

above the sea) which is surrounded on the south, east and north by the four hills 

called Elk Hill (8;090 feet), Dodabetta (8,640), Snowdon (8,299) and Club Hill 

(8,030), but is open to the west. So you can see that the hills are something more 

than we see in the south of England, anyway. 

Part of the bottom of this valley has been levelled to form the public recreation 

round known as the Hobart Park. The English lived in these valleys which for the 

most part are hidden away among thick plantations of Australian and other trees, 

notably blue gums and acacias. 

A short distance west of Ootacamund is a group of three hills which dominate 

these diaries. Firstly Hecuba (the ' Ulndd ' of the maps, 7,798 feet) called after a 

hound which was killed by a fall down ite sheer side. Secondly Staircase (officially 

known as Kattakadu, 7,938 feet) so named from its steepness; and finally the hill 

above Shaw's Plantation,' marked Kalkadi in the maps, which is 8,002 feet high. 

Hunting at Ooty 

Allen Palmer gives a summary of hunting at Ooty including this line 

“Go hells bells down hill and slowly up, is the maxim - for Ooty.” 

Hunting as a sport had an early start in India. A record dating back to 1776 tells us 

of a gentleman, a resident of Madras, writing to his relatives in Britain asking 

them to arrange "twenty couples" of hounds for a jackal hunt. Sir Frederick Price 

in his famous book on Ooty, says: 

"a form of hunting jackals with long dogs was practiced as far back as 1829". 

Hunting at Ooty started with a young Mr Mariot who is recorded as inviting 

certain suicidal friends to go out with a bobbery pack of assorted dogs shooting 

driven tiger! Plantations were beaten and sambur and tiger were driven towards 

them through the coverts. It is amusing to speculate the fun that they had but the 

first regular pack of fox-hounds was started by Lieutenant (afterwards Sir 

Thomas) Peyton about 1845 but was sold in 1846 apparently on the grounds that 

the country was unrideable.


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From 1854 until the Mutiny, also known as The First War of Indpendence 

depending on your point of view, broke out the 74th Highlanders kept a pack at 

Wellington which also hunted one day a week at Ooty. From 1859 to 1863 the 

60th Rifles took this over and in 1864 and 1865 the Madras hounds came up for 

the season. 

In 1869, Mr. J. W. Breeks, the first Commissioner of the Nilgiris, got together the 

first regular pack. Mr. Breeks died three years later and his successor Mr. 

Cockerell (known to his friends as “Cockey” and the name-father of “Cockey’s 

Course” on the Downs) became Master. 

Colonel Jago, who had been on leave, returned to Ooty the following year and in 

1874 and was elected Master and Huntsman. It is Colonel Bob Jago, then in 

charge of the forests of the district, who was the real father of the Hunt and whose 

portrait now hangs in the Club. He was known for a mighty holla 

“Oh its jolly to hunt with the Nilgiri Pack, 

Major Bob with the horn and the straight going Jack” 

He resigned the post in 1887, when he retired. It is recorded that the kennels 

were built at a cost fo Rs 4,000 in 1889 1, and that the subscription list in 1907 was 

R15,000. Major Allen Palmer took the hounds for the season 1910. He wrote of 

the country 

Coverts at Ooty 

“I can generally manage to get to hounds somehow, but here it’s like 

nothing on earth - that ground! Most difficult to get about, and very 

steep and very few crossings.” 

One real challenge for me as editor is the naming of the areas and the coverts. 

They are almost exclusively named after people. This goes further than the 

typical diary entry that might read “we went to Diana’s for tea”, leaving readers 

guessing as to who and where Diana actually was. At Ooty each of the coverts is 

named after a person. So we see hounds running from Ursula’s to Cecilia’s – to 

name just two. In fact these two daughters of Sir Arthur Lawley are just a part of 

the Lawley tapestry, as hounds also ran on the Wenlock Downs (named after Sir 

Arthur’s brother and predecessor as Governor) and thence to Leathams or Hay’s 

(brother in laws) and back to Lawley’s! 

I have not shortened the constant repition of names in case someone alive has 

access to a contemporary map or in case some of the names remain or are easily 

discernable. If that is the case the addition of a map to these diaries would be 

very welcome! 

1 http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/05/14/stories/2005051402490300.htm


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THE PEOPLE OF OOTY 

The power of patronage seems amazing to modern readers. Almost all parties 

seem related or dependent on each other in some way. Sir Arthur Lawley,with 

wife and two daughters and brother who preceeded him, there follows Gosling, 

Duff, Atkinson, Athole Hay, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Frances Young, XYZ 

Campbell and more all working on the district’s administration. A list of the 

principle characters is here, in alphabetical order. 

Jai Singh Maharaja of Alwar : (1882-1937) was the only son of the previous ruler, 

Sir Mangal Singh Prabhakar Bahadur, Sir Jai Singh initially was noted as brilliant, 

erudite and charming; Secretary of State E.S.Montague named him 

“a man of imagination, industry, knowledge and reasoning power” 

however, only a bit more information shattered the illusion. He was a religious 

orthodox and refused to sit on leather and wore silk gloves at all times lest he 

should touch the unclean. But then he drank Scotch heavily, apparently declaring 

it was not specifically outlawed in the Dharmasastras. 

Although thrice married his preference even in public was for young boys, and 

one servant’s sole job was to procure flesh from the ball boys at his tennis club. 

One story has it that in a fit of pique after a game of polo he executed one of his 

ponies – by dousing it in kerosene and setting it alight. Unsurprisingly he became 

known as the living Caligula. 

Jai was eventually brought down by his crimes and in 1933 the English found him 

guilty of various offences. They exiled him from the state, stripped him of his 

powers and forbade him to set foot in Alwar again for as long as he lived. Jai then 

went into exile in France and died at Paris four years afterwards, aged 54. He was 

succeeded by a distant relation, Tej Singh Prabhakar Bahadu.


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FIGURE 2: THE MAHARAJA OF ALWAR, WEIGHING HIMSELF AGAINST COINS. HIS WEIGHT IN GOLD IS THEN 

DISTRIBUTED TO THE POOR OF THE REGION, ACCORDING TO AN OLD TRADITION 

Arthur Annesley. Hon. Arthur “Pic” Annesley was born on 24 August 1880. He 

was the son of Arthur Annesley, 11th Viscount Valentia and Laura Sarah Webb. 

He died on 16 November 1914 at age 34, killed in action. He was educated at Eton 

College, and gained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the service of the 10th Hussars. 

He fought in the Boer War between 1900 and 1902. He gained the rank of 

Lieutenant in 1901. He was Adjutant between 1907 and 1909. He was a member 

of the famous 10 th Hussars Polo team that won the Inter Regimental polo in the 

1907-1912. 

Mr John Atkinson. J.N.Atkinson was secretary to Sir Arthur Lawley. 

FIGURE 3: CAPT ST LEGERS'S LAST RESETING PLACE


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Captain St Leger Atkinson was in the 1st (Royal) Dragoons and aged 28 in 1910. 

He was killed in action with his regiment five years later at the Battle of 

Frezenberg Ridge. His headstone in Hop Store cemetery, near Ypres in Belgium 

bears an inscription that needs repeating here: “I thank my god upon every 

remembrance of thee.”He was killed on “a day of ceaseless rain and shelling”on 

virtually the last day of the Second Battle of Ypres. He was the Son of J J and I 

Atkinson of Cosgrove Priory Stony Stratford and a memorial plaque also remains 

there for him. 

Mrs Sam Browne was a local plantation owner 

XYZ Campbell. The nickname “XYZ” was given toArchibald Y.G. him by his 

friends on account of his mathematical prowess – he came second in the Indian 

Civil Service examinations in 1895. Telegrams from England addressed to “XYZ 

Madras” were delivered direct without any delay and even his wife whom he 

married during this year came to call him by that name. He was 37 in 1910 and 

lived until 1957. He was Private Secretary to the Governor, Sir Arthur Lawley for 

five years (1906–1911). 

Like all the brightest graduates in those days – the top jobs were in the Indian 

Civil Service. His seems a typical colonial officer empire story 2 . He married 1910, 

(she was given away by Arthur Duff) and returned to England during World War 

One. 

He had three children in England during World War One, and his wife and 

children stayed in England for school. He then returned to England in 1921, 1924 

and 1928 but that was the last time. His son Colin remembered that he was 18, in 

1935, when he drove to the railway station to collect his father on his final return 

after retirement. He had not seen his father since he was eleven years old. The 

period of leave in the Indian Civil Service was normally 8 months in every three 

years. 

Captain Stephen Cox: was a captain in the Southern Provinces Mounted Rifles. 

He joined the volunteer movement in 1905 and was commissioned in 1912, 

retiring as a captain eight years. He erected the war memorial in the Kennels as 

pictured. 

Sammy Cox: was the forest officer. 

“Cyclops”: was the first whipper in. Allen Palmer writes: 

“Good at the job and dug like blazes, making small round hole 

2 See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Y._G._Campbell


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and silting and using spade as a sort of hatchet.” 

Sloe Denistoun. Sloe is Major George Dennistoun Royal Field Artillery died 

1943. He also married in 1910, during April. Newspaper accounts come from 

Sloe, marked VIDI. (I saw). See diary entry: 

“I fancy he’s very jealous. He’s the reputation of going well.” 

Sloe acted as first whip and hunted the hounds during Allen’s illness in June, and 

when he was behind the hounds or when the pack split into two. 

FIGURE 4: SLOE DENNISTOUN 

Arthur Duff. Other newspaper reports of the hunting are included here and up 

to about October are written by Duff and entitled“from our correspondent.” Duff 

was ADC to Sir Arthur Lawley. He was the whipper in and clearly Allen’s right 

hand man that season. He gave away Frances Young in marriage to XYZ 

Campbell in December 1910. Allen Palmer writes 

“Most loyal and hard working would do anything. Most deservedly popular 

and very keen. No voice, no hound language and not much knowledge of “art 

of venerie”. 

The Hon. Athole Hay, married “Maggie” Caroline Margaret, the sister of Sir 

Arthur Lawley’s wife.


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FIGURE 5: HIS EXCELLENCYSIR ARTHUR LAWLEY AT THE MEET 

Arthur Lawley His Excellency The Governor, or “H.E” Sir Arthur Lawley was 

Governor of Madras and owner of plantations in the area. He was also father of 

the sisters Miss Cecilia and Miss Ursula Lawley. Sir Arthur would act as Viceroy 

for six weeks from November 13, 1910. He wrote from Ootacamond after that 

Christmas 

“We have had a very quiet and very sad Christmas. My wife and I are here alone 

and I know that it will be a great effort to her to say goodbye to Ooty” 

He had in earlier years in South Africa founded what later became Kruger 

National Park in 1903. He too was a career colonial officer, and never really 

settled in England even in retirement taking six month cruises to warmer climes. 

Sir Arthur clocked up a respectable 37 days hunting between May and October, 

including a total of either three or four days in a week eight times. 

Ursula Lawley. Ursula was the daughter of Sir Arthur, the Governor. She was 22 

in this year. She is the elder sister and looks stern and harsh in India photos of the 

time, when compared with her younger sister. During the First World War she 

served as a nurse and photos give a much softer image. She at one time had three 

soldiers in her care each of whom was due to have a leg amputated. She begged 

the surgeons, who finally conceded, warning that a great deal of care and 

attention would be required instead. Ursula volunteered to take personal care of 

the soldiers and in due course their legs were saved and they recovered. After the 

war had ended one of the soldiers sent her a delivery of flowers every Christmas. 

Incredibly this act continued right through until the 1960’s when the soldier 

presumably died. Her uncle, Sir Arthur’s brother, wrote that Ursula


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“is quite different (from her sister) – much quieter and not nearly so full of life.” 3 

Ursula later married Lord Wraxall and lived at Tynetsfield until she died in 1979. 

FIGURE 6: BY AUTHOR 

Cecilia Lawley. Cecilia was the younger of the sisters, by one year and she 

married in 1919 aged 30 a Geoffrey Dawson, and lived at Langcliffe Hall, 

Yorkshire, North Riding, until she died in 1969. 

The Lawley girls had witnessed the death of their only brother, aged 22, hunting 

with the Ooty the season before, in Septmber 1909. The Madras Times reported 

“He was discovered by his sister Ursula with his mount on top of him and his 

neck broken, and he must have been there for at least half an hour before he was 

discovered.” 

3 Source – David Hogg, Sir Arthur Lawley, Eloquent Knight Errant.


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FIGURE 7: HIS EXCELLENCY XCELLENCY AND CECILIA ON "GREYLING" 

Clara Morgan: : was the youngest oungest daughter of Henry Morgan, Who owned estates 

locally. She e was a cousin of Wolfe-Murray 

Wolfe 

FIGURE 8GEN SIR JAMES WOLFE W MURRAY


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General Sir James (Wolfe) Murray KCB (1853 – 17 1919) 

was a British Army officer serving as Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) 

during the first years of World War I. He served briefly as Chief of Imperial 

General Staff during WW1. He was commanding the Secunderabad Division 

during 1910. His first wife had just died in 1909 and he married again aged 60 in 

1913. Figure 9: Members of the Madras Executive Council in 1910, all of whom 

hunted withthe Ooty in 1910, except Hammick, whose daughter hunted: 

FIGURE 10: L TO R MURRAY HAMMICK, SIR WILLIAM MEYER, SIR ARTHUR LAWLEY, RAJA OF BOBBILI, 

MR JOHN ATIKINSON, THEY ALL HUNTED 

Muddray was the second whipper in Allen Palmer writes 

“Very good at his job of collecting tail hounds and getting them up from 

Ghaut, always rewarded him when he brought hounds back from Ghaut, which 

paid well, as he would go down and stay all day for 1 rp! 

Thong was the hunt terrier 

“I pulled many of them out when Thong was at them. Two dog boys 

always ran with Spade and most useful they are.”


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FIGURE 11: MEMORIAL ABOVE THE OOTY KENNELS


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HUNTING UNTING THE 

THE OOTY 

OOTY 

2 nd May to 16 th November 1910


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I arrived here 4 th April after having travelled on “Mooltan” and “Salsette” to 

Bombay. 

FIGURE 12: THE SALSETT, TORPEDOED IN 1918 NOW LIES OFF LYME BAY AND IS A FAVOURED 

DIVE WRECK 

A lovely spot. A nice crib but shall be able to write more anon. 

Found 43½ couples in kennel including a number of practically unentered hounds 

and a Bicester Draft. 

I rode about the country with Duff who was very good. I do not consider it at all 

a difficult country to learn, but to get the shortest way to hounds one wants to 

know the crossings very well. It was very hard when I came up, and we could 

only go about at a walk. 

Rain came a little while later and I soon got about. Hounds exercise every 

morning 6.45 – 9.30 am. It gets hot so soon. 

Hounds are very riotous with pie dogs Fifer and Fidley and Peeler bad. Find bites 

in kennel very troublesome and sore feet, but Dale 4’s lotion is excellent for sore 

feet. 

½ pt gromlard Extract; ½ oz Friars Balsam; ½ oz Ticture Myrrh; 1 oz Chloroform 

and green oils; and equal parts elder oil; linseed oil; turps. 

4 Will Dale, Huntsman of the Beaufort at the time.


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Mrs Leech 5 is a great help in kennel. The shola 6 is very thick but Cox the forest 

officer is very good and will do anything in matter of rides and cuttings. 

Monday 2 nd May 1910 

1 Kennels 6.15 am 

Riding: Cocktail; J. Moses 

15 couples young hounds 

Fair scent 

Drove down in XYZ Campbell’s car 

New Covert blank, ran a drag into Mills (killed 1 cub) but I was doubtful, as a 

hare had run the same line, ran round the covert and killed at the bottom. I did 

not put as much ginger into it as I should have liked as I was very doubtful about 

the young hounds. The blood did them a lot of good. 

Picked up a drag in big Rallywood hullah. Arthur suggested heelways, so I 

clapped them back, and hit it off over the hullah. Was very anxious not to tell 

them a lie on my first cast. Miss Lawley catches a view and they run nicely to the 

bottom corner of Bluegums and then run through, through Porlock and Govenors, 

very nicely and then away towards staircase. “Sloe” Dennistoun was with them 

but would not holloa. Dammed him. Said he holloaed but as I could hear 

hounds, he could not have done. I fancy he’s very jealous. He’s the reputation of 

going well. 

They ran nicely over the downs and threw up short of Bluegums, through it, and 

then out at top end where I stopped them, or rather did not hold them on. 

Hounds had no voice; .E. Nicholson said two hounds were running on mute to 

Rallywood. 

Benjamin, Goslip, Shapes well. Fifer, Fiddler, and Painter, Bin brought home (55 

mins) later, left hunting in Bluegums. 

Home 8.30. A nice rain for the last two previous days. Nice duo and going quite 

good. A fair scent. Total to date: 1! 

5 Mrs Leech was kennel-superintendent in 1909. 

6 Shola means grove - patches of stunted evergreen tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest


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Wednesday 5 th May 1910 

2 Bingham 5.45 am 

Riding: Lord Boyne, Ritual 

There had been a nice shower over night. I met early to get the dew, as sun gets 

hot so soon. Sloe objected and said it had never been done before and kept a lot 

of people away. I told him. The sooner it was started the better and that the 

more of those people who were too lazy to get up early and see hounds that were 

kept away the better. Dammed nonsense. 

We found by Bingham in the bog. Hounds flashed away, rather wild - I must 

pack them more. Raced across road to Downs, leaving Mills on our left to 

Rallywood. I could not manage Lord Boyne so did not see much of first hunt. 17 

mins. I put them right into Bluegums having seen hounds cast themselves 

forward and the jack was bearing right handed most of the time. Some of them 

thought it a bit of a Freeman 7 cast! On through Bluegums to governors, leaving 

Andy on left sank the Lungan and, leaving Hecuba on left, Lord Boyne getting 

done. I could have cried. 

I can generally manage to get to hounds somehow, but here it’s like nothing on 

earth – that ground! Most difficult to get about, and very steep and very few 

crossings. Hounds twisted about Langanard and got nearly to Langanard 

village, and back, the jack was headed and ran the vale to Porcupine. Hounds 

held it very prettily over the plough, dry as it was. A capital hunt. I stopped 

them as soon as I could. 1.23 hrs a 4½ mile point and 6 or more as hounds ran. 

7 famous huntsman of the Pytchley at the time of writing, he was just 30 years old see www.frankfreeman.co.uk


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“Sloe” also says I do not blow my horn enough, but what good blowing, when 

far behind? He says it brings on tail hounds. No, I blow my horn when I want 

hounds, or as a cheer when with them. I might blow, from behind just when 

hounds in front were at fault and back they ought to come to me. After a bit they 

would pay no attention to my horn. 

Stopped hounds at 7.30. Home at 8. 

Friday 6 th May 1910 

3 Sandy Nullah Toll Bar (5 am) 

Riding: J. Moses; Boulder 

Not much scent 

Plenty of rain and going splendid. About three people out Maharajah and 

Nojairage. 

Got on to drag of jack in Sandy Nullah, but brought back the wrong parcel 8 , and 

so made nothing of it. Did not know whether it was worth while going back, 

will try it one time. 

Arthur Duff tells me that I draw the Nullahs a little too slowly, the jack will get 

so much start. 

We found in Rawlings Nullah, a drag, ran nicely to Schmits clump and then into 

staircase. Duff and Field drove them on, but luckily they hit it off and ran 

through staircase, divided, and Moplah held on through Nullah, with Barrister 

behind him to Bluegums, the body came to my horn and cry from Sloe, who was 

on the top. 

Viewed our jack going over top between Bluegums and Porlock, one sank the hill 

again and went to ground just below Bluegums came out of his own accord, 

whilst I was making it good and ran to ground again below Hungerford. Patel 

GressonError! Bookmark not defined.’s terrier - a good dog- bolted him. 

Hounds would not own to him. I cannot make it out, as Danceway must have 

only been two feet from him. They ran to view nearby. 1½ couples only saw 

Warrior, right on a head with me. I tried to keep jack who was very beat in view. 

I gave Sloe a lecture re getting on tail hounds instead of coming with me. No use 

so far at all as a whipper in. He does no dirty work. Said they were coming on. 

“Go for heavens sake and help them come faster” I said. Hounds left, and coming to 

cry, of course will come faster with a whip cracking and creating behind than 

any amount of cheering in front. They are bound now and again try and hunt 

8 A pack of hounds is one parcel of hounds – if the pack splits that makes two


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P a g e | 24 

and tye on the line 1.10 mins marked to ground close to Devils Dyke. The 

hounds would not bay. Pensioner was very keen about it. Feel sure he was there 

as a boy pointed to the same rocks. In kennel 8.45 am 

King Edward V11 died 11.45 6 th May 1910 

Friday 12 th May 1910 

Bye day Kennels 6.30 

Riding: Cocktail, Oyster 

We had been out quietly on Wednesday and drew Parson’s valley, and round by 

Sultans’, but did not find. Gresson and Smallwood out. 

We moved off from Kennels and drew by Toda Cathedral. Found at once and 

ran very fast to Tinmans and then along edge of ghaut 9 to nearly Multanad Hill. 

Here they sank the ghaut and I thought we were going to have great trouble in 

getting them, when “Sloe” went on and found they had killed their jack, half way 

down the ghaut. He must have gone to ground and they pulled him out. All on 

except Bluebell who was killed. Bluebell fell over the edge of a rock and her 

insides were split to pieces. Only Caryl out. 

FIGURE 13 TODA CATHEDRAL 

9 A broad flight of steps leading down to the bank of a river in India, used especially by bathers


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Monday 16 th May 1910 

4 Municipal Crossing 6.15 am Old Pack 

Riding: Merryvale, Boulder, Richmond 

Fair scent 

We have had plenty of rain, going beautiful. A lot of people out. Maharajah and 

Lyverage. First day (public) after King’s death. 

Found a cub in Lew Covert and ran nicely over Newmarket to Jill and on to 

Rallywood, turned left handed and down the Nullah to Jill again over the 

Nullah, made a ring-around but never really made it out and lost at the Point to 

Point covert. On casting on we killed four cubs in a hole and one got away. 

Wisdom marked, but I paid no attention, but Holder then marked and out they 

dragged three dead and killed one more and one got away. They would not 

break him up 10though. I can’t make it out. 

Drew Mills’ blank and found a jack by Sandy Nullah fast asleep. Away he went 

as if for Gibbs then turned left handed and ran to staircase. Here I got a view 

and got them to me nicely in spite of not much help from my whips. In fact 

Arthur Duff started holloaring another one away. Warrior put them right on the 

ride, and did not open till he got to the grass, then hells bells through Briar, all 

running to a fair head, over Dartmoor, we went the very best. I must say great 

fun, I got well to the head, and tried to keep them together, but they tailed badly. 

Through southern end of Hearty, rose the hill, by Waterfall Stream, crossed the 

stream. Smallwood and I at top of hunt and Duff and Wolfe-Murray behind. 

Low hugging the ghaut, Roderick, Warrior, Painter, led them the whole way. 

Warrior always putting them right, although mute. I tried to stop them by 

Tinmans, got about six couples, some had gone down the ghaut, so we got them 

back, when Smallwood, a Sportsman, told me that he had viewed him into 

Rocky. However, it was very hot and 9.30. So I took 9½ couples home although 

there was a stale line into Rocky. 

Home 9.45. Francis counted over 100 people across one crossing. 

10 Break up the carcase


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Figure 14: hound exercise


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A small poem 

When over the Downs, 

You follow these Hounds, 

You can sit down and gallop like fun. 

Only Lanjarard Stream 

Down this hill! – oh that skein – 

If you try and jump bogs you’ll be done 

Or these wily hill jack 

When they hear on their track 

The music of Ranter and Opal 

Will run down the ghaut 

His pursuers to thwart 

Or sneak up the slopes of old Vokal. 

We’ve a general man 

Who sees every run 

When on “Bob” he’s a rum ‘un to beat 

We have ladies who ride 

On their saddles astride 

And with hardest of men will compete 

“Whose that down over there 

Why it’s “Buster” I’ll swear” 

“Look at “Sloe” down that hill how he slides 

He’s the finish man 

With hounds in the van 

In fact we are all devils to ride 

But these brave ooty lads 

Have no fancies or fads 

They sit down and ride with a will 

On that horse or this 

To ‘em nought comes amiss 

For they mean to be in at the kill 

If its avalanche path 

or the cream of the grass 

They stick to the white, black and tan. 

So you boys from the Shires 

With your blood ‘uns and fliers 

Come and catch ‘em if one of you can.

A 

v 

e 

r 


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Thursday 19 th May 1910 

5 Sheffield Corner 6.15 

Figure 15: Cyclops 

Riding: Cocktail, J Moses, Lord Boyne 

Young pack 16½ couples 

A very hot morning and foggy, so we did not mover off till about 6.30. About 50 

out. Arthur Duff, Major E.Gresson, Mr E.Nicholson, Hope, Worgan. Quinn out 

from 9 H? 

Drew Bluegums blank. Found in Rawlings Nullah and ran slowly on drag to 

Staircase, rose the hill and then very fast parallel to Back Staircase path to Briar and 

Bacon Wood, here we got into a thick mist and I could only find 5 couples of 

hounds. Went on to what we thought was a cry, but only a cur dog! Collected 10½ 

couples and Fisher told me they had gone to Governor’s, jogged back, no signs. 

Got on to drag below Governor’s, and they hunted like a pack of beagles, Arthur 

Duff viewed him, we ran up governors and out over top to Ace of Spades, then sank 

Parson’s Valley, crossed stream at H.E’s crossed left Dantes’ Spinney on our right 

and ran very fast as if for Vogel, then coming on to better terms with their jack. I 

got a view, had 10½, and ran fast to Bilanjikod Shola, re-crossed the Parson’s valley 

stream, Hermit, leading with Princess and Playful continually putting the body 

right, up Leatham’s Nullah, through Irwin and to ground in Lieben road shoal. Sloe 

found them, whilst I was making it good. Three or four hounds got into the big 

rocky hole, and Princess had a good hustle with him and killed him. Cyclops pulled 

him out and we broke her up at about 9.30. Very hot.


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Hounds back in kennel at 11 o’clock. A creditable performance considering the 

heat. Maddry brought back 5½ couples which had run from Gibbs’ To Balkie. 

Hannibal, Hermit, Fiddley, must have been one leading hounds in first hunt. 

Saturday 21 st May 1910 

6 Briar 6.30 

Riding: Barehose Boulder J Moses E.Nicholson’s “Richond” 

A dull morning. Hacked on from double crossing. Mr E.Nicholson, 2 Miss Lawley. 

His Excellency Hope, D.Q. Worgan out. 

Warrior hit off a drag by Wenlock. Crossed the road, field pressed them a bit, then 

through all houses on as if for Chemmund, leaving this on their right they sank the 

vale and very fast to Yemakal stream, past Rock Shola and then straight for Pykara 

river. He did not like this and turned up by Plague Camp. At fault at plague shola 

but I could not hit it off or find a hole that they would own to. Must have either run 

the road or gone to ground by plague shola. A very fast hunt - 23 minutes. 

Drew Bracken, Cox crossing both blank. Found by Pamela Cross and race a jack to 

view Pleader leading and killed just below stair case. (8 mins). Home 9.15. 

My leg very badly burnt with fern and had to go to bed. 

Saturday 4 th June 1910 

7 Toda Coffee Shop 12 am 

Riding: Grey pony Nellie 

Have been in bed nearly 2 weeks. Had an awful leg, which gave me great pain. 

Such a foolish mistake. 

Sloe hunting a fast pack. Very hot. Drove on. Mr E.Nicholson, W.Hope-Johnstone, 

R.Wyndham Quinn, two Miss Lawleys. C.A. and Arthur Duff. Too hot to do much. 

Drew all round by Pykara two got amongst sambur 11 , so drew by Roberts, found at 

Warwick and ran nicely to Kengodu shola to ground. (12 mins) 

Did nothing more, drew to Briar. I had been out driving 3 or 5 times and seen a bit 

of fun. Sloe not too good and a bad voice. 

11 Type of deer – the original quarry of the hunt 70 years before.


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While I was sick hounds met at 

May 23rd Fern Hill (opening meet) 

25 th Andy 

27 th Pykara Cross Roads 

1 st June Umbrella Tree 

3 rd June Windy gap 

5 th June Rees Colner 

Killed 1 

REPORT FROM THE NEWSPAPERSTHE OOTACAMUND HUNT 

OOTACAMUND, 4th June.—Toda Coffee Shop, 12 noon. 

A hopeless day for hunting, though the sky was covered with thin clouds, they only had the 

effect of making the heat more oppressive, while the ground under foot was absolutely bone 

dry; and the day, instead of getting better as it wore on, became worse, for the sun came out 

about 3 o'clock. 

A fair number of people (for the distance) turned up, mostly in motor-cars, while the Master, 

Captain Palmer, was able, we were glad to see, to ride a pony, so we hope to see him hunting 

hounds again very shortly. 

Moving off down the Pykara Falls Path, Major Dennistoun drew down towards the Pykara 

River and along above the bank by Jack’s Nest and Riverside Sholas to Tuvalkundi Mond, 

then over the hill till close to Glen Morgan, and back down the bog to Lord Roberts' Shola. 

The hounds were busy over a stale line, but the jack had been gone too long for them to make 

anything of it, and we drew on up the bog to Toda Coffee Shop Shola. At the top of this 

again hounds spoke to a line, but could not carry it far. Drawing Kengodu Hill Shola and on 

to and through Glyn's Covert, a welcome holloa from Colonel Butler proclaimed a jack at 

last, and Major Dennistoun taking hounds to it, they spoke to the line in the bottom of 

Warwick Shola, and warming to it ran at a good pace with a cheery cry across the bog into 

Paragon, up through this and out over the ridge as if for Coffee Shop Shola, but turning 

along the ridge, they ran their jack to ground in the big earth among the rocks in the top of 

Kengodu Hill Shola. This is quite an impossible place and we had to leave him there. 

It was now getting hotter, dryer, and more oppressive than ever, so the Master drew in a 

homeward direction, by the bog below Paragon, where hounds were busy for a few minutes 

on a stale line, through Morgan Shola, Little Khed, Khed Shola, Fuddler, and up by 

Wapshare’s Hare to Hero Shola, without finding again, so hounds were taken home. 

Those out included the Misses Lawley, Sir Edmund, Captain and Miss Barrow, Captain 

Annesley, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Hope-Johnstone, Mr. Wyndham Quinn, Colonel Butler, Mr.

12 Hereditary landlords 


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Cox, Mr. Cowie, Miss Rolfe, Mr. Fisher, Mrs. Horne, Mr. Humfrey, Mr. Synnott, Captain 

Lambton, the Minor Zemindars 12 of Parlakimedi and Wiyyur and other 

FIGURE 16: ALLEN PALMER 

Figure 17: Author changinSecond horses – Allen Palmer


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Monday 6 th June 1910 

8 Sheffield Corner 6.30 am 

Riding: Boulder, Major 

Screaming scent 

A lovely morning and there had been a lot of rain in the night, which was badly 

needed. Monsoon beginning to twist, but no wind. Screaming scent, no sun and very 

cool. C.A. W.Hope-Johnstone, Miss Lawley and whips out. 

Found in Andy Bog and went nicely through Limerick, hounds running with rare cry, 

along through Gaylad and then out towards Parsons valley, running beautiful, here 

they turned short back, for no accountable reason by Libenrood, and over the top 

towards the path, here I caught a view of a jack, but I think a fresh one, and ran 

through Libentrek, and away at his brush over the bog by Gaylad, old Rosalin nearly 

getting him, and hells bells down to the Lunganard below, left handed through it, jack 

running the brook at the bottom, and what a country to get over! 

Grips and impossible bogs and sunken hidden nullahs, I managed to live with them by 

myself for some time; they ran very fast, and then came out of the rally by Monkey and 

ran to Rallywood and Bluegums and then checked the Ooty side of Governors, line 

being foiled by buffalo. I did not come up for some time, and found Caryll had 

collected a few hounds, and they all had different lines through Governors. Held them 

on and hit off a line, and think he must have gone Andy way, but no scent in covert. 

Tried all round and then home with all on. How they came or from where, I can’t 

imagine. Behaved fairly well with pig in Governors. Home to kennels 10 o’clock. 

Slow pack who hunted very well 16 couples. 

REPORT FROM THE NEWSPAPERS 

6th June.—Sheffield Corner 6-30 A.M. 

A welcome change, after the heat and drought of the end of last week, for we woke up this 

morning to hear a nice comfortable rain falling, and up above Governor's Shola got the regular 

monsoon wind, blowing quite strongly from the southwest. 

After being laid up for a fortnight, Captain Palmer was this morning again able to hunt the 

hounds, and moving off by the Krurmund Path, threw hounds into the top of Andy Bog, where 

they almost immediately opened on a line, followed by a whistle fom the First Whip, who viewed 

the jack coming out of the bog and going into the bottom of Democrat Shola. Leaving Gaylad 

Shola on his right, he ran across the bog below Limerick and through the head of Pillay Shola, 

dropping down the nullah below Boghead, as if heading for Vokal Hill, but keeping right-handed 

into the Twin Sisters, he doubled short back again through the top of Pillay and Limerick and 

was viewed again close in front of hounds on the hill above Gaylad. Through Andy Plantation 

they hunted him and down across the Governor's Shola Road into Governor's Shola, where the


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jack turned back again over the road, up the hill and over the Krurmund Path, down across 

Andy Bog again, running practically the same line as previously, through Democrat, Gaylad 

and Limerick, then down the Corduroy into the bottom of Koruthaguli Shola. Bearing left- 

handed up the valley, hounds rattled along all together and with a tremendous cry, past Owl 

Crossing, into the bottom of Monkey, up through this shola, over the Krurmund Road into the 

top of Gill Shola, then leaving Porlock on their right, they tumbled down the hill to Thumbi 

Turner's Crossing. Here they threw up and though the Master walked them on nearly to the 

Toda School in Governor's, and made good his ground all round Thumbi Turner's Crossing, 

they could never own to the scent again. 

It was a good hunt, lasting pretty nearly two hours, and it was bad luck not bringing the jack to 

book, but though the rain had wetted the grass and laid the dust a bit outside, inside the sholas 

there had not been sufficient to penetrate; consequently the carpet of leaves which is spread 

under the scrub in every shola was as dry and incapable of carrying scent as a sheet of paper. As 

hounds and horses had been on the go continuously for some two hours and a half, the Master 

very wisely decided to go home, reaching kennels at 10 o'clock. The monsoon appears to be 

coming in quietly this year, but I expect we shall feel the full force of it before long, and even the 

little rain we had last night was very welcome in this season of drought. 

Those out included the Misses Lawley, Major Duff, Captain Annesley, Mr. A. Y.G. Campbell, 

Mr. Allen Campbell, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Colonel Lowry, Mr. Stewart Brown, Mr. Cox, 

Mr. Cowie, Mr. Hugh Clerk, Mr. Fisher, Colonel Formby, Mr. Green Price, Major Gresson, 

Mrs. Gillman, Major Henderson, Mrs, Horne, Mr. Humfrey, Mr. Synnott, Captain Lambton, 

Captain Marchant, Mr. Minchin, Miss Rolfe, Mrs. Stephen, Captain and Mrs. Lenox 

Conyngham, Colonel Walker and others.]# 

(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

Tuesday 7 th June 1910 

9 Beadnells (Somerdale) 12 am 

Riding: Cocktail L.Boyne Ritual 

A good scent (young pack) 

Out from G.H. Miss Lawley, William Hope-Johnstone. Richard Wyndham-Quinn, 

Pic Annesley, Arthur Duff, Major E.Gresson, I rode on with hounds with Synott and 

Antram gave us a drink. A real nice morning. A mild rain and going very fair. 

Found near Hamlet, and ran fast past Bracken on Hamlet, through Warwick and on to 

Dunsandle, and then down the Ghaut to Sholu, where it was as hot as blazes, really 

awful. Then Sloe led us up a most impossible pass, like so many stairs, the most awful 

rocks. He said he had been down it, came up at Bacon’s bump. 

Found by Fudlers, and got nicely on a drag, hunted up to him and then raced to 

Bracken, and as if for Dunsandal, but being headed he turned into the open again. I 

got them on 5½ couples, thinking not to waste time, and raced him to Cox bog, and


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then they hunted very well, tail hounds coming on, Sloe bringing most of them on. 

They then hunted him very prettily through Wenlock, with a rare cry. When in covert 

these hounds throw their tongues well, and I attribute the lack of music in the open to 

them being able to see each others sterns and so no need for cry, and also to the pace 

they go. I am possibly wrong, but it seems a feasible solution. I got them away 12½ 

couples and they hunted past Pykara road and I think lay down by the tea estate, but 

got his wind jumped up and down the tea “gardens”. I took a real good toss here, 

trying to get about I fell into a hole, what a country! 

Blew hounds out, from all over the place and home 6.50 pm to Kennel. A good day, 

marred by ghaut. 

Bin! Not quick enough and don’t understand bringing on tail hounds and cracking 

them together. 


THE OOTACAMUND HUNT 

OOTACAMUND, 7th June.—Beadnell's, 1 P.M. 

A drizzly morning with the wind howling, made us dress ourselves warmly in old clothes, but 

though the wind kept up the rain held off and we only came home slightly damp, whilst in the 

middle of the day the sun tried to come out and it was quite hot. After partaking of the new 

tenant of Somerdale's hospitality, the Master trotted off towards Hamlet, throwing hounds 

into the bottom of that covert. Almost immediately a jack was viewed away near the top, and 

hounds getting quickly to the halloa, raced away past Bracken, down to the crossing below 

Patrick, then up through Warwick Shola, across the swamp below Malkod Mund, through 

Badankod Mund Shola, and down through the Dunsandle Tea Estate, nearly to Sholur. Down 

here there had been no rain at all, so consequently scent quickly disappeared, and the Master 

and staff returned up the face of a cliff, reappearing on Barrow's Bump. 

Jogging along below Kengodu Hill a brace of jack were seen near Paragon, but it was dry and 

scent was poor, and hounds could never own to their lime. After drawing the lower part of 

Road Shola blank, a jack was seen to go into Khed and the Master throwing hounds in near the 

bottom, the jack was viewed away for Wenlock with the pack not far behind him. Turning 

short up the nullah on the west side of Wenlock, they crossed the road close behind the jack and 

topping the ridge dashed down into Chemmund. Running through the Mund itself, the jack 

was again viewed away at the top and led hounds through the edge of Dormer into Road Shola 

and right down to the Pykara Road, where it enters Road Shola. Here they threw up, and there 

being very little scent in covert, where the rain has not yet been sufficiently heavy to penetrate, 

although the Master tried them all round, they could not hit the line off again. 

Then drew Little Khed and the swamp below it and just bellow Fuddler hounds feathered on a 

very stale line, which they hunted slowly but very prettily past Bracken, the top of Hamlet, to 

Hearty. Just by Cox's Crossing they picked up a line, and, hunting it slowly at first quickened 

up on the spur between Wenlock and Fuddler Sholas and crossing the Old Pykara Road below


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Fuddler they raced over into Bracken. The jack was viewed leaving Bracken not far in front of 

hounds, heading for the wire fence which surrounds Beadnell’s Tea Estate, but luckily some 

Badagas were passing and turned him back into the little round shola which lies between 

Hamlet and the wire fence. Dodging round in the thick covert for a few minutes, he broke on 

the east side and leaving Hamlet on his right he raced away below Hearty, over the path, up the 

side of Cox’s Bog, and, leaving Wapshare’s Hare on his left, he entered Wenlock. Here, 

however, he could not stay, but breaking at the bottom he crossed the old Pykara Road again 

and into the bottom of Bracken, heading for the wire fence, and this time he made good his 

point and finding the hole under the netting of which he was in search he dropped down into 

the thick bunker inside the wire fence. The new tenant has most kindly erected a few gates, so 

the Master and hounds lost little time in getting through, and after a circular chivey round the 

tea for some 20 minutes, the jack either got in somewhere, or lay down in the thick 

undergrowth, where he could not be found, and the Master blowing hounds out of covert, as it 

was then 5.30 P.M., took them home, again invading Mr. Antram's hospitable abode on the 

way home, kennels being reached about 6.40 P.M. A good day and the last a real good hunt of 

at least an hour. 

A somewhat small field put in an appearance, those out including Miss Lawley, Captain 

Annesley, Mr. Wyndham Quinn, Mr. Hope-Johnstone, Captain and Miss Barrow, Mr. Cox, 

Mr. Jeddere Fisher, Major Gresson, Mrs. Horne, Mr. Humfrey, Mr. Synnott, Captain and 

Mrs. Lenox Conyngham, Mrs. Walker, and others.—(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

Thursday 9 th June 1910 

10 Lake End 6.30am 

Riding: Major (13½ old) J Moses, Richmond 

Not much scent 

Out: Miss Lawley, Sir J.Wolfe-Murray, Pic Annesley, Arthur Duff, Major E.Gresson, 

A bright morning and not much scent. We want more rain badly. Monsoon was 

false. Had decided to move off to Mekaval village. 

Found close to Nunjunad village, and ran nicely Sambhur shola, and down again and 

then up. A bad place to get about and not too much scent, and hounds get all over 

the place. I took 2 tosses – one a real good one. All sorts of scrub and plough and 

very hard. Hounds always lame themselves on the rocks and stones, and horses get 

very distressed. Can’t say I like the country, “like a bit of Leicestershire” I call it. 

Drew by Parsons bog and Andy bog. Got a view of a jack, but he must have got in 

somewhere, as they could only hunt him for about 1 mile. Very hard and no scent. 

Home 10.30am.


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Figure 18: Cecilia Lawley 


THE OOTACAMUND HUNT. 

OOTACAMUND, 9th June.—Lake End, 6-30 A.M. 

A lovely morning, delightfully cool early, but very hot and dry later on. The Monsoon seems 

to have taken a set-back, as there is only a slight south-westerly breeze and the clouds have all 

departed, but probably it is only a matter of a few days before we get it again and in right 

earnest next time. Anyway, there was a tremendous dew this morning, which promised a 

better scent than we afterwards found, so, as there had been some rain in the Nunjunad 

valley, and the Master did not wish to go on the "Home Downs," owing to the change of meet 

on Saturday, we trotted off via Rees' Corner to Melkaval village. 

Drawing down the ridge below this, and right-handed along above the Avalanche Bridlepath, 

a jack was viewed by Major Henderson, about half a mile north-east of Nunjunad village. 

Hounds picked up his line and hunted him at a moderate pace over the cultivation up into the 

corduroy near the top of Nunjunad scrub, where he turned down again. Scent was very 

indifferent, but, after poking about a bit in the scrub, hounds went away again down nearly 

where they found him, and, turning up through Danger Shola, brought him away through 

Sambhur Shola and back again into Nunjunad scrub. Yet once again he ran very nearly the 

same line, and scent getting worse every minute, finally failed altogether, near Nunjunad 

village, when the Master blew hounds out of covert, and decided to seek "fresh fields and 

pastures new.” 

Drawing along the Dangar Ride above Egerton's Crossing, through Leech's and Middle Bit 

Sholas, and on by Pulpit Shola, Major Duff viewed a jack about a quarter of a mile north of 

the latter. Hounds going to the holloa, they picked the line up at the Parson's Valley stream


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and puzzled it out for a short way up Heseltine's Nullah, but scent failed entirely, and, 

though the Master made good his ground all around, it was of no use. Hethen drew on up 

Parson's Valley Nullah and Andy Bog to Andy Plantation, when hounds were taken home. 

A poor day, but the weather conditions are against sport just at present, as what little rain 

there was early in the week, though very fine while it lasted, has done absolutely no good to 

the ground, except to make the grass green, while inside the sholas it is still bone dry and all 

the bare patches outside, on which there is no grass, are just like a high road. 

Those out included Miss Lawley, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Major Duff, Captain Annesley, 

Mr. A. Y. G. Campbell, Mr. Allen Campbell, Mrs. Lowry, Colonel Butler, Mr. Stewart 

Brown, Mr, Cox, Mr. de la Hey, Captain Elwes, Mr. Jeddere Fisher, Mr. Forbes Robertson, 

Colonel and Mrs. Gordon Price, Major Henderson, Miss Earle, Mrs. Horne, Mr. HUMFREY, 

Captain. Lambton, Mrs. Lenox Conyogham, Mr, Minchin, Mr. Clear, Mr, and Mrs. Hugh 

Clerk, Captain Pollard, Miss Romilly, Mrs. Rimington, Colonel and Mrs.Walker, Mr. 

Synott, the Minor Zemindar of Wiyyur and others.—(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

Figure 19: Hunt Club breakfast


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11 “Club” Hunt Breakfast 11.30 am 

Riding: Boulder, BarenoseLord Boyne (young pack) 

Out: Arthur Duff, C.A.H. Major E.Gresson, W.Hope-Johnstone, His Excellency 2 

Miss L. R.Wyndham-Quinn. 

Photographs and the like. Breakfast first. Sloe and I had a table His Excellency came 

as my guest. Bucked to old Schmidt 30 years sec. The show seems to amuse the non 

hunting contingent and I am told helps subscriptions. All sorts appeared! 

Moved off to New Covert, blank, drew round Bagman, blank, and Mills same. Got 

on drag of jack evidently from hills, and ran over road towards Bingham where I 

stopped them, as H.F. was not very keen for us to go there. Must give them a show 

on the downs. I think one went to ground by Elmhurst Corner. 

His Excellency viewed a jack on Newmarket and away they raced, Wellington, 

Pleader, Princess leading the pack, to Bluegums and up through Governors and on to 

Lady Lawley’s plantation, where I am afraid I may have left him lying down. But no 

scent in covert, although I had a line into Governors. A hunt I do not care about, but 

it pleases the Breakfast crowd and they ran very fast. (35 mins) 

Drew below Staircase, and got on drag into S. no scent, again very pretty, but field all 

over it to Bluegums. 

Now we found by Rallywood and hunted very slowly up to Mills and then nearly to 

Schmidt’s clump where I got a view, and rattled them together, and right well they 

come to a holloa, and then is the time to rouse them together. 150 years behind their 

jack, through bottom part of Staircase with a rare cry, a forrard away, but not enough 

noise from whips, all hounds on, to Bluegums skirted this covert and on to 

Rallywood, left handed over Brick Kiln Crossing and then 

“Hard on his track o’re the open and facing” 

“The cream of the country, the pick of the chase” 

“Mute as a dream (nearly) his pursuers are racing;” 

“Silence you know’s the criterion of pace 13” 

to Treble Crossing, here they were on their noses. Pensioner one of Cox’s last year’s 

draft and a promising young dog made a pretty hit and throwing his tongue we had 

‘em on to the covert, in spite of jack running the road for nearly ½ mile, here they 

were at fault. However, I hit it off at the bottom corner, but scent being awful they 

hunted slowly, running the path to Bluegums. One has to be most careful of paths, 

13 Whyte-Melville, “A Stag-hunter’s song”


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since one does not know when johns may leave it. Jack must have gone on but it was 

5.45pm and I did not want to get on a fresh one in Bluegums so I took hounds home. 

A rare Hunt. Mrs. Horne, Gresson, Miss Romilly saw it (1.5 mins) well. ‘Opes we 

may find him again. 

FIGURE 20: THE HUNT BREAKFAST 



OOTCAMUND, 11th June—The Ootacamund Club, midday. 

The annual Hunt Breakfast was held this morning, before hunting at 11-30. Owing to the 

lateness in the year, a lot of people have gone down; hence it was much less largely 

attended than usual; still, a good number put in an appearance. After breakfast, the usual 

photographs were taken by the indefatigable Mr. Burke, also Messrs Penn and Weile and 

Kleine, first on the Club steps, dismounted, and afterwards in the old place (over the water 

lilies, as our late Master phrased it), where we have not been for a couple of years or so. 

The Master brought a pack of 17½ couple looking in the pink of condition, while the rising 

generation was represented by several youngsters on ponies, placed well in the foreground, 

where they would get a good view of the hounds. After this ordeal was over, we jogged off 

via the upper road and Pykara Finger Post, past the kennels to Municipal Crossing. New 

Covert was drawn blank, as also was Mills, but a jack had evidently moved on from the 

latter some time before, as hounds feathered on the line below the covert and hunted it 

painstakingly across the Municipal stream, the road and on to the golf links. But scent 

was very bad and it fizzled out. 

Drawing on by Treble Crossing and up on to Newmarket, on topping the ridge, the 

Master viewed a jack, and laying hounds on right at him, they raced away up the bog and 

over the neck down to and across Rawling's Nullah, where he was viewed close in front of


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the pack. Dropping down below Bluegums, the jack gained a little, and leaving Porlock on 

his left, he reached the comparative safety of Governor's Shola, though hounds ran hard up 

to the road. Here the jack evidently turned along the path to the right, while hounds, over- 

shooting it, swung themselves back left-handed very prettily at first, then on right-handed 

and hit the line off, taking it up past the edge of Governor's Shola and on into Lady 

Lawley's Shola, where there was absolutely no scent, and, though after the Master had 

cast them round, they took a line on with great difficulty into the Ace of Spades, they could 

make no more of it. 

Then, moving down through Governor's Shola, the Master started drawing again down 

the Sandy Nullah stream, but it was desperately hot and dry, and, though jack had 

evidently been about and hounds kept on feathering here and there occasionally, it looked 

pretty hopeless, and we were all thinking it was about time to shut up shop, when, at the 

top of the bog which runs up from just below Brickiln Crossing towards the top of 

Rawling's Nullah, hounds picked up a line, which they hunted slowly, at first down the 

east side of Newmarket, over the ridge above Point to Point Covert, then warming up to it, 

they ran fast down to the bottom of Rawling's Nullah, over Schmidt's Bog, where the jack 

was viewed not far in front, up the Alley and into the bottom of Staircase. Turning left- 

handed through this with a merry cry, they pushed the jack straight through and down to 

the Sandy Nullah stream, on up towards Bluegums. Leaving this on his right, the jack 

first skirted it, running the fire-line all the way, out over the top and, down through 

Rallywood to Pearl Crossing, then straight along the back of Bagman to Mills, down to the 

Municipal stream and up to the Pykara Road. All this time they were screaming along at 

best pace, but the road checked them and they lost a minute or two before, casting forward, 

they hit the line off again below Treble Crossing. On they went across the Municipal 

stream and up over Newmarket to Point to Point Covert, where they threw up. The 

Master held them on above the covert and cast them round to it again, when they hit off 

the line on the lower side, but by this time they were a long way behind their jack, and 

scent, never good except when they were right at him, was failing entirely, so they puzzled 

out a line slowly along the top of: Newmarket and over Rawling's Nullah. The Master 

thought it wiser not to hold them on into Bluegums at that time of night and with the bad 

sent there was, so we came home. A capital hunt; some 45 minutes, and beautiful going 

all the way, and it was a piece of bad luck that hounds could not roll him over in the open, 

as several times they looked like doing so. 

Those out hunting and at the Hunt Breakfast included His Excellency the Governor, 

whom we were all delighted to see in the saddle once more, the Misses Lawley, Major Duff, 

the Master (with his leg still tied up), the Whippers-in, Major Dennistoun and Captain 

Gosling 14, Mr. Wyndham Quinn, Mr. Hope-Johnstone, Mr. A. Y. G. Campbell, Sir 

Edmund, Lady, Miss and Captain Barrow, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Mrs. Dennistoun, 

Colonel Watts, Colonel and Mrs. Lowry, Major and Mrs. de Heriez Smith, Colonel 

14 Capt Gosling married Lady Lawley’s sister “Mamie” Mrs Mary Gosling.


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Butler, Colonel and Mrs. Scott, the Hon'ble Mr. Atkinson and Mrs. and Miss Atkinson, 

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Brown, Mr. Cowie, Miss Rolfe, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Clerk, Mr. 

Clear, Captain and Mrs. Elwes, Mr. Fisher, Colonel and Miss Formby, Colonel and Mrs. 

Gordon Price, Major Gresson, Major and Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Horne, Mr. Humfrey, 

Major Hinge, Captain Jackson, Captain Hamilton, Captain and Mrs. Leanox Conyngham, 

Captain and Mrs. Marchant, Mr. Minchin, Miss Romilly, Mrs. Rimington, Mrs. and 

Miss Earle, Mrs. Stephenson, Major and Mrs. Smallwood, Mr. Synnott, Major and 

Mrs.Watson, the Hon'ble Mr.Wynch, Sir William and Lady Meyer, the Maharajah of 

Bobbili, Major and Mrs. Carnana, Mr. W. E. Schmidt, Captain Annesley, the Hon'ble 

Dr., Mrs, and Miss Bourne, Colonel, Mrs. and Miss Campbell, Mrs. Cumming, Mrs. 

Cookson, Lady Sutherland, Mr. Holmes and others.—(From Our Own Correspondent.) 


12 Sheffield Corner 7 am 

Riding: CocktailMajor Lord Boyne (old pack) 

Out: His Excellency Caryl, Arthur Duff Miss Lawley. 

Moved off to Parsons valley. It was very foggy and I was afraid when we 

moved off that we should lose hounds. 

Sloe viewed a jack and we ran Bilanjikod Shola and on to Lambton, where 

hounds divided. S. Brown, I asked to go on and stop them, but Caryl went on 

with 1½ couple and brought them back. I cast them towards Walhampton, hit it 

off, but had to rise a steep hill and did not come on them again till somewhere 

by July, very thick. I hear Wisdom, somewhere, west towards the sound and 

saw 2 hounds cornering a jack they had bolted and then found 6 couples 

including Wisdom marking a waterhole from where they had evidently bolted 

him. A pity, but due to fog Sloe had three or four couples on the hill above 

Bagpits. Collected 13 couples and Arthur’s 2 nd Lieutenant came and told us that 

15 The Mharaja was brought into Sir Arthur Lawley’s executive by him.


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Arthur had 3½ couples marking a jack below Vogel, soon dug him out let them 

break him up, which they did well. 

We now had a long draw all down Parson’s Valley and round by Pig and 

Whistle and then home very hot. Home 11.15am 



OOTACAMUND, 13th June.—Sheffield Corner, 

7 A.M. 

A fine morning early, with a very heavy dew on the grass. On leaving the Meet, however, 

as we crossed the neck at Andy Plantation a thick mist came rolling up Parson's Valley, 

which kept on rising and falling in the most disconcerting manner. 

Drawing Andy Bog and below Dante's Spinney, when nearly opposite Lieben Road, 

Major Dennistoun viewed a jack on the south side of the valley. Laying hounds on, they 

opened with a good cry, and, swinging round the ridge above Bilanjikod Mund, headed for 

Vokal. There were two jack afoot, however, and, unfortunately, only the leading couple 

and a half pursued the original line, the body of the pack turning short right-handed into 

Bilanjikod Mund Shola. The Master turning to them, they hunted slowly down to the 

bottom of the nullah which runs from below Walhampton Shola into Parson's Valley, 

where they threw up, only to hit it off again very shortly, and ran up the hill towards 

Pennant Shola. Leaving this on their right, they ran across the Mekod Long Swamp, over 

the hill by Dennistoun, turning left-handed across the Heseltine Ride into Lambton Shola, 

all this in a mist which rose and fell, so that only occasionally could hounds be seen and 

heard. 

In the nullah below Lambton they put their jack to ground and shortly afterwards bolted 

him, but the fog was so thick that it was impossible to do anything except get hounds 

together, which was done, and the Master, jogging back towards Vokal, found that three 

couple of hounds, accompanied by Major Duff, had run a jack to earth not far from 

Bilanjikod Mund. This jack was presently unearthed and eaten. A long draw then ensued 

down Parson's Valley, nearly to the Krurmund Path up the bog below Mekod Mund 

Shola, over the Krurmund Path, down past Thukkurai Mund and Kurumuda Shola and 

into the Nadankod Valley, without finding, and so home. 

A somewhat disappointing day, but after the fog cleared off, it was very hot and the 

ground bone dry; in fact till we get some real good rain, the prospects of sport are not 

good.


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FIGURE 21: PIC ANNESLEY, LEFT, WHO WAS HUNTING THAT DAY. PEDLAR PALMER IS BROTHER OF ALLEN 

THE AUTHOR, AND BILLY GIBBS, ON THE RIGHT, WAS URSULA’S FUTURE BROTHER IN LAW. 

Those out included His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, the Misses Lawley, Captain 

Annesley, Mr. A. Y. G. Campbell, Mrs. Allan Campbell, Miss Barrow, Sir James Wolfe- 

Murray, Colonel and Mrs. Lowry, Colonel Butler, Miss Earle, Mr. Stewart Brown, Mr. 

Cowie, Miss Rolfe, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Clerk, Mr. Fisher, Colonel Formby, Mrs. and 

Miss Gordon Price, Major Gresson, Mr, Handcock, Mrs. Horne, Mr. HUMFREY, Captain 

Lambton, Mr. Minchin, Captain Pollard, Mr. Synnott, Colonel and Mrs. Walker and 

others.


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13 Avalanche Finger Post 1pm 

Riding: Boulder, Richmond,J Moses (16 f. pack) 

Only K.W.O. C.A.H. Arthur Duff, His Excellency Miss Cecelia Lawley out. 

A nice shower. Very hot at starting. Bin and I took hounds on. 

Wellington got on a line and went away hells bells by himself and never a note. 

Ran over funny country, cultivated and scrub, towards Langanard. As there had 

been some rain about here, there was a little scent, but we soon ran out of it. Not a 

yard and as dry as a bone. 

Got on a drag in Leech, and hunted prettily to over hill to Bog Head and then 

hunting on slowly at time and then warming up a bit we ran into Pillay and sank L. 

Valley by Kuruthaguli Shola. Scent failed. 

Cyclops said that Wellington was marking earth in Pillay put in Gyp, but nothing 

there. The dog is a bad babbler and simply backs when he gets into an earth, most 

annoying. 

Found on side of Hecuba and ran with the best cry I have yet heard round Hecuba 

and turning short right-handed ran to Tiger, where pack split up on a riot I am 

afraid, though they had a stale line round by Andy Plantation to Sheffield Corner. 

Home 5 o’clock. Very hard and dry and rain badly needed.


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FIGURE 22: CYCLOPS, "GOOD AT THE JOB AND DUG LIKE BLAZES"


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OOTACAMUND, 14th June.—Finger Post 1pm 

A hopeless morning as far as hunting prospects were concerned. No wind and bright sun; 

the ground like a brickbat too. However, about 11.30 it clouded over, and there was quite a 

sharp shower at the Meet. Unfortunately the rain seemed to go all over Lawrence Asylum 

way, instead of where we wanted it down the Emerald Valley. 

Moving off from the Meet, we jogged down the Avalanche Bridle Path, and the Master 

threw hounds into the bog below Finger Post Shola. Almost at once they picked up a line 

on the far side, and, leaving Hookham Snivey on their left, they ran in a north-easterly 

direction, gradually edging up the hill near the top of Nunjunad Scrub, where they threw 

up, and though the Master tried them round, on this iron ground, there was no scent at 

all, and they could not hit off the line again. Maty Bog was then drawn, and from Leech's 

Shola they puzzled out a very cold line over the top of Climbank and up the hill above 

Boghead. Then they warmed up a bit as they dropped down across the path into Pillay and 

down into Kuruthaguli Shola, and on towards the Nanjunad Valley, but on the ridge 

above Dangar Shola scent again seemed to sizzle out. Finding again on the hill above 

Kurothaguli Village hounds had a short chivey round the top of Hecuba into Tiger Shola, 

but with the hopeless drought it is quite impossible to account for a jack the moment he 

gets any strong lead of hounds, and till we get some rain prospects of sport are not very 

rosy. 

A very small field. His Excellency, the Misses Lawley, Captain Annesley, Messrs. 

Wyndham Quin, Humfrey, Synnott and others. – (From Our Own Correspondent.) 


14 Brooklands 7 am 

Riding: MajorRitualLord Boyne (17½ old pack) 

Still very hard and no rain. Everyone from G.H. gone to Mysore 16. Synott 

whipping in. 

Went away from Brooklands to Sloe’s holloa which don’t carry very far. How I 

do like to hear a real good view holloa. Makes the blood run to my head and to 

the hounds too. Nothing rattles a pack together better. Got them on a long way 

behind, as they flashed heel ways. Ran by Blackbridge, over road and very 

nicely to Hanging Shola, rattled him round and tally and back once or twice and 

16 The Yuvaraja of Mysore, son of the Maharaja of Mysore, got married June 1910, then 

followed a two hour Durbar with 1,400 guests


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then away towards the Ghaunt by Umbrella tree, through Parasol and back 

again up to Connemara Road and turned sharp back from the ghaunt. A fresh 

jack jumped up under their noses and ran down the ghaunt, but I luckily 

stopped them. I viewed one jack very beat crossing the road, when he shortly 

afterwards got to ground. T.Long did well and “fair worried” him. 

We had a long dig and got him out and broke him up and then dug another out 

of same spot, I think we broke his leg getting him out. He did not run far, and 

we lost him. Must have got in somewhere. These hounds do not mark at all 

well. Perhaps they will with more cheering. I gave Mike Rimington the brush. 

Found close to Rocky. Several jack on foot. Ran one and marked him to ground 

in main earth in Rocky. A very big place and then drew blank towards home, 

round by Damelas. Very hard and dry and put meets back to 6.30 next week. 

Not at all a bad morning. Home 10.30 am to Kennels. 

FIGURE 23: MOVING OFF FROM THE MEET 



00TACAMUND 16th June-Brooklands, 7 A. M 

A stuffy morning, a little dew on the grass early, but as hard and dry later as it was in 

March. If the rain does not come soon and soften the ground, we shall have neither 

hounds nor horses left, and today it looks more hopeless and less like rain than ever. 

Drawing Bingham, and then trotting down the Segur Road, as the Master threw hounds 

into Brooklands, a halloa from the First Whip at the far corner was heard, and quickly 

getting hounds to it, they picked up the line and running up the Demon Valley nearly to 

Black Bridge, they crossed the Segur Road and the ridge above it and on into the bottom of


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Hanging Shola. All in a bunch they pushed their jack right through the shola and out at 

the top, where his heart failed him and doubling short back into the shola he gained a bit on 

hounds. There was very little scent under the trees, but hounds hunted most 

painstakingly and kept him moving and presently he was viewed away heading straight 

for the ghats. Luckily, however, for all of us, and unluckily, as it proved, for himself, he for 

some unknown and most exceptional reason, preferred to remain on top instead of going 

down the ghats and having run up to the Connemara Road by the Umbrella Tree, he 

turned short back in the shola opposite, and running through the little sholas which lie 

below the Connemara Road, he kept parallel to it for a bit, then crossing he pointed down 

the ghats, but swinging back left-handed over the top of the hill opposite Mutanad and just 

above the Segur Road, he crossed the road and went to ground in a hole beside a little 

water-course just below the 5th milestone on the Connemara Road. The Master's game 

little terrier Thong having appeared with the terrier boys, lost no time in informing us 

that the jack was not far in, and after some time spent in excavations was seen to be 

tackling the jack properly, till finally he was got out and the usual obsequies performed. 

There was also another jack in the earth, who was much upset by the turn events had 

taken, so much so that in trying to get him out he took toll of Cyclops' leg en passant, and 

made good his retreat up the nullah, where it was so dry that hounds could never own to 

him. 

It was now absolutely dry and though there was no sun it was very stuffy, but Captain 

Palmer drew up from Black Bridge to Toda Cathedral and then along towards Rocky. At 

the top of the bog near Karimulimund three jack were viewed, each apparently heading in a 

different direction, though, as a matter of fact, they all eventually, I think, went towards 

the Cathedral Ghut, and as scent was practically a minus quantity, the Master very wisely 

decided not to pursue and risk getting hounds down the ghat, where in this sort of weather 

they simply cut their feet to ribbons. Rocky was then drawn blank, and after trying round 

over the Waterfall River, up past the Punchbowl, over Lawley's Course and the bottom of 

Newmarket to Double Crossing, without result, hounds were taken home, reaching 

kennels a little before 11. It is always hard and dry early in the season at Ootacamund, 

but this year fairly takes the biscuit, and till we get some real good rain to soften the 

ground a bit there seems very little prospect of much sport. Owing to the drought and the 

fact that practically the only chance of any sport is to go out very early in the morning, 

while the dew is still on the grass, the Master has decided to alter Saturday's fixture from 

Sultan Shola at 1 P.M. to Sheffield Corner at 6.30 A.M. It is hoped that the change at this 

late hour will not inconvenience any one, as steps have been taken to let everybody know, 

but in the interests of sport, it really appears the only thing to be done. 

Those out included Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Captain Barrow, Colonel Lowry, Colonel 

Butler, General and Mrs. Rimington, Mr. Stewart Brown, Mr. Cowie, Miss Rolfe, Mr. 

and Mrs. Hugh Clerk, Mr. Clear, Captain Elwes, Mr. Jeddere Fisher, Colonel Formby; 

Mr. Forbes Robertson, Colonel, Mrs.and Miss Gordon Price, Major Gresson, Major 

Henderson, Mrs. Horne, Miss Hammick, Major Hinge, Mr. Homfray, Captain Lambton,


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Captain Marchant, Mr. Minchin, Captain Pollard, Miss Romilly, Mr. Synnott, Colonel 

Walker and others.-(From Our Own Correspondent.) 


15 Sheffield Corner 6.30 am 

Ridin: Lord BoyneJ. MosesCocktail (fast Pack 15½) 

R.W.O. & E.H.J. out. Rest at Mysore. Synott, Sloe and B in whipping in. Very 

foggy and frightened me to death. One can only see about ¼ mile and never 

knows where one is. Hounds would get away at once and we should never find 

them again. Would run all sort of riot, and learn very bad habits. Besides as 

happened, they might run any sort of riot, as one would not get a view. 

Moved off and drew Jemakal. Found in Jemakal and ran this pig. I must say 

prettily to Bamboo. A great pity as I was cheering them the whole time. Stopped 

them at last. 

Had feint line from Bamboo to Staircase and stopped them. Very thick, so tried to 

see if it was better on other side of the hill. Found below Governors and ran very 

nicely as if for Parson’s Valley then turned short back, and leaving most, ran 

parallel to Governors ride very nicely to ground in earth at back of Hungerford. 

Impossible to get him out from the great boulders. “Rosemary” got in and it took 

us ¾ hour to dig her out. 

FIGURE 24 THE DIG 

Now moved off and drew down Jemakal, from Bamboo, but very hard and could 

do nothing. They marked a watercourse and we put in Thong who went up to 

him at once, and we dug and got him out and gave the “fliers” blood which was 

badly needed having had none for nearly a month. Thong worked splendidly. 

An amusing dig. I must say I like these digs especially to one’s own dog. Cyclops 

very good, and strong with a spade.


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I believe a great number of these jack when they hear horses’ hoof, which I am 

told they do from a great distance, as they have their heads near the ground, just 

pop into these holes like rabbit. I must go and have a day over the Jemakal with 

Thong and see what I can do to get some of them out. 

Went out and stopped earth by Hungerford. A little rain, but not nearly enough. 

Monsoon very late, though they had 6 inches in Bangy on Saturday evening. 

Home 12.5 to kennels. Roderick and Pleader worked very well and of course 

Honeywood. Warrior lame from bites. 


16 Sandy Nullah Toll Bar 6.30 am 

Riding: BarenoseBoulder Richmond (old pack 16½) 

No scent 

Dicky Wyndham-Quinn out, everyone at Mysore. Very hot and hard about 20 

out. 

Drew Rocky, which I had stopped. Chopped a jack, which ran into a bog. I drew 

Rocky from the very top corner, which His Excellency advised, but I do not think, 

this stops them going to the ghaut. 

Got on line and ran to Waterfall Shola, where I thought all was up for an hour or 

two. By great fortune they came back to me, on a line and I “told them a lie” and 

got them away. 

Drew along towards Cox bog, found just by Summerdale road and ran slowly, 

then Wisdom made a very pretty hit getting the wind some 200 yards and then 

stooping to it going like the devil they ran right handed towards Fuddler and then 

swinging sharp back ran with a rare head and over a country easy to see them, 

just left Wapshare over the road, where I got well up to them and cheered and 

capped them on and turning sharp right-handed short of Chemmund where we 

got a view. They were at fault at Pagackomasq and I lefted them, but whippers in 

did not keep close enough so they flashed off on to another line – got them 

eventually, and Workman led them on, into Dormer, and through the Covert, 

where we put up some sambur and bothered me though hounds behaved very 

well. A capital hunt and I really thought we were going to get him, when he rose 

the hill by Chemmund. We could (30 minutes) see the hunt well. 

Drew round to Paragon and back but did not find. A very fair day. 

Home and found jack by Brooklands, ran on in, but no scent. Took a long time 

collecting hounds Monsoon breaking. I think there is an earth in B. Shall go and 

see when I have time. Home 12.5 pm


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Ootacamund, 20 th June.- 

A day of general exodus from Ootacamund to Mysore. No less than seven cars, I believe, 

left, loaded with guests invited to the wedding of that genial sportsman, the Yuvaraj; and 

one car, I am credibly informed, held no less than seven occupants. It was surprising, 

therefore, to find a comparatively large field to meet the Master, at Sandy Nullah Toll-bar, 

at the early hour of 6-30 A.M. After some delay, to which the absence of the Master's 

hunting horn contributed, hounds were thrown into the scanty cover of Rocky, out of 

which two cubs were quickly ejected. One, with youthful disregard of danger, elected to 

potter round the outskirts of the cover, a manoeuvre which resulted in his abrupt demise. 

His brother, or may be sister, showed greater intelligence and, assisted by the pack's, 

passing interest in his or her relation, gave us a good gallop to the edge of the precipice 

over Waterfall Shola. Here the field stopped, for the very good reason that it could go no 

further to admire the really magnificent view of the Mysore Ditch. In ninety nine out of a 

hundred cases we should have had to be content with the view for an hour or so; but, on 

this occasion, the jack found a refuge near the top of the ghat, and little time was wasted in 

collecting hounds. Further proceedings were enlivened by a good deal of holloa-ing away 

of real or imaginary jacks by the second horsemen; but no fresh line could be picked up, 

and a move was made towards Dartmoor Valley. 

In the bog near Aylmer's Crossing, hounds spoke to a line and carried it up the bog for 

some distance. Scent improving every moment, the pack were soon racing on the hill 

towards Cox's Swamp, which they crossed, and rose the further slope. Then, swinging 

left-handed, they crossed the stream below Wapshare's Hare and the Pykara Road, towards 

Chemmund. Neglecting the shelter of the latter, the jack set his mask for Pykara Hill, and 

was viewed close to hounds, which would have undoubtedly accounted for him, if a fresh 

jack had not, unfortunately, crossed the line. By the time hounds had been stopped and 

thrown forward in the right direction, the hunted jack had crawled into Dormer, where 

scent was nonexistent. 

A real good gallop, and, with a fine scent on the grass, hounds have seldom travelled so 

fast this season. The rest of the morning was spent in drawing the swamps and sholas 

towards Beadnell's, but scent was failing with the rising sun, and little more of any 

interest was done.


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Among those out I noticed Mrs. Horne, Major and Mr. Newnham, Miss Rolfe, Colonell 

Formby, Mr. Wyndham Quin, Mr. Synnott, Mr. Stewart Brown, Mr. Clear, Mr. 

Minchin, Major Gresson, Captain Lambton, Major Henderson and others. 

FIGURE 25: SPARE HORSES 

Tuesday 21 st June 1910 

17 Sheffield Corner 7 am 

Riding: Christopher, Ritual, Boulder, Synott “Major” (fast pack 15½) 

A wild Monsoon day. His Excellency Miss Rolfe, Cox, Synott (whipping in) XYZ 

Cambell, and Humphrey. Intended to go Krurmund way, but decided to go to 

Nunjunad. 

Found close to Dalma Tope, but hounds divided, very misty. Cox and Bin, 

brought them back, and I got on to leading hounds of other parcel, and ran 

towards Mekalval swamp and then beautifully along swamp to Goondappa and 

rose the hill to Sambhur Shola. I was with them well, and they carried a beautiful 

head. Here I was pounded and got up to little Danger ride, found XY and Bin and 

at last hear them on opposite side of valley, by Avalanche. Galloped over and 

found them there. A most impossible country very hilly and wooded. I waited on 

the top, His Excellency came and then they got onto a pig and a nice hunt ensued. 

We came up to them by Trepady. No one seemed to me too keen to go in. 

Muddray “up a tree” giving instructions, Bin with the lance, I blowing hounds 

and Synott flogging. Got them all off 8½ couples cut badly. Gave Pleader a good 

hammering as he would not come to me and then trotted along a Bridle Path 

home. 11 miles.


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Home 12.5 pm All on and very lucky to have them. 

What a country to hunt in. Impossible to get to hounds. We went down ibex 

tracks at a gallop and when I led back I saw I had come over the most impossible 

mud, and old cock, had been slipping all the time. Made me tremble! 


21 st June - Sheffield Corner, 7 A.M. It was, I believe, the Master's intention to hunt the 

Krurmund country; but the morning proved so rough, with a south-west gale and driving 

rain, that he preferred to seek the comparative shelter of the Nanjunad Valley to 

attempting to draw on the higher ground. Hounds were accordingly taken to Owl 

Crossing and, before long, spoke to a line in the stream bed, below Dharma Tope. 

Slow hunting followed through the scrub jungle on the steep hill sides of Kuruthuguli 

village, and the pack divided, the greater number running up towards Pillay, below which 

they were stopped, the rest following an undecided sort of line towards Schmidt's Shola. 

The Master collected hounds and casting back towards the Kuruthuguli stream, picked up 

what was probably the line of the second jack. However, in this difficult country it is 

impossible to say exactly what happens. Hounds now began to run fast and re-crossed the 

Kuruthuguli stream, heading for Melkaval Swamp. Here they swung right-handed and, 

leaving the Avalanche Bridle path on the left, crossed the Goondappa swamp, going great 

guns and beautifully together. 

The difficulty of crossing the country, combined with half a gale of wind, rain and mist, 

made it impossible to see exactly the line taken, but hounds eventually arrived at the head 

of the Goondappa Valley, and the jack was viewed, by one of the field, crossing the Little 

Danner Ride, very little in front of the pack. For the first time this season there was scent 

in covert and without a check the line was carried on through the jungle above Nanjunad 

village to Muthugar. Here the jack suddenly turned left-handed and abandoning the thick 

coverts on his right, made straight across the open country to the Avalanche Finger Post, 

the only rider in view of the pack being His Excellency the Governor. The hunt ended in 

the dense scrub of Hard-bake Hanger, in which the jack found sanctuary in the society of a 

large sounder of wild pig, whose unwelcome presence gave a great deal of subsequent 

trouble. 

The very limited field consisted of His Excellency the Governor, Miss Rolf, Mr. A. Y. G. 

Campbell, Mr. Humfrey and Mr. Cox, while Mr. Synnott assisted to whip in, owing to 

the absence of Major Duff at Mysore. 

The Nanjunad valley has again shown, despite its somewhat unpromising appearance, 

that it can, when the ground is soft and scent holds, give a most sporting hunt.—(From 

Our Own Correspondent.)


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Thursday 23 rd June 1910 

18 Briars 

Riding: Boulder, J. Moses,Lord Boyne 

Very few out. Mrs. Horne, J. Lambton, Col. Walker, Hinge, Gresson, Synott 

(turning ‘em), Miss Rolfe, Minchin. Very rough and wild, blowing a gale and a 

half, pouring rain and very thick. We could not go to Yemakal where I had 

intended so drew below staircase. Took eight couple of new draft on to meet with 

Stewart Brown. 

Got on stale line and hunted to Staircase. Drew towards Bluegums and got on 

line very prettily from Bluegums crossing and ran along Newmarket and sank 

valley nearly to Staircase where I think he got in somewhere. Could make 

nothing of it and scent was very poor, as it was pouring so with rain. 

Got on to a drag by Rallywood and ran to Goldmine Crossing and then ran most 

beautifully over the Downs, Vagabond hunting with his hackles up, heads up 

sterns down. Frosty face, only being entered 6 weeks, throwing his tongue and 

running bang up to the head. I put these young hounds on with the old and 

slowest pack as I think it gives them more encouragement and they have hefty 

chance of running up. 

I was for once very nearly being like J.J.’s beagle at all events. I was in the position 

to see which hound held the lead and which threw his tongue. 

“A chosen few the sport enjoy, 

nor droop beneath their pleasing toils” 

I got a view of him going into Mills and galloped round and viewed him away. 

Got ‘em on nicely when just by the Municipal Stream, a fresh one jumped up, but 

fortunately only 1½ couples of tail hounds saw him. 

They marked the hunted jack to ground at Elmhurst corner, and whilst I was 

making it “good” they hit off the line of the first jack, and ran very fast to 

Lascelles, bang through on to Bingham and Brooklands. Very short of whips, I 

sent on Gresson, who did not see two couples of hounds go away, I saw them 

later, and got the body on by the Toda Cathedral. Now by the merest luck they 

checked at the ghaut and just gave me time to get hold of them. I held them back 

towards Conemmara road, they hit off a line and ran nicely round the edge of 

(1.15) the ghaut, and I stopped them close to Parasol. 

A really capital hunt and - a scent - the first I have had this season. What a 

difference, over the Downs they could do not wrong. 

I jogged back to Elmhurst corner and found that he had gone and heard that 3 

couples hunted him to Jackal, Monkey and Porqupine. However I consider


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hounds accounted for their jack, as someone should have waited at the hole, but 

there were so few out. 3½ short, but all in by 6 o’clock. Home to kennels 3.45. A 

very good day. 

FIGURE 26: KENNELS 


THE OOTACAMMUND HUNT. 

OOTACAMUND, 23rd June.—Briar Shola, 12-30. 

A wilder and more stormy day we had not experienced since the 5th June last year, when 

hounds and field were driven home from Windy Gap by the break of the Monsoon. This 

season the Monsoon has hitherto been a thing of soft breezes and gentle showers and we 

have grumbled freely at the hardness of the ground and the poverty of scent. Tuesday, in 

the Nanjunad, had been rough, but the wind strengthened during Wednesday and on 

Thursday was blowing a three-reef gale, with driving rain. 

Our Master, however, pays no attention to Jorrock's advice not to hunt on a "werry 

windy day" so meet we did at Briar Shola as advertised. Too severe to face in the Yemakal 

Valley, hounds were taken round to Gibbs' Shola, where there was less chance of being 

blown off one's horse, and the swamp below the shola was drawn. 

Failing here, a line was shortly afterwards found in the stream bed below Lawley's Course 

and a short excursion made through Stoke's Shola to the northern slopes of Staircase, 

when in the face of the gale, scent was unable to lie, and hounds threw up.


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Staircase Shola, Round Shola and Cromwell Shola were then drawn blank, but below the 

latter hounds spoke to a line in the valley for a moment. Casting by the stream and along 

the bottom of Rawlin's Valley, the Master picked up the line again and slow hunting 

followed to the ridge of Bluegums and on the hill to Rallywood the jack must have been 

lying up in some shelter under the slope of the hill, for the pace suddenly quickened and 

hounds tumbled down into the valley below, with a great outburst of music. From 

Brickfield Crossing, over Bagman, past Mills' Cover to Elmhirst Crossing, the pace was 

fast and furious. A slight check ensued at Municipal Stream, where the pack had two jack 

in front of them. One ran to earth in a small nullah below the Golf Links and was left, 

while the Master lapped hounds on to the other, viewed away towards Mackenzie's 

Crossing. 

A further fast gallop took us on the golf links, by Lascelles and Bingham to Brooklands, in 

which however, the jack did not stop long. Hounds were close to him as he was viewed 

again at the lower end of Brooklands, making best time over Demon Valley. The earth at 

Rocky may have been his point and if so he must have been disappointed to find it closed. 

However, the ghats are near, and like so many jacks before him he found refuge in 

Waterfall Shola before the pack could reach him. In the meantime, the jack which had run 

to earth below the Golf Links bolted and, with two and a half couple of hounds and a single 

member of the field to enjoy it, gave an excellent run over Bagman, through Jackal and 

Monkey and into Kuruthuguli Valley. They may have gone further, but the field declared 

that he had no use for the Nanjunad and proceedings of the hounds beyond Monkey did 

not interest him. 

Altogether a good day's sport all the more enjoyable because so unexpected. Among others 

out were Mr. Horne, Miss Rolfe, Colonel Walker, Major Gresson, Major Hinge, Captain 

Lambton, Captain Pollard, Mr. Clear, Mr. Forbes Robertson, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Synnott 

and others.


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19 Toda Coffee Shop 12.30 pm 

Riding: Major CocktailLord Boyne (13 young) 

His Excellency XYZ Campbell, (on foot), Ledger Atkinson, Bin out. Very few 

out. Not quite so wild but very windy. Drew all over place. Drove on. 

Drew all over these Downs. Jago’s gorge looked a certainty very warm. 

Warwick, Hamlet, Bracken, Wapshare all blank! 

His Excellency seemed to attribute this to Synett’s noise. Certainly does not seem 

very musical. Hard and will go anywhere, useful if he only kept quiet, always 

rating hounds and his cheer is like a rate. Will crack his whip in hounds’ faces. 

Bound to make them wild. Hounds got wild towards the end of the day, very 

rough and Synett did not help it. Bin very slow. Miss Arthur and Sloe out. 

On way home got on line and ran from to Bluegums via Jackall, got them 

together and to two jack jumped up under their noses and off Fidles led them to 

Ursula nearly to Cairn Hill and back to Baikie. I had never been over this 

country but managed to live with them. 

25th June.—Coffee Shop, 12-30. 

Another wild blustering day, and hounds met where the full force of the Monsoon could be 

felt. According to a well-known authority, "the Meet is the place for letting off the 

fulminating balls of wit." I cannot say we found it a particularly humorous place, and 

such of us as had hacked out and become thoroughly wet in the process were only too glad 

to get moving again. The centre of the picture was a gallant sportsman, who, having 

driven out in a closed carriage, seemed disinclined to move at all. However, he appeared to 

be on the field. 

Our first proceedings were to draw the swamp below Devil's Dance, in which hounds 

feathered on a line, but could not carry on. Gonikhari Shola was then tried without 

success and a move made to the sheltered side of Kangodu Hill. Jacks above ground were 

scarce, as well they might be in such weather; and it was not until Jago's Gorge was tried 

that the pack showed much interest in the proceedings. Here a brace had been lying, but 

must have gone some time, the wind carrying down the sound of the horn from a long 

distance cast. Hounds got on their line in Glyn's Cover, but had to be stopped above 

Diana's Dingle, as they were running strait to the ghat. Warwick, Bracken and Hamlet 

Sholas did not repay a visit, and a long draw towards Wapshare's Hare was equally 

unsuccessful, although it was evident that there had been a jack on foot in the swamp 

below Broobsby. Some temporary excitement was aroused by a stag breaking from Hero, 

and on a bad scenting jack-failing sort of day it was no surprise that a few couple of young 

hounds rioted. They were, however, stopped near Briar and with our thoughts more 

attuned to hot whiskies and water and a warm fire than to hunting, we jogged on to the


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home downs. Our Honorary Secretary, more with a view to cheer us, than I think from 

conviction, promised us an improvement in the scent and a good warming run before we 

reached home. We did not, of course, believe him, but, at Double Crossing he was able to 

say:—" I told you so", when hounds flashed off on a rare scent towards Point-to-Point 

Cover, and ran in great style up Dartmoor Valley to Rallywood, over the Potatoe Patch 

and right-handed into Minehead. Not far, but fast and sufficiently-warming. 

The hour was late and hounds were collected. My story ought to end "and so to kennels" 

but it does not, for the reason that a brace of jack crossed in full view of the pack at Brand's 

Crossing. Hounds were over the sandpits and away in full cry beyond possibility of recall, 

and nilly-willy, we had to gallop hard to keep them in view. On the corner of Golf Hill, 

through Dairy Maid and Denmark, to the Avlanche Bridle Path, into the Fairlawn's 

Valley, the jack or pair of Jacks made straight for Caire Hill. Luckily, the pack either 

changed or the hunted jack was headed, and while we were tying to get down on to the 

roads, hounds swung back through Ursula Shola and carried on one Denmark Hill into 

Baikie where, after ringing the cover, the jack went to ground, and was left. 


20 Umbrella Tree (15½ old) 7 am 

Riding: J. Moses RichmondLord Boyne 

Fair scent 

His Excellency, Two Miss Lawley’s, Arthur Duff, Major E.Gresson, Elwes XY. A 

fair scent going. Rough and wild. 



OOTACAMUND, 27 th June.-Umbrella Tree, 7 A. M. 

A nice hunting morning, with prospects of a scent which were soon to be realised. Parasol 

Shola, near Umbrella Tree, proved tenantless, as did the bog below; but a welcome note 

from Teacher proclaimed a varmint at home in Hanging Shola. He was evidently not 

alone, and a swelling chorus was the prelude to three jacks simultaneously leaving cover. 

The Master rattled hounds down to the Second Whip's holloa at the bottom of the cover, 

leaving Major Duff to stop hounds on the line of a jack which had broken on the top. For 

some curious reason, hounds could not own to their jack for a single yard, so the Master 

lifted them towards a third jack, which His Excellency the Governor had viewed away. 

On this they settled at once and ran prettily to Brooklands, and, breaking at the east side, 

rose the hill to Rocky. 

As hounds crossed the Demon Valley, a fresh jack jumped up, and forces became divided. 

The leading hounds pushed their jack over Rocky to the Toda Cathedral on Nutinad Hill— 

a favourite run of jack this season—and, just skirting the Ghaut, crossed the Connemara


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Road, back into Hanging Shola, where they joined forces with the other half of the pack, 

which had run another jack back through Brooklands. The Master, thinking he might find 

a jack in Brooklands, which had "done a bit of work," drew this cover next, and hounds 

were soon rattling one round. But, he was headed, and from the sounds the pack seemed to 

have got him. 

The Master and Whips, not quite sure that “all was right,” entered the cover, to find 

hounds baying a hyaena and the puppies knawing the bones of a dead buffalo. The 

unwonted sight of five men in red coats was too much for the noble beast, which left his 

lair and ran the cover, to the accompaniment of a swelling chorus. Everyone, anxious for a 

view, galloped round the cover. Some dismount and each time that hounds hold him up - 

the more daring try and get in the spear, or a shot with the hunt rifle. Mr. S.B. has a 

running shot and misses. On the hyaena goes, but fully gorged, will not try the open. 

Some of the old dog hounds go in well, but it is an ugly big brute and takes a lot of pulling 

down. So we go on, sometimes on foot, sometimes galloping round the cover, for nearly an 

hour. At last "gone awa-a-a-y" from the bottom of the cover tells us he has faced the open. 

He was very beat, runs only as far as the nullah and then falls head over heels among the 

rocks, with old Danceaway on the top of him. A spear between the shoulders ends him. 

“…Prostrate on the ground 

The grinning monster lies, and his foul gore 

Defiles the verdant plain, nor idle stand 

The trusty slaves; with pointed spear they pierce 

Through his tough hide." 17 

This is, I believe, the first hyaena killed by the Ootacamund hounds. It is proposed to set 

up the skin and place it in the Club. A few hounds were bitten, but none seriously. The 

crossing by which he was killed is going to be widened and paved, and in honour of the 

occasion known in future as Hyaena Crossing. A move was now made down the Demon 

Valley, where, after all the noise of the last hour, it was not surprising that no jack could 

be found. Crossing the road, the Master drew up Sandy Nullah. His Excellency the 

Governor, who has a wonderful eye for a jack, holds up his hat. In a few seconds it is a 

case of 

"And hard on his track on the open 

Facing the cream of the country, 

the pick of the chase 

Mute as a stream, his pursuers are racing 

For silence you know's the criterion of pace." 

All along Blackmore Vale to Jackal, when, as a curtain at the end of the play, the fog drops 

so thickly and so suddenly that hounds, huntsmen, servants and field were scattered to the 

winds. The Master picks up some of the pack, which were hunting prettily through 

17 The Chase by Somerville


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Governor's Shola and to Lady Lawley's Plantation, Hungerford and Staircase, where they 

were stopped, and so ended a not altogether unexciting or uneventful day. 

FIGURE 27: THE GREAT AND THE GOOD 


21 Sultan’s Shola (15 fast) 

Riding: Christopher, Cocktail, Barenose 

Fair scent 

Very foggy and thick. His Excellency Two Miss Lawleys, Arthur Duff, Major 

E.Gresson, Capt Ledger Atkinson out. 

A very fair scent. A very trying country is the Nanganard and we bruised a lot of 

horses’ heels. 

28 th June. —Sultan’s Shola, 12 30. 

On arriving at the Meet we found all the country as thick as the proverbial pea soup. So, 

after some discussion as to the place most likely to be clear, hounds were taken down to the 

Nanjunad Valley, via Andy. Hounds soon owned to a drag and hunted their jack to 

ground near Goondappa Stream. Picking up the line of another jack, the pack hunted 

round and round the cultivation, on the north slopes of the Nanjunad Valley, with great 

perseverance and a very cold scent. They looked like running into him once or twice, but 

scent was hopeless. Hounds were at one time only 100 yards behind their jack, but could 

not own to it. 

The country was very slippery and greasy, and the "corduroy" ground made us agree with 

the Coram Street grocer: “These little places often give one very nasty falls.” Then the fog


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came down, and the Master wisely decided to try pastures new. Baikie, Jackal and 

Rallywood failed to hold, although there was a very cold line in the former. Long Swamp 

was then drawn without success, but shortly afterwards Mrs. Horne viewed a jack away 

and his line was quickly picked up. Scent magnificent at last. To Bluegums and the 

Potato Patch, a slight check, and Sheffield Corner; then burst down the hill to Monkey, the 

jack running the fringe of the cover, now inside, now outside, always very puzzling to 

hounds. This did not stop them, and, swinging right-handed, they raced him into Baikie. 

"Forraard away" from Major Duff brought them out like a flock of pigeons at the bottom, 

and on we galloped to Denmark, sank the Fairlawn Valley and rose the hill towards Cairn 

Hill reserve. Here, swinging suddenly back, the jack crossed Fairlawn Bridge and ran up 

through Ursula, back to Baikie. Hounds gave him not a moment's rest, but pushed him 

along, past Dudley to Jackal, and then right-handed up to Bagman. The steephill was too 

much for him, and again turning right-handed, he ran past Rees' Corner, Dairymaid and 

Denmark and found a well-deserved refuge again in Cairn Hill. 

No one can have claimed to have seen the whole hunt, but His Excellency the Governor 

and the two Misses Lawley, who alone remained of the field, saw most of it, as they did not 

cross the valley into Cairn Hill, and lucky it was that they did not, as without them, the 

huntsmen and Whips would not have found hounds again, when they turned back. 

Hounds had run for 1 hr.10 mins. It took a long time to collect hounds out of this wild 

woodland, and it was only by the aid of dog-boys and lanterns that the kennels were 

reached at 8 o'clock, in the dark and dark as a bag it was, too. - (From Our Own 

Correspondent.) 


22 Lake End 7 am (15½ old) 

Riding: OysterMajorRichmond 

Fair scent 

Out: His Excellency Two Miss Lawleys Capt Ledger Atkinson, Arthur Duff, 

Annesley, Major E.Gresson, Good or fair scent. A very nice morning. Decided 

to give that corner a roasting up again. 

Arthur viewed three jack by Dairymaid and we luckily got them all together on 

to one and hunted very prettily to near Fairlawns, then right-handed through 

Baikie, with a rare cry, and out towards Nanjanard, through Melkaval village, 

where I got a view and cast them over some buffalo. Bounty made a very pretty 

hit, and we headed to Kilkavai another check on road by 2 nd mile and on into 

(1.10 mins) Porqupine, into Cecilia and then Ursula. A fresh jack went away 

from Ursula, but though I tried and nosed about everywhere, no signs of him. 

He must have lain down somewhere. A beautiful piece of hound work, 

especially over the cold scenting plough.


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We drew Baikie, only to find a jungle sheep, Dairy Maid, Long Swamp, and 

found same two jacks by Bluegums, who gave us line for line the same hunt as 

Tuesday afternoon. A little trouble at first, as half the pack flashed off heelways, 

stopped leading hounds and got them together and ran same line to C. Hill and 

bore left to Woodstock, where hounds were divided in every direction, so I 

decided to stop. Though Teacher had a line on to Municipal Farm. 

Back to kennel 12.15 pm. A very fair morning. A rare hunting morning. 

Saturday 2 nd July 1910 

23 Briar 12.30 15 fast 

Riding: Richmond,Chris, Cock 

Screaming scent 

A bit rough. Screaming scent and a little rain. His Excellency Two Misses 

Lawley, C.A.A. Arthur Duff, Capt Ledger Atkinson, Major E.Gresson, out. 

Several carriages at meet. Cyclops sick. 

Found at once in Briar at far end and went away to Arthur’s Holloa. I had to 

gallop a long way round. Got them on well together and then settled down to 

run through Wapshare Brooksby, ran the road through Wenlock, and I caught a 

view of him rising the hill. Lewnham riding like a madman. 

I said to him. “Do you think you can catch the jack, then pray let my hounds have a 

try” 

He apologised later. “Have never been out before and I will not do it again.” 

“Hope to god you won’t”. I said. 

Through Dormer and out towards Pykara. I followed Arthur, His Excellency 

was on. Turning right-handed by Rock Shola. There must have been 2 jacks,


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because ¾ pack stopped back by Plague Shola and 5 couples on to Jack’s Nest 

and I think marked him to ground at Robert’s Shola, though whilst I was making 

it good (30 mins) he must have slipped out. 

Very fast and a real nice line. Arthur brought on the body which were nosing 

about Plague camp. Must have been same jack as 21 st May from Wenlock. Boad 

and Chemmund, and hit a few stale drags. Then had to rise an awful hill to 

Athur’s holloa by Kabbalkod stream, crossed and recrossed this stream, very 

steep, Cox headed him by Pig and Whistle and he ran very fast to Yemakal and 

to ground just east of shola ¼ mile. A big rocky place and ½ the pack got in. Left 

one couple in with Muddray. Home to kennel 5.45 pm. 

A very good day. Must remember to put someone to hole, whilst I am making 

good. We should have got that jack if I had done this I think. 

FIGURE 28: TO GROUND 

Monday 4 th July 1910 

24 Brooklands 7.30 a.m. Old Pack 17couple. 

Riding: Major, Boulder 

Fair scent 

A very wild, windy day. His Excellency Two Miss Lawleys, C A.H. Capt Ledger 

Atkinson, Arthur Duff, Major E.Gresson, out. Hounds hunted very well and with 

the greatest perseverance. 

Brooklands was blank and a drag up to Waterfall stream and then down the Ghaut 

got all on. Drew Rocky, Arthur viewed a jack into the Shola, they rattled him


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round and away at the bottom to Aramby and bang through to Tudor Hall, Arthur 

only with them. 

Then drew Mills, went away to Elmhurst corner, over golf greens and and 

recrossed Municipal Stream and on to Cairn Hill or rather Woodstock where I 

stopped them. 

Hounds foiled three times in one day by these impossible places. Too much of a 

good thing. Back to Kennels 11.0 a.m. 

Tuesday 5 th July 1910 

25 Sheffield Corner 12.30 p.m. (15½ fast) 

Riding: Christopher Cocktail Barenose 

Very wet and wild 

A most boisterous, windy day, very wet and wild. We were driven back from 

Parsons Valley. Capt Ledger Atkinson out. Took hounds on from Municipal 

Crossing. 

Drew back top of Staircase. Found by Bluegums, ran prettily though, then hunted 

with rare cry through thick covert at base of Governors. “Driver” made a very 

pretty hit on the middle rise and away on the top. I came back and 9 went on. 

Could not see hounds in front, so cast back and found they had killed him in the 

open at Pickal Mund Shola. All on, a very creditable 24 minutes. 

Drew Governors again found in Bluegums and hunted round. I viewed a brace 

away. Divided at Porlock Crossing. I went on with 7 couples through Governors 

and Arthur brought on rest, joined up at Lawley’s and ran on nearly to Lancer 

Shola parallel to Krurmund Path then not liking the weather turned back to 

Limerick where I stopped them, as the weather was so rough they could not hear 

the cry or horn and were very tailed. Though a rare scent, in fact they were 

screaming. 

Had a nice ride round Parsons Valley to collect hounds and only managed to find 

two more couples. Very wet and cold. Kennels 5.30 p.m. Worst day I have struck 

at yet. 

Thursday 7 th July 1910 

26 Beadnells 8 a.m. (16c.old) 

Riding: Merry Vale, Major Richmond 

Foggy 

Drew Beadnells, found at least three but fog was so bad I stopped them as it was 

we were three couples short. How dangerous these fogs are, few people realize.


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All the senses are at a discount. One can’t see or hear a yard. How can one live 

with hounds? Hounds cannot hear each other and become scattered all over the 

country, they are left about, learn to skirt and hunt by themselves, and a find a 

hundred and one vices. 

Made a move to Downs. Drew Gibbs’ and Staircase blank. Found close to 

Schmidt’s Clump and ran to ground in Rawlin’s Nullah, bolted, ran a few yards 

and killed. 

Drew Bluegums. Bin holloared one on top, he turned back and went away towards 

Staircase. Arthur holloaring them on. I got them on quick. A slight check by 

Round Shola, but one hound put them right up the hill! And what a teaser, a devil 

of a cry through Staircase. They fled bang through. I rode the path and His 

Excellency and I sank to the Downs, being certain that they had not crossed the 

path, and His Excellency went on straight. 

I saw ahead Stokes Shola, so galloped on hells bells, His Excellency said they were 

to ground, but I went down and found that they had got him and a rare tough one 

too. A very good hunt and all on except Fallary, the lazy old bitch. It was very 

pretty through Staircase. 18 mins 

Gave Col. Hookey Walker 18 the mask. 

Home to Kennels 11.15. 


THE OOTACAMUND HUNT; 

OOTACAMUND, 7th July.—Beadnell's, 8 A.M. 

A mild and wet morning, with a thick fog, which necessitated a wait for some time before the 

Master judged it fit to commence operations. Beadnell's Shola was the first draw, but it 

proved untenanted. However, a brace of jack were at home in Hearty Shola, and hounds 

went away on the line of one of them across the bog and the Pykara Bridle Path, near Pirate 

Shola, then up the spur above Cox's Crossing, where, owing to the thick fog, the Master 

wisely stopped hounds, and, as it was so thick, decided to try if the Home Downs were any 

less enveloped in mist. 

18 Hookey Walker first went to war in the relief of General Gordon with the Duke Of 

Cornwall’s Light Infantry, serving with veterans of the Indian Mutiny, or first War of 

Independence. He ended it as a general - chief staff officer under General Birdwood at 

Anzac. 

Hookey Walker was a nick-name, applicable to Walker like Nobby to Clark. The term was 

also a common exclamation of the time, roughly translating as “bar humbug” today.


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Leaving Briar, Hungerford and Stokes Sholas on his right, the Master drew below Schmidt's 

Clump, where hounds feathered on a line and took it down to the Sandy Nullah Stream, 

when there was a holloa from the First Whip on Newmarket. Running a circle over 

Newmarket, the jack took refuge in a hole in Rawlin’s Nullah. From this he was evicted by 

Thong, the terrier, and shortly after hounds killed him in the open. 

The Master then drew Bluegums, finding as once and bustling the jack round for a bit before 

he went away at the bottom, running through Round Shola and Staircase, through Stokes' 

Shola and was rolled over in the open near Gibbs' Shola. After the worry, hounds were 

taken home. 

Those out included His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, Captain Atkinson, Miss Moore, 

Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Dennistoun, Major and Miss Newnham, Mr. Hope-Johnstone, Major 

Henderson, Colonel Scott, Mr A. Y. G. Campbell, Captain Elwes, Colonel and Mrs. Gordon 

Price, Major Gresson, Mr. Humfrey, Mr. Harrison, Mr. Cox, Miss Rolfe, Colonel Walker, 

Mrs. Barber, Mr. Stevens, and others. 

FIGURE 29: SIR ARTHUR LAWLEY


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Saturday 9 th July 1910 

27 Toda Coffee Shop 12.30 

Riding: Boulder, Cocktail, Barenose 

A sceaming scent 

Excellent going. A lovely day cloudy and fine. Drove on. His Excellency Capt 

Ledger Atkinson, Arthur Duff, Major E.Gresson, out. Sloe was back. 

REPORT ROM THE NEWSPAPERS 

Saturday.9 th July, Hounds met at Toda Coffee Shop at 12.30 pm. The clerk of the weather 

had been kind to us, and the day was still and clear, and the going was perfect. 

How delightful these “breaks” in the monsoon are. Going is excellent, scent the best and 

everything seems right! 

The Master decided to draw in the direction of Pykara and so on to Jungle Shola and Glen 

Morgan, but the hounds did not touch the line of a jack till they found at Roberts Schola at 

about 2.15 pm. From here a very unenterprising jack made a line round Tuvalkandi 

Shola, and through the Mund and back to ground in Roberts Shola, where “Thong” 19 was 

left in “at him”. 

A jack was viewed near Kudumal Mund, hounds soon settled on his line, but a very cold 

shower coming on, put them all at fault and nothing more could be done with this jack. 

Russel Shola, Ampthill Wood and Glyn’s Covert, all failed to provide a jack. 

However, at Paragon, hounds spoke to a line and with a cold scent, carried the line 

through Patrick Shola and over Old Pykara road and gradually warming up to it, rose the 

hill to Wenlock just leaving Khed on their right, over the Pykara road and on into 

Chemmund. In Chemmund this jack could not make up his very weak mind. They first 

drove him to the limits of the covert, as if for the Yemakkal Valley, but for some reason, not 

liking the open, he turned right-handed and rose the Pykara hill and on into Road Shola. 

“A check, now for a moment’s patience - We press too close upon the hounds - 

Huntsmen stand still, as yet they want you not. How admirably they spread! 

How wide they cast! Is there a single hound that does not try? There 

“Warrior” has it, he feathers his right, how readily they join him” 20 , 

and on into Chemmund again and turning sharp back, so much so that the body had flung 

on forward; however 2 couples hit it and the Master soon rattled them together into 

Wenlock, forrard away, on the far side, past Fuddlers Shola through Bracken, and with 

19 The terrier 

20 From Peter Beckford’s Thoughts on Hunting


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tackles up and sterns stiff, they raced for blood into the Bracken and Dunsandle Tea 

Estate, where 

“Who-whoop they have him, they are round him how 

They worry and tear when he’s down! 

‘Twas a stout hill jack when they found him now 

‘Tis a hundred tatters of brown” 21. 

(1 hour 10 minutes, and all on. 

Mrs. Dennistoun and Mr. Cox were they only ones at the kill, besides the hunt servants. 

We partook of hospitality at Mr. Antram’s house, where we always receive a “fox hunter’s 

welcome” and hoped to take hounds into Kennel “with blood on their teeth”, but, just as 

we were nearing Buck’s drop, the 1 st Whipper in viewed a jack close to Bingham. One 

hound also caught a view and nothing would stop them and a merry hunt at a great pace 

round Brooklands, Hanging Shola, Middle Covert, Birk’s drop and back to Brooklands, 

where hounds were stopped in the dark; finished an excellent days sport. 

9th July—Toda Coffee Shop, 12.30 P.M. 


At first scent was very poor, though it improved wonderfully later. At Lord Roberts' 

Shola a jack was found, who took us for a sharp little spin, across the Falls Path, up past 

Tuvalkondimund, then right-handed back across the Path, to ground in Lord Roberts' 

Shola, where some time was spent in getting hounds out of the hole. The jack, however, 

could not be persuaded to follow suit, so we left him and drew down the bog which runs 

from Lord Roberts' down towards the Ghats. Here there were a brace of jack and hounds 

ran prettily over the stream up to the top of Lord Roberts' Shola, and along the ridge 

which runs parallel to the Pykara. Falls Path. As so often happens, just at this moment a 

heavy shower came on, this being nearly always fatal to scent for the time being, and 

hounds threw up and could not own the line again. 

Then drew Paragon Shola, which provided the run of the day. The Master threw hounds 

in at the bottom and at once they spoke to a line, going away at the top to Patrick Shola. 

Here they were at fault for a minute, but, casting themselves they hit it off and ran fast 

down to and over the Pykara Bridle Path, up past the bottom of Khed Shola, through the 

south corner of Wenlock, over the ridge and down into Chemmund. The music here was 

grand, every hound scoring to cry and all in a bunch. The jack now seemed a little 

uncertain of his point, as he first of all turned left-handed, then down and finally short 

back, running the whole length of Chemmund, crossing the side and into the top of 

Dormer Shola. Hounds were now fairly racing and pushed him straight on into the top of 

Road Shola, down to the Pykara Road, near the 10th milestone, where he was headed short 

21 Whyte Melville from poem “The Good Grey Mare”. Replace “hill jack” With “hill fox” to 

get to the original.


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back, then up again, leaving Khed Shola on his left, over the ridge into Chemmund again. 

This time he dropped down to the bottom, then, turning left-handed, he took a quite 

unusual line, as, instead of making for the Yemakal Valley, as jacks usually do, he swung 

back up the hill and was viewed over the ridge into Wenlock Shola, not very far in front of 

the leading hounds. From Wenlock they pushed him on at a very slightly reduced pace 

past Fuddler Shola, over the Pykara Bridle Path, through Bracken and up to the corner of 

the wire fence off Beadnell's Tea Estate. 

Skirting the line, he dropped right down to the bottom, but then his bolt was shot, as, 

turning up through the line into Beadnell's, hounds rolled him over in the bracken. A 

capital hunt of over an hour, hounds hunting beautifully all the time, and "making the 

welkin’ ring” with their music. Severe on hounds and horses, too, as the pace at times was 

almost racing, but most people were fortunate enough to get their second horses above 

Chemmund, though all of us were not so lucky. Those up at the kill were the Master and 

staff, Mrs. Dennistoun and Mr. Cox. 

After breaking up the jack we then started home, looking in on the way, at Somerdale, 

where that most hospitable of owners provided us with all sorts of creature comforts and 

sent us off thoroughly pleased with ourselves, and over day. 

There was still more in store for us, though we did not know it, for as we came up Birch's 

Drop, three jack were viewed in the bog between Black Bridge and Brooklands. The 

Master blew his horn to drive them away and had no intention of pursuing, but the eagle 

eye of Valesman, spotted the jack, and in a twinkling away they went up into Brooklands, 

and through it, luckily all settling to the line of one jack. They raced across the Segur 

Road, round the hill into Hanging Shola, where the jack did not wait, but breaking at the 

top, ran through Middle Shola, down to the stream between Farrier's and Landslip 

Crossing, up across the Segur Road, pointing for Lascelles. Here the jack was either 

headed or he meant trying the earth in the cliff by the roadside between Bingham and 

Farrier's Crossing, as he turned left-handed into the thick scrub, but, making a bad shot 

for the earth, and being unable in the hurry to look for it, as hounds were close at him, he 

doubled back out again where he had gone in, and raced away down the bog side towards 

Mackenzie's Crossing, then bent right-handed, past the place we found him and up into 

Brooklands, where he was viewed at the edge of the covert. Here he either got in or up a 

tree or something, as hounds screaming in chorus one minute were mute the next, and as 

it was getting very dark, the Master caught hold of them when their heads were up and 

took them home, reaching kennels at 6.55 P.M., not a minute too soon either, as it got dark 

almost immediately. Altogether a capital day, one of the best we have had for some time. 

Those out included His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, Mrs. Dennistoun, Mrs. Walker, 

Mrs. Rolfe, Mr. Hope-Johnstone, Mr. HUMFREY, Captain and Miss Barrow, Mr. 

Harrison, Mrs. Cox, Mr. Atkinson, Major Gresson, Miss Newnham, Colonel Scott and 

others.—(From Our Own Correspondent.)


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28 Lascelles 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Chris, Major, Oyster (Old 16½) 

No scent 

A bright morning. XYZ Campbell, Elwes, L.Atkinson, Pic Annesley, His 

Excellency Miss Lawley, Arthur Duff, Major E.Gresson out. 

Decided to move to Beadnells. Arthur’s holloa at top, I took some time getting 

round. Got them on and ran nicely to Fuddlers, over Cox Bog, to Ked where it 

looked like being a hunt, but hounds threw up 2 in the road and nothing more 

could be done. Though I tried all round. I think he went on into Chemmund. 

Drew Bracken, Hearty, Gibbs’ and Wapshare and did not find till we got to 

Rocky. From here we ran fast to Ghaut Cathedral, sank it and rose and ran slowly 

to Segur where I stopped them. 

Home 11.15. A very moderate day. About 30 out. 



OOTACUMUND, 11 th July.—Lascelles, 7.30 A.M. 

A perfectly lovely morning, hardly a cloud in the sky and practically no wind; hence the 

sun very soon got hot and scent consequently was never good. We jogged away to 

Beadnell's before throwing off, as the Beadnell's jacks have been following the example of 

the Chancellor of the Exchequer and robbing the Somerdale hen-roosts. So although we 

killed a jack there on Saturday, the Master wished to try and kill another one this 

morning. Putting hounds in near the bottom, they very soon opened and almost at once 

there was a holloa from Major Duff at the mund near Hearty Shola. It was a few minutes 

before the Master and hounds could get through the shola to the spot and so the varmint 

got a bit of a lead to start with, which on a day like today was a great pity. 

However, hounds ran at a fair pace down past the crossing below Hearty, over the 

shoulder, into and through the top of Hamlet, down across the Pykara Bridle Path, by 

Fluddler, and leaving Wenlock on their left they rose the hill towards Khed Shola. On 

reaching the Pykara Road, they threw up however, and though the Master made good all 

round, they could never hit off the line again. 

A long draw then ensued through Bracken, Hamlet, Hearty, up Cox's Bog to Wapshare's 

Hare and Hero Sholas, then along the road to Briar, down the valley below Gibbs' and on 

right down Lawley's Bog to the Waterfall River. Crossing this at the bend, some three- 

quarters of a mile below Tucker's Crossing, the Master drew on up towards the ridge 

which runs from Karimulimund to Rocky. On the top of this Captain Gosling viewed a


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brace of jack, and the Master and hounds racing to his holloa, got close up to one of the 

jack, who had apparently not been hunted before and stood and watched hounds coming 

towards him. When they were only a dozen yards away, however, he realised what was up 

and went off at best pace to Rocky. Coming out on the Demon Valley side of the covert he 

was viewed away by Major Duff, and hounds quickly coming to the holloa, they ran at a 

great pace straight up the Demon Valley past Toda Cathedral into the jungle below 

Mutanad Hill. Turning left-handed, we heard them running below Cathedral Shola and 

thought, as usually happens, they were away down the Ghaut for good; but, strange to 

say, the jack thought better of it, and turning up again, appeared on the top close to Toda 

Cathedral, heading for Rocky. 

By this time the Master and Whips had gone down to the bottom of Cathedral Shola and 

the jack had got a strong lead of hounds, but they hunted him slowly, with a falling scent, 

along the ridge to Rocky, then left-handed down to the Demon Valley Stream and across 

the Segur Road towards the Connemara Road, short of which, however, scent failed 

entirely, so we went home, reaching Kennels at 11.30. 

Those out included His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, Miss Lawley, Captain Annesley, 

Mr. Hope-Johnstone, Mr. A. Y. G. Campbell, Captain Atkinson, Captain and Miss 

Barrow, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Major and Miss Newnham, Miss Lowry, Colonel Scott, 

Captain Elwes, Mr. Stewart Brown, Miss Barber, Mr. Forbes Robinson, Mr. Watson, 

Colonel, Mrs. and Miss Gordon Price, Mr Handcock, Mrs. Horne, Miss Hammick, 

Captain Lambton, Captain Marchant, Colonel Walker, Mr. Wynch and others.- (From 

Our Own Correspondent.) 


29 Gartrer Hill 

Riding: Richmond, Boulder, Cocktail 

Took hounds on to covert from Fairlawns. Only Newnham, and Sister, Humfrey, 

Harrison out. 

Saw a lot of jack going on right down to Gartrer Hill. Found “Valesman” running 

again getting a view, they went off like a flash. She gave me a lead round this bit 

of Leicestershire. Never saw or heard hounds until we had galloped three mile or 

so and then heard them on my left. Moplats throwing his tongue well. Suddenly 

they stopped – couldn’t make it out. Said they must have gone to ground or 

something. Went into an awful jungle. Monkeys chattering, panther roaring and 

walked about, went in direction of hounds seemed to be coming from and found 

jack dead but no hounds near him. I wonder how often they do this wonderful 

piece of luck? His belly was full of beatles and grain of some sort. I cannot 

understand why they did not break him up.


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Found near meet and ran parallel to some path towards Itabu, leaving that on our 

left, very pretty to watch hounds. Very beat, a very hot day. Home to kennels 

4.35pm 


30 Pykara Cross Roads 8.30 a.m. 

Riding: J. Moses, Chris,Major 

Meet at 8.30 instead of 7.30, as we had all been at Atkinson’s dance the day before. 

A big meet. Capt Ledger Atkinson, His Excellency Miss Lawley. A very bright 

morning and hot. 

Drew Mills and found having sent Sloe on. He holloared 3 away. Took cold line 

over Bagman, Golf Corner and I stopped them at Woodstock. 

Drew Jackal, found in covert, a hound challenging, but he would run the wrong 

way through Monkey on his left to Backie, they divided with 2 couples to 

Mekelval and body to Cairn Hill. 

Took till 12.30 to collect them by Lawrence Asylum and then left “Cheerful” out. 

Went back but no-one about so home 12.45 pm. 

A very bad day. 

THE OOTACAMUND HUNT. OOTACAMUND, 14th July.—Pykara, Finger Post, 

8.30 a.m. 

The venue having been changed to allow those energetic people who had been dancing the 

night before a short half-hour or so more in bed, a fairly large number put in an 

appearance at the Meet. It was a lovely morning, though on the hot side, and promised a 

better day than fell to our lot.


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Moving off along the road to the Golf House, the Master took the path by Elmhirst Corner 

to Mills, in the hope of catching the wily jack before he moved off from Mills, but the jacks 

on this occasion were too cunning for him, as before hounds crossed the Pykara Road, 

three of them, which had been playing about above the covert, made tracks behind Bagman, 

and though the Master brought hounds to the First Whip's whistle as quickly as possible, 

scent was so inferior that they could hardly own to it at all; and though the Master cast 

them over the top of Bagman by New Covert, and they did occasionally hit off a line, they 

could only puzzle it out very slowly into Woodstock. 

Drawing up by Long Swamp to Jackal, a jack was found in the latter, but he was a rather 

poor, spirited brute, as, waiting till hounds had drawn past him, he slipped out at the top, 

and leaving Dudley on his left, dropped down into Baikie. Coming out at the top, he 

crossed the tea into Porcupine and then through Ursula into Cairn Hill, from which it 

took the Master and Whips some hours to retrieve hounds. 

Coming back at length to Rees' Corner, with the intention of drawing again, the Master 

found the whole field had gone home, so, as he did not wish to disturb the home downs 

unnecessarily, and had practically nowhere else to go, he followed suit, reaching kennels 

about 12.30. A very disappointing day. 

Those out included His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, the Misses Lawley, Mr. A. Y. G. 

Campbell, Captain Atkinson, Captain and Miss Barrow, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Mrs. 

Dennistoun, Major and Miss Newnham, Colonel Lowry, Colonel Scott, Mr. Stewart 

Brown, Mr. Barber, Mr. Cox, Captain Elwes, Colonel Formby, Mr. Forbes Robertson, 

Colonel and Mrs. Gordon Price, Major Henderson, Mrs. Horne, Miss Hammick, Mr. 

Humfrey, Captain Lambton, Captain Marchant, Miss Rolfe, Mr. Synnott, Colonel and 

Miss Walker, Mr. Wynch and others. 

Saturday 16 th July 1910 

31 Sultans Shola 

Riding: Cocktail, Boulder,Barenose 

Fair scent 

Took hounds on from Kennels. Not much rain lately. Monsoon very light. 

Drew all round Krurmund Way. Found close to Walhampton, raced for 5 

minutes and killed. We then got on drag near Middle bit and hunted up to him. 

They divided just before Middle bit. 

His Excellency was with biggest parcel, and was very annoyed because “Bin” 

stopped them, and brought them to my horn, of course he was perfectly right. I 

was riding through Middle bit, only being able to hear a few hounds, speaking, 

and thinking. I had the body with me. Sloe whistled jack away at top end 

towards Pug-pits, and I stopped them and then of course, when the body came on 

with Bin, I stopped those likewise. Wish he would not interfere.


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Found a jack by Matley Bog and ran to Pug Pits and spent hours getting them. An 

awful job, eventually got them all on. 

Had a pig hunt from Liebenrood over Krurmund path and on to Sultans Shola 

and on. Bachelor, Pleader, Dreadnought, Wellington, Maisie, Fifer, all got a real 

hammering. Sloe and Bin very beat. 

Capt Ledger Atkinson put the knife into the pig. Home to Kennels 6.30 p.m. 

16th July.—Sultan Shola, 12-30 A.M. 


A fine morning and dry in Ootacamund, but out by the Meet there had been lots of rain, 

and the streams were all quite deep enough for comfort on the several occasions we had to 

ford them. 

The day, as regarded weather conditions, was most promising, but, unfortunately, we 

were again doomed to a most disappointing day. Jogging along the Krurmund Path, the 

Master drew down the valley below Mekod Mund Shola, crossing the Mekod Stream, 

where the path crosses, and then swinging left-handed up to Pennant Shola. On the hill 

just beyond this, a jack jumped up and hounds, racing down through Lambton Shola, 

killed him in the bottom, about half mile below the shola. Drawing up the north side of the 

Mekod Long Swamp, hounds feathered on a line at the top of Walhampton Shola, but, 

unfortunately, there were three jack afoot and the pack divided, three and a half couple 

pursing one jack over Vokal Hill down into Pugpits, while the remainder were brought 

back by the Second Whip. 

After some slow poking about for some time on very stale lines, a jack was viewed at top of 

Crimbank, but scent seemed to have failed in the most unaccountable manner. Though the 

whole pack were taken across the line they could not own to it, though when swung back 

over it again, they hit it off and hunted it slowly, through Chapter, Pulpit and the top of 

Bilanjikodmund Sholas, left-handed through Walhampton Shola, across the Mekod Long 

Swamp, and down over Pugpits. 

About an hour was now spent before hounds were all recovered from the depths of the 

various sholas which constitute Pugpits, and then we went back to Parson's Valley and 

drew up to Liebenrood, where, unfortunately, hounds roused a pig at 5 P.M., and the 

Master and Whips had a good deal of trouble before they got hounds together and came 

home, reaching kennels just at dark. Altogether a long, weary, trying and most 

disappointing day. 

Those out were His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, the Misses Lawley, Captain Atkinson, 

Captain Lambton, Mr. Cox, Mrs. Dennistoun, Mrs. Walker, Mrs. Horne, Colonel Scott, 

Mr. Homfray, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Major Newnham, Mr. Harrison and others. 

Altogether this has been a very poor week's sport, but we hope for better things next week. 

—(From Our Own Correspondent.)


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32 Rifle Butts 

Riding: Richmond Chris, Major Miss C’s En Tous Cas, (15 ½ old pack) SC 

draft 

Fair scent 

Warm morning. A heavy rain the day before. A large field. His Excellency 2 

Miss L. A. C.A.H. Arthur Duff, Elwes, XYZ Campbell. 6 Couple of draft out. 

Found just outside Aramby and ran very prettily to the woodland and eventually 

got to them at Tudor Hall. What a wilderness and the Cassandary or canary cage 

or whatever they call it. Can’t get in anywhere 6 square miles all fenced. 

Found in Hanging Shola, divided, Sloe holloead on hounds, and when I thought 

they were at fault, I tried to holloa them on, but just at that moment they hit it off 

and 6 couples ran back nearly to Aramby and I went on to Brooklands, but 

hounds were so divided, that I stopped and collected the pack. 

Drew down Demon valley, Arthur viewed a jack by Fife’s Covert, we ran all along 

B.V. to Rallywood, I saw 2 jack in front of them then the body threw up at 

Rallywood, Sloe went on and saw 3 or 4 couples holding on by Owl crossing so I 

galloped the body on and a very pretty hunt we had all down the Nanjunard, 

over that cold scenting plough, being on their noses all the time. 

My horse Chris was beat and Mrs. Walker led him up a most awful hill to 

Sambhur Shola. I got him into a bog, which rather pumped him. 

A real good hunt but very slow at 1.40 minutes. He ran them out of scent below 

Sambhur Shola, or else got in somewhere and no one down there to see them 

marking. Home to kennels 12.30 p.m.


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FIGURE 30: IN FRONT OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE. VICTORIANS LOVED FORMAL GROUP PHOTOS, AND IN 

COMMON WITH ALL PRE FIRST WAR EUROPEAN PHOTOS, THEY ARE FORMAL SOMBRE AFFAIRS, IN STARK 

CONTRAST TO THE POST WAR PHOTOS. 

From the Newspapers 


OOTACAMUND, 18th July.— 

The Rifle Butts, 7-30 A.M. 

The Master moved off past the Butts, with the intention of drawing Hanging Shola. Just 

by the corner of Aramby, as ill luck would have it, a couple of Aramby jack were sitting in 

the open and one of them getting up almost under hounds' noses, away they went with a 

great cry. The jack, unfortunately, turned sharp right-handed into Aramby and then 

ensued a very pretty hunt through the woods (for the Master and Whips, every one else 

waiting above the Butts) until hounds went through the fence into the catchment area. 

This truly infernal place, which, apparently, is the bane of the Municipal Council, is also 

anathema to the Hunt, there being neither entrance nor exit, and the whole space inside an 

impenetrable jungle and all that the unfortunate Hunt servants can do is to wait till 

hounds choose to come out. Luckily, on this occasion, the Master got the majority of the 

pack together in some three-quarters of an hour. 

Throwing hounds into Hanging Shola, a holloa from Major Duff at the top proclaimed a 

jack away, but, alas, there was another in the shola, and hounds getting on his line, hunted 

him back to near Aramby, where they were stopped, and brought back to Brooklands, 

where three or four couple of hounds had pursued the first jack.


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The Master then drew down the Demon Valley to Sandy Nullah, crossed the Pykara Road 

and drew up the Sandy Nullah Stream. Just before reaching Gold Mine Crossing. There 

was a holloa from the ridge on the left, and the Master quickly taking hounds to it, they 

hunted slowly past Fife's Covert, round the shoulder of Newmarket, above Treble 

Crossing. Now as it happened there were two couple of puppies, just entered this season, 

and some four couple of the last draft from England, some of them out the first time, none 

of them having been out more than twice before. It is never an easy job for the Whippers- 

in to get such hounds along under any circumstances, and to make matters harder for 

them right among the tail hounds and immediately behind the body of it, were many 

members of the field. 

The immediate result of this inconsiderateness of the field was that only some nine or ten 

couple of old hounds had a chance to get together and run to a head, the final result being 

that after a hunt of over an hour, instead of accounting for our jack by killing him, as 

hounds well deserved, or marking him to ground, as we might have done with a complete 

pack, we could only do as Mr. Jorrocks used to:- “Account for him by losing of him.” 

Rounding the slope of Newmarket above Treble Crossing, at a fair pace, they ran on below 

Point to Point Covert, down to the stream and straight up the Blackmore Vale into 

Rallywood, on through Gill and over the Krurmund Road. Here a second jack was afoot 

and was viewed travelling towards Sheffield Corner, but the leading hounds were on, and 

the pack getting together they tumbled down between Leeds and Monkey Shola to Owl 

Crossing. Here they checked for a moment, then hit it off again and running along above 

the left bank of the stream, in a country where it was impossible to override them, they ran 

straight to Dharma Tope and on right-handed just above the bog to the bottom of Dangar 

Shola. By this time most of our horses had had pretty nearly enough, so when we saw 

them turn straight up the hill above Dangar Shola, we felt that we were in for a stern 

chase up the spur towards Nunjunad Village, and up the Little Dangar ride. By the time 

we reached the top of Sambhar Shola, hounds had crossed the ridge and disappeared and 

nothing was to be seen. 

We afterwards learnt that running left-handed along the ridge almost to Vane's Copse, 

they had swung back down through the sholas towards Nunjunad Village, and the Master 

brought them back from the bottom of Sambhur Shola. Hounds were then taken home, 

reaching kennels about 12.15. This was a real good hunt, of about an hour, a four-mile 

point on the map, between Fife's Covert and Vane's Copse and some five and a half to six 

miles as we ran. Those who saw most of it were His Excellency, Mr. Stewart Brown, Miss 

C. Lawley, and Mr. Homfray. 

Among those out were Miss Lawley, Captain Annesley, Captain Atkinson, Mr. A. Y. G. 

Campbell, Miss Barrow, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Major and Miss Newnham, Colonel 

Lowry, Colonel Butler, Colonel Scott, Mr. Cox, Captain Elwes, Colonel Formby, Mr. 

Forbes Robertson, Colonel and Miss Gordon Price, Mr. Handcock, Mrs. Horne, Major 

Henderson, Miss Hammick, Captain Lambton, Captain Pollard, Miss Rolfe, Mr. Synnott, 

Colonel Miss and Mr. Walker and others.


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FIGURE 31: BANGY HORSE SHOW 1910 


33 Fairlawns Bridge 12.30 p.m. 

I was at Bangy Horse Show and Sloe was hunting hounds. Appended his 

account. 

FROM THE NEWSPAPERS 

19th July.—Fairlawns Bridge, 12 30 A.M. A lovely morning after some 5 inches of rain 

in the last two days. In the absence of the Master, Major Dennistoun carried the horn, 

Major Duff taking his place as First Whip. A very small field, unfortunately, were out, 

less than a dozen all told, including the Misses Lawley, Mrs. Dennistoun, Miss Rolfe, 

Mrs. Watson, Captain Atkinson, Mr. Homfray, and Mr. Harrison. 

Crossing the Avalanche Bridge Path, we drew down below Porcupine and Melkaval 

Village, passing close above Dharma Tope. In the nullah below Kuruthaguli Village, 

hounds opened on a line and ran fast up the valley and into Rugby Shola. Breaking at the 

top, the jack was viewed with the leading hounds close at him, and leaving Baikie on their 

left, hounds ran with a good cry into the Bluegums above the Melkaval Footpath. 

Swinging right-handed they hunted over the top of the "corduroy" above Melkaval and 

then slid down the slope towards Dharma Tope. Here there appeared to be two lines, but 

some eight couple with the Master luckily getting their heads up, he holloaed them on to 

the other lot, and running as a pack to a capital head, they crossed the stream and ran up 

the slopes on the far side, as if for Tiger Shola. Turning left-handed, they hunted along the 

slopes under Hecuba, dwelling for a moment near the north end of Kuruthaguli Village, 

but casting forward, they hit it off again and running above and nearly parallel to the 

path, they broke at the top and pointed for the downs. Running the path through


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Limerick, they headed for the Twin Sisters, but the jack's heart failing him, he doubled 

short back in Boghead and running through Pillay, he was viewed not far in front of 

hounds as he crossed Kuruthaguli Shola. Climbing the ridge between this and Schmidt's 

Shola, he turned left-handed and dropping down, ran the nullah below Kuruthaguli 

Village. 

We had by this time all got a good way behind hounds, so could not see exactly what 

happened, but the second horsemen shouted that hounds were on to Baikie, on reaching 

which they were nowhere to be found. They seemed to have disappeared off the face of the 

earth, and some three-quarters of an hour, during the last part of which a heavy shower 

came on, was spent looking for hounds in all directions, when, finally, from the top of the 

hill above Melkaval, the terrier boys were seen approaching with the body of the pack and 

the corpse of the hunted jack, which hounds had killed in the nullah under Kuruthaguli 

and the terrier boys had retrieved. A good hunting run; hounds worked beautifully and 

never being pressed or ridden upon, had a good chance. It lasted for about an hour. 

After breaking up the jack, we trotted back to Druid, which was blank. As there was a 

Toda funeral going on in Jungle Sheep Shola with the usual concomitants of fires and all 

kinds of weird music, the Master thought it was no use drawing Monkey, as had been his 

original intention, so drew Jackal instead. This proved blank, but on the slope just below 

hounds feathered on a line, which they hunted slowly towards Rallywood. 

Miss Cecilia Lawley, however, having seen a jack in the bog above Pearl Crossing, the 

Master, thinking the line they were on was heel, took them quickly back, and hitting off the 

line in the Bagman side of the bog, they raced across and headed for Jackal. The jack, 

however, had not gone that way and it was a beautiful sight to see hounds throw up, 

swing themselves like a fan, hit it off and, finally, come racing back across the bog again, 

without the slightest assistance from the Master or his Whips. They fairly screamed along 

towards Bagman, turning right-handed over the ridge and pointing for New Covert, just 

above which the jack was viewed. 

Down in the bog by New Covert hounds dwelt a moment, but coming like lightning to the 

sound of Sloe's horn, away they raced round the slope above Municipal Crossing to the 

bottom of Long Swamp, all in a bunch, and with a cry that could have been heard miles 

away. Crossing the swamp to Rees' Corner, where the jack had run the Melkaval Road, 

and hounds swinging down to the top of Dreadnaught, cast themselves up again and hit it 

off just beyond the bog. Away again like a shot out of a gun, through Dendron Belt, below 

Cecilia and through Ursula, on round the slope about the Avalanche Bridle Path, and 

down past Kilkaval Village, across the nullah and bridge below Melkaval, leaving Dharma 

Tope on their right and killed him at the mouth of the earth which lies in the nullah under 

the Badaga's House, opposite Dharma Tope. This was a great gallop; hounds fairly raced 

the whole way, giving our horses all they could do to keep with them. They carried a great 

head and the drive shown by Ransome, Pleader, Priestess and one or two more of last 

year's entry was wonderful.


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Those who got to the end of this good hunt, besides the Master and Whips, were the Misses 

Lawley, Mr. Dennistoun, Miss Rolfe and Mr. Homfray. Hounds were then taken home, 

reaching kennels soon after 4 o'clock.—(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

Thursday 21 st July 1910 

34 Sheffield Corner 8 a.m. 

Still at Bangy. Sloe’s account. 



OOTACAMUND, 21st July.—Sheffield Corner, 8 A.M. 

A nice, cool, cloudy morning early, but it got very hot about 9 o'clock and we got soaked to 

the skin on the way home. Major Dennistoun again carried the horn and brought on 

seventeen couple of hounds to the Meet, of which two couple were this year's recently 

entered Ootacamund-bred puppies, and five couple this year's draft, some of whom had 

never been out before, and the majority only once or twice. 

Moving off along the Krurmund Path to Andy Plantation, hounds were thrown in at the 

top of Andy Bog and almost immediately, Major Duff holloaed a jack away into the bottom 

of Democrat Shola. Hounds, picking up his line, hunted him through Democrat and into 

the little round shola, which lies above the path, just opposite Gaylad Shola. Here the jack 

doubled hack, and, slipping away past Gaylad, he ran the path till near Limerick, when he 

turned left-handed and led the pack down into Kurutnaguli Shola. With a good cry and a 

fair head, they crossed the ridge into the bottom of Schmidt's Shola and on above Dangar 

Shola into Sambhur Shola, near the top of which scent, never very good, gave out entirely, 

and though the Master cast them round and made it good, they could not hit off the line 

again. 

A long draw then ensued, via Marky's Bog, down the Parson's Valley Stream, below 

Perungudyermund, across the Krurmund Path to the Tripod. This shola.has not 

previously been drawn this season, so we hoped great things of it, but were doomed to 

disappointment, as Master Jack was " not at home," nor was there any sign of his having 

been there recently. Drawing along the upper Mysore Ride, then down by Pigthorn’s 

Nullah and below Little Yemakal Shola, hounds were just topping One Tree Hill, when 

there was a holloa from Mr. Stewart Brown, who pointed out a jack on the opposite side of 

the stream, just below Yemakalmund. 

The master galloped to the spot with the hounds, but the jack had dodged about and there 

was a little delay before they hit it off. Consequently, some of the puppies got left and did 

not get a fair start with the leader of the pack. Running right-handed up the Yemakal 

Valley, the leading hounds turned right-handed up past Duffs Earth, while the tail of the


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pack unfortunately went straight on, on the line of another jack into the Devil's Dyke and 

were eventually brought back by the First Whip. 

Meantime the Master, with some seven couple of leading hounds, was climbing the very 

steep side of Yemakal Hill, over which the jack was viewed and here it was very pretty to 

watch the way in which the leading hound, Ranter, one of last year's entry and not 

invariably to be trusted, struck to the line of the hunted jack, though four sambhur crossed 

close in front of him at intervals of half a minute, the last one almost knocking him over. 

The desperate climb up Yemakal Hill caused hounds to tail a bit, but on they went down 

across the Mysore Rides to the valley below Nadankodmund, then up the far side, over the 

shoulder into the Kabbalkod Valley, up which they ran below Island Thorns and leaving 

Kurumund Shola on their left, they climbed the hill into Kelly Shola, where they threw up. 

It was now about 11.15 o'clock, so the Master and Major Duff having rejoined forces took 

hounds home, getting thoroughly drenched on the way to kennels, which were reached 

about 12.30 P.M. 

This last hunt was an unlucky one, as had we had the whole pack, it would have been first 

class, the line taken by the jack being very good, though uncommonly trying to horses and 

hounds, owing to the long pull up from below Duff's Earth to the top of Yemakal Hill. 


Annesley, Mr. A. Y. G. Campbell, Captain Atkinson, Captain and Miss Barrow, Sir 

James Wolfe-Murray, Mrs. Dennistoun, Miss Newnham, Colonel Butler, Colonel Scott, 

Mr. Stewart Brown, Captain Elwes, Mr. Forbes Robertson, Colonel and Mrs. Gordon 

Price, Mrs. Horne, Miss Hammick, Captain Marchant, Miss Rolfe, Mr. Synnott, Mr. 

Shaw, Colonel, Mrs. and Mr. Walker, Miss Watson, Mr Wynch and others.-(From our 

own Correspondent.)


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Saturday 23 rd July 1910 

36 Barber’s Shop 8 a.m. 

Riding: Lord Boyne, Boulder, Major 

A rare scenting day 

Out His Excellency 2 Miss Lawleys, C.A.A. Capt Ledger Atkinson, Arthur Duff, 

Major E.Gresson. Cloudy but warm. Has been plenty of nice rain though no bad 

monsoon. 

Found at Beadnells, hounds being late having broken away from Douglas by 

Birch’s drop. Ran through Dunsandle, through Bracken and on very fast along 

the edge of the Ghaunts and eventually sank the ghaut below “Barrons Bump”. 

Sloe and Bin took 2 hours or more to bring back 12 couples and the Harlequen 

was left down there. Sloe said he had a rare hunt down there, going for two miles 

further than he had ever been before and all along the edge of a 1,000 ft. khud 22 . 

Arthur and I sat and waited on the top. 

Found at Jago’s gorse, ran to coffee Shop Shola, hounds tailed very much and His 

Excellency would keep riding amongst them. He is indeed bad now and of course 

sets a bad example to the rest of the field. I managed to get together 8 couples ran 

through Road Shola and on to Dormer and Denny where they threw up and I 

think killed as Hannibal came to me with a lot of blood on his teeth and likewise 

some of the others. They had been gnawing at an old kill, but there would now 

have been enough fresh blood in this to have made the mess, and blood. Very 

disappointing not being able to find some jack, they do not care much about 

breaking them up unless one is there to cheer. Feel certain they killed. 

Note: Must let them have a bit of jaw re over-riding. The two girls are bad and 

ought to know better, at all events from the way they talk. As a matter of fact, I 

don’t think they know much about the game. Can ride all right and have good 

hearts, but, hounds are in the way! 

Home kennels 12.45 p.m. and on to Barrows variety show, which was the reason 

we met early. 

22 A deep ravine


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OOTACAMUND, 23rd July.—Barber's Shop, 8 AM. 

An early Meet on account of a Variety Entertainment at the Armoury in the afternoon, 

instead of the usual 12 or 12.30 o'clock. 

A moderate-sized field turned out and the Master, after the usual five minutes’ law for 

late-comers, moved off over the slope behind the Barber's Shop, in the direction of 

Beadnell's. Before reaching this, however, Major Duff viewed a jack on the high ground 

above the shola and hounds getting a view at him as he dropped down into Beadnell's. 

Away they went with a merry chorus. This jack was a most uncommon colour, bright 

yellow, quite different to the more sober brown of most of the Ootacamund jacks. Running 

through Beadnell's and away at the top, hounds raced down past Hearty and leaving 

Hamlet on their left, ran straight for the wire fence round Beadnell's Tea Estate. Into this 

they hunted and the new owner, Mr. Antram, having thoughtfully provided a couple of 

jacks, the Master was able to follow hounds through and out again on the far side. 

Leaving Warwick Shola on their left, hounds crossed the Badankodmund Stream and 

running through Badankodmund Shola, it looked for all the world as if they were going 

down the Ghaut into the tea of Dunsandle Estate. But, in the little shola, which seems 

literally to hang on to the precipitous side of the cliff at this place, the jack turned up again 

and it was the prettiest sight imaginable to see, first, this very yellow jack, then only a few 

yards behind him the whole pack climbing up over some open sheet rock as close to each 

other as they could get - just like sailors swarming up a rope ladder. Away they went at 

the top and running past Glyn's Covert, Boar's Copse and the head of Diana's Dingle, 

they swept down the Ghant just beyond the latter. Crossing the valley below, they climbed 

the hill on the opposite side and disappeared from view. 

Meanwhile, the First and Second Whips, who had originally gone down into the tea near 

Badankod Mund, had stayed down below, on the chance of hounds coming down the 

Ghaut further on and their services being required. It was lucky they did so, as they were 

in time to view the flying pack cross the valley and to see the remainder of this hunt till 

hounds got clear out of sight near the Ibex Rocks (overlooking Mr. Kindersley's Westbury 

Estate near Masnagudi). 

After some difficulty in getting about through the sholas and scrub, which abounds here, 

hounds began to come to the horn and eventually, after some two hours, the Whips 

rejoined the Master, above Diana's Dingle, with 11½ couple of hounds, having taken over 

an hour to get back (which shows the distance, some 2 to 2½ miles beyond the furthest 

even the First Whip had ever been before) and climbed a path like a step ladder on the way. 

Taking hounds up Barrow's Bump, the Master was just throwing them into Jago's Gorse, 

when there was a holloa from Major Duff on the mound just east of Kengodu Hill.


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Galloping to the spot, hounds picked up the line and ran at a tremendous pace along the 

ride through Kengodu Hill Shola, along the grassy spur, where we finished the Hunt 

Point-to-Point Races last year, into Toda Coffee Shop Shola. Right through this they 

hunted, but the pack got rather strung out owing to the pace and though the leading 

hounds ran on through Road Shola into Dormer, they could not manage to account for 

their jack, who may have got in somewhere. 

It was now quite late (12 o'clock), so hounds were taken home. 


Annesley, Captain Atkinson, Mr. A. Y. G. Campbell, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Miss 

Newnham, Colonel Butler, Major Henderson, Mrs. Horne, Mrs. Browne, Captain 

Harrison, Mr. HUMFREY, Miss Rolfe and others. 


36 Double Crossing 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Oyster, Chris 19 slow,J. Moses 6 draft 

Scent good 

A rainy monsoon day. A fair field. His Excellency and all out. 

Arthur viewed a jack by Goldmine. Got them on nicely and ran along D.V. to 

Bluegums. His Excellency had been over-riding hounds badly. Stopped him at 

Bluegums path. Hounds ran path, and along path to Porlock and then rose hill to 

Governor’s and on to Lady Lawleys plantation. Here they checked as they were 

tailed badly. I took the opportunity to rattle them together before I had them on 

again. “Frosty” hit it beautifully and they ran Krurmund Path, a ticklish business, 

knowing whether to cheer or not to Pig and Whistle, then sank vale and ran past 

Nadunkodmund, Pie dogs barking but still they carried on, through Yemakal 

Shola - not too much music - rose hill to Martyn’s Shola, over this mountain (7,963 

feet!) and to ground the opposite side by Cromwell Shola. Hounds had a faint 

heel line I think up to top of Staircase. Thong spoke to the jack all right. 

A rare fine hunt and suited the young entry very well as it was not too fast. 

Found a jack on Newmarket, ran him fast through Bluegums and on to Governors 

(17 mins) where we killed him in a Nullah. Home 11.45 a.m. An excellent day.


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OOTACAMUND, 25th July.—Double Crossing, 7.30 A.M. 

A fine morning after rain early, but, I think the break in the Monsoon is over, as it looked 

very monsoonish out towards the Kundahs and we had showers at intervals and a regular 

thick Scotch mist at times. 

We had barely moved off towards the crossing before Major Duff, who had ridden on to 

spy out the land, held up his hat on the path over Newmarket and the master taking 

hounds to the spot, they picked up the line of a jack a little above Goldmine Crossing and 

running up the valley below Newmarket, they crossed Rawling's Nullah and into 

Bluegums. Running the path right through this and then through Porlock into the East 

End of Governor's Shola, they hunted at a moderate pace across the Governor's Shola 

road, out at the top and across the Krurmund Path into Lady Lawley's Shola. Here they 

were at fault for a minute and the Master took the opportunity of getting them a bit 

together, as the tail hounds had got a bit left. 

The jack having been viewed away from the top of Lady Lawley's Shola, hounds, picking 

up the line, ran steadily and well together past the Ace of Spades, across the Krurmund 

Path, along the fire line above Hunger Road and then along the Krurmund Path, to the 

corner of Pig and Whistle Shola. Here they turned right-handed, and running parallel 

with the lower Mysore Ride, we got a capital view of the chase from the Upper Mysore 

Ride. Past Nadunkodmund, undeterred by the vociferous barking of a cur dog they 

hunted, through Pigthorn's Shola into Yemakal Shola, then running the path right 

through this they turned up outside the Shola and dropping down into the Devil's Dike, 

they crossed the stream and the Back Staircase Road and ran up the side of Barton's Shola. 

Swinging right-handed over the shoulder of Staircase, they dropped into Martyn's Shola, 

and down through Godfrey's Shola; then swinging left-handed round the bluff below this, 

they put their jack to ground under a big rock in the nullah below Cromwell Shola. 

Another jack had evidently been about there and hounds, picking up his line, hunted it 

very slowly straight up past Cromwell and over the top of Staircase, but, it fizzled out 

altogether on the other side, so the Master brought hounds back to the earth, where they 

marked the jack at once. Something over an hour was now spent in mining operations, 

without result, and the jack had to be left to run another day - we hope. 

This was a capital hunt and just suited the six or seven couple of puppies and this year's 

draft which were out. As the pace was fairly slow all the way, they were enabled to keep 

up and do a bit of hunting, instead of being tailed off at once, as often happens when 

hounds go away at a great pace. Drawing on down the Sandynullah Valley, a jack was 

viewed on the side of Newmarket, some half mile above Gold Mine Crossing. Hounds 

getting a view at him, crosssed the stream and ran up the slope, down to and across 

Rawling's Nullah, on into the bottom of Bluegums and up through Raby Rough they


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hunted on into Porlock and killed him in the lower part of Governor's Shola. Hounds 

were then taken home, reaching kennels about 11.45 a.m. 

A capital day for the young entry and just what we wanted for them especially the finish 

with a kill when they were nearly all up. A day like this should buck them up 

tremendously. 


Annesley, Mr. A. Y: G, Campbell, Captain Atkinson, Captain and Miss Barrow, Miss 

Newnham, Colonel Scott, Mrs. Sam Browne, Mr. Stewart Browne, Captain Elwes, Mr. 

Forbes Robertson, Colonel and Miss Gordon Price, Mrs. Horne, Major Hinge, Mr. 

HUMFREY, Captain Harrison, Miss Hammick, Captain Lambton, Captain Marchant, 

Miss Rolfe, Mr. Synnot, Colonel and Mrs. Walker, Mr. Wynch and others. —(From Our 

Own Correspondent.) 

FIGURE 32: THE KENNELS 


37 Danger F. Post 12 noon 

Riding: Major, Barenose, Richmond 17 fast 

All out. A very thick morning and could not think of going into the country. Real 

monsoon though not very much wind. 

Drew Bluegums and found. Got him away and killed in a bog below Governors - 

a cub. Drew Staircase and Briar. Hounds behaved very well with Jungle Sheep 

and Samburs after a good hammering most of them had. 

Found by Paragon and ran to Amphill Wood and round to nearly Toda Coffee 

Shop. Gave the Lawley girls a good talking to re over riding hounds. They did


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not take it very kindly! Hounds very tailed, how can any else be expected with 

people continually cutting them off. 

Ran to ground close to Toda Coffee Shop, a rocky place. Very thick so drew 

home. Home 4.45 p.m. 


38 Sheffield Corner 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Lord Boyne ChrisOyster (18 old) 

Two girls C.A.A. Capt Ledger Atkinson, Major E.Gresson. Still very thick, so 

moved off to Jackall. A largish field. 

Found in Rallywood and ran over hill to Baikie but skirting this, he ran to bottom 

of Monkey and up towards Hecuba, to ground in a nullah. (19 minutes.) Sloe and 

Bin had gone off with eight couples which they stopped at Golf House. 

Drew B. V. and Lascelles, and Brooklands blank. Found 4 outside Hanging Shola. 

Ran one to Send and back, out at top, to Middle bit, not much scent, back into 

Hanging Shola, a nice cry here. Then Caryl luckily went the Aramby side and 

headed him, away to Middle bit again and away to Bingham 3½ couples on 

“forrard”. Got them nicely together by the road, “Sloe” having gone on. Now 

they settled to it. Down to Sandy Nullah, then turning right-handed rose hill to 

Rocky, not liking this he turned towards Waterfall. Several got into stream. Up 

the hill and on very fast to Barber’s Shop, where he turned curiously sharp back 

and ran to Dunsandle, along fence and down to Warwick, over the bog and on to 

Path and on to Letty Khed, where he ran us out of scent. 

I hit off a fresh line, but rather think this jack ran the road. I tried, but perhaps not 

far enough. I believe they are very fond of running roads, or even he may have 

laid down. Very disappointing. Tried a hole but no good! 

(1.20 minutes) A capital hunt and 15½ on out of 18 half of which were puppies. 

Home to Kennels 12.45 p.m. A capital hunt and I am told a most unusual line, 

specially for a Hanging Shola jack. 

THE OOTACAMUND HUNT OOTACAMUND, 28th July.—Sheffield Corner, 7-30 

A.M., 

A thick, misty Monsoon morning, so thick, that it was quite out of the question to attempt 

to go south on west, so the home downs had to be requisitioned. 

Moving off, the Master threw hounds into the top of Gill and a brace of jack were on foot 

in the shola below the potato field. Running up towards Bluegums, the pack 

unfortunately divided, the Master and half the pack having a pleasant little hunt round by 

Monkey, while the remainder of the pack raced down to Pearl Crossing and over the downs 

by New Covert on to the golf links, where they were stopped.


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A great pity the whole pack had not gone this way, as it was a capital line and would have 

been a good hunt. Jackal was then drawn and on down the Blackmore Vale. Near Treble 

Crossing hounds spoke to a very stale line, which they puzzled out across the Pykara Road 

up to the 5th hole on the golf course, where they could make no more of it. 

Lascelles was then drawn and Brooklands. From the latter hounds again spoke to a stale 

line, but, could do nothing with it. 

We then jogged by Farrier's Crossing and the Rifle Butts to Hanging Shola. Just on the 

outskirts of this shola, as the Master was about to throw hounds into covert, four jack were 

seen sitting. Luckily hounds took the line of one jack only and bustled him round the 

covert for a few minutes, when he went away at the top into Middle Shola. He seemed a 

curious twisty beggar, as at the top of this he doubled back almost under hounds' noses 

and in spite of valiant efforts on the part of the Second Whip and Maduray to head him off, 

he would not be turned but dived back into Hanging Shola again. Through this he ran 

and going away at the top for the second time, he at last set his head straight and gave us 

the most extraordinary run I think ever known from Hanging Shola. As a rule the jacks 

from this covert go pretty nearly straight to the Ghaut, sometimes just looking in at 

Brooklands as they pass, but this jack was of a different calibre and utterly disdained to 

seek safety down the Ghaut though several times uncommonly near it. 

Going through the top of Middle Shola he dropped over the ridge to the stream at Upper 

Landslip Crossing, ran up through the cultivation and over the Segur Road; then leaving 

Brooklands on his right, he headed for Birch's Drop, but, failing to cross the Pykara Road, 

he ran parallel with it and close to it, past Sandy Nullah Tollbar and the bottom of the 

Demon Valley, below Rocky and straight down the Waterfall Stream, where one would 

have laid any odds on his going down the Waterfall Ghaut. But no, crossing the river, he 

headed up the steep slope towards Beadnell's. All this time hounds were running very 

prettily and well together, at a fair pace and the Waterfall River—never a nice one to cross 

and fairly full after the rain of the last few days—gave most of us something to think about 

in the shape of wet feet, while one gallant gentleman, who had so far defied the vagaries of 

the weather in apron and covert coat, barely escaped a complete somersault by 

dismounting hastily, when his horse proceeded to investigate the bottom with his head. 

No damage was done, however, and we all got over safely. Hounds meanwhile, instead of 

turning as one expected, along Ghaut, made a most unusual bend to the left, running 

right past the Barber's Shop and over the bog beside Pykara Bridle Path. Then turning 

sharp right-handed and very nearly back again, they ran up to the top of the hill above 

Beadnell's, past Hearty and the bottom of Hamlet, to the wire fence of Beadnell's Tea 

Estate. Right along this they ran and down to the bottom of Warwick, then left-handed up 

past Patrick Shola to Little Khed. Here they threw up and though the Master made good 

his ground all round, they could not hit off the line again. This hunt lasted for an hour 

and twenty minutes and though hounds never raced, they hunted extremely well and 

carried a very good head, while one or two of the puppies and the last draft showed great 

promise.


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As it was now getting on for 12 o'clock, hounds were taken home. 

Those out included the Misses Lawley, Captains Annesly and Atkinson, Mr. A. Y. G. 

Campbell, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Colonel Lowry, Colonel Butler, Colonel Scott, Mr. 

Stewart Brown, Mrs. Sam Browne, Mrs. Barber, Captain Elwes, Mr. Forbes Robertson, 

Colonel and Mrs. Gordon Price, Major Henderson, Miss Hammick, Mr. Homfray, Major 

Hinge, Captain Harrison, Captain Jackson, Captain Lambton, Miss Rolfe, Mr. Stevens, 

Mr. Synnott, Colonel, Mrs. and Mr. Walker and others,-(From our Own Correspondent.) 

Saturday 30th July 1910 

39 Toda Coffee Shop Midday 

Riding: BarenoseRichmond J. Moses (fast pack 17½) 

A wild day. Not many out. Two Miss Lawleys C.A.A. Capt Ledger Atkinson 3 in 

and self. Caryl and I hacked on from Sandy Nullah. Too wild to go to the 

mountains and too foggy. 

Miss Rolfe viewed a jack by Little Khed, got them on very nicely and ran to 

Wapshare and on through bottom (35 minutes) of Yemakal, touched Chemmund 

and Dormer and Denny and to ground above Road Shola. Very fast. Too much 

for Barenose, whom I left for dead in Wenlock and rode Sloe’s. Hounds ran up 

side of Pykara Hill like a flock of pigeons. “I had rather see them run like the horses of 

the sun all abreast” 23 as Peter says. Sloe and I screamed with delight and such a 

pace, “Penitence” and “Warrior” carrying the scent alternately. (15 minutes) 

We then found below, tree hill and put him to ground in the Nullah below 

Chemmund. Then found by Mekod stream and ran round by Rock Shola, over 

Shoulder by Chemmund and to ground in same hole below Chemmund after 30 

minutes. 

Hounds hunting beautifully gradually drawing up to him. Penitence surpassing 

herself and throws her tongue so well. She shall certainly have a dog, I think 

Valesman, both such good blood. 

We draw Wenlock and Wapshare and found outside Road Shola. We ran to 

Fuddlers and back to Wapshare then back to Beadnells where Mrs. Sloe viewed 

our jack and we came back very fast to Wenlock, where they divided and Sloe 

galloped on down Yemakal, below Dormer and Denny, on nearly to Roberts Shola 

and stopped them. 

I collected nine couples and sent those home by Cox and then went back to look 

for Sloe. Missed him and did not get back to Kennels till 7.15 p.m. All in. A 

good day. Those holes we are going to blow up on Sunday. 

23 Peter Beckford ‘s Thoughts on Hunting published 1781.


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FIGURE 33: THE WENLOCK DOWNS 


THE OOTACAMUND HUNT 00TACAM0ND, 30th July.—Toda Coffee Shop, mid- 

day. 

A moderately thick Monsoon morning, very thick over Hungerford way and too thick to 

go out towards Glen Morgan, but, fairly right towards Ootacamund. A fairly big field for 

a Saturday turned up and after some considerable law, the Master moved off back along 

the Pykara Bridle Path and threw hounds into Morgan Shola. 

A late-comer, however, having seen a jack just above Littlekhed, the Master took hounds to 

the spot, when they picked up the line and - after some slight hesitation - as far as the 

Pykara Road, they dashed into Road Shola, crossed the road up to the top and right over 

the highest part of Pykara Hill. Down the far side they flew and it was really pretty to see 

them as they swept down the open grass between Road Shola and Dormer and up again 

towards Rock Shola, every hound scorning to cry and all in a bunch. Turning right- 

handed into Road Shola again, they ran just above the road then turned up and the jack 

found safety in a hole under a rock on the side of Pykara Hill. This was a short but jolly 

little burst, the pace being simply terrific. 

Drawing on again above and round Chemmund, hounds feathered on a 1ine near the 

bottom of Chemmund Nullah and warming to it, a couple of jack were viewed in Denny 

Nullah, one of which, a faint-hearted beast, circled back left-handed, with the whole pack 

close at him, to ground in the rocks at the bottom of Denny Nullah.


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Here we had to leave him, as it is a hopeless place, well-known, of old as a sure refuge for 

the jack. It was here in 1905 that Friar was stuck for three days before he could be got out 

and since then hounds have constantly been stuck inside for some hours. 

We then drew on above the Yemakal Stream and hounds picked up a line just opposite 

Irwin's Clump and ran fast below the little shola just west of Kaggodumund, below 

Dormer, over the ridge into the valley of the stream which runs down from the bottom of 

Dormer Shola to the Pykara River and turning up it hunted on right through Dormer 

which was full of sambhur, and out at the top, on past Kaggodumund and to ground again 

in Denny Nullah close to where the second jack had got in. This again, was an impossible 

place, and he had to be left. Three jack to ground in about two hours was rather heart- 

breaking. However, there was nothing to be done, so the Master jogged up past 

Chemmund and threw hounds into Wenlock Shola. This, however, proved blank, as did 

Wapshare's Hare. 

From Lower Briar hounds feathered on a stale line and we saw Cyclops on the 

spur beyond Cox's Bog waving to us, so the Master caught hold of hounds 

and galloped to the spot. Hitting off the line, they swarmed down the Nullah below 

Pirate, then turning back left-handed, before they reached Fuddler they simply flew 

back between Wenlock and Brooksby, past Windy Gap into Hero. Here the jack was 

viewed crossing the open into Wapshare's Hare, not far in front of hounds and away again 

on the far side, pointing for Pirate Shola. 

This time he crossed the bog and t h e P yka ra B ridle P ath and hounds raced 

after him along the spur between Hamlet and Bracken to the little shola, 

without a name, that lies between Hamlet and the wire fence of Beadnell's Tea 

Estate. Here another jack was seen going through the wire, while the hunted jack, 

doubling back up past Hamlet, was viewed away at the top by Mrs. Dennistoun. 

The Master, quickly getting hounds to the spot, they raced away past Fuddler 

and down by the Bridle Path to the bottom of the spur which runs up between 

Wenlock and Khed. Here, unfortunately, they divided, the Master and some eight couple 

going on past Wenlock towards Wapshare's Hare, while the remainder of the pack, led 

by Pensioner, crossed the road and the ridge above Wenlock and dived down into the 

Yemakal Valley, with a breast high scent, defying all the exertions and 

objurgations of the First Whip, who was trying to turn t h e m . F a i l i n g 

t h i s , a l l h e c o u l d do was to try and keep them in sight; no easy matter as they fairly 

raced a1ong.


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FIGURE 34: CAPT ALLEN PALMER WITH BLANCHE SOMERSET, WITH THE BEAUFORT IN 1907


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FIGURES ABOVE 35 ALLEN LL PALMER, PICTURED HUNTING IN ENGLAND 

Monday 1 st August 1910 

40 Umbrella Tree 

Riding: Richmond Lord Boyne Milton (slow pack 19) 

Scent good 

Drove on. C.A.A. Miss Cecilia Lawley, Capt Ledger Atkinson 

Found in Hanging Shola and ran to Aramby but Sloe going like a shot out of a 

gun stopped them. 

Drew Hanging Shola again and got one away very pretty, up to Connemara Road 

and then skirted the Ghaut, up nearly to Marle Mund. I took some time getting 

them.


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Went back and drew Brooklands blank and hit off a line to Rocky, left this one on 

left and on to Toda Cathedral, several jack on foot here and I managed to get them 

away with one, back to black bridge and here stopped them, as he was heading 

for the ghaut. 

A very nasty bit of country this Aramby and Ghaut forming two sides of a 

triangle and jack not liking to go the only way we want them to. 

I now went and drew along Sandy Nullah and did not find till I got to Gibbs’. 

Here they feathered very prettily on a very cold line, I held them over the brow 

and down into the bog and up jumped a jack, away over the road. I was a bit late 

getting there, 2½ including Locket, hit it off and ran hells bells over Dartmore 

leaving Wapshare on their left, crossed Pykara road by Wenlock, sank the 

Chemmund Vale and down the Yemakal. 

Here I managed to get on the body and the field behaved very well and gave me 

plenty of time, else I should never have got them on, a lot of puppies and old Jack 

dogs amongst them. A pity these got such a lead, however they pushed him 

through Denny and Dormer, and taking no notice of Sambur by Rock Shola, 

except Felix (not to be blamed) and up Pykara Hill what a climb, and how very 

prettily through Chemmund, and away I viewed him at the bottom. “’Opes he gets 

in to that hole” say I – “so do I – old boy” – said Sloe and sure enough he did. The 

same hole as Saturday 31 st . I did not try to get him out. Reginald got at him and 

got bitten, but, did not want to lose “Thong” as she would never leave a jack still 

alive. I saw a hunted jack come back right-handed from Rock Shola. It may have 

been a mate. However, I am not certain about that. 

A very fine hunt, marred by those 1½ couple which I could not get to earlier on. 

Home to kennels 12.45 p.m. 

1st August—The Umbrella Tree, 7.30 A.M. 

A real misty Monsoon morning; quite fine and bright over the plains as we looked away 

towards the north-east, but black and beastly towards the south-west. Drawing Parasol 

Shola and down the bog below, the Master threw hounds into Hanging Shola from the 

north side, a jack having been seen to enter the cover near the east end. 

In spite of the energetic cracking of whips by some members of the field on the Aramby 

side, the jack would not be turned from his point, and, breaking near the top corner, 

hounds ran at a fair pace straight towards Aramby. 

The First Whip and the Secretary, however, by doing a sprint, just managed to get down 

the road in time to head them all off (except one and a half couple) near Brook Hampton, 

and brought them back on to the downs. The Master then drew Hanging Shola again on 

the chance of another jack having remained there, but it was blank. He then drew Middle 

Shola and, while drawing it, an unwary jack was viewed coming from the Landslip 

Crossing Side. Getting a view at him away went hounds, the jack heading for Hanging


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Shola, from which point, however, he was successfully turned by the energy and 

determination of the Second Whip, but this only caused him to diverge nearly to Black 

Bridge, short of which he turned right-handed and headed straight for the ghaut. Crossing 

the Connemara Road, he crossed the ridge overlooking Mr. Oakes's house, and turning 

right-handed ran along the ghaut. Near the Billicul Path, hounds threw up and the 

Master collected half the pack. Then jogging back to the head of the Sigur Ghaut, 

Maduray brought in some more who had divided unseen in the thick scrub. 

Brooklands was then drawn blank, but while drawing down the left-hand side of the 

Demon Valley towards Sandy Nullah Toll, a jack was viewed crossing the stream. 

Hounds at the same moment picked up his line and ran at a fair pace across the stream, up 

the slope of the ridge which joins Rockey to the Toda Cathedral, over it and down to the 

head of the Karimulimond Bog. Here three jack were afoot, but hounds sticking to their 

hunted one, forced him back over the ridge, and into the patch of scent south of Toda 

Cathedral. Doubling back, we hoped that he really meant leaving the dangerous region of 

the Ghauts; but no, he turned back again left-handed and pointed for the head of the Sigur 

Ghaut, and as hounds at this moment overshot the line, the Master thought it wiser not to 

pursue and have the jack down the ghaut a second time. He then decided to cross the 

Pykara Road and a try a fresh bit of country. 

Drawing up the stream to Gold Mine Crossing, hounds feathered on a very stale line 

which they could barely puzzle out to the top of and over Lawley's Course, and the Master 

was just turning homewards - as it was after 11 o'clock and hounds had done a bit of work 

- when a jack was viewed by the First Whip at the junction of Gibb's Bog and Lawley's 

Bog. 

With a great cry, hounds crossed the latter and ran all together up to the bend in the 

Pykara Road, where it nearly over looks Barber's Shop. Here they checked for a minute 

unfortunately, as one and a half couple went on with the line and rather left the rest of the 

pack in the lurch. But, coming well to the Master's horn, they followed on, while the 

leading hounds ran at a good pace below Ayonditiriyaraimund, over the Dartmoor Bog 

below Piggott's Crossing, past the head of Cox's Bog, and down the grass between 

Wapshare's Hare and Hero. Crossing the Pykara Road, just beyond Windy Gap, they 

checked for a minute, letting the body of the pack get up a bit; then on led by Locket 

leaving Bungalow Shola on their left and Chemmund on their right, they raced down 

Chemmund Nullah then turning right-handed over Denny Nullah, they rose the hill 

below Kaggodumund where another instant's hesitation got the pack together once more. 

Turning left-handed down the hill into the little shola south-west of the Mund, a herd of at 

least half a dozen sambhur appeared below it, right on the line the jack had taken, and ran 

it for some quarter of a mile, but though two puppies just looked at them, the rest of the 

pack hunted straight on, taking the jack's line right though them below Temple Shola and 

on down towards the Pykara River. Swinging right-handed across the bog, they headed 

straight for Rock Shola, but the jack was a wily one and turned sharp up the stream which 

runs down from the bottom of Dormer; and so, though the leading hounds cast themselves


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back from the corner of Rock Shola and hit the line off again by the stream, the jack had 

gained a good bit. Up the stream they now ran, led by old Barrister, past the bottom of 

Dormer, across into Road Shola. Then right over Pykara Hill to the top of Chemmund. 

Here they paused for a minute or two, and we thought the jack had got in, but no, on they 

went right down through the shola, and the jack was viewed away from the bottom close in 

front of them. Heading for the bottom of Denny Nulllah he saved his brush in the same 

pile of rocks we had run to on Saturday. 

This was a good hunt of some 45 minutes, over a capital line of country and all good 

going. After some half hour spent in extricating hounds from the earth, they were taken 

home, reaching kennels a little before 2 p.m. A long day for horses and hounds. 

Those out included the Misses Lawley, Captains Annesley and Atkinson, Sir James Wolfe- 

Murray, Colonel Butler, Colonel Scott, Mrs. Sam Browne, Mrs. Barber, Mr. Cox, Mr. 

Forbes Robertson, Captain Jackson, Colonel and Mrs. Gordon Price, Major Henderson, 

Mrs. Horne, Major Hinge, Captain Lambton, Miss Rolfe, Mr. Stevens, Colonel, Mrs. and 

Mr. Walker and others.—(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

FIGURE 36: FROM THE AUTHOR'S DIARY 

Tuesday 2 nd August 1910 

41 Fair Lawns Bridge 12 noon 

Riding: Barenose, Boulder, Oyster 

A wet day 

C.A.A. Capt Ledger Atkinson Miss Cecilia Lawley. Drove on. Very greasy 

going. 

Drew, Ursula, Cecilia, Druid, Dreadnought and I got on very feint drag by 

Monkey, drew up to it. Flashed on to road by Jackal, at fault, but making a great 

dashing cast by themselves. They put up jack, cornered him round by Monkey, 

through Sheffield Planation and up Andy Hill, sank by Kuruthaguli and round by 

Tiger, on by Gaylad and Limerick and checked by gorse. He may have run path, 

but though I held them on, could make nothing of it, nor could I by casting back. 

So, I drew Cromwell, Governors, Staircase, Wapshare all blank.


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Was returning home when I sent on Ledger who viewed a brace beyond black 

bridge. These both ran to Brooklands in spite of “Sloe’s” endeavours to stop 

them, and then on into Aramby and Umbrella, here Sloe being the only person 

who could live with them. I could not find my way try as I would. Unfortunate! 

I jogged on road and found Sloe close to Marliamund. Home to Kennels 5.15 p.m. 



OOTACAMUND, 2nd Aug.—Fairlawns Bridge, midday. 

A thick monsoon day, but very little rain, in fact we came home, for a wonder, quite dry. 

A very small field, as usual on Tuesdays, appeared at the rendezvous. 

The Master drew Ursu1a, Cecilia, Dendron Belt, up the bog from Denmark to 

Dreadnought then over the hill via Druid and Dudley. On the slope overlooking Monkey 

Shola, hounds began feathering and gradually puzzled out a line across the Krurmund 

Road, till on the top of the hill between Jackal and Rallywood they went off with a rush and 

we saw a jack just below them. Coursing him across the road, and past the top of Monkey, 

they swung left-handed up into Sheffield Plantation, Ransome, with a lead of them all, 

close behind the flying jack up through Tiger Shola and out at the top. Then in a left- 

handed circle above Democrat, they circled almost completely round Hecuba Hill and 

leaving Swamyar Bluegums on their right, ran past the top of Sheffield and along the 

Governor's Shola Road, then turning up the hill, they crossed the Krurmund Path and 

threw up just near the top of Andy Bog. 

Hitting off the line again shortly after, they ran across the top of Andy Bog and through 

Democrat into Gaylad Shola, just beyond which they were again at fault and though the 

Master held them on and made good his ground, they could not hit it off again. 

The Master now wished to go to Parson's Valley, but it was too thick altogether and a look 

down towards the Nunjunad appeared just as had, so we jogged off towards the home 

downs and a long draw ensued via Governor's Shola, Cromwell Shola, Round Shola, 

Staircase, Stokes Shola, Briar and the Dartmoor Bog to the Bridle Path, where we turned 

homewards as it was about 4 o'clock, and after the hard days on Saturday and Monday, 

the Master did not mean to make a long day of it. 

But, "the best laid plans," etc., and in this case knowing that there are generally one or 

two jack near Birch's Drop about this time in the afternoon, we sent out a scout to spy out 

the land. He returned, reporting two jack in the nullah which runs down to the Bridge on 

the New Pykara Road from Brooklands. Taking hounds up the Demon Valley, the Master 

tried to pounce on them unawares from the ridge just short of Brooklands, but they had 

evidently "smelt a rat" and were on the move, so that instead of cutting in between them 

and Brooklands, as we had intended, we were only on their flank.


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Getting a view, Fiddler was off like a ball from a gun, followed immediately by the rest of 

the pack and the jack only reached the shelter of the wattles by a length or two. Once out 

of sight, however, he quickly gained a lead and pointed for Rocky, but doubling straight 

back just as if he had been headed, he crossed the Seegur Road and headed across the bog 

for Middle Shola, and now hounds fairly raced through the bottom of Middle Shola, across 

the grass into Hanging Shola or over Brookhampton Bog and up into Aramby, bearing to 

the left and finally being brought back from the edge of the Ghant about half a mile west of 

Marliamund and so home. 

Those out were Mrs. Dennistoun, Mrs. Horne, Mrs. Sam Browne, Miss C. Lawley, Miss 

Rolfe, Captains Annesley and Atkinson and Mr. Cox.-(From Our Own Correspondent.) 

Thursday 4 th August 1910 

42 Kennels 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Major , Boyne, Oyster 

Miss Cecilia Lawley, C.A.A. L.H. Mrs. Browne out. All drove on in Brake, Miss 

C driving. A nice morning. 

I had put a horse’s head down in New Covert with the result that there were no 

less than eight jack in it. They go to Ooty during night and I presume get the 

wind of the bait and come and stay. Luckily we got them all on to one, except 

Positive, but she was soon stopped. They ran very fast, over Goldming Crossing 

and then left-handed through Bluegums and Raby Rough, Sloe and I saw some 

leading hounds, 2½ couples on, so I galloped the others on. Missed my turn out 

of Governor’s but when I got there hounds which had been driven on by field had 

a line, which they took along parallel to Andy path to Kuruthaguli and Sambhur 

Shola and Nunjunad where scent utterly failed on the plough. 

At this period Sloe appeared at the top of Little Danger Ride, with XYZ Campbell. 

and 2½ and a dead jack, the biggest whatever was seen, which the leading hounds 

had killed in Tiger Shola. My hunt was 1¼ hours and very pretty. 

Drew Parson’s valley and Andy bog, blank this season as usual and as it was 

thick, went back to Home downs and did not find till we got to Bagman. Got on 

to a cut and had a very fast and merry 15 minutes, round by Schmidt’s clump and 

put him to ground in Rawlings Nullah, and XYZ got him out drowned. 

We put another to ground which had jumped up with him only 100 yards away, 

but left him for another day. A good mornings sport. Back to Kennels. 12.30 p.m.


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FIGURE 37 THE KILL, FROM AUTHOR’S DIARY 1910 



OOTACAMUND, 4 th Aug.-The Kennels, 7.30 A.M. 

Another regular monsoon morning, with thick mist at times and occasional gleams of 

sunshine, though all the time the drizzle of rain never actually stopped and we came home 

pretty wet. 

The jacks had evidently been having a party in New Covert, as before hounds were over 

the Municipal Crossing three jack left it and proceeded at a leisurely pace towards Mills, 

while, when the Master threw hounds in, two more left hurriedly in the same direction in 

front of the pack, while a third raced alongside the Master's horse for some 100 yards or so. 

Luckily, the whole pack, except one hound, settled on the line of one jack, and leaving 

Mills on their left, they ran at a great pace round the spur above Treble Crossing, crossed 

the Blackmore Vale Stream below Point-to-Point Tree, and rising the slopes of Newmarket 

to the head of Rawling's Nullah, swung across it and on into Bluegums, on into Porlock 

and the east end of Governor's Shola, then over the Krurmund Path and up between Andy


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Plantation and Tiger Shola. Hounds had got a bit strung out, as they had been racing, 

with the leaders occasionally getting a view at the jack, the consequence of this being that 

the leading two and a half couple never entered Andy at all, but swinging over Tiger Shola 

down into Leeds, they killed their jack, while the body of the pack, picking up a fresh line in 

Andy, ran on via Democrat, Limerick and Pillay, to Nunjanad Shola, where they lost him, 

It was now very thick, but the body of the jack being retrieved by the First Whip and three 

couple of hounds brought on, the worry took place at the top of the little Dangar Ride. The 

mist drawing off and the sun trying to shine, the Master thought it feasible to try Parson's 

Valley, where we have not been able to go for over a fortnight, on account of the fog. But 

though a long draw via Marky's Bog and down the Parson's Valley Stream nearly to 

Leatham’s Nullah, then over to Hungerford, ensued, there was no sign of a jack. 

Certainly, this valley has been most unlucky this season, as we have only found one or two 

jack in it so far, whereas, generally, there are any number. Certainly in this weather they 

may well be excused if they seek warmer and better sheltered localities, for with the 

howling South-West wind sweeping incessant drizzle up the valley, it certainly is 

anything but a pleasant place at this time. 

Jogging on by the top of Governor's Shola, we turned down through it and the Master 

drew down the Sandy Nullah Stream to Rawling's Nullah, where he turned up, then over 

the top of Newmarket and on to the slopes of Bagman. It looked for all the world as if sport 

for the day was ended and the Master was about to try Mills as a last resort, when hounds 

picked up a line in the little nullah about opposite Point-to point Tree and ran fast straight 

down the valley as if for Treble Crossing. Turning left-handed, however, they crossed the 

stream by the next crossing above Treble Crossing and ran straight over Newmarket and 

down almost to the stream above Goldmine Crossing. Turning left- handed and running 

parallel to the steam, the leading hounds were coursing the jack, indeed, one of them was 

seen to knock him over, but he managed to get away and turned up Rawling's Nullah. 

Here he was joined by a second jack and the pair of them were coursed straight up the 

nullah, only a few feet in front of the leading hounds. After a sharp turn, the original 

hunted jack went to ground in the water course in Rawling's Nullah, where Old Teacher 

killed him and dragged him out. The other jack meanwhile had been marked to ground 

lower down the nullah, but was left to run another day. 

Hounds were then taken home, reaching kennels soon after 12 o’clock. Quite a satisfactory 

day, the first hunt lasting about an hour while the second was as a real "Chivry" for about 

ten minutes. 

Those out included Miss Cecilia Lawley, Captains Annesley and Atkinson, Mr. A. Y. G. 

Campbell, Captain and Miss Barrow, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Colonels Scott and Butler, 

Mr. Stewart Brown, Mrs. Sam Browne, Mrs. Butler, Mr. Cox, Mr. Cowie, Mr. Forbes 

Robertson, Colonel and Miss Gordon Price, Captain Goldie, Mrs. Horne, Miss Hammick, 

Major Hinge, Captain Jackson, Miss Moore, Colonel, Mrs. and Mr. Walker and others.— 

(From Our Own Correspondent.)


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Saturday 6 th August 1910 

43 Briar 12 noon (fast) 

Riding: Barenose, ,Boulder,Richmond 

C.A.A. Capt Ledger Atkinson Drove on to Double Crossing. A nice early 

morning, but, suddenly came on wet and windy. 

Drew Briar, which I had baited, blank as well as Washare. Sloe viewed a jack at 

bottom of Yemakal and we ran messing about and put to ground in Duff’s Earth. 

He must have got in, as I made it good all round and very wide. 

Found on One tree Hill and ran very fast along Yemakal Valley and bowled him 

over Pigthorns Mullah in the stream. 

Drew all round Chemmund, touched 2 or 3 stale drags, drew up to one and ran 

round by Pykara river very fast to ground. Unfortunately 3 or 5 couples were on. 

I think they killed him. I put Thong in, she had a tow-row for a few moments, I 

then heard her tugging at him and then she came out by Temple Shola. 

We drew on by Chemmund, in the fog. Found in Wenlock and ran very prettily 

to Khed, over the road, carrying a rare head through Chemmund, Cox and I 

viewed him away at the bottom and then like a flock of pigeons to Bacon Wood, 

where, when I had galloped round the other side, expecting to find them in the 

Yemakal, I found them at fault. We spotted Mr. John going up the Covert. I went 

on and gave them a holoa of the best, a thing I have never heard here. My voice is 

just getting more-or-less true now, though a bit stringy in the early mornings. Bin 

viewed him to Bacon Wood and on to Briar, where what with wind, fog, hills, 

hounds were very split up. So I collected them and took them home with Cox and 

Sloe. A very fair day. 


OOTACAMUND HUNT. 

OOTACAMUND, 6th Aug.—Briar, at 9 A. M. 

A roughish morning, after a wet night, but it cleared up nicely about 8 A.M. and we 

anticipated a fine day for a change, but, just as we reached the Meet a storm swept over, a 

fairly thick mist and a real heavy drizzle of the most penetrating type. One could hardly 

see at all when looking to windward on account of the rain and wind. However, the 

weather improved again after an hour or so and we had time to dry more or less before we 

got back to Kennels about 2.30 P.M. 

Drawing Briar without success the Master crossed the Pykara Road and went down the 

valley of the Yemakal stream. In the bottom a jack was viewed crossing the stream and 

heading towards Yemakal Mund, but he was a wretched ringing brute and evidently knew 

that scent was very bad, as after taking us to the Devil's Dyke, he turned sharp back below


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Duff's Earth and probably got in somewhere, as we lost him. Scent is a curious thing; we 

had lashings of rain all night, the streams were all bank high and yet instead of the breast 

high scent one usually associates with these conditions, scent all day yesterday was 

extremely poor. 

Drawing on down the valley and up into One tree Hill, hounds picked up a line close to 

the top, and running up below Yemakal and through the bottom of Little Yemakal Shola, 

they coursed him through Pigthorns Nullah into the bottom of Pigthorns Shola (near 

Nadunkod Mund) where they killed him. 

We then drew down the Nadunkod and Kabbalkod Valleys to the Yemakal Stream, just 

before reaching which hounds feathered on a stale line, which they worked out slowly over 

the stream, but could make nothing of it near Chemmund Nullah. Drawing on along the 

right bank of the Yemakal Stream, hounds again became very busy opposite Irwin's 

Clump and gradually puzzling out the line on to the spur over-looking the Pykara River, 

the jack was viewed. The Master holding the pack to the spot, away they went at a great 

pace, down to the river bank and then left-handed along it to the mouth of the Yemakal 

Stream, along the right bank and then a left-handed turn to ground, not ten yards in front 

of the leading hounds, in a water course south-west of Temple Shola. Here, despite mining 

operations for some half hour and the exertions of Thong, the terrier, he had to be left. 

We then drew in a homeward direction above Chemmund, but in Wenlock hounds found 

at once and getting away fairly close behind their jack, they ran very prettily into Khed, 

over the Pykara Road and up by the top of Khed then down into and through Chemmund, 

with a left-handed turn below Bungalow Shola into Bacon Wood. Here the jack was 

viewed, dead beat, close in front of them, but, as so often happens there were several fresh 

jack about and though hounds tried very hard through and round the wood they 

eventually went away on the line of a jack, which may have been the hunted one, and took 

it past Briar to Fife's Nullah, they could do no good with it. Hounds were then taken 

home. A better day than the state of the scent led me to expect. 

There were not a great many people out, though I noticed several enthusiastic motorists at 

the Meet. Those out included Captains Annesley and Atkinson, Captain and Miss 

Barrow, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Mrs. Dennistoun, Colonel Butler, Mrs. Sam Browne, 

Mr. Cox, Mr. Cowie, Captain Goldie, Mrs. Horne, Captain Pollard and others.— (From 

our own Correspondent.)


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Monday 8 th August 1910 

44 Sandy Nullah Toll Bar 7.30 (Slow) 

Riding: Major, Lord BoyneChristopher 

His Excellency Miss Lawley C.A.A. Capt Ledger Atkinson and large field. A 

very foggy morning. Arthur Duff, 

Jogged off to Beadnells and Arthur viewed 2 just outside. Ran to the Ghauts and 

down the tea at Dunsandle, in an awful fog. Could see or hear nothing. I had 

some hounds turn back but could not see. Lost them for nearly an hour, Bin 

found then at Briar and we got most of them together. 

Drew on to Downs. Arthur viewed one on Lawleys Course. Ran nearly to 

Bluegums turned left-handed on to Jackal, here no doubt we changed as Sloe 

viewed Pastime going into Baikie, Pleader and one other, hit it going towards the 

Downs, so as I had them in hand and took this opportunity, they hunted very 

slowly over the Downs to ?? Covert, turned left-handed again, along Lawleys Bog, 

turned right-handed to Staircase and along to Herberts Plantation, where I 

stopped them because of the fog. A nice hunt. 

How these fogs worry me. They come on thick just at critical moments. Cannot 

see or hear anything. It’s a sort of sea fog. One looses one’s bearings. But we 

should be getting to the end of them now. 

Tuesday 9 th August 1910 

45 Danger Finger Post (fast 19½) 

Riding: Barenose, Boulder, Oyster 

Took hounds on with Bin. Miss Lawley, Capt Ledger Atkinson, A.D.D. out. 

Tried to go Danger Ride way but driven back by fog again. Tried Matley Bog but 

no use. 

Thenhunted a jack from top by Danger Finger Post down past Finger Post Shola, 

to ground close to Nanjunard, bolted himself and on they went hunting 

beautifully, hardly able to see in the fog, all over the most impossible country. I 

could not see hounds, most of the time and Bin and I were cursing and swearing. 

No crossings, nobbly paths and boggy Nullahs. Very greasy and hard as a board 

underneath, one slides about all over the place, gets bogged down and all this on 

a slope like the side of a house. No, it is not a hunting country. I go out to see 

hounds hunt and in my particular case here to help, or try to help them, when in 

need. I could never do it.


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Well, they ran to ground again and the third time, after we had lost them for some 

¼ hour, we found them at earth in a most impossible place. Very disappointing. 

A very good hunt I expect! All on. 

Of course all the field and Sloe stay on top and when one comes back, want a 

hunt! Then to crown my joys, on the way home hounds hit a line under Sloe’s 

Furze and go from Dreadnought to Cairn Hill and instead of getting them home 

3.30 or so, not until 6.15 p.m. 

No. The Nunjunard is not the place to try and hunt a jack in. All right if one runs 

there. But – why go and look for trouble. 


46 Lake End 7.30 (slow 20c) 

Riding: Lord Boyne, Christopher, En tons Cas 

No scent 

Very windy, a break, a little sun, anything but a hunting morn. Though very nice 

to be out. 

His Excellency Miss Lawley Capt Ledger Atkinson C.A.A. Arthur Duff. 

Arthur views jack on meet side of Bagman. No scent but we run slowly to Mills 

and on to ground at Elmhurst corner. 

Found in Mills and do the same thing to ground. I drew up Newmarket and 

although one jack was running amongst the second horsemen and I came to their 

holloa, they hit off another line and ran a fair pace down New, to Round Shola, 

“Blusher” making two very pretty hits, then, through Round Shola and Staircase 

and away over the Leck, down the steep hill on to the back staircase side and


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along this with a rare cry to Devils Dyke, where they flashed up hill and hitting a 

toda track put me wrong. Jackson said he had viewed the jack going towards 

Duffs earth. I cast back and hit it. I think with the strong wind, that they must 

have flashed up the Nullah and drove on, whereas, the jack must have turned 

down and never gone up. They hunted him on prettily through Duff’s earth to 

Secretary Shola and then slowly back to Devil’s Dyke and Bamboo Shoal, where 

scent after one hour) absolutely failed. A very pretty hunt considering the day. 

On our way home Miss Barrow views a jack on Bagman whilst we were just by 

Jackal. He led us round by Jackal and Monkey to Baikie, through which they 

drove him with a rare cry to Dendron, past Ursula and down to a thick covert 

below where I am certain he lay down, hounds very tired and covert very thick. I 

took them home from here and reached kennels 12.15 p.m. Left out about downs 

3½ couples all in by 2.30 p.m. 

Miss Barrow took off her topee 24 , regardless of hair or appearance, very sporting 

of her. We have to thank her for the hunt. 

Hinge the Golf Secretary. Much rotted about his old links - we were all over them 

twice! 


47 Windy Gap 12 noon 

Riding: Major, Boulder, Barenose (17½ fast) 

A number of people on foot. A rare scent. His Excellency Two Miss Lawleys, 

C.A.A. A.A.D 

On Saturday the 13 th Hounds met at Windy Gap. 

There was quite a gathering of sporting Dianas to meet hounds and it is to be hoped that 

they saw the beginning, at all events of what proved to be a great hunt. The Master 

decided to try and bustle about the Chemmund jack, which up to date have found that 

their safety lies in a series of enormous rocky caverns below Chemmund, and these holes, 

thanks to the energy of Messrs. Cox and Ward having been recently blocked and blown up; 

the Master hoped to find one that must go on a bit farther than is his wont for his 

salvation. 

This was not to be. Striking a drag very prettily below Bungalow Shola, they hunted him 

into Chummund, where every hound scoring to cry, there was such a chorus of music as 

made the welkin ring at Piccadilly Circus! We got a view. One cannot say that this 

brings back old associations of Home, but the fact remains. We viewed a jack at Piccadilly 

Circus. With a cheer from the Master they hunt on round Pykara Hill left-handed into 

24 Pith Helmet


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Dormer and swinging right-handed sink the hill to Road Shola. There was a momentary 

delay, by Toda Coffee shop but the 1 st whipper in dropping from the clouds – no, he is not a 

“flying man” but he has the nack of turning up just when he is needed, holds on the pack 

to “Penitence” who had hit it, and flashed on and then forrard away over by Kedadu 

round Bolsters Shola and pointing his mask for Paragon, this stout jack gives us the 

chance of sitting down and riding alongside hounds over that delightful bit of going where 

the Point to Point finished last season. 

Here the 2 nd Horsemen had picked in and at a most opportune moment, for our horses were 

just beginning to “hang out symptoms of distress”. Out of Paragon we got a view of him 

going into Road Shola they were on their noses along the road inside the Road Shola, there 

is no prettier sight in this country than to see hounds puzzling it out along a road. One 

hound will perhaps drive on for 100 yards then not feel certain, another comes and “takes 

it from him”, and so it goes on. But on these occasions the field and hunt servants cannot 

be too careful not to press hounds, for hounds may be driven miles by being pressed on 

such occasions. 

“Get away on forrard ‘ark!! We are trying on the line and so it was for the 1 st whipper’s 

holloa on the top of Wood Shola told us that “Mr. John” did not mean to dawdle. The 

Master got them on to the holloa quickly, but a few minutes were lost by some buffalo 

having foiled the line, then they settled down to it and it was a case of: 

Never stand dreaming 

whilst yonder they’re streaming 

If ever you meant it man, mean it today 25 

Parallel to the Pykara river they ran till they came to the Yemakal stream, which was in 

flood. 

With hounds streaming up the opposite hill the field had to face this obstacle if they meant 

to see anything more of this hunt. His Excellency the Governor nothing daunted takes it 

where he meets it, Splash his horse lost to view. He appears on the right side of the stream. 

The select field are left to follow his gallant lead as best they can. It is not often that we 

meet out here an obstacle to surmount which we require to harden our hearts and catch 

hold of our bridles, but when we do we are glad to find that there is still a little nerve left. 

We all got over somehow or another, most of us wet to the vaste. We just got up the side 

of the hill on which a clump is situated to see hounds streaming over the next ridge having 

some half mile the best of us. 

25 Whyte Melville, Lord of the Valley 

Onward we struggle in sorrow and labour 

Larching and lobbing and bellows to men 

Each while he smiles at the flight of his hounds 

Only is anxious to get to the end


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Younder they go along the high ridge west of the Yemakal Valley they give this stout hill 

jack no peace until they reach a small shola quarter mile short of Kelly shola into land. 

Here the master found them at fault with one hound on. Unfortunately while casting 

themselves hounds hit off three different lines and the only thin, all too unlucky, was for 

the master to stop them. The body of the jack were hanging about the shola and it is more 

than probable that he went to the ground in some of the numerous holes about here. It was 

most disappointing for hounds to be cheated of the blood which they so well deserved. 

They had driven their jack over a delightful country, the pace had been a cracker 

throughout. If any one takes the trouble to measure the points above mentioned over nine 

miles and this in 53 minutes. 

Comparisons are odious but we cannot refrain from mentioning the names of His 

Excellency the Governor and his two daughters, all three of whom saw the hunt well. 

Colonel Butler and Major Henderson were also going well. 

In the evening we had a merry spin after a very unenterprising jack, from briar to 

Wenlock and from there very fast to Beadnells estate, here they were stopped. 


48 Brooklands 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Christopher, Grey pony 

Bad scent 

His Excellency 2 Miss Lawleys, C.A.A. Capt Ledger Atkinson L.C. Foggy 

morning. Bad scent in consequence. 

Found outside Brooklands and ran straight past Rocky to the Ghaut. Managed to 

get most of them together. Found another outside Brooklands, ran through and 

then headed for Aramby, so I stopped them. 

Went on and drew Mills going over golf links which annoyed Hinge the secretary, 

for some reason, only making himself officious. Found and ran small ring by 

Newmarket to ground, bolted and killed a big jack. I caught hold and had him 

out by his ears. 

Found on Lawleys’ course and ran to staircase, right through, fog came down. 

Mrs. B. headed him at bottom of Herberts Plant and he turned back over the 

saddle and along back staircase path and then up Devils Dyke, where I stopped 

them as they were very split up and tailed. I made an unlucky turn below 

Brooklands and had to go all round by Briar. An unsatisfactory day.


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49 Sultans Shola 12 noon 

Riding: Major, Boulder, Barenose (Fast 17) 

Fair scent 

Took hounds on. Not many out. Wild in far country. Only Arthur and Bin out. 

Moved off and drew round Krurmundway. What a country as we said very 

suitable for deer stalking but not hunting. Luckily we found no jack, very steep, 

and a number of mountain streams about. 

Went on to “No Man’s” land, only better than the other country. Arthur views a 

jack. We have a merry 12 minutes as hard as we can split and then to ground by 

Pykara river, after a long dig in the rain and mist Sloe was very impatient. 

“Thong” bolted him, they crossed him to ground in another ¼ mile in an 

enormous cavern going some 100 yards into the hill. Left Driver and Roderick 

and Cyclops brought them on later. 

Drew up Yemakal. Hounds touched on a drag and ran a few yards what I knew 

must be heel ways. Held them back, and then, “Warrior” “Pleader”, 

Dreadnought, Princess, all spoke in turn like so many beagles. Prettiest thing I 

have seen since I have been up here. At last Moplah with a squeak hit it off and 

they ran, round Chemmund, through Dormer and Denny and back and tried the 

holes we had stopped and eventually got into a water hole just above. 

Fog came down awful and six couples away on another line, so I took what I had 

home and “Bin” and Cox brought back the others in an awful fog. Home 6.45 

p.m. 


50 Beadnells 

Riding: Oyster, Chris, En tous cas 

His Excellency all out. Very foggy. Could not draw Beadnells. Got the far side 

and fog came down. 

We went towards Home Downs, found on Newmarket, when fog just lifted and 

ran through Staircase to Herberts Plantation, where fog was so thick that I took 

hounds home and was lucky enough to have all the hounds bar one couple – 

lucky indeed. 

These fogs are very dangerous. Sound becomes numb, one cannot see more than 

100 yards and on the tops it is as dark as pitch. Hounds get all over the country.


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51 Rifle Butts 7.30 

Riding: Merryvale, Lord Boyne, En tons cas 

All out. A nice morning. 

Drew Hanging Shola blank. Found Orbide Brooklands and ran all along Demon 

Valley, two jack went over the downs, but we were just too late, hounds hit the 

line of the other one, on to Hanging Shola, and then round by Parasol and so to 

Ghauts and we took some time collecting them in the fog. 

Drew on and found just below Rocky, saw two jack running the road by Sandy 

Nullah, ran to view all along Lawleys Course, “Crawford” at the head. Field 

behaved much better and did not over-ride hounds, as they all did three weeks 

ago. Over Staircase, here I was blown. Lord Boyne, having had enough, along 

the back Staircase Path. Arthur was with them, and Sloe chipped in, and then 

hells bells to Beadnells over Dartmore, beautiful going, where as the jack was 

evidently going down Ghaut I stopped them. A rare gallop for 40 minutes. 

Home to Kennels at 11.45am. 

We could not hunt at Toda Coffee Shop because of the fog. Stopped hounds at 

Old Pykara cross roads and sent everything home from there. 

Monday 21 st August 1910 

52 Hungerford Hill 12 noon 

Riding: Boulder, Chris, Major 

Two Miss Lawleys & L.A Took hounds on. 

Drew round by Hazelting Nullah, but all blank. Drew round by Kabolkod 

stream, found and ran over one side of a mountain and down the next and to 

ground. Too big a place to get out. I put “Thong” in and she stayed till 7 p.m and 

then bolted jack! 

Drew back of Staircase, very thoroughly and found at Briar, ran nicely to Staircase 

and down to B. Staircase path, where hounds divided, but Sloe took on the big lot 

instead of bringing them to me, they went back round Hungerford and Governors 

he stopped them below round Shola. Meanwhile, my lot had gone to Briar, where 

Arthur stopped them. 

Sloe will not at times, bring “the other” lot back to me, thinks I shall come after 

him! Home 5.15 p.m. Bins last day.


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53 Lake End 

Riding: Merry Vale, Oyster, En tous Cas (18½ slow) 

Bad scent 

A bit dry. Going very good. All out. 

Found a jack who crossed path on way to draw by Rees Corner and ran through 

Dendron on to Daisy Maid to Cairn Hill. No scent in covert so I could not get 

hold of them after about ¾ hour. 

Arthur received two below tree hill. I did not feel inclined to take them, as they 

were heading for Baikie and C. Hill. 

His Excellency said “are you not going to put hounds on to those two?” 

“No. Not unless you think and wish me to?” “Certainly, you have the whole of the 

Nunjunard in front of you” 

I put them on through Baikie, on to Ursula, where Sloe luckily headed them in the 

path across back through Baikie to Yemakal, only three couples on, though Sloe 

was with me, he did not bring on the tail hounds, so I had to wait, they were at 

fault by Rallywood cast down the road and then round down the bottom, and hit 

it just below, when Sir James Wolfe-Murray came and pointed me the jack rising 

the hill towards one tree on the hill. They unfortunately hit it heelway, but got 

them back and ran nicely through Dendrow and on to Cairn Hill for the 2 nd time. 

I got them together and drew all over Newmarket. Found and ran to Bluegums, 

Porlock and on to centre ride of Governors, he jumped up in middle of pack and 

through brackens, he must have lay down once or twice, but hounds had a line 

out to Bluegums, but scent failed and he may have got in. Not a bad day. Home 

12.45 p.m.


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FIGURE 38: MEET AT BRIAR AUGUST 27TH 1910. L TO R MAJOR DENNISTOUN, MR COX, CYCLOPS, 

CAPT PALMER 


54 Briar 

Riding: Chris, Bucee (17 fast) 

All out. Beautiful hunting morning, southerly wind and a cloudy sky. A real 

hunting day and great number of people at the meet, driving and on foot. 

Got on a line outside Waphare, having drawn Briar blank. Arthur stopped the 

leading hounds, so I got them on nicely, over the road by Wenlock, up the Pykara 

Hill to Chemmund, they hunted here beautifully, but did not go in, sank the hill 

to Dormer, then thinking to come to Chemmund left-handed, but was headed and 

set his mask for Pykara, by which river just below Temple Shola he went to 

ground. They drowned him in the water course and Thong pulled him out. 

George Lambton told me, that Arthur was on ½ mile with 3 couples more to 

ground. But found it was an impossible place. (27 minutes fast) 

Got on to drag of a jack which had been gone ¾ hour, by Pykara Hill, but did not 

let them persevere, as hounds struggled. 

Hit a line by Roberts Shola, and ran up to Amp Hill Wood, along parallel to path, 

then swinging left-handed, pointed for Ghaut but turning short back, he met me, 

where I got a view, and got most of them on, and ran them back nearly to Roberts 

Shola, where a jack went to ground and I had him out at once with the aid of 

Thong. Sloe, said the hunted jack went on, I say this one was hunted, there must 

have been two and it is not his business to say which is hunted and which is not.


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Five couples accompanied by Arthur had marked a jack to ground in Glyn’s 

Covert. 

Drew on Road Shola and C and got on a line, Leelways got them back, ran up 

Pykara Hill to Chemmund, where some buffalo foiled the line, but I hit it and (20 

minuutes) one round Pykara Hill, through Denny and to ground at nearly the 

same place as in the morning. I left him, a very big place. A very good day’s 

hunting. Killed two and three to ground. 


56 Beadnells 8 a.m. 

Riding: Merryvale 

En tous Cas 

Oyster 

All out. A very nice morning. A large field. I had baited little Khed with no 

result. 

Found in Road Shola, and ran nicely through it on to Khed and then down to the 

Old Pykara Road, where hounds were at fault, but 2 couples hit it on the top and 

then everyone started riding, His Excellency being the worst, I could not get the 

tail hounds on. How could I with some two dozen idiots galloping in between the 

body and the leading hounds? 

Did not get them together till we got to the Ghaut having run by Yuvaraj towards 

Boastees and then Ghaut. Sloe took a bad toss. A very nice hunt over a nice line 

of country. 

Hounds hunted very prettily up a dray by Maharaja Shola, drew up to him and 

marked him to ground immediately. Drew Wapshare without finding. Home 1 

o’clock to Kennels. A good day.


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FIGURE 39: CECILIA LAWLEY


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FIGURE 40: URSULA LAWLEY "MUCH QUIETER THAN HER SISTER, NOT NEARLY SO FULL OF LIFE"


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THE 00TACAMUND HUNT 

OOTACAMUND 29th August—Beadnell's, 8 A.M, 

A pleasant morning, with a good hunting feel about it, no rain and neither too cold nor the 

reverse. Beadnell's and Hamlet failed to provide a jack, and the Master drew on below 

Khed and by Little Khed to Toda Coffee Shop Shola. Here some one viewed a jack near the 

bottom of Road Shola, and taking hounds there, they picked up his line, and, running 

through Road Shola, crossed the open into Khed. Here they turned down, and running 

past the west edge of the Shola, threw up on the Pykara Bridle Path. Casting themselves 

forward, about two couples hit off the line and got rather a long start of the others, but 

following on above Patrick, through Paragon over the Point-to-Point finish, near Kengodu 

Hill, they got together again below Boaster's Shola. Swinging right-handed towards 

Ampthill Wood, they turned down by Little Russell Shola, and, crossing the bog at the 

bottom, headed straight for the ghat (off the map), to the north-east of Glen Morgan. 

Luckily, they were stopped just before plunging down the ghat. 

This was a capital hunt of some forty minutes, and it was bad luck that hounds had to be 

stopped and so could not account for their jack. It is a new bit of country to us this season 

- at least the last part is - though some four or five seasons ago we ran pretty much the 

same line on several occasions. Near the bottom of Yuvaraj Shola, the First Whip's pony 

turned a cartwheel on top of him, but no serious damage was done, though he is very stiff 

and sore. 

Drawing back down the bog below the Pykara Falls Path to Lord Roberts' Shola, hounds 

spoke to a stale line in the shoal and this they puzzled out most painstakingly across the 

stream and up the bridge towards Boaster's Shola, quickening up near the top of this spur 

and turning back to the bottom of Maharajah Shola. Here, in some thick bracken, where he 

had been lying, the jack jumped up almost among them, only to gain the refuge in a big 

clump of rocks some quarter of a mile down the stream. This being a perfectly impossible 

place, and well-known of old, we had to leave him. 

Heading towards Plague Shola, with the intention of drawing up to Coffee Shop, hounds 

feathered on a line just below the Pykara Falls Path and hunted it slowly over the ridge 

across the Coffee Shop Bog, below Boaster's into Kengodu Hill Shola, where scent gave out 

entirely. A longish draw by Paragon, Khed, Wenlock, Wapshare's Hare, Cox's Bog and 

Portal's Crossing then ensued without finding again, and so home, reaching kennels about 

1 P.M. 

Those out included His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, Miss. C. Lawley, Captains 

Annesley and Atkinson, Mr. A. Y. G. Campbell, Captain Elwes, Captains and Miss 

Barrow, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Colonels Scott and Butler, Mr. Antrim, Mr. Stewart 

Brown, Miss Barber, Mr. Cowie, Mr. Forbes Robertson, Colonel and Mrs. Gordon Price, 

Captain Goldie, Mrs. Horne, Major Huge, Captain Jackson, Captain Lambton, Mr Colin


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Mackenzie, Captain Pollard, Miss Romilly, Miss Rolfe, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, Mr. 

Wynch, the Zemindar of Sivagiri and others. -(From Our Own Correspondent.) 


56 3 rd Mile Avalanche Bridle Path 

Riding: Bucee, . Boyne, Chris (16 fast) 

Good scent 

Miss Ursula Lawley, His Excellency and Miss Cecilia Lawley, Capt Ledger 

Atkinson out. A good scent. Small field. 

Moved off and drew spur below Mekalval. Found, but, unfortunately another 

jack jumped up in front of hounds, divided. I went on to Baikie and Jackall with 8 

couples, these divided into 3 parcels. So collected them and went back towards 

Sambur Shola to find Sam. 

Got them all together. Found by Limerick where I made a wrong turn and found 

myself going up a young mountain of Vogel. Came back and found them hunting 

pig, jack and jungle sheep all over the shop below Hecuba. Very angry and 

fussed. Stopped them all, having gone all along Govenors after 3 couple hunting 

pig. 

Drew Porlock and Bluegums. His Excellency found one on Newmarket. This 

pack went and hit faster than the others and drove him through Rallywood to 

Bluegums, then swinging left-handed sharp took him all along Governors. We 

were going the path which is much the longest way and had to gallop like sin. Up 

over the spur, very pretty through Staircase and out through Round Shola and up 

into Governors where they were all over the place. 

There are too many jack about here. I was with Miss Ursula Lawley and stopped 

my lot. Miss Cecilia, brought back 3½. A good girl and rides very nicely and 

seems to notice what is going on, which is more than most. 

Hounds had divided all over the place. A great pity. This mountain and 

multitudes of jack has given me a lot of trouble lately. They get round the Mund. 

A good hunt really, but Oh Staircase in the middle of a country! Home 6.30 to 

Kennels. Sammy Cox the forest officer was most useful and hard working.


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FIGURE 41: MEET AT THE KENNELS 

Thursday 1 st September 1910 

57 Pykara Cross Roads 

Riding: En tous Cas, Major, Barenose, Oyster 

Good scent 

A lovely morning. Beautifully cool and nice drive. Going perfect. All out but 

Miss Lawley. A large meet. 

Sent on Arthur, he viewed 2 jack over hill by new covert. They hunted beautifully 

past Mills, on over stream and then hells bells past golf links, and leaving 

Lascelles on their right drove him through Brooklands, I just got there in time to 

holloa them away up the hill to Rocky, where my pony was stone cold and Sam 

kindly lent me his. On past Rocky and swinging right-handed crossed the stream 

and rose the hill to the Ghaut, where they sank it close to where we lost Bluebell 

early in the season. A good point and hounds shoved him along the best. (35 

mins) 

We took some time to get them up this awful precipice. I went down with Sloe 

and XYZ Campbell to the man who always grouses about his wheat. 

Hit a line by Rocky, two went away, got them together and ran to ground at 

Waterfall river. 

Arthur viewed a jack on Newmarket from Goldmine crossing, nearly 1 mile away! 

I got them on nicely and these puppies hunted beautifully through Bluegums,


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Goldie having over-ridden them badly outside. I gave it him well His Excellency 

getting some as well, if the cap fitted! Which it did! 

Never saw or heard them hunt better, away through Raby Rough. I got a view at 

Porlock, then he twisted about by the Mund and ran stream up to Round Shola, 

where there must have been three jack on foot. I went with six couples, “Pastime” 

leading up the dammed mountain, cursing and swearing. When I got to the top I 

saw six couples just below me. I thought those were the leading hounds. Ah! 

How I cursed and swore. General, Mrs. Hookey, were also up there! Hounds 

divided into three parcels, one to Briar - one to Hungerford and a few I had with 

a beaten jack fast in front. 

Got them all to Kennels by “Trembush” who came at 2. Home 1.10 to Kennels. 

Saturday 3 rd September 1910 

58 Danger Finger Post 

Riding: Bucee, Chris, Lord Boyne (Fast 18c) 

Good scent 

A wild, windy day. Not many people out. None from G.H. as it was the day 

before the anniversary of Ned Lawley’s death. 

Drew all round Middle bit and Danger ride without finding. 

Found just below Heseltine 26 ’s Nullah and ran very fast towards Sultan’s Shola, 

where he was headed, cast them back and they ran nicely on towards where Mrs. 

Watson got a view luckily, for he had doubled right back, and we ran him to 

ground close by - Rosemary pulled him out dead. 

We now stopped a bit because of the fog, it lifted and we drew Kabbolkod stream, 

they hit a drag very prettily and ran at fool’s pace to Hungerford, very, very 

pretty to see them puzzling it out. I stopped them for a moment because of the 

fog and then held them on again and hunted very slowly past Lady Lawley’s 

plantation, then drew up to Andy bog where we put 2 jack out of the little shola 

between that and Governors. They must have only been hunting the drag of a 

jack, who was making his way to the bait I have put down there. It was the 

prettiest piece of hound work that I have seen. 

They pushed him along the path, I went below Governors, but, not hearing 

anything came up and heard a hound in Lady Lawley’s Plantation, held them 

through and away very nicely. Hounds were speaking everywhere, hit it at the 

26 Captain Godfrey Heseltine is credited by the FT with introducing knee-length red 

hunting coats to the Ooty in 1907.


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top and ran fast down the fence of Lawley’s Plantation and round to the house, 

where he must have got over the fence. As it was very wild I took hounds home. 

A very good day. Home 5 o’clock. 

Monday 5 th September 1910 

59 Umbrella Tree 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Boyne,En tons Cas, Barenose (slow 20 c) 

Only C.A.A. and L.H. out. 

A very foggy morning, but it lifted later. Very windy. We got on to a jack close to 

Ghaut and spent 1½ hours collecting them. 

I moved off to Mill’s which failed to hold. Found a jack close to Rallywood and 

the Shelter and ran fast over past Jackal to Baikie, and then on to Cecilia, where 

we stopped them. Hounds hunted very well and went a nice pace and ran to a 

good head. 

Took a turn round by Woodstock and down Dartmore and then home as it was 

very windy. Kennels 11.30 a.m. 

Thursday 8 th September 1910 

60 Lake End 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Merryvale, Bucee, Barenose (fast pack 18 ½ ) 

A very nice morning, though foggy at the start. I waited some time before 

moving off. All out. 

Found below Jackal, Sloe got a view, they flashed heelways twice, owing to Sloe 

being the wrong side, then ran over road, left Baikie on their right, very fast to 

ground in Cecilia in the ravine in the shola. This was lucky, as I could then get 

them all together. 

Saturday 10 th September 1910 

61 Toda Coffee Shop 12 noon 

Riding: Lord Boyne, Grey pony, Chris (Slow pack) 

All out. A very hot day. A lot of people at the meet. Sivirgri gave me a lift from 

6 th mile. 

We had a nice hunt round the ridge above Pykara, very hilly and steep. Hounds 

hunted very well, but felt the sun. We ran him to ground after 40 minutes. 

Drew round by Plague Camp and Pykara. Found a jack close to Temple Shola, 

they ran very prettily round parallel to the river and then rose the Pykara Hill and 

so to Road Shola, where they threw up. I then cast them all round the Pykara side


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and eventually hit it off by the Triangle crossing. From here they ran very prettily 

with rare drive through Road Shola and Paragon and Khed, then crossing the 

road swung sharp right-handed into Road Shola, through this and Barrister 

cutting out the work, on to Toda Coffee Shop Shola and then Old Playful led them 

on to the Waterfall Road and having to make several casts, I eventually got them 

to puzzle out a line to the Ghaut by Morgan’s Estate. 

Home late. A very good day. A very good hound day. 


62 Barber’s Shop 8 a.m. 

Riding: Merryvale, Bucee (fast pack) 

Good scent 

All out. A warm morning. A fairly large meet. 

Found by Antrim Shola and ran up past Warwick and on by Shola Ghaut. I went 

right on to Barron’s bump and then came back falling into all sorts of bogs etc. 

and found Arthur had collected most of the hounds. 

Moved on and found a cub just below Glyn’s Shola, who saw us and popped into 

a hole, Rosemary killed him, and we pulled him out dead. 

Drew and kept getting on a cold line, and then round by Wapshare. Then found 

in Wapshare, after drawing up to him and raced to Khed and round on very 

prettily past Fuddlers, on to Beadnell’s, then instead of sinking the ghaut, he 

turned round by Hearty and went back to Wapshare and on to Beadnell’s again, 

and round to Hearty. A very pretty hunt of40 minutes but it had got hot so we 

stopped. Home 2 p.m.


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63 Pykara Cross Roads 7.30 a.m. 

Riding: Major, Merryvale, Bucee (slow pack) 

Bad scent 

All out. A foggy morning and we had to wait some time before we moved off. A 

large field. 

Found a jack in Mill’s and ran round by golf course and then very prettily over by 

Municial Farm to Woodstock, very nicely through this and on to Cairn hill, 

hunting really beautifully. I was with them by myself and must say I never saw 

them hunt better, turning right-handed rose the hill nearly to Cecilia and then 

down to Mekalval and so on to Cecilia again, where it fizzled out. 

Drew Jackal and found a jack going into Bluegums, through this and out away on 

a doubtful line nearly to Brooklands. Only had 10 couple but Arthur brought 

back the rest. Drew and found on Lawley’s Conise, ran up Staircase and slowly 

on into Governors where matters ended in a pig hunt. Home 12.30. A very bad 

scenting day. 

Saturday 17 th September 1910 

64 Briar 12 noon 

Riding: Merryvale, Lord Boyne (fast pack) 

A very foggy day. Maharajah out. Two Miss Lawleys. 

We moved down to Yemakal but were stopped by fog. I lost 6 couples of hounds 

within 100 yards of me and took ½ hour collecting them! Then waited at Windy 

Gap till it seemed to clear. 

Moved on to Home Downs, drew Bingham but only one went away towards 

Ghaut, so we did not pursue. Drew on to Newmarket. Arthur viewed one and 

we had a very pretty hunt to Gibbs’ and then through Briar where down came the 

fog like a blanket and I luckily stopped them on the road. A thousand pities as 

they had fair misled him over the Downs and had him tired and might have had a 

good hunt into Jemakal. 

Decided to go home. Fog cleared and had a slow drag hunt up Staircase and 

stopped. A very disappointing day and a good hunt ruined. Home 5.30 p.m.


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FIGURE 42: THE LAWLEY FAMILY ARRIVE AT A GARDEN PARTY 



OOTACAMUND, 17th Sept.—Briar Shola, midday. 

A most unfortunate and disappointing day. A thick mist all the morning, which rose 

sufficiently to allow the Master to throw off and draw Briar and down the Yemakal Valley 

to the bottom of Chemmund Nullah, when it came down as thick as ever. After waiting 

some half-hour in hopes of its clearing off, we made our way back to Windygap, hoping it 

might be less thick over Beadnell's way. However, it was no better and another long wait 

ensued, when finally, the fog having once more lifted a little, we tried the Home Downs, 

drawing Gibbs' and down Lawley's Bog. 

Major Duff viewed a jack over by Rocky, but by the time the Master got to the spot, viz., 

Tucker's Crossing, hounds could not own to the line. 

Brooklands was then drawn, a jack coming out as hounds were thrown in, making straight 

for the Ghats and as the Master did not wish to lose hounds down the Ghats in the fog and 

at that time of day (2.45 p.m.) we did not pursue. 

Hounds spoke to a line just below Brooklands, but, could make nothing of it. We then 

drew up Newmarket and the Blackmore Vale when a jack was viewed on top of 

Newmarket, near the head of Rawlins' Nullah, about 3 p.m. Hounds picked up the line 

and streamed away at a tremendous pace down Rawlins' Nullah, over the Sandy Nullah 

stream, across Lawley's Course, just north of Schmidt's Clump, over Lawley's Bog and up 

the bog to Gibbs’. Coming up this last hill the pace had been so terrific that it was bellows 

to mend indeed for most of us. And now, as ill-luck would have it, down came the mist 

again, as thick as the proverbial pea soup.


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There were at least two jack in Gibbs’, one being viewed away towards Staircase, while 

hounds pushed the other out on to the Pykara Road along which he raced towards Briar, 

narrowly escaping being ridden over by the Master and First Whip. Hunting beautifully 

with a magnificent cry, hounds took the line on into Briar, at the far end of which the fog 

was so thick that the Master getting a chance to stop hounds, thought it wiser to do so, as 

it certainly was. It was cruel bad luck, as the jack must have been a real good one and had 

chosen a beautiful line; while after the pace hounds had rattled him along, he could not 

have gone on very much longer. To make it even more crushing, not ten minutes 

afterwards the fog lifted and did not come down again till just as hounds reached kennels 

at 5.30 P.M. 

Although the Master drew again towards Staircase and hounds hunted a cold line, 

nothing more of interest took place. 

Those out included the Misses Lawley, Captain Annesley, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, 

Colonels Butler and Scott, Mrs. Sam Browne, Mr. Cowie, Captain Goldie, Major 

Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. Horne, Captain Lambton, H. H. the Maharajah of Mysore 27, 

Miss More, Miss Romilly, Miss Rolfe, the Zemindar of Sivagiri and others.—(From our 

own correspondent.) 


65 Sheffield Corner 8 a.m. 

Riding: Bucee, Merryvale,Barenose (slow pack) 

A very nice morning but hot. All out. A largish field. 

Drew all along Parsons Valley and found a drag on by Krurmund Path, over the 

ride by Sultans Shola, and on into Governors. Farewell a sporting sailor out on 

wheels had luckily viewed another jack by Heseltine’s Nullah and I took them 

back to this and they ran nicely to Middle Bit and then left-handed, where we 

were all left, over by Kuruthaguli and down to Danger Shola, where we lost. 

Very hot. Drew Democrat, Andy Bog, Sheffield Plantation and Monkey and so 

home. A poor day. Hounds did well. 

27 The Maharaja was a close personal friend of Sir Arthur Lawley


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OOTACAMUND, 19th Sept.—Sheffield Corner, 8 A.M. 

A lovely morning, with half a gale blowing from the west-north-west. There had been a 

good dew in the night, but as the morning wore on it dried up very considerably. 

Moving off along the Krurmund Path, the Master drew Andy Bog and Parson's Valley, 

swinging up right-handed by Irwin's Shola. On the hill above this, hounds spoke to a line 

and a pretty hunt ensued at a moderate pace over the Krurmund Path, across the stream 

by the upper Mysore Ride and then over the shoulder of Hungerford Hill into the Tripod. 

From here hounds took the line on to the corner of Bamboo Shola, below the place where we 

meet for Hungerford Hill and they had a line down to the Governor's Shola Road just 

above the Toda School, but, as they threw up here and a jack had been seen to go on down 

Heseltine's Nullah, the Master took them back across the Krurmund Path. They hit off the 

line,and ran at a fair pace, across the bog below the Ace of Clubs and above Pichalmund 

Shola, till they were opposite Dante's Spinney. 

Here they threw up again, but hitting it off they crossed the Andy Bog Stream below 

Dante's Spinney and the pace improving as they crossed the Corduroy Road, they crossed 

the bog below Chapter Shola, and leaving Pulpit on their right, swung down left-handed 

into the bottom of Middlebit Shola. Crossing the bog they headed for Climbank and here 

most of us got badly left, having to gallop right round by the Dangar Ride and it was some 

time before we saw hounds again. 

Meanwhile, they crossed Marky's Bog below Climbank and running up below the Twin 

Sisters by Bog Head, they raced through the top of Pillay Shola and down the cliffs to near 

Kuruthaguli village. Swinging right-handed, they crossed the stream below Kuruthaguli 

Shola and threw up near Dangar Shola. A nice hunt of some hour and a quarter.


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Scent was now failing badly and after drawing Gaylad and Democrat Sholas, with a 

chucker round Tiger Shola and through Sheffield Plantation, down Leeds and up Monkey, 

without result, hounds were taken home. 

Although there was a nice breeze on the hill tops, to keep us from feeling the very powerful 

sun, down in the Nunjunad the heat was very great, and hounds were feeling it a good 

deal. 

Those out included His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, the Misses Lawley, 

Mr.A.Y.G.Campbell, Captam Atkinson, Captain Elwes, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, 

Colonels Scott and Butler, Miss Atkinson, Mrs. Sam Browne, Mr. Cowie, Mr. Forbes 

Robertson, Captain Goldie, Major Henderson, Mr.Horne, Major Hinge, Captain 

Lambton, Miss. Moore, Miss Romilly, Miss Rolfe, Colonel Walker, Mr. Wynch, the 

Zemindar of Sivagiri and others. 

(From our own correspondent.) 

FIGURE 43 AUTHOR'S PHOTO 

Friday 23 rd September 1910 

66 Sandy Nullah 11 a.m. 

Riding: Barenose, Oyster,Merryvale 

We could not hunt on the Thursday, as it was very foggy. They tell me that it is 

most unusual to be foggy at this time of the year, so I went home and arranged to 

come out today. All out and many staying in the House. 

Arthur viewed a jack close to road, and away we went, through Beadnells very 

prettily and fast along the wire fence to Beadnells and into Warwick. Slowly 

through this and left-handed to Bracken, back past Antrim’s House and to ground 

by Waterfall Ghaut in an enormous place. A very nice hunt.


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Found in Cox’s Bog, ran through Wapshare, they got on heel way and I had some 

difficulty in hitting it off at the top, when I got them they ran nicely past Fuddler’s 

into Bracken. Here he lay up and Moflat and Dreadnought put him up. I got a 

view and rode him, but he made his point good. One cannot head a jack. 

Through Beadnells and up to wire fence, here they were at fault, but “Felix” put 

me wrong, down to the crossing towards the ghaut. I cast them back and Warrior 

made a very pretty hit and raced him down to Wapshare and Wenclock to 

Brooksby. I saw 2½ couples on, but, it must have been another jack, because 

Muddray blew his horn, whilst I was hunting on and we dug him out of 

Brooksby. Muddray and Cyclops bringing him out. A very good day. Home 1.30 

p.m. 


THE OOTACAMUND HUNT.OOTACAMUND, 22nd Sept.—Sandy Nullah Toll-bar, 

7-30 A.M. 

A hopeless morning, a thick fog, which showed no signs of lifting, so, after waiting till 9 

o'clock, the Master decided that it was useless staying any longer and hounds were taken 

home, it being arranged to meet at the same place at 11 A.M. next day. 

23rd Sept- A much better day, as far as weather was concerned and it felt like a hunting 

morning, nor were we disappointed, having capital sport. 

Moving-off down the Sholur Road, Major Duff viewed a brace of jack on the hill above the 

Punch Bowl. One of them made off towards Staircase and the other, pursued by the flying 

pack, headed for Beadnell's. Here, luckily for us all, he turned left-handed and away from 

the ghat and running below Hearty and through Hamlet along the wire fence, he again 

avoided the ghat and turned down into Warwick Shola. Here hounds were at fault for a 

few minutes, which enabled the jack to get a good lead of them, but, picking up his line 

again they hunted him back by Bracken, down by Mr, Antrim's house, and right through 

his hen coops and chicken runs, up over the hill just north of Beadnell's Shola and down to 

the Waterfall River, where he took refuge in one of the numberless holes under the rocks 

near the stream. Here he had to be left, as it is quite a hopeless place. 

Re-crossing the Waterfall River, we crossed the Pykara Bridle Path below Cox's Bog. At 

this moment there was a " holloa” from Major Duff, who had gone on to the top of the bog 

and the Master taking hounds to it, they first of all hit off the line heel way and when 

brought back could not own it, so the Master cast them round the top of Wapshare's Hare. 

When hitting it off again they raced away down the grass by Hero, and over into Brooksby 

and Wenlock. Coming out again almost at once on the north side of the latter, they simply 

flew across the stream by Fuddler, over the path and up to the head of Bracken, then down 

by Antram's Shola, nearly to Beadnell's, short of which, however, they turned back, the 

jack being viewed close in front of them, and running through the wire fence, they came 

out again and turned down into Warwick Shola. From here they raced back again across


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the path to ground in Brooksby, when the jack was exhumed after mining operations and 

eaten. 

We then went home, having had a really busy and capital day. 

Those out included the Misses Lawley, Captain Atkinson, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Mrs, 

Dennistoun, Colonels Scott and Butler, Miss Rolfe, Mr, Cowie, Mr. Forbes Robertson, 

Captain Goldie, Major Henderson, Mrs. Horne, Major Hinge, Captain Lambton, Miss 

Moore, Miss Romilly, Colonel Walker, the Zemindar of Sivagiri and others. 

(From our own correspondent.) 


67 Kandal Cross Roads 

Riding: Boulder, Lord Boyne Merryvale 

A nice morning. His Excellency only one out and Mrs. Stephen. 

Viewed a jack above Mills, and ran fast to Golf Links. Boulder was done after ¼ 

mile. Here he made a funny turn and came back to Bagman and very fast to 

Jackal then left-handed towards Monkey, hunting beautifully, but, unfortunately 

divided and one parcel went to Baikie and with Arthur I took the up-wind lot and 

went to Druid and very prettily through Woodstock to Fern Hill where they got 

split up. What a beastly canary cage this place is. One might often have a nice 

hunt if one could only get about. 

Collected hounds and drew Jackal and Rallywood. Found in Bluegums and ran 

through Jackal, hounds hunting beautifully to Monkey bang through this with a 

rare cry, Welldone leading, out past Owl Crossing and down the Nanjarard, 

where they hunted over the plough in the best of style - His Excellency going well 

and Mrs. Stephen.


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We rode and got off and dragged over bogs. Poor old Lord Boyne was fairly 

done, still on the drove and ran him to ground in an enormous place close to 

Nanjanard village. I left him there. A real good sporting hunt and we all 

thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Home to Kennels by 11.30 a.m. and the Hunt Ball in the evening which was a 

great success. 



OOTACAMUND, 26th Sept. —Kendal Cross Roads 7.30. 

A bit foggy and doubtful early, but a nice clear cool morning by the time we reached the 

Meet. 

Jogging off along the New Pykara Road by Municipal Crossing, the Master threw hounds 

into New Covert which was empty, but, Major Duff appearing on the skyline above Mills, 

cap in hand, hounds picked up the line of the jack he had seen just outside Mills. Pushing 

him out of the covert, they ran down to the Municipal Stream and up alongside it to 

Elmhurst Corner, where they crossed the road and headed for Lascelles. Short of this, 

however, they swung back and streamed down by the fifth hole on the golf links to Treble 

Crossing, on right up the Blackmore Vale, carrying a good head and with a useful cry, 

they went on into Rallywood. Breaking on the Jackal side, they ran past the top of Jackal 

and parallel to the Krurmund Road, to just above Druid, where they unfortunately 

divided. 

Some seven couple of leading hounds, with Major Duff, went straight on via Denmark, 

through Ursula, Cecilia, Baikie, and the bottom of Monkey, then back again through Baikie 

to Denmark, where they were stopped by the First Whip, ably assisted by Mr. Campbell, 

the remainder of the pack with the Master going on into Woodstock and Fernhill. 

Hounds being got together again, Jackal and Rallywood were drawn and the Master had 

just thrown hounds into Bluegums, when there was a whistle from the First Whip above 

the ponds. Hounds coming to the whistle like a flock of pigeons, unfortunately took the 

line up heel way at first, but, quickly being brought back, they hunted slowly past the 

ponds at top of Rawlins' Nullah and got fairly going at the edge of Rallywood. With a 

great cry, they bustled through the Shola, and over the hill above, across the Krurmund 

Road into Monkey. Running right down the cover, they threw up at the bottom and 

swinging themselves back to recover the line, a few of them got a bit left when the leading 

hounds hit off the line again and raced away down the valley below Owl Crossing. 

Crossing the Mathesura Stream nearly opposite Dharma Tope, they swung round the hill 

side and on into Dangar Shola, putting their jack to ground in a hopeless place in the 

nullah which runs from Dangar Shola up towards Nunjunad Village.


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This was a capital hunt of some thirty-five minutes, those who saw it best being Mrs. 

Stephen and His Excellency. It was now getting a bit hot, and as many of us were busy 

with preparations for tonight's Hunt Ball and hounds had had quite a hard day, we went 

home, reaching kennels about 11.30 a.m. 

A capital day, about the best we have had with the Monday and Thursday pack (mostly old 

hounds and puppies) this season. 

Those out included H. E Sir Arthur Lawley, Mrs. Stephen, Mrs. Gifford, Mr. A. Y. G, 

Campbell, Captain Atkinson, Captain Elwes, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Colonel Scott, Mr, 

Cowie, Mr. Cowley Brown, Mr. Forbes Robertson, Major Henderson, Mr, and Mrs. 

Horne, Major Hinge, Mr. Colin Mackenzie, Miss Romilly, Miss Rolfe, the Zemindar of 

Sivagiri and others.—(From our own correspondent.) 

Tuesday 27 th September 1910 

68 Sheffield Corner 12 noon 

Riding: Jacko,Bucee, Pony 

His Excellency 2 Miss Ls. Arthur Duff out. No A.D.C. A small field. 

Drew Andy Bog, found and ran to Limerick when they suddently threw up their 

heads. I made a wide cast and hit it off towards the Hecuba side, where they 

raced down to Governors, and here divided into 3 parcels. I took one on into 

Jackal, Monkey and Baikie, Arthur another to Sultans Shola, and Sloe on to 

Hungerford. Took some time getting together, then drew along Lancer Shola 

way, and got on a very cold drag up to Heleltine side, where I stoped them. 

Down came the fog again, and we stayed and lunched till 2.30 and then moved off 

in Nanjanard. Found a jack below Hecuba and hunted him up to a most awful 

ledge halfway up the precipice, where they were all standing looking like so 

many flies on the side of a wall. After about an hour I managed to get them all, 

very lucky not to lose any, and then down came the fog, so home to Kennels 5.30. 

A bad day. Most lucky not to lose any hounds at Hecuba and a pity we had to 

give up the jack.


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60 Brooklands 

Riding: Chris OysterBarenose 

All out. A very windy day. Could hardly hear oneself speak, makes one very 

peevish and irritable. Both Sammy and Sloe away. 

Drew Brooklands blank, but found just outside and ran along Demon Valley, to 

Hanging Shola, hounds carrying a beautiful head. Here I think one hunted jack 

went on to Aramby, but I holload them to one I saw break at Brooklands side, and 

beautifully they came to a holloa now, and so to the Ghaut, where I stopped them 

and lucky to do it, and then held them on towards Rocky and ran fast to ground 

bang on edge of ghaut and left him. 

Found on Lawleys Course and hells bells down to the bog. I thought they had 

him out again in a hole, an enormous rocky cavern. 

Drew and got on drag in Gibbs’, ran to Picnic Shola, where we got up to him, old 

Colin Mackenzie getting a view, left-handed, leaving Beadnells on our right. 

Welldone put up a fresh one and 3 couples divided. I went wrong with the body 

to Picnic Shola, brought them back and they hunted a cold line with great 

patience through Wapshare, Wenlock, over the road past Khed, and left 

Chemmund on their left, the jack must have gone hells bells, from Bracken, a great 

pity, as it was a nice line. I stopped them here, as there did not seem much chance 

of drawing up to him, and a lot of cold hunting makes them “tie on the line” and 

lose their drive. Home 12.15. 

George Dennistoun helped me. Come on Workman, hurry up, you have been a 

long time coming, and other sporting phrases amuse me! His Thong is like a


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fishing line and his crop, held like a gaff! This pack hunted beautifully today and 

was at times like the Horses of the Sun six abreast as Peter says 28 . 

FIGURE 44: THE MEET 


OOTACAMUND - SOCIAL NOTES. 

OOTACAMUND, 27th Sept.— 

Much anxiety was felt about the weather on Saturday morning—the day of the Point to 

Point Races—as the rain came down in a perfect deluge during the whole of Friday night, 

but although it was a dull morning, a fresh breeze sprang up about 10 o'clock, which 

cleared away the clouds and mists and enabled us to enjoy a most perfect day. 

The luncheon tents had been pitched on the crest of Newmarket and commanded an 

excellent view of the aurrounding country, thus allowing the spectators to watch the 

progress of the races nearly the whole time. But, before all these delights could be reached, 

the would-be race-goers had some cause to remember the ancient refrain, "There's one 

more river to be crossed," for the usually shallow and limpid stream, at the foot of 

Newmarket, which we had to traverse to reach the high ground on the other side, had, 

owing to the heavy rain of the previous night, become a roaring torrent of chocolate hue. 

Hastily improvised hurdles and carrying chairs were the only means of conveying the 

crowds of people over, and as the water rose higher, it was most amusing to watch the 

expressions on the faces of the passengers, or shall I say - victims! any very amusing 

incidents happened during this short but exciting journey, as may he imagined—but they 

are too painful to record! 



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One constable, however, overcome by his zeal and anxiety to assist an adventurous spirit 

to arrange herself with as much grace as she could upon the extremely unsafe hurdle, 

himself ventured too near the brink of the seething torrent, when, hey presto!–his feet 

slipped from under him, and he took a wild plunge head foremost into the icy water, 

amidst the shrieks of delight and laughter of the large and sympathetic crowd of onlookers, 

while his spruce red hat sailed away down stream! 

The racing throughout the day was excellent, and was not marred by any serious 

accidents. Everyone was delighted that the Misses Lawley met with such success, as they 

won both the Ladies Races. 

The luncheon tents, which were beautifully decorated with masses of flowers and ferns, 

were pitched facing Staircase, thus affording lovely view over the rolling Downs. 

I noticed many smart toilettes, although of course a great many ladies were in riding 

habits. 

Lady Meyer wore a coat and skirt of shepherd's plaid, with a collar of bright Oriental 

embroidery, and a pretty hat of vivid cherry-red, trimmed with black velvet. Mrs. Cardew 

also wore a charming coat and skirt of smoke grey face cloth. Mrs.Spencer looked very 

well in white cloth, with touches of bright emerald green velvet on collar and cuffs, and a 

pretty hat of biscuit chip straw wreathed with pink roses and foliage. Mrs. Boyson looked 

handsome in a black cloth gown and small toque, trimmed with blue and green feathers, 

and wore a seal-skin coat with a sable collar. The Misses Boyson wore long blue coats and 

skirts of fine serge, and large quaintly shaped hats of black beaver. Mrs. Pierce Moore's 

gown was of white serge, smartly braided. Mrs. Cumming wore a very becoming purple 

costume, with a tweed hat of the same shade trimmed with long pheasant's feathers. Mrs. 

Slater wore a charming coat and skirt of dark blue coarse serge ornamented with 

strappings and large buttons. Mrs. Clements, from Coonoor, looked well in a smart blue 

toilette, and a huge saxe blue hat, caught up with pink roses. Mrs. Graham wore white 

serge, and a very pretty hat of transparent black crinoline and pink roses and black velvet 

ribbon, and Mrs. Bullen and her daughter were also very smartly gowned. 

On Monday evening, the 26th, the long-looked forward to Hunt Ball took place at the 

Ootacamund Club. It was a most brilliant function and the decorations and arrange- 

ments far surpassed anything that has been seen here for many years. 

I hear that the Misses Lawley superintended the adornment of the Ball Room, and they 

must have felt much pleasure and satisfaction at the great success which attended their 

efforts. The whole scheme was of course carried out in the Hunt colours of scarlet and 

green. The walls of the Ball Room were draped to within a yard of the ceiling with softly 

fluted white muslin, allowing the bright crimson wall paper to make an effective dado all 

round the top, edged with a thick rope of glossy green leaves and ferns while, at intervals, 

were placed enormous bows of scarlet velvet, with graceful festoons of delicate asparagus 

foliage.


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Charmingly designed sconces with hundreds of twinkling candles were arranged below the 

bows and over each door, giving a delightfully soft and pleasant light. The floor was 

excellent, and so was the music, which was supplied by His ExcellencyThe Governor's 

Band. 

Nearly all the men wore pink, of course, which greatly added to the brilliancy of the scene. 

A most sumptuous supper was arranged at many little tables in the card room which were 

decorated with masses of vivid scarlet salvias, and the charming menu cards had been 

cleverly painted by the Misses Lawley with delightful little hunting scenes. 

Even the programmes were scarlet, with a fox's mask in gold in one corner, the pencils 

being attached with pretty green ribbons. Dancing was kept upwith great spirit until past 

3 o'clock. Mrs. Atkinson wore a handsome gown of black net over white satin, with some 

fine braided embroidery, and a large pink rose. 

Saturday 1 st October 1910 


Riding: Bucee, Merryvale, Jacks (fast pack) 

A rare scent 

His Excellency Miss Cecilia, Capt Ledger Atkinson 



OOTACAMUND, 1st Oct,—Windygap, midday. 

A somewhat doubtful morning, fine early, and becoming showery later on, but promising 

well from a hunting point of view. 

Drawing Bungalow Shola, and right-handed along the Yemakal Stream, till the bottom of 

Denny Nullah, we crossed and headed up towards Irwin's Clump, but, outside of this 

hounds feathered and opened in chorus in the clump itself. The jack had probably seen us 

coming and moved on a bit, as hounds took his line slowly along the ridge over-looking the 

Pykara River for about three-quarters of a mile, then re-crossing it at the neck above 

Norman’s Land, they got on terms with their jack and began to run in earnest. With a 

great cry and carrying a beautiful head, they ran parallel with the Kabbalkod Stream, 

while we galloped along the ridge and watched them below us; getting a fine view of the 

jack, a very clean grey one, as he popped into Kabbalkod Mund Shola, close in front of 

hounds. Getting forward to the neck above this shola, we headed the jack away from Kelly 

Shola and the desperately steep country which lies between Kahbalkod Mund and the 

Pykara, and racing away along the ridge, hounds hunted beautifully round the cliff-like 

slope opposite Thukkarai Mund, turning sharp left-handed across the bog and running up 

past the edge of Kurumund Shola. Some of us who knew the country and were fortunate, 

by galloping round the head of the bog and up to the Krumund Path, got a strong lead of


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the greater portion of the field, who found a very nasty crossing over the bog, and whom it 

took some time to get again on terms. Hounds swept on right bang over the top of the high 

hill which lies between Kurumuda Shola and the Krumund Path, coming down almost to 

the latter just by Sultan Shola. Turning down the valley below this, the jack took to the 

Mysore Ride, and ran it through Pigo and Whistle, then striking up the hill through Pillai 

Shola, he got on to the upper Mysore Ride, where hounds raced along after him above 

Nadunkodmund and Pigthorns into Yemakal Shola. Running right through the shola, 

and coming out by the Mund on the north-east side, they fairly screamed straight across 

the Yemakal Valley and up into Chemmund, on through Dormer, into the south part of 

Road Shola, then swung left- handed clown the valley and marked their jack to ground in 

a strong place under some rocks, in the nullah which runs down from Dormer Shola and 

within a quarter of a mile of the Pykara River. It was quite impossible to attempt to bolt 

the jack, so he had to be left, to give us as good a hunt again another day we trust. 

It was a capital hunt, quite one of the best we have had this season, some seven miles as 

hounds ran, and about 50 minutes. Those who had the best of it all through and reached 

the finish with, or very shortly after, hounds were: H. E, Sir Arthur Lawley, Miss C. 

Lawley, the Master, and Major Duff, who were all lucky enough to pick up their second 

horses above Pigthorns, while the first whip on Warden, Sir James Wolfe-Murray on Bob 

and Captain Barrow on Agitator got there on only one horse apiece. After some time, 

when hounds had got their wind and second horses had arrived, the Master drew down by 

Rock Shola, Plague Shola, along by the river and across the Coffee Shop Bog. In the 

bottom of Maharajah Shola hounds picked up the line of a most faint-hearted jack, who 

only ran some half mile before going to ground in an enormous cavern lower down the 

nullah in which he was found. It took a long time before we could get hounds out of this, 

when a long draw homewards without finding again ensued, and we reached kennels just 

as a very heavy drizzle came on about 6 P.M.


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OOTY H0UNDS. 

SATURDAY, 1st Oct. 

Windy Gap, at 12 noon.—There was quite a large field to meet hounds, including His 

Excellency the Governor, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, the two Misses Lawley, Capt 

Atkinson, Major Henderson and Mrs Henderson, whom we were all glad to see again in 

the saddle, Mrs Horne, Miss Barrow, Mr Mackenzie, Capt Barrow, Miss Romilly, Mrs 

Brown, Mr and Mrs Richmond, Mr Cowie, Capt Byrne, the Zemindar of Sivagiri and 

several others. Sir Edmond and Lady Barrow came and saw hounds throw off. It is a 

curious thing that on going to covert on some day, one makes the remark "we'll have a 

good day to day," sure is a feeling in the air, which seems to forebode a scent. To-day was 

one of those, and our conjectures proved right. 

After being subjected to the eyes of at least six cameras, our Master moved off and threw 

hounds into Bungalow Shola, and then drew down the grassy slopes towards Oak Tree


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Hill. At Irvine's Clump hounds feathered on a line, but with little confidence; they held it 

through the clump and spoke to it on the further side, and forrard—away!—got them well 

together and they settled down to run. To what a head they run! This pack of which it has 

so often been said this season “India will never see a better.” Hounds with the blood of 

Belvoir Dexter ’96, Belvoir Helper '03, Belvoir Wallaby '04 in their veins should be full of 

"fling” and "drive" and as they raced along the slopes of "No Man's Land” they gave us 

an object lesson of Peter Beckford's desire that "hounds should run like the horses of the 

sun six abreast.” 29 

We get a view of the varmint at Kabbalkod Mund Shola, and the first whipper-in claps on 

forrard to head him from the mountains, which he effectually does. “Princess” an Ooty 

bred hound, leads the pack out of this shola, and with a small delay owing to the 

overkeenness of the field who are apt to forget on these occasions the importance of having 

more than one hound, if one wishes to account for a jack, we get them all on, and drive our 

jack through Mysore Shola, on to Sultan's Shola. 

Here the field took two lines —one round the south side of Thukkarai Mund and the other 

with His Exellency as a gallant pilot over the bog, below Kabbalkod Mund, and both join 

forces about the fifth milestone on the Krurmund Path, to find hounds racing along the 

upper Mysore Ride towards Yemakal Shola. We galloped this ride as far as Yemukal 

Shola, some of us being lucky enough to get second horses just before reaching the Shola. 

“Well done, Moonsawmy,” “I’ll give you a rupee” “very good, Tommy, how did you get 

here,” were remaks to be heard, when most opportunely these second horses appeared. 

Without a moment’s delay, hounds drove this stout jack through the shola and simply 

raced across the valley to Chemund. His Excellency having the best of us all the way, 

again forrard! forrard! from the 1 st whipper in, on the Hunt Cup winner, through 

Chemmund without the vestige of a check through Dormer, His Excellency and Major 

Duff at the top of the hunt. Now swinging left-handed hounds run the sides of Pykara 

Hill and mark their jack to ground close to the Pykara River in a rocky cavern, from which 

it was impossible to get him out. It was a great disappointment to hounds to be cheated of 

blood in this manner and it is unfortunate that this is too frequently the termination to a 

good hunt. 

This was certainly one of, if not the best hunt, we have seen with these hounds this season. 

Besides those already mentioned Major Dennistoun and Sir James Wolfe-Murray, who 

both only rode one horse during the whole hunt, Miss Cecilia Lawley, Mr. Colin 

Mackenzie, who, when hounds really run will “hang most of us up to dry,” Captain 

Barrow and the Master were the others who saw the hunt well. Fifty-five minutes without 

a check and the best pace the whole way. 

In the afternoon we marked an unenterprising jack to ground close to Maharaja Shola. 

Two and half couples of hounds were in “at him,” and it was most tantalizing to hear our 



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jack howling like a cat, and yet in spite of terrier boys going to ground in the rocks like 

rabbits, not being able to get him. The rest of the afternoon was spent in a fruitless search 

for another jack. 

“VIDI” 

Monday 3 rd October 1910 

71 Race View (Maharaja of Bobbili) 

Riding: En tous Cas, Christopher Major (slow pack) 

L.H. only one out. Have no use for these meets. Hounds hunted beautifully and 

really ran to a very good lead given by jack. 


OOTACAMUND HOUNDS 

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) 

Monday Oct. 3 rd . 

These hounds met today at Race View by kind invitation of H. H. the Maharaja of Bobbili. 

There was quite a large number of sportsmen and ladies both mounted and on foot, 

assembled at 8 A M to partake of the Maharaja's hospitality. Amongst these were His 

Excellency the Governor, Miss Cecilia Lawley, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Sir Edmond 

Barrow, the Maharaja of Alwar, who has come up to see the finish of the season, Mr. and 

Mrs. Richmond, Mr. Wynch, Mr. Hammick, and Miss Hammick, Capt. Barrow and Miss 

Barrow, Capt. Lambton, Capt. Goldie, Major Hinge, Col and Mrs Gordon Price, The 

Zemindar of Sivagiri, Major Henderson and the two Misses Hendersons. Col Scott, Mr. 

and Mrs. Davidson, Miss Bourne, Miss Atkinson, Miss Moore, Capt. Atkinson, Mr. Mrs. 

and Miss Romilly, etc. 

It is not often that the Ooty hounds have a Lawn Meet. It was always the custom in 

England in some counties to meet and have a good breakfast of turkey, boars' heads, 

rounds of beef, etc, and so start the day with the inner man well fortified. The Oaltistock 

in the day of "Chandy" Poole was one of the last hunts to keep up the old custom, and no 

better trenchman there ever was than old "Chandy" himself. The custom is no doubt a 

survival of the days when our forefathers had to go, perhaps fifteen or twenty miles, to 

covert and over bad roads, and this necessitating an early start, they were glad of a 

substantial meal to carry them through the day's work. We were further reminded of the 

good old days by the arrival of His Excellency and staff behind four horses which were 

handled by Miss Cecilia Lawley, who has every appearance of being quite at home on the 

"bench." Having partaken of the Maharaja's hospitality, and being again subjected to the 

eyes of those awful cameras - one cannot move in Ooty without being photographed! - we 

jog towards Jackal.


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Just before reaching this covert, the Master gets a view of a jack, and claps the pack bang 

on his brush. Hounds drove him with a rare cry, past Jackal and up through Rallywood, 

over the road and left-handed through Monkey, over Owl Crossing and up the steep hill to 

the Melkaval side of Baikie. Here hounds were at fault, but the Master catching hold of 

them trots back to Dairymaid, where Capt. Lambton had viewed him, and hounde were 

soon driving him on through Ursula and on towards the Tea Estate at Porcupine. Here 

the jack, a sorry crooked-necked customer, was only just in front of hounds. He rose the 

hill to Porcupine, and running now a smaller ring, made for Ursula again and on into 

Porcupine; here he was viewed only twenty yards in front of hounds, who could not own 

to him for one yard. One cannot hunt a jack without scent; and as it was very hot indeed 

and hounds had been running for one hour and ten minutes, there was nothing for it but 

home. 

Considering the heat of the day and lack of scent, hounds hunted very well. ”VIDI” 

FIGURE 45 DRAWN IN INDIA, BY AUTHOR


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Tuesday 4 th October 1910 

72 Avalanche Finger Post 

Riding: Brucee Jacko (Fast pack) 

No one out from G.H. 

Avalanche Finger Post, at 12 noon. 

To-day was a broiling day with a scorching sun and the country in this district as dry as a 

bone. None of the few “out and outers” who came on these nine miles to cover expected 

much of a day; but these few sportmen were amply rewarded for their toil of coming to the 

meet in the heat of the day. The Master being afraid of hounds’ feet on the hard ploughing 

of the Nunjeenaad Valley, trotted up the hill towards Vane’s Copse, followed by a small 

field composed of Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Mrs. Brown, Major Henderson, the Zemindar 

of Sivagiri, Colonel Scott, etc. Mr & Mrs. Horne were at the meet on foot. We viewed a 

brace of jack close to Hookam Swiney, and the first whipper-in tried to head them away 

from the Nanjeenad, but they were not to be turned from their point, so the hounds were 

taken round towards Jerusalem. The first whipper-in’s whistle brought hounds to the top 

of Matley Bog, and to the surprise of us all there was a scent! Beckford says: “Scent is, I 

believe, what we sportmen know least about.” To-day was one of those days, essentially, 

which this authority notes as being unpropritious to a good scent. He says, “when the 

ground is hard and the air dry, there seldom will be any scent.” So, we Ooty sportmen, 

certainly do not know any more about scent than did this great sportsman. To get 

forward-hounds run across Matley Bog, over Egerton’s Crossing, the jack by this time 

having put fully half a mile between himself and hounds, and leaving Marky’s Bog on 

their right, drive him up to Limerick. Here the jack sinks the Nunjeenad, and the Master, 

stops hounds. 

A long draw-for this country-ensued, across by Durbin's Kraal, until a jack is viewed 

close to Lambton’s Shola. This jack went to ground at once, but hounds made it too warm 

for him; they pushed him out and drove him out past Lambton Shola. South side of the 

Heleltine Ride, and as far as Vokal. One of the lemon pied litter from the Puckeridge, so 

well known to all, was at the head, exactly where Honeywood, threw up his head on the 

path, hounds hit it, some 20 yards higher up the hill to the left of the ride. Here then is a 

road hunting hound that a huntsman can put confidence in! They sink the hill of Vokal 

and run the side through Walhampton and on into Pennant Shola. None of the hunt 

servants were able to live with them, or hear them through the twistings of the Dangar 

Ride and when we arrived in the open by Duff’s Crossing, no hounds were to be seen or 

heard. We each started out in diverse directions and eventually arrived at the earth from 

which he was originally evicted, to find Major Dennistoun with “all on” marking the jack 

to ground. Major Dennistoun had gone to stop a parcel of four couples which had gone on 

the line of another jack from Lambton Shola, and most fortunately met the body of the pack 

coursing their jack from Pennant Shola down to the eath.


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Horses were handed over to Sir James Wolfe-Murray, who was the only other member of 

the field present, and after a short dig up to Thong, the terrier, we found her just shaking 

the last breath out of a jack twice her size. 

We had a lovely nine mile jog home, the perfect cool of the evening, well pleased with 

ourselves at hounds going home with "blood on their teeth.” 

“VIDI” 

Thursday 6 th October 1910 

73 Sandy Nullah 

Riding: Merryvale Oyster Chris (Slow) 

Bad scenting day 

No one out but Capt Ledger Atkinson Puppies did very well, much better than 

most of the English draft, after 4 months. 

Saturday 8 th October 1910 

74 Toda Coffee Shop 

Riding: Bucee,Jacko, Pony 

Good scenting day 

Two Miss Lawleys. Capt Ledger Atkinson out. Drove team on. 

Drew along by river and found on below Temple Shola, ran to ground. Got on 

another close by and ran to ground. Then ran one for five minutes to ground and 

dug and ate him. 

Move on up Kabbalkod stream, found and ran slowly, then rose valley and 

crossed Yemakal and then in to Yemakal shola running to a beautiful head. 

Galloped through and hounds nowhere. Looked all round Shola - not a sign. 

Sloe went up Kabbakod and I round Chemmund, Toda C.S. Briar. Back Briar, 

Hungerford and Krurmund Path to find hounds in kennel, they having run sharp 

back to Thurkai Shola where dog boys found them marking to ground. All on 

and so we brought them home.


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Monday 10 th October 1910 

75 Pykara Cross Roads 

Riding: Major, Chris Oyster 

A beautiful hunting day. All out including Athole Hay. A capital day. 

We dug out jack at Druid and are keeping him for another day. People very bad 

over-riding. Vide my note. 

FIGURE 46: A RARE PICTURE OF SIR ARTHUR LAWLEY RELAXING WITH HIS DAUGHTER URSULA 


OOTACAMUND HOUNDS. 

MONDAY, 10th Oct, 

PYKARA CROSS ROADS, at 7 A.M.— 

There was a 1arge field to meet hounds, including His Excellency the Governor, Miss 

Lawley and Miss Cecilia Lawley, Mrs Atholl Hay, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Major 

Hinge, Capt Atkinson, the Maharaja of Alwar, Raj Kumar, Umaid Singh, Raj Kumar, 

Sirdar Singh, Major Henderson, Capt Goldie, the Zemindar of Sivagiri, Col and Mrs 

Gordon Price, Mr Cowie, Mrs Browne, Mr and Mrs Richmond. Miss Moore, Mrs 

Watson, Col Scott,, Capt Elwes, and Mr A Y G Campbell.


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The Master moved off to draw Mill's Covert, but on arriving at the crossing we saw 

Major Duff, as usual, with his cap in the air. Hounds were soon on the line of a jack away 

from Mill's, only a sorry customer, who popped into a hole by the Municipal Stream. 

Again Mills held a jack; he broke at the bottom end and ran the Municipal Stream, rose the 

hill past New covert, and running the contour of Bagman, led us at a merry pace across 

the Sheffield Corner Road and on to Druid Shola, where he went to ground. The Master 

stopped up the hole and left him for later in the day, not wishing to waste time in mining 

operations on such a good hunting morning as this was. 

A move was made to Jackal, and again Major Duff's cap above his head proclaimed that a 

jack had broken covert at the bottom end. Hounds settled nicely on the line and ran up 

towards Rallywood, but leaving this on their left they skirted Bluegums and ran as if for 

Staircase, but turning left-handed at the nullah, they rose the hill into Governor's Shola, 

and hunted very prettily through the brackens up to the path, and there the jack was 

headed and dropped down into the thick lantana with which this covert abounds, and 

although the Master made it good all round, hounds could not own to the line again. He 

must have lain down somewhere. It is so thick that not even hounds can get in, in some 

places. A pretty hunt of some 20 minutes. 

Blugums was now drawn, but proved tenantless. But, for the third time in the day, Major 

Duff's cap told us that another jack was on foot. At this time of the year, the jack are 

getting very wild from continual hunting, and the only way to find them and give hounds 

a chance of getting on to fair terms with them, is to have a whipper-in well forward. The 

hunt is lucky in having such a whipper in as Major Duff, who, if a jack is on foot within 

1½ miles of him, will see him. We should have missed many a jack or only bit a stale drag, 

if it had not been for the extraordinary quickness of sight of our whipper-in. 

This jack led us a nice line; from close to Schmidt’s Clump he crossed Sandy Nullah near 

Gold Mine Crossing, skirted Fife's Covert and Point-to-Point Covert, then rose the hill 

across Newmarket, and made his point for Bluegums. The field at this period of the hunt 

were pressing very much on hounds. There were a number of puppies and young hounds 

out, who must of necessity tail in a fast thing. 

The field seemed this morning to be determined to ride the exact line that hounds ran. It 

does not give the young ones a fair chance. If they see horsemen riding in front of them 

they cannot see the leading hounds, are frightened, and lose interest in the hunt; lag 

behind, get lost, and then begin learning bad habits. We have no chance of cub-hunting 

and entering young hounds at Ooty. Hounds have to be entered at some time or another; 

and it is a pity that the field do not realize this. 

In the country in which we were in to-day, there were miles of beautiful galloping on 

either side of hounds, and surely one is brought up to ride to hounds and not after them.


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We were reminded of Mr Butt Miller 30 exasperated in such a case—“What a d----d 

nuisance these hounds seem to be to-day; they seem to be in everybody's way. I'd better 

take them home"—and he did! To get forrard to "Playful" and “Positive" from Bluegums 

who were coursing their jack to Rallywood, they were on their noses in this covert, which 

led up the body, then on over the hill to Jackal Covert and up to the road, which he ran and 

then turned left-handed into the covert again, when they bowled him over. 

A capital hunt of 35 minutes over the cream of the grass. The Master took hounds back to 

Druid, and started to dig for the mornings' jack; but he was a long way in, and in spite of 

the assistance of the Maharaja of Alwar and his staff we had reluctantly to leave him. 

The hounds will meet at Briar on Saturday next, at 12 noon. “VIDI” 

FIGURE 47: CECILIA AND URSULA LAWLEY 

30 Master of the VWH Cricklade 1890-1910, who in addition to hunting his pack three days 

a week, routinely used to put in another three with the Beaufort, where his brother was 

secretary. Source Allen Palmer;s diaries of the Beaufort Hunt 1901-1910 and 

http://tetlow.screaming.net/t_butt_miller_death.htm


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76 Dangar Finger Post 12.30 

Riding: Merryvale, Bucee Jacko Miss C. En tous cas 

A good scent 

Took a toss! Not many tosses it is that I take out here -only on these occasions, 

slipping upon greasy sides. “Thong” was wonderful, I never see a dog go in 

better. Could only see eyes and mouth and fairly went in. Also old Halleraich 

with the jack below the Falls. Both with hackles up. 

The boys and Cyclops brought in the handled jack dead. They had pulled him 

out. 

His Excellency and 2 Miss Lawleys out. A fine wild day and lots of sporting 

types. 



TUESDAY, 11 th Oct. 

DANGAR FINGER POST, 12.30 P.M. 

There was a small field at this somewhat distant meet, His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, 

Miss Lawley and Miss Cecilia Lawley, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Capt Atkinson, the 

Zemindar of Sivagiri and Col Scott being the only people out. The Master jogged along 

the Dangar Ride and did not throw off until the west side of Vokal was reached, and then 

drew across the Durbin Valley. 

It was some time before a jack was found, but at last we found one near the Krurmund 

Bungalow; hounds settled very prettily on his line and raced over the hills close to 

Kurutha Mund. There are no crossings or rides in this wild sporting country, but the 

field experienced no difficulty in living with hounds. Hounds hunted this jack for some 18 

minutes without the slightest assistance and marked him to ground in a water course, 

from which he was dug out. The Master had him in his hands, held him up and threw him 

to hounds, but he landed on his legs and somehow managed to get through them, and went 

to ground again some half mile distant, in which water course hounds killed him, and from 

which he was later in the day pulled out. It was an enormous water course, no less than 

11 couples of hounds being in it at the same time; and when hounds came out it was 

absolutely impossible to distinguish them apart. 

One realized today one of the chief charms of hunting on the Ooty Downs. We are 

absolutely free from all artificialitiy - real wild hunting after a stout wild animal in a 

sporting country and in a sporting manner. We have no railways to cut up the country 

and not infrequently the hounds as well – no imported foxes from Germany, spreading the


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scourge of mange amongst themselves and the home-bred ones as well, put down in 

November or December to make believe that the owner of coverts is a sportsman and fox 

preserver. No “hunting specials 31 ” bringing their scores of “thrusters” where they are not 

wanted! And last, but not least, no wire, that horrible danger to modern foxhunting. 

"Tis cruel to see in the cream of a run 

"A dozen fine fel1ows enjoying the fun, 

"Struck down at a moment to writhe in the dirt, 

“Dismounted, disgusted, both frightened and hurt, 

“While behind them a panic breaks out like a fire, 

“With the ominous caution—` Ware Wire sir! – Ware Wire’ !” 

So wrote Whyte Melville some 30 years ago and in England today this is happening still 

more frequently. So although we may have a bog here and there to trouble us, we have, it 

must be admitted, a country and a sport unspoiled by the modern artificiality which is 

robbing English hunting of many of its ancient glories. 

We drew on over these rolling uplands without finding a jack until Sultan’s Shola was 

nearly reached. Here there were no less than three on foot. Hounds divided, Major Duff 

taking one parcel and the Master and Major Dennistoun the other. Major Duff’s parcel 

soon split up again close to Liebenrood, 3½ couples of them coming round by Krurmund 

Shola and joining the other half of the pack which had run round by Mekod Mund and 

back to Krurmund Path, and round the steep hill by the seventh mile on Krurmund Path 

and marked one jack to ground, and whilst one hound was baying a jack in a hole in the 

rocks below the Waterfall, the hound bayed the jack and the jack bayed the hound. A bit of 

“Billingsgate repartee” as the first whip expressed it. The Master quickly had hounds 

from the earth to the single hound, and they soon put an end to this jack’s “back chat,” 

and broke up, what the Master said was, the biggest jack he had ever handled. It was a fair 

days sport. 

“VIDI” 

31 Trains: most English meets at the time were held at railway stations to allow for travel.


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FIGURE 48: A MEET IN THE RAIN 

Thursday 13th October 1910 

77 Lake End 

Riding: Christopher, Major 

Cairn Hill all day. 

They found outside Druid and ran straight through. Sloe, Arthur and I went 

through, then made usual small cast round by Station and Fern Hill, not a sign 

except a few 6 couples of puppies. 

Went back to hill above Cairn Hill and sent the Miss Lawleys and Ledger on. 

They were the only ones left, and Arthur started off by Dunmere, and Sloe and I 

went round by Lawrence Asylum, and on to Shola some 8 miles away. A man at 

Lawrence Asylum had heard of them, so we then went round by Baccayady 

village, and so home in the pouring rain. We must have gone 25 miles and got 

back 2.30 p.m. 

Arthur had brought in most of the pack from beyond Lawrence Asylum, where 

they had thrown up. Impossible to hear, see or get to hounds in that sort of 

country.


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79 Briar 

Riding: Bucee, Jacko,Major 

All out except Athole Hay. 

A good bag-man we dug out on Monday and I really think he did hounds a lot of 

good. Not even His Excellency knew or guessed. When I told him he was very 

surprised. We put boy with bag and Arthur held up his hat and boy went up the 

tree and shook out jack! 

Total to date 36 

Total to ground 36 


OOTY HOUNDS 

SATURDAY 15 TH OCT. 

BRIAR, AT 12 NOON.— 

A day as balmy as May and every prospect of a good scent, which there undoubtedly was. 

The Master threw hounds into Briar, which was blank. However, at the further side 

Major Duff had viewed a jack into a little shola adjoining Briar. Hounds could not own to 

him in the covert; however he broke acrosss the bog to Briars, and with a peel of music they 

hunted him over the bog and through Briar. He turned short back at the downs side of 

Briar and crossed the road into the dense shola of Upper Briar. In this shola hounds 

hunted with a beautiful cry and with steady persistency. It was like an October cub hunt. 

“Now be quiet, and he cannot escape us; we have the wind of the hounds and cannot be 

better placed; how short he runs! he is now in the very strongest part of the covert. What a 

crash! every hound is in end every hound is running for him. That was a quick turn!-- 

again another! he's put to his last shifts. Now Honeywood is at his heels and death is not 

far off. Ha! they all stop at once—all is silent. Listen ! Now they are at him again—did 

you hear that hound catch view? They had overrun the scent and the fox had lain down 

behind them. Now, Reynard, look to yourself. How quick they all give their tongues ! Old 

‘Dreadnought,’ how he works him ‘Moplah’ too, is squeeking at him. How close 

‘Hannibal’ pursues ! how terribly he presses ! it is just up with him—gods ! What a crash 

they make; the whole wood resounds. That turn was very short. There—now aye, now 

they have him !” Who-whoop ! 

To Peter Beckford’s description of such a hunt, and it exactly applies to our hunt today. 

We were fortunately able to break up the jack close to the road and enable a number of 

people who had been sporting enough to come out on wheels to see them break him up.


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This was an exceedingly pretty piece of woodland hunting, and a very pleasant change 

from the coursings on the home downs. 

We moved off and found a jack on 0neTree Hill, who gave us a short scurry before he put 

his ignominious head to ground in some rocks close to Duff's earth. This hole had been 

stopped up some two months ago, but he found anther way in. We then drew along the 

Yemakal Stream and on up towards Irwin’s Clump, close to which a jack jumped up 20 

yards in front of hounds; he ran to the Pykara River and then turned short left-handed and 

pointed his mask towards Krurmund. Hounds ran over this beautiful grass like a flock of 

pigeons, with Major Duff in attendance, for some 20 minutes until they marked their jack 

to ground close to Thakkarai Mund. It was an impossible place from which to try and get 

him out, so the Master had reluctantly to leave him. 

We now drew along the Pykara River and did not find a jack until Major Duff viewed one 

close to Plague Shola. He ran down to the corner of the road, here so many jack have beat 

hounds, but His Excellency viewed him rising the hill to Kariamond Shola. The Master 

caught hold of them and lifted them to the holloa, and they were soon running very 

prettily round the south side of Pykara Hill, below Dormer and Denny, hunting over the 

nullahs, without a check until they marked this jack to ground in a rocky nullah below 

Temple Shola. It is most cruel and trying on hounds to be continually putting their jack 

to ground in places from which it is impossible to get them out. But, of course, this 

country is quite impossible to stop, and all we can hope for is that sometimes they will 

choose an earthy water course, from which he can be dug out. 

“VIDI” 


80 Kandal Cross Roads 

Riding: Merryvale,En tous cas, Oyster 

A screaming scent 

Two Miss Lawleys, L.H. Athole Hay, Sir James Wolfe-Murray out. 


OOTY HOUNDS. 

MONDAY; 17th Oct. 

KANDAL CROSS ROADS, AT 7.30 — 

In October we expect the ground to be hard and dry, scent poor, and the sun powerful and 

hot. This October we have had none of these conditions so adverse to sport. No sooner did 

the S-W monsoon stop than the N-E one burst and made the conditions generally as 

favourable to sport as could be wished. Quite a large field for the end of the season were 

out, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Col Butler, Miss Lawley, Miss Cecilia Lawley, the


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Maharaja of Alwar, Mr Athole Hay, Mr and Mrs Richmond, Mrs Gordon Price, Miss 

Romily, Capt George Lambton, Mr Colin Mackenzie, Mr Stewart Brown, the Zemindar of 

Sivagiri, and Capt Atkinson were amongst those we noticed at the meet. 

Hounds moved off to New Covert, but “Mr John” was not at home. However, Major 

Duff had viewed one away from Mill's. Hounds opened to his line with a chorus of music 

and ran very prettily over Newmarket to Bluegums. Just before reaching this covert, 

however, hounds unfortunately divided. The leading hounds with the Master and 1st 

Whipper-in in attendance ran the path by the Potato Path, then turned short right-handed 

and ran the road to the Forester's Hut, then sank down into the thick shola below Porlock. 

Here they were at fault for a moment, but the Master soon had them right down the 

Governor's Shola path, which they ran for nearly a mile. Then swinging left-handed they 

rose the hill up to Lady Lawley's Plantation and on to the Krurmund Path. The jack here 

had 300 yards the best of them, and making a circle swung down into the dense 

underwood of Governor's. Hounds hunted him very perseveringly through this, which is 

almost impenetrable at this time of the year, and pushed their jack out close to Poett’s 

Corner, only 10 yards in front of them. At this point the other half of the pack, which 

Major Duff had stopped at Martyn’s Shola, joined up, and the 24 couples now forced their 

jack down the back Staircase ride. The pace was too hot for the jack, who ran this path to 

Briar, some two miles, just outside which covert they ran into him. Forty minutes and a 

kill in the open, which unfortunately is a rare occurrence in this country. 

A capital hunt and hounds thoroughly deserved their blood, after the fine manner in which 

they drove him through Governor's. We moved off and drew Gibbs’. Hounds just 

feathered on a line at the bottom, when Major Duff viewed him on Lawley's Course. 

Hounds raced over the turf along Lawley’s Course, swung right-handed and rose the hill 

to Staircase; then ran up the slopes of Staircase and over the top to the Devil's Dyke. At 

this point of the hunt the hunt servants, huntsman and field were scattered all over the 

place, as needs must be with such an obstacle as this miniature mountain to surmount. If 

we could only get some wealthy follower of the hunt to make a tunnel through it and light 

with electricity generated at the Pykara Falls, what a boon he would be conferring on the 

hunt ! Capt Atkinson viewed the jack close to Devil’s Dyke. He gave Major Duff the tip, 

who held hounds on, and they drove their jack along the slopes below the ride to Briar 

Shola, bang though this and out as if for the ghaut at Beadnell’s, but again “it’s the pace 

that kills” and the sticky going of Cox’s bog was too much for his exhausted body. 

"See there he creeps along, his brush he drags and sweeps the mire, impure from his wide 

jaws his tongue unmoistened hangs, symptoms too sure of sudden death,” 32 

and Cox’s bog was his death bed. 

Really a very good morning’s sport. Two Home Down jack killed in the open in one 

morning is a thing that does not often happen. 

32 Somerville’s Chase


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“VIDI.” 


81 Sultans Shola 12 noon 

Riding: Bucee Jacko 

A rare scent 

The best hunt this season, I and Sloe only ones who saw it. 

In the afternoon we drew for miles as described and never touched a jack. We get 

spoilt here. Never go more than ½ mile from home without finding a jack and if 

we do, we grouse and say having long “draws”! 

Number to date killed 39 

To ground 36 


OOTY HOUNDS. 

A BRILLIANT THING., 

TUESDAY, 18th Oct. 

SULTAN'S SHOLA, 12 Noon— 

A wide meet and in consequence a small field. Sir James Wolfe-Murray, The Maharaja of 

Alwar, Raj Kumar, Sirdar Singh, Mr. Athole Hay, Miss Lawley, Miss Cecilia Lawley, 

Capt Atkinson,and Mrs. Dennistoun comprising the field. 

“To every shrub the warm effluvia cling 

Hang on the grass; impregnate earth and skies 

With nostrils opening wide o'er hill o'er dale. 

The vig'rous hounds pursue, with every breath 

Inhale the grateful steam, quick pleasures sting 

Their tingling nerves, while they their thanks repay 

And in triumphant melody confess 

The titillating joy' 

"Somerville's Chase" were the conditions we met with to-day. 

Capt Atkinson viewed a jack close to the 7 th milestone on the Krurmund Path. Hounds 

drove him past Mekod Mund, and along parallel to the path nearly to the 5th milestone, at 

which point the jack sank down to the Upper Mysore Ride and started his extraordinary 

line of some four miles, during the course of which he hardly quitted the rides or roads. A 

road running jack is most trying to hounds who are very inclined to flash on over the line.


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To have hunted this jack for nearly four miles along paths and roads was a great 

performance on the part of hounds. 

Hounds hunted this jack along the Upper Mysore Ride as far as Bamboo Shola; then sank 

the hill to the Back Staircase Ride. This they ran right to Briar, and then swinging right- 

handed, ran the main Pykara Road. “Neri patis,” shouted the 1 st whipper-in to a small 

Badaga boy standing at Briar Corner. The small boy, instead of standing with his mouth 

open, waived us on down the road. A most fortunately intelligent native, for we could 

hardly believe that hounds were right in carrying it so far down the main road through 

this shola. 

“Forrard on” with confidence came from the Master, and on hounds drove their jack to 

Pamela's Crossing. What a hunt for the Coram street grocer. "Are you a hard man, Mr 

Jorrocks? 'ard, the ‘ardest man in England, never leaves the 'ard 'igh road." 

If we were on the 'ard 'igh, galloping round the corners of the Back Staircase Path, in the 

greasy, slippery condition it was today at best pace, was no child's play, 

Hounds hit it beautifully, off the main road, and ran along Lawley's Bog nearly to 

Schmidt's Clump; from the bog, hounds rose the hill to Herbert's Plantation, and with an 

ever-swelling chores of music hunted through this Shola and Stokes' Shola. As they 

croseed the path in Stokes' Shola the leading hounds had their sterns stiff and their hackles 

up, a sure sign that they were running for blood, 

The jack was now making short shifts, and the end must soon come. What a cry, up 

Stokes' Shola, and then a silence, then a snack, then a growl, 

"Who—whoop—they have him—they're round; 

How they worry and tear when he's down! 

'Twas a stout hill jack when they found him now 

'Tis a hundred tatters of brown!" 

Fifty minutes; a 4½ mile point and a kill in the open—and only a cub—but a Nilgiri one! 

Those who saw this excellent hunt well besides the Master and Major Dennistoun, were 

the two Miss Lawleys and Capt Atkinson. It was as good a hunt as we have had this 

season at Ooty. 

The rest of the day was spent in drawing all over by the Mekod Stream and the 

HeseltineRide and Andy Bog without getting as much as a touch of a line. This country 

has been singularly scarce of jack this season, which is a great pity, as it is such a fine wild 

sporting country. 

“VIDI”


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Saturday 22 nd October 1910 


Riding Major, Oyster, Grey pony 

A very nice morning. Motored on. Quite a good day. 

FIGURE 49: TODA TRIBESMEN 


THE LAST REGULAR MEET OF THE SEASON 

SATURDAY, 22 nd Oct. 

WINDY GAP, 12 NOON-The Master moved off at about 12.15 towards Kengodu. 

Hounds were some time before they spoke to a line. This particular country has been very 

short of jack this season, which is most unfortunate, as it is as good a bit of hunting 

country as there is on the Ooty Downs. 

Hounds spoke to a line below Maharaja Shola, and hunting up to him, caught a view and 

pushed him to ground in an enormous cavern below Amphill Wood, after a burst of a few 

minutes. This cavern is a veritable “City of Refuge 33 .” We have put no less than four jack 

to ground since August in this particular earth. 

The Master now drew on round by Plague Shola and below Temple Shola, just short of 

which Major Duff viewed a trace of jack. Hounds hunted round by the river, and then, as 

33 The Cities of Refuge were towns in the Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Judah in 

which the perpetrators of manslaughter could claim the right of asylum; outside of these 

cities, blood vengeance against such perpetrators was allowed by law..


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was inevitable, split up in all directions-one parcel hunting through Chemmund, four 

couples marking one to ground on the river bank, and another lot running like fury 

through Dormer and Danny. Fortunately they were all stopped in a very short time, and 

with all on the Master drew Chemmund and Baconwood and Briar, all of which were 

blank. 

As it was practically the last day of the season and the afternoon was getting on, a move 

was made to Lawley’s Course, Capt Atkinson viewed a jack close to Schmidt's Clump. 

With a very poor scent, hounds hunted him to Bluegrass, though which covert, which is 

very thick, even for a Nugiri Shola, at this time of the year, they drove him, with a chorus 

of music, which made the whole covert re-echo in most beautiful sound, that of 20 couples 

of hounds, with every tongue scoring to cry, hunting through a hillside shola. 

Hounds drove him across the ride, and on towards Porlock, from which he turned short 

back and Hannibal “giving him the meeting” nearly rolled him over. Now running to 

view Hannibal coursed him to Thornbi Crossing, with the body close behind him. The 

pack dodged about this very thick bit of jungle, and then were si1ent. The Master said he 

had no doubt that hounds had killed him; they were so suddenly silent, and then came 

down to the barn to drink, usually a sure sign of their having killed. But hunt as we 

would, his body could not be found. 

On casting round to make it good, hounds hit on which was no doubt the line of another 

jack, as Major Duff, who saw both jack, saw this second one come past him and did not 

holloa because it was a different one, which proved the more that our original one was 

killed. 

However this jack gave us a very pretty hunt through the brackens of Lower Governor’s, 

then ran the ride up to the mund. Hounds hunted him most perseveringly, through the 

thick undergrowth, down the path through a herd of buffalo, past the fifth of a Toda mund, 

and then with a renewed cry drove him along the ride to Poett’s Corner. 

Just past this point, by the greatest bad luck hounds divided, the body rising the hill to 

Round Shola, and the leading hounds running the Back Staircase Path, to Devil’s Dyke, 

and on to Briar with a very beaten jack in front of them. 

Unfortunately the huntsman was with the leading 3½ couple, which he stopped, and, of 

course, Major Duff had to stop the body with him, but could not do so in time to get to the 

Master before he had stopped his parcel. 

A great pity, but at this season of the year jack are very gregarious, and where one is found 

there are usually three or four.


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83 Kennels 7.30 

Riding: Major Oyster Potaphah Bishop 

A capital day. Miss Lawley, Miss Cecelia Lawley, Capt Ledger Atkinson, C.A.A. 

out. Arthur was away. 3 times jack sank ghaut and came back. Fancy Sloe 

lending me a horse! Most useful. 

Monday, 24 th October. 

“Kennels,” a bye-day to finish the season at 7.30 A.M. 

There was a large field out-Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Miss Lawley, Miss C. Lawley, Mr 

Handcock, Miss Moore, Mr O Mackenzie, Mr Stewart Brown, Capt Lambton, Col Butler, 

Major Hinge, Miss Romilly, Mrs Richmond, Capt Atkinson, Capt Annesley, the 

Zemindar of Sivigari, Mrs Dennistoun, & others. 

The Master unkennelled hounds and took them straight to Mills, which failed to hold. 

However, Capt Lambton viewed a jack on Newmarket. Taking them slowly to the spot, the 

Master laid hounds on his line and they drove him prettily along Newmarket to the bottom 

of Lawley's Course; here, owing the impetuosity of a member of the field, they were at 

fault for a moment, but fortunately not being shy of galloping horsemen, hounds quickly 

put themselves right. They rose the hill to Staircase, through Stokes' Shola, and then 

swinging left-handed penetrated Staircase, out the far side, with the 1st Whipper-in in 

attendance, and over the nullah to Governor's. They ran through Governor’s at a 

tremendous pace, with only the Master. Major Dennistoun, the Misses Lawley and Mr A 

Y Campbell in attendance, and those, not as one might say, " alongside the leading 

hound.” From Governor’s they swung round Bluegums, and it seems beyond question 

that they changed here, for with only a very poor line they hunted him past Cromwell 

Shola and up into Staircase and on to Herbert’s Plantation, at which covert they were 

greeted by the Messrs. Hatfield’s “Pandemonium.” Tomtoms, bugles, shrieking Badagas 

and gun shots, are not conducive to getting hounds’ noses down and puzzling out a stale 

line, more so when the canine members of the Pandemonium come and exchange greeting 

with the canine members of the hunt. 

So, although the Master held them on all round he could not hit it off. 

We now drew Devil’s Dyke, Briars, Cox Bog, and eventually found a jack by Beadnell’s. 

He headed for the gaut, but turned back and crossed the road just above Mr Antram's 

house. The Master got a view and halloaed them on. Running very fast they rose the hill 

up to the wire fence, skirted this and then sank the ghaut again above Sholar. Again this 

jack rose the hill and faced the downs. It is not often that a jack will sink right down the 

ghaut and then come up again. Mr Campbell, who went down the ghaut the second time 

with hounds, was unfortunately thrown out of the hunt, whilst the other members of the 

field were able to give their horses a “breather” whilst hounds were rising the steep hill by 

couples


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Kengodu Shola. So with horses having caught their wind we were able to follow hounds 

who ran very fast and with a most beautiful cry through Glyn's Covert, and then turning 

left-handed, left Jago’s Gorse on their right. 

The jack now headed as it for Warwick Shola, but as is usually the case with a jack that has 

“done a lot of work” he did not go in; he skirted the covert and ran on to Bracken. Hounds 

were hunting him up and down, in and out of the very thick bracken. The Master held 

them on forrard, but nothing came of what appeared a line, probably a jungle sheep; so he 

took hounds back to Bracken, where some of them were still speaking, to try and push him 

up again. However, in spite of going in on foot and taking terriers to try and rouse him, 

nothing would induce him to budge. There seemed no doubt that he must have lay down 

somewhere in the thick undergrowth. 

So ended a capital hunt and a capital season. “VIDI” 

FIGURE 50 GOVERNMENT HOUSE, OOTY.


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TRIP TO MYSORE 

MYSORE 34 

Thursday 27 th October 1910 

84 Old Race Course at 6.15 a.m. 

No scent 

I had a couple draft hounds but couple of these, Whimsical and Rosemary, were 

in use, so we had a very small pack. 

Quite a large field. The affair of the year. No doubt it will be a date. “It was 3 

years after the year the Ooty Hounds came last. 

Lingaraj’s Mrs. had put up notices all over the place. “SWAMP” WAY IN, WAY 

OUT which by the bye one could not see until one was out. Four for boggy 

places. Had taken the greatest trouble. 

We all motored on. There was no scent, going very deep and it soon got hot. We 

only found a silver fox all day and this jinked all over the place. Back to Race 

Course and oranges, apples etc. at about 10.30 a.m. 


85 6 TH M.S. Keddal Road 

One hound less, one bitch being “in heat”. 

Someone had laid a drag, and my “dumb bitches” as Sivagirig called them, 

flashed off at a rare pace not a note! They ran, where there was a mark two foot 

wide, and hoof marks at the side and then came up to a sower sitting at attention, 

and up went their heads. I twigged at once, when they flashed off what was up 

but thought it best to cheer them on. 

Athole Hay then did view one, a brace and we had quite a nice hunt, and they ran 

to a capital head. Sows etc all over the place, galloping like hades. What did it 

matter. The canals are amusing to get over and were full of water. His Excellency 

went like a tiger. 

As soon as they got off the back of their jack there was not a yard of scent. 

34 This was the official tour “The Fourteenth Tour of Mysore, Hospet, Bellary, Anantapur, 

and Hyderabad 26 th October to 17 th November 1910 by His Excellency Sir Authur Lawley, 

the Governor and entourage.


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Back to oranges etc at about 11. 

FIGURE 51 THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION AT MADRAS 

OOTACAMUND HOUNDS IN MYSORE. 

By the hospitality of His Highness the Maharajah 12 couples of Ooty Hounds are 

kennelled at Mysore during the visit of His Excellency the Governor of Madras to Mysore. 

The old kennels at the palace stables which have not been used since the time when the late 

Maharajah used to keep a pack of hounds, were once more requisitioned. His Highness 

was kind enough to mount the whole party, no small undertaking, some 30 or 40 guests, 

and capital hunters they all were. All the hunt servants had 2nd horses and His Highness 

was good enough even to mount Muddray the native whipper in. The meets have to be at 

break of day. In fact this morning we were all waiting at the meet (First mile stone Keddal 

Road) for dawn. The only light we had had before was that shed by the head lights of some 

15 motor cars. 

The country in the early morning, when the sun has not gained power and the dew is on 

the ground, carries a very good scent, and the going is quite holding. At the peep of day 

this morning we moved off hounds feathered on a line and ran slowly for a few minutes 

and then threw up their heads in a field of kulthi. 

We drew on down a nullah and very soon hounds owned to a line and we sat down to ride 

to them. They ran very fast and over the sticky fields of ploughing it was all we could do 

to see the way that they were going. Hounds ran for some 15 minutes and then 

unfortunately a black buck jumped up in the middle of them and they had to be stopped, 

and when the master tried to hit off the line of the jack again they could not own a yard of 

it.


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Very soon we had another jack on foot. Mr. Athole Hay had viewed a brace, and the 

master had popped hounds on their backs. With a rare cry and running to a capital head 

hounds raced over the "Mysore Leicestershire." 

Quite a novel experience perience. Sitting back and “putting him at" a cactus hedge. No ditches 

in this country y to drop one's hind legs leg into! Now we e come to a nulla, drop down into it 

with a buck and a grunt, nt, get up the steep bank opposite; whoa! up to one's hockks 

in fresh 

turned fallow, ow, we must go go over over this this at a walk, or we shall sprain hocks or back of of His 

His 

Highness’ horse. 

What’s the other other side side of of that that high high bank bank and how wide on the top I wonder ! ! ! Just room 

to pull up one’s horse and see a 20 foot canal yawning ya below us. Hounds streaming away 

the other side, leave leave no no time for hesitation, and slithering down the bank we wonder 

whether her it will be sink or swim. Fortune, as is her custom, favours the brave, , and finding 

a sound bottom; we are soon alongside the flying pack. pa 

Hounds were were brought brought to their their noses noses on some rocky ground, a bold cast by the master, put 

them right and they ran on, with a flying scene, until the heat of the day put all hope of 

further sport out of the question. 

Hounds were reluctantly reluctantly taken taken home after a most enjoyable morning. Amongst those out 

we noticed His Excellency, Hon’ble Col. Daly 35 , Mr. and Mrs Hay, Miss Cecilia Lawley, 

Miss Daly, Mrs Dennistoun, Dennistoun Gen Sir J Wolfe-Murray, , Mr A Y G Campbell Campbell, Capt 

Atkingson, Capt Jackson, Jackson Capt Fasting, H.H. The Maharaja, the Yuvaraj, , Col Desaraj 

Urs, Lakshiminarasaraj Urs, Lingaraj Urs, Subramaniyaraj Urs, Kantaraj Urs, Balaraj 

Urs, Mirza, M Hussain, besides the Master and Whippers in. 

Monday, 31st October ober. 

THE PALACE STABLES, AT 6 A.M.— 

The Ooty hounds, which ch are kennelled at Mysore, were again out this morning. 

There had d been a great quantity q of rain and the morning ning was cloudy and dull. So we all 

arrived at the meet 

in the best of spirits 

. 

35 

The British Resident in charge of the district.


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The Master drew through the scrub on the South side of Chamundy, dy, the hill on which the 

famous sacred Bull of Mysore stands. 

The first Whipper in's whis whistle soon proclaimed a jack on foot. It was difficult to live with 

hounds in the thick scrub. One wants to go one side of a bush and nd one's horse the other other. 

Consequence— either jump the bush or take a nasty toss. to It is also difficult to see hounds hounds. 

In spite of these difficulties we managed m to live with them. When hounds ran out into the 

open country, a buck ck was in front of them. them We thought they must be running hhim, 

but 

no— they swing off his line and point right-handed. Evidently the jack and buck had 

broken from the scrub at the same point. point 

Hounds hunted on very prettily until the jack ran the very cold scenting plough land, 

which in the sticky condition it is in at present "carries" "carrie very badly. No hounds can own 

a line on cold scenting "carrying” "c plough, even in England. So it is not surprising that 

down here these adverse se conditions put an end to this hunt. 

The Master drew all over the cultivated land in the vicinity of the villages, but it was a 

long time before we found another jack. jack The rains and water have probably sent ent them up 

to the hills. 

When we did find another he dived straight into a field of some very strongly scented crop, 

and it was not until the Master had lifted them right through it that hounds could run 

again. With a poor line, bbut 

puzzling it out very prettily we hunted this jack oover 

the 

open rocky ground. We could see hounds capitally, and it was a beautiful sight ight to see 

them throw up, then cast themselves them like a fan one makes a hit, throws his tong tongue and-- 

forrard again. They ey ran on for some 20 minutes when a herd of black buck ck put an end to 

another hunt. It was getting etting hot, 9.30 A.M. so hounds were now taken home, 

It has been a most enjoyable experience, hunting the jackal at Mysore, , and everyone ha has 

thoroughly enjoyed the sport so kindly put p is our way by His Highness. Our only regret 

is that hounds were not able to account for one of these Mysore jack. 

“VIDI”


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FIGURE 52: AS GUESTS OF HIS HIGHNESS NIZAM, ALONGSIDE SIR ARTHUR LAWLEY, CENTRE IS GENERAL 

WOLFE-MURRAY, AND BEHIND LAWLEY IS XYZ CAMPBELL. THE LADIES ARE LAWLEY'S, AND A MISS 

ALLEN FAR LEFT. 

Monday 2 nd November 1910 

86 New Race Course 6 

They had a bagman this morning, in fact two, but let them both out together - a 

pity. The afternoon no scent. H.H. did us very well. Did up kennels, gave men 

heaps of backsish and sent hounds on to covert in vans. 

Gave Muddray and boys turbans, belts and 30/- and 15/- each respectively. Took 

his team out in afternoon. Very sorry to leave Lawleys, which I did this 

afternoon.


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ALWAR, RAJASTAN 

FIGURE 53: THE NIZAM OF HYDERABAD'S COURSING CHEETAS 

Friday 12 th November 1910 

Pinch Me Near Forest 

We camped out the night before in the middle of this scrubby wood. Thin small 

trees and grass. I went out and got a couple of black buck, riding round them and 

then dismounting and shooting. 

I dined by myself as the others, Alwar and Saite were dining “on the floor”. We 

met at 6.15 a.m. 

Found at once, having taken hounds on in couples through the buck. They ran to 

a fair head and with a rare cry, quite surprising, as ½ of them were unentered 

hounds just imported from England and only 3 rd time out. The jack kept jenking 

and turning, but they stuck to him well and ran him to ground after about 20 

mins. About 20 villagers were soon at hand and they dug like Trojans with their 

peculiar grunt which Jey Singh says it to prevent their lump from contracting! 

Only got out 2 porcupines! 

We found another almost at once, had another capital hunt and this time they 

hunted very fast and bowled him over in the open – a thing I had never seen, 

either with a fox or jack. I performed the obsequies, amidst great jubilation. 

We then found another and had a nice hunt and lost him at 9.30 a.m. and home. 

They never looked at back and hunted bang through them, also pig wonderful to 

relate. The place is alive with game Nielgai that peculiar cross between a cow and


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antilope a blue beast, cows hump and a tassel and antilopes feet and legs being 

much in evidence. Hound language of course very funny! 

Saturday 13 th November 1910 

88 Alwar 6.30 a.m. 

Pinch-me-Near Forest 

Camped out after shooting a Nielgai 36 close to scrub place. Met at 6.30 a.m. 

Found at once. Durbar asked me to hunt hounds. Found one and lost. Then 

found another and ran nicely, thought he had got into a hole, but on making it 

good, hit it off and ran into him in a bush. Proved what I had been saying re 

making it good. 

Went on finding and loosing! Then we found one in the open and it being 9.15 

and hounds tired, H.H. proceeded to gallop like hell. Hounds miles and miles 

behind and so ended a good morning with bad scent. It got very hot and hounds 

very tired. 

Really good fun but too many jack. 

I had been out pig sticking on the Sunday. We got 7 pigs. I got two first spears, 

but was allowed them! Old Runfit Singh altogether too good, a dear old man. 

The greatest sport. Easy riding, but one had to go – all out. Then we shot 

partridges in the afternoon – off elephants and ate the most greasy pig in the 

evening – disgusting. 

Hacked on to forest from Pig sticking camp about 4 miles, started at 6.15am. 

We found a jack at once but not much scent. Pack was now reduced to 8½ 

couples and some of those lame. 

We found another and they hunted him really prettily, through, in and out a 

scrub, alive with deer and pig, to which they paid no heed. He kept jinking back 

and forward and finally broke into the open. I holloaed him away and they 

coursed him for about one mile, then turned sharp right-handed through a canal 

and on to a square mile of perfectly flat maidan 37 Hounds were very tailed and 

more blown, quite unfit. So I galloped the jack on “Lorry”. However “Lorry” 

being used to hounds, jumped him every time – six or eight times. I finally got 

him one with my crop. One hound came up to him and got a nasty bite. He got 

his wind and went on, one more hound now joining. Jack was getting very beat, 

and at last three hounds managed to pull this very big one down, but would not 

36 Cross between a cow and an antelope – see photo in following pages 

37 Open field


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break her up, but better than before. A curious hunt, but novel. Never knew a 

jack wanted so much riding. 

Many sore feet, so home. Gave “Senator” and English draft puppy a hammering 

for running back. 

Wednesday 16 th November 1910 

90 Alwar 6.30 a.m. 

Pinch-me-near Forest 

A short life and a gay one. Jey Singh 38 motored me out to a lake. I left it eight 

miles from Alivar at 5.35am and was sitting in a cage for a panther below Alwar 

Fort at 6.10am. 60 napiers and English chauffeurs go the pace. Went up the hill 

on elephants. Got into an iron cage about 6 x 6 x 6ft with 34 holes in front. Put the 

rifle through a lamp burning by a bleating goat, 8 feet away. Genesh by me 

Alwas’s M.S. Not a sound, not a move, no hard breathing, pins and needles not in 

it. 

Suddenly, the wretched goat becomes as rigid as the Wellington Slater on Long 

Valley, tries to break back still looking and now trembles with fear. I knew 

panther was near. A pause – then a spring, a huge looking beast appears, a 

cracking of bones, and here he stays with goat in mouth for what seemed ¼ hour, 

but suppose was a minute. He looked enormous. After a period he tried to break 

away the goat. Then some villagers returning to the city seem to disturb him. 

Genesk now touched my arm. He was looking straight at me. I could not see 

foresight, but aimed point blank, and he fell on his tracks. Put in another to make 

certain. Up come elephants, one stalks up and feels with his trunk and not a 

move. 

We get out of cage, take panther on elephant, measure it 6 foot 7 inches and a 

female, and on to Pinch-me-near Forest. 

We found at once, but soon got on to Neils and had a job to stop them - a curious 

sight. 

38 See chapter “People of Ooty“ earlier in book


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FIGURE 54: NIELGAI 

After a long long draw draw we we found another another and and quickly quickly changed changed on to a fox, jinking 

brutes. Found another outside forest and ran well for a bit, when we came upon 

three wolves. . What a fine fin spot is India, all sorts and kinds of riot, pig, , black buck, 

hares, nielgai and now wolves. Durbar called for rifle, had a shot, shot and then we 

galloped him nearly to Nota Notari three miles, until he bested us in pampas grass. 

Durbar was within ten yards of him once. 

Jogged back, changed horses and found a jack, they coursed co sed him for about one 

mile and “Firebrand” a puppy pulled him down in a field of mealies. 

Four jack killed in four days hunting. . We found another but pig troubled us. 

On way home Maharajah told off two men he had put in jug the night before by 

roadside for not getting out of his way!


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FIGURE 55 JUDGING HOUNDS IN KENNEL 

FIGURE 56: NOTE THE AUDIENCE


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FIGURE 57: OUR HOUNDS


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FIGURE 58 AUTHOR'S PICTURE


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FIGURE 59: CECILIA LAWLEY ON CORONA (SEE RACES) 

THE OOTACAMUND HUNT RACES 

Held on Saturday last, our Ooty correspondent writes: 

"We were extraordinarily lucky in the weather on Saturday, as it was the only fine 

day in a week of fog and rain. Hopes for a good day fell very low on Friday, as it 

rained heavily all the afternoon and night and the rain-gauge measured 3 inches. 

In spite of the heavy downpour the going was simply perfect and there were no 

bad accidents. 

"There were ten starters for the Hunt Cup and the line chosen by Colonel Butler 

was a fair and sporting one. It started at the Black Bridge on the Seegin Road and 

led by Rocky Hill over Potato Crossing, up Lawley's course to a flag at the bottom 

of Round Shola and from there across to Newmarket, where the tents were 

pitched near Point to Point Covert. I am sorry to say I did not see the race so I can 

only give the results. Major Duff won on Matsumata by a long way. Mr. W. 0. 

Horne was second on Chicane and Captain St. L. Atkinson third on Craddock. 

"The second race on the card was the Ladies' Point to Point, a race of almost three 

miles, but the line was an elastic one and was nearer four than three. The start was 

on Bagman's Hill, opposite Point to Point Tree, and led over the Kurumund Road 

to the left of Jackal up One Tree Hill to a flag above Rallywood and from there to 

the tents, past Bluegums and the ponds on Newmarket. Naughty Novice ridden 

by Mrs. Dennistoun was a. hot favourite and would most probably have won had 

she not unfortunately pecked badly coming down from Bluegums giving Mrs. 

Dennistoun a heavy fall; and it was a great relief to her friends looking on to see 

her up unhurt. Miss Cecilia Lawley on Corona and Mrs. Sam Browne on


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Bronzewing were leading after Naughty Novice was out of it, and they had a 

close and exciting race all the way to the finish. Bronzewing hung on doggedly to 

Corona's quarters, but was never quite good enough to get on better terms and 

the judge's verdict was "won by a length." Miss Cecilia Lawley's fine riding called 

forth the admiration of every one. She sat well down and drove her mare along in 

professional style. Mrs. W. 0. Horne on Cossack was a good third. 

“The third race was the Men's Pony Point to Point at 1 P.M., and for it only five 

started. The line at the beginning was a little like the preceding race, but went 

below Jackal and from there across below Potato Field on New Market to the 

usual finish. Mr. A.Y.G. Campbell showed he possessed a clear head and sound 

judgment, for he went a course different from the other four and crossed the bog 

immediately below Rallywood, and though he took a toss in the crossing, as 

Sirdar slipped up, he caught and remounted him and won easily. Major 

Dennistoun, who had led throughout, went through a crossing in the middle of 

Rallywood and came in second on Saturn, the Master being third on En Tours Cas 

(late Grey Friar.) 

"Most people thought it a foregone conclusion that - Major Duff's Bonnie Jean 

would win the Novice Cup, and it was.therefore a surprise when Mr. Cox on 

Waverley was seen coming down the hill from the last flag with the race all his 

own. Colonel A. B. Scott on Larry and Captain Palmer on Jacko had an exciting 

finish for second and third places. The course was set on Bagman's and going 

round the hill left-handed led to a flag near New Covert and then hack across 

Blackmore Vale to a flag on a steep bit of Newmarket and from there it was a 

straight run in to the tents. 

"The Ladies' Pony Point to Point was at 3-30 P.M. for which a field of five turned 

out. It started on Lawley's course well above Gold Mine Crossing to a flag below


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Schmidt's Clump, across Sandy Nullah stream to a flag at the top of Rawling's 

Nullah and on to the tents, a distance of about two miles. Mrs. Sam Browne on 

Polo Bell led to the second flag when Miss Lawley on Nellie Stuart took the 

leading position and won by ten lengths. Mrs. Dennistoun was third on Tioba. 

"The Medium Plate was the last race on the card and was one of the most 

interesting, Mr. G. J. Dennistoun's win on Warden being unexpected. He ran a 

very game pony for he is nothing more and easily beat his field, though had that 

game mare Corona not taken a heavy fall by putting her foot in a hole in a 

watercourse the result would in all probability have been reversed. As it was, in 

spite of a delay of more than three minutes in catching and remounting her, Major 

Duff brought her in a good third; a very good performance on the part of a game 

animal that had already put a severe race to her credit at the beginning of the 

day." 

FIGURE 60: AUTHOR STARTING THE LADIES POINT TO POINT


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FIGURE 61: END OF SEASON SALE OF HUNTERS 

NOTES & OBSERVATIONS 

The most sporting 6 months I shall ever have.


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THE COUNTRY 

Go hells bells down hill and slowly up, is the maxim - for Ooty. 

Country is steep. One is never on the level and consequently very tiring to one’s 

horse. I always had three horses out and sometimes four and made or tried to 

make them go different lines and keep to the tops, so that when I arrived at the 

top of a hill on a blown horse, I found a fresh one to jump on to. To be continually 

changing I found the best way of living with hounds. I changed even if my horse 

had done 10 minutes, if I came across a 2 nd horse. Riding a horse when distressed, 

is when he is “done in”. A huntsman cannot afford to nurse his horse. I found 

the greatest difficulty at first in getting over the country and living with hounds. 

Always followed “Sloe” or Arthur one has to know it like the palm of one’s hand, 

every crossing, every nick through Shola. I found it by far the best to ride the 

contours of the hills if it meant going ½ or 1 mile further, than going up and over 

a hill. Go hells bells down hill and slowly up, is the maxim - for Ooty. 

Later on in the season, I found my way about quite easily; and there is a more or 

less general run of jack. The Home country I did not care about. Hounds were 

too often running to view and it always carries such a screaming scent that 

hounds tail badly. 

The Saturday Country Beadnells, and Kendagoro I like best. Not steep, plenty of 

nice little sholas and hounds have to hunt. The ghaut is a nuisance. Umbrella tree 

is an impossible meet, Ghaut one side and Aramby the other. Never had any 

sport from there. Parson’s Valley is a very nice country but devoid of jack this 

season, so cannot well exress an opinion about it. Nanjanard Valley in my 

opinion is not a hunting country. Impossible to get over and one cannot see 

hounds hunt. So, what is the good of going there except to bustle about the jack. 

I have written previously (11 th October) on this point. The one great draw back to 

the country, is the number of times hounds put their jack to ground in quite 

impossible places and are cheated of blood. I stopped with Cox’s aid, a number of 

these bigger and more used places, but the whole country abounds with them. I 

tried “Never Never Land” on two occasions but thought it too steep. I think the 

country might be improved by making better rides in Governors Shola, a great 

sanctuary for jack and making more rides through the middles of the smaller 

sholas. Wapshare, Briar, Toda Coffee Shop etc. to enable the Huntsman to get to 

hounds and make them draw.


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THE FIELD 

The Field, as a whole are ignorant of the art of hunting and as usual tends not to 

take much interest in hound work, but are indeed better than most fields at home 

in this respect. XYZ Campbell, Ledger Atkinson, and Caryl very willing to help 

and would often go and stop a hound. Useful in viewing jack etc. I discouraged 

“lending a hand” as it only makes a hound wild. 

Several ladies, like Mrs. B., come out and stand on the hill top then often head 

jack, but one can’t stop it. Stewart Brown, Horne, Mrs. Horne (sometimes) XYZ 

Campbell, Henderson, Sir James Wolfe-Murray, Colin Mackenzie, His Excellency 

the girls, all go well and don’t mind galloping down hill. His Excellency and the 

girls go very well indeed. 

HOUNDS ON FIELD 

I divided the Hounds into fast and slow packs, irrespective of sex or size. Though 

most of the bitches were in one pack fast. This fast pack were of course 2 nd 3 rd and 

4 th season hounds and as good as handy a pack as I ever wish to hunt. I think 

almost too fast for the country. They ran to a beautiful head and were as handy as 

ladies’ maids. A treat to hunt. The other pack, the older hounds and slower ones 

and the young hounds, after a bit acquitted themselves very creditably, but of 

course the young imported hounds take a very long time to acclimatise and did 

not run up even at end of season. The country bred ones run up well, and the 

more forward and faster, I put with the “fast” pack. 

Another advantage of this division is that one can hunt the young hounds close to 

home and in the less steep country, and run less risk of losing them. Douglas and 

Mrs. Leech were excellent in the Kennel. I made Douglas Kennel Huntsman and 

he kept them very level. 

I find it best in the open Down country to send on a whip, in this case Arthur Duff 

who has an eye like the proverbial hawk. He just holds up his hat and I take 

hounds up slowly. They are inclined to get very wild if one holloas too much and 

will not put their head down. 

They won’t draw these thick sholas. So I find it best to put them in and then go 

quickly and quietly to the other side and then just “yo-over there try”. Lately 

hounds have been dividing badly chiefly because whippers in do not keep them 

packed enough. Whip should holloa hounds out of covert to keep them together, 

and they should stop any leading hounds up to four couples, and let the others 

on.


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HOUNDS IN KENNEL 

I fed on rice 1½ lb a couple 

Flesh 1½ lbs per couple and 30 lbs (uncooked) between the 50 couple and they 

carried beautiful condition. I gave vegetables, potatoes and cabbage twice a week. 

I tried dhal, but found that the cost was not worth the experiment. 

My estimate was one dog boy for five couple besides Muddray and Cyclops, who 

did their share of grooming when not hunting. There is no distemper and during 

my season no pneumonia and only a few cases of fever. My chief trouble was 

sore feet from the Langanard and from the hard going generally at the beginning 

of the season. Pig wounds caused a lot of trouble and I usually got Col. Butler to 

come and stitch them up. I lost a few toes, which of course lay hounds up for a 

long time. 

I was told when I came out that wounds, cuts and bites always burrowed; but 

with plenty of stimulants, turps etc. I found this was prevented. On the whole we 

were very free from sickness. 

Hounds do very well at Ooty. I found the Country Breds ran up in most cases 

very well. They had the reputation of running mute. This was due to breeding 

from a bitch “Woodbine”, who threw nothing but mute puppies. The difficulty is 

to find sufficient walks, if these could only be found. This is due in my opinion to 

their not being properly warded. I do not think that it would be sound to breed 

from Country Breds, though it has not been tried. For some unknown reason, the 

prodgeny of all imported animals seem inferior and appear to deteriote after one 

generation. The same with horses, cows and dogs, not to mention poultry. If 

more hounds could be bred at Ooty, they would prove a great asset to the Hunt. 

There is the best of Belvoir Blood in the Duke of Bueclench’s draft of 1908. 

Wallaby 1904, Dexter 1906, Chanter 1906, Valesman 1901, Weaver 1906 and 

Barrister, B.More has “grafton” “Woodman” 1896.

FIGURE 62: 

"JACK" 


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THE JACKAL 

As of course, I expected, I found great difficulty in hunting the jack. I knew 

nothing of of him him when when I arrived, could find no no books on on the the subject. A A most 

most 

difficult task to set out to hunt an animal one knows know nothing about and that in a 

strange country. I gathered a bit about him from Marky Clementson, Clement , a sportsman 

and J. Likari and Hodgson told me something about him. First and foremost, if 

one wants wants to to catch catch him, him, he he must must be busted busted at some time of the the hunt hunt or another. If 

not, he will go on for miles and miles at a jog trot, just living in front of hounds. I 

noticed that hounds, the fast pack especially, especially, could generally generally make make up up a a lot on 

them down hill. They have have a a most most annoying annoying habit, when they have have been been hunted 

hunted 

for about 20 mins. of going up the th steepest hill they can find, generally 

“Staircase”- which happens happens unfortunately to be in the middle of the country – I


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imagine they think to shake off pie dogs and other unfit dogs and curs, who hunt 

them. 

“Sloe” says they have a wide range, but I very much doubt this and am of the 

opinion that they can be driven out of their country, and it does not follow 

because they pop into a hole that they know the hole is there. They have a habit 

of running paths and roads and when they come on one in the course of a run, 

will almost invariably run it. Herein lies one of the greatest difficulty to a 

Huntsman. As hounds usually “made it good” themselves beyond the road, there 

being no hedges or boundaries; I made it a practice to hold them down the road or 

path, watching of course with great care my road working hounds, - none of 

whom threw their tongues on a road. There is seldom very much scent on the 

roads, and it is most difficult to see if hounds have a line or not, and it is also hard 

to judge if one is driving them on or not. Hounds tail so on a road, and the roads 

twist and turn, that it is again hard to see the leading hounds very often. 

Curiously enough I can recall very few instances of hounds flashing on and many 

is the time I can remember seeing them “hit it off” the road, exactly where the 

leading hounds threw up. Then I would always “set up my jaw” and blow my 

horn and try and get them to a head again. At first I could not sometimes believe 

they were right, but 18 th Otober proved what a jack will do in the way of running 

a road. This jack must have run at least 3½ miles of road and rides, and I am 

certain we did not change. This jack must have been out of his country. 

Towards the end of the season, indeed most of the season, I sent one or two 

whippers in ½ - 1 mile on forrard to try and get a view, more especially when we 

met and moved off down a road. A jack is a ground feeder and goes about with 

his head on the ground and so hears horses from a great distance – one or two 

miles away - and quietly sneaks off. Arthur Duff was particularly quick at 

picking up a jack and many hunts we owe to him. 

When a jack was viewed in this way; which was the way in which we found most, 

Arthur only held up his cap. I took hounds up at a good hard gallop, but kept 

them well in hand. If they were not in hand, they would frequently flash off heel 

ways. Arthur would tell me where he had last seen him, and I would cast them 

100 yards or so before getting to the spot. If Arthur was near, I found it a good 

thing to draw on quickly and let them hit it themselves. I always was careful to 

prevent them driving on to Arthur, as they would have done if not kept in hand. 

It is difficult when drawing a bag which one often does, and hounds further speak 

to a drag, on both sides, to know which is heel ways, give them a moment, in case 

one parcel throws up, and if not, only a quick decision of circumstances – where 

the field are, could either whip have seen him if he had gone that way? How 

hounds hunt, etc. – can be applied.


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A jack will frequently hug the the skirts of the ghaut for for a a considerable considerable distance and 

then turn back back again again to to the open. So I I was not not too too prone to to stop stop them them even if 

if 

some way down n the the ghaut. ghaut. Marky Marky told me that a a ghaut ghaut jack jack was much much browner 

browner 

and looked looked smaller than a hill hill jack, jack, owing owing to his not having the extra long coat 

tinged with grey – I doubt this. this I always – unless on a road, gave him credit for 

going on, though sometimes a jack will run his trail. 

When beat I have known know him lie down in brackens on very thick undergrowth, 

which is most confusing to hounds, as these sholas sho as are in places almost 

impenetrable. I am convinced that that hounds hounds killed killed many many more jack than than I 

accounted for often, and from the way hounds have come back to me, I have 

deducted that they must must have killed killed him him and have have been been frequently right. The 

leading hound will will just just kill him him and and leave leave him him and the others others may may go and have a 

look and leave him. 

round and perhaps hit off his line and lead you up to the jack. When you expect 

that hounds hounds have have killed killed and and find find them them at water, water, especially especially if if some old old keen 

hounds are amongst them; it is certain they have killed. 

They seldom break up a jack of their own accord. We seldom killed in the open, 

or even pulled one down in a shoal. Usually marked to to ground, ground, or or pulled pulled him out 

of some thick stuff. It is not much use looking for jack in shoals, except in the hot 

sunshine. Consequently, sequently, although altho we drew or tried to draw the sholas, as, hounds 

will not go in, they are thick and an thorny and as they do not find they soon get shy 

of going in and drawing. 

FIGURE 63TYPICAL SHOLA HOLA VIEW 

One can only then go and take a steady hound and hunt 

I have seen a jack cock up his leg like a dog and they invariably stand and stale 

when put up. They are very gregarious about October Oct which I conclude is the 

clicketting season and many hunts were spoiled by hound dividing. I found that 

“baiting” with with a a horses horses head head in in the the centre of of the country we were going going to hunt 

most effective and and keep jack about. They cannot get gorged gorged on on a a head, but it is 

sufficient to attract them. The practice of putting down a quantity of bait and 

finding a gorged jack, only o to bowl him over in ¼ mile, I consider


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unsportingmanlike in every way. A jack is almost impossible to head. Hounds 

do not mark well and only “Wisdom” and Holder would speak at earth at all. No 

amount of cheering would induce them to do so, though they would scratch and 

get in. 

One hound wouldn’t face a jack. I remember “Hatteraich”, a tiger to fight and to 

break one up, would only bay one, when he had him cornered in a hole. “Thong” 

the terrier would have killed him! 

HORSES 

In my opinion, the most suitable horse is a compact little thoroughbred horse, 

preferably a mare, because if broken down or “done in” one of the many stud 

farms would buy her at 5 or 600 Rps (£40) for breeding purposes, if she showed 

good breeding. A thoroughbred horse is game and as a rule stays. A small one 

has less weight to carry and does not knock herself about so much. 

A big Arab is a good mount, they “come again” so quickly when blown. I hate 

“walers” and most of them have no heart. Of course a heavy man must have a 

horse up to his weight. Bone counts for nothing, as the going is always good. 

Legs must be clean, and fetlocks, and of course no doubt about wind. The best of 

shoulders for going down hill and good back and loins. 

My horses were: 

Boulder. A waler, a topper and a very game horse, but sprained his back at end of 

season. 

Christopher. My best horse, a waler, 15.1½. Very game and beautifully balanced. 

Not fast, but a marvel – absolutely – downhill, came again very quick. Bought 

from C.A.H. 650 and sold Guy Mort l,000. 2 nd in Mediums. 

Jacko A waler 15.1. Not too good down hill but very stout. Galloped in good 

style. Should have won Novices, but I went wrong way, bad shoulders. 

Smallwood brought him down from Calcutta and sold him to Gresson who 

passed him on to Harrison of 60 th who sold him to Davidson collector and I 

bought him to finish season 650 and sold for 1000 to Blackloch 8 th Hus. 

2 nd in Novices on flat. 

Barenose. A big ugly waler brute. No heart and could not stay. Bought from Wy 

Hants 600. 

Merryvale. A waler mare full of quality. Should have won races, but they broke 

her down when I hurt my leg. A picture to look at, but shoulders rode very badly. 

Stout up hill. I got a little work out of her end of season. Bought from Horne. 

1200 sold.


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Cocktail. A A waler. Just Just the type type of of a a Huntsman’s Huntsman’s horse. horse. Very compact compact and and stout, 

bored a a bit bit down down hill. hill. Did Did him in in in a bog in July and never had another day 

day off 

him. Sprained his shoulder muscle badly, bought for 800 from Horne and sold 65 

at Oakes auction. 

Major. A A good good old old plug. plug. Had Had trouble with with his his feet. feet. Not Not fast, fast, but but did did me me a lot lot of 

work. A very good looking horse. Bought from D. Vesty 800. 

Richmond. A A picture of of a C.B. C.B. but but done done in. in. Worn Worn all all round and I got very little 

out of him. Drove him end of season. Bought from D. Vesty 600. 

En Tous Cass. I drove as a trapper trapp till ill August then got short and so hunted him, 

he turned out very well, a stout old pony. Bought from Vernon for 300 and sold 

Sivigari 600. 

Lord Boyne. . One of my brother Will’s, done in and heart broken. Cost me 1200 

from D. Quinn. 

Jumping Moses. . Another of Wills. Got only about 3 or 4 days was done in when I 

paid 750 from Francis Scott. Scott Worn all round. 

Oyster. . A A proper proper ugly one. Did me some work. I made £300 out of him, by 

lending him to Dicky Quinn for 3 weeks. Very worn, but a useful 3rd horse. He 

came out regularly in his turn. Cost me nothing. Ran 2 nd in a Novices race on flat. 

An awful feel on slippery side of a hill! 

Ritual. Bought from Ledger for 125. Very small. A South American. Fast but not 

nearly up to my weight and a doubt about wind, wind kicked hounds, so when Ledger 

came to Ooty he took her back. I was well out of her. 

FIGURE 64: ALLEN PALMER ALMER'S MEMORIAL AT HARROW SCHOOL


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BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Wikipedia 

Sir Arthur Lawley, Eloquent Knight Errant, David Hogg 

Ooty Preserved 

Wih thanks to Roddy Sale and Cliff Parrett for the photo of the war memorial to 

1907 copy of the District Gazette of the Niligris

Ace of Clubs, 125 

Ace of Spades, 28, 40, 85 

Alivar, 164 

Alwar 

INDEX 

The Maharaja of, 138, 142, 144, 150, 

151, 162, 163, 164 

Ampthill Wood, 67, 115 

Andy Bog, 32, 37, 42, 80, 97, 124, 125, 

130, 152 

Annesley, 30, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 46, 61, 

70, 71, 77, 81, 84, 86, 96, 98, 100, 102, 

115, 124, 155 

Antram, 33, 35, 68, 83, 127, 155 

Antrim, 115, 120, 126, 127 

Aramby, 64, 75, 76, 87, 93, 94, 97, 98, 

107, 131, 176 

Athole Hay, 10, 13, 142, 148, 149, 150, 

151, 157, 159 

Atkinson, 11, 41, 57, 66, 69, 71, 73, 74, 

77, 78, 81, 84, 86, 89, 96, 98, 100, 102, 

115, 126, 128, 130, 134, 136, 138, 142, 

145, 150, 151, 152, 154, 155, 171, 177 

Avalanche Bridle path, 53 

Avalanche Bridle Path, 46, 79, 116 

Avalanche Bridlepath, 36 

Baccayady, 147 

Bacon Wood, 28, 101, 102 

Badankodmund, 83 

Balkie, 29 


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Barber, 66, 71, 73, 83, 87, 88, 89, 95, 96, 

115, 120 

Barrow, 30, 34, 35, 40, 43, 48, 69, 71, 73, 

77, 81, 83, 86, 100, 102, 105, 115, 135, 

136, 137, 138 

Beadnells, 33, 64, 70, 82, 89, 103, 107, 

108, 109, 112, 126, 127, 131, 176 

Bicester, 20 

Bilanjikod Mund, 42 

Bilanjikod Shola, 28, 41 

Bilanjikodmund, 74 

Bin, 21, 34, 44, 52, 57, 65, 73, 74, 82, 87, 

101, 103, 108 

Bingham, 22, 38, 47, 54, 56, 68, 69, 87, 

122 

Black Bridge, 47, 48, 69, 95, 171 

Blackmore Vale, 59, 77, 88, 99, 123, 129, 

172 

Bluegums, 21, 22, 23, 28, 32, 38, 40, 54, 

56, 57, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 78, 84, 85, 

86, 87, 97, 98, 99, 103, 110, 116, 117, 

122, 128, 129, 143, 144, 150, 155, 171 

Bobbili 

His Highness the Maharaja of, 41 

Bobbili 

His Highness the Maharaja of, 138 

Bombay, 20 

Bourne, 41, 138 

Boyson, 133 

Brand's Crossing, 58

Briar Shola, 55, 123, 150 

Brick Kiln, 38 

Brickfield Crossing, 56 

Brooklands, 46, 47, 50, 54, 56, 58, 59, 63, 

68, 69, 75, 76, 87, 88, 94, 95, 97, 107, 

109, 117, 122, 123, 131 

Browne, 12, 84, 86, 89, 96, 98, 100, 102, 

124, 126, 142, 171, 173 

buffalo, 32, 59, 61, 106, 112, 154 

Bullen, 133 

Burke, 39 

Butler 

Colonel, 30, 37, 41, 43, 48, 77, 81, 84, 

89, 96, 100, 102, 107, 115, 124, 

126, 128, 149, 155, 171, 178 

Cairn Hill, 57, 61, 64, 72, 73, 104, 110, 

147 

Campbell, 21, 33, 37, 40, 43, 53, 66, 71, 

73, 77, 81, 84, 86, 89, 100, 115, 126, 

129, 130, 142, 155, 159, 172, 177 

known as XYZ, 57, 70, 75, 98, 117 

Cardew, 133 

Carnana, 41 

Caryl, 24, 41, 87, 89, 177 

Caryll, 32 

Chemmund, 29, 34, 50, 51, 63, 67, 68, 69, 

70, 89, 90, 91, 94, 95, 96, 101, 102, 

105, 108, 111, 112, 123, 131, 135, 137, 

141, 154 

Clara Morgan, 16 

Clear, 37, 41, 48, 52, 56 

Clements, 133 

Clementson, 179 


0 

Clerk, 33, 37, 41, 43, 48 

Conemmara, 54 

Connemara, 47, 48, 58, 71, 93, 95 

Conyngham, 41 

Cookson, 41 

Coonoor, 133 

P a g e | 186 

Cowie, 31, 33, 41, 43, 48, 100, 102, 115, 

124, 126, 128, 130, 136, 142 

Cox, 12, 21, 29, 31, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 50, 

51, 52, 53, 63, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 73, 

74, 77, 89, 91, 95, 96, 98, 100, 101, 

102, 105, 108, 111, 115, 116, 127, 150, 

155, 172, 176 

Cumming, 41, 133 

Cyclops, 12, 28, 44, 48, 49, 62, 91, 108, 

Dale 

127, 145, 178 

Will,, 20 

Dangar, 36, 46, 77, 80, 100, 125, 129, 

140, 145 

Dantes’ Spinney, 28 

Dartmoor, 25, 51, 95, 97 

de Heriez Smith, 40 

Demon Valley, 47, 56, 58, 59, 71, 77, 88, 

95, 97, 109, 131 

Denistoun, 13 

Denmark, 58, 61, 97, 129 

Denmark Hill, 58 

Dennistoun, 21, 30, 40, 42, 66, 68, 69, 73, 

74, 78, 80, 81, 91, 98, 102, 128, 137, 

140, 146, 151, 152, 155, 159, 171, 172, 

173 

Devil's Dance, 57

Devils Dyke, 24, 105, 107 

Diana's Dingle, 57, 83 

Double Crossing, 48, 58, 84, 85 

Downs, 22, 27, 36, 54, 57, 65, 103, 108, 

122, 123, 133, 145, 153 

Duff, 10, 12, 13, 25, 28, 29, 33, 35, 44, 

58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 67, 70, 75, 82, 103, 

104, 130 

Major Arthur Whipper-in, 20, 23, 

25, 33, 36, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 53, 58, 

61, 70, 71, 76, 78, 80, 81, 83, 85, 

101, 102, 105, 123, 127, 129, 135, 

137, 140, 143, 146, 148, 149, 150, 

153, 154, 171, 172, 173, 177, 180 

Dunsandal, 33 

Dunsandle, 33, 34, 68, 82, 83, 87, 103 

Earle, 37, 41, 43 

Elmhirst Crossing, 56 

Elmhurst, 38, 54, 64, 104, 129 

Elwes, 37, 41, 48, 58, 66, 70, 71, 73, 75, 

77, 81, 86, 89, 115, 126, 130, 142 

Emerald Valley, 46 

Fairlawn, 58, 61 

Finger Post, 39, 44, 46, 53, 72, 103, 118, 

140, 145 

Fisher, 28, 31, 33, 35, 37, 41, 43, 48 

Formby, 33, 41, 43, 48, 52, 73, 77 

Gaylad Shola, 32, 80, 97 

Ghaut, 17, 33, 58, 63, 70, 71, 83, 88, 93, 

94, 95, 107, 109, 111, 112, 117, 119, 

120, 122, 126, 131, 176 

Gibbs, 25, 29, 55, 65, 66, 70, 94, 122, 123, 

124, 131, 150 

Gillman, 33 


0 

Glyn’s Covert, 67, 112 

Glynn's Cover, 57 

P a g e | 187 

Goldie, 100, 102, 115, 118, 124, 126, 128, 

Golf 

138, 142 

Ooty Golf Course, 56, 58, 72, 73, 87, 

105, 128 

Gonikhari Shola, 57 

Goondappa, 52, 53, 60 

Gosling, 40, 70 

Graham, 133 

Gresson, 23, 24, 33, 35, 38, 39, 41, 43, 48, 

52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 

69, 70, 82, 87, 182 

Hamilton, 41 

Hamlet, 33, 34, 57, 70, 83, 88, 91, 115, 

127 

Hammick 

Miss, 48, 71, 73, 77, 81, 86, 89, 100, 

138 

Handcock, 43, 71, 77, 155 

Harrison, 66, 69, 71, 74, 78, 84, 86, 89, 

182 

Hecuba, 22, 44, 46, 78, 87, 97, 116, 130 

Heleltine, 130, 140 

Henderson, 33, 36, 37, 41, 48, 52, 66, 73, 

77, 84, 89, 96, 107, 124, 126, 128, 130, 

136, 138, 140, 142, 177 

Heseltine, 37, 42, 124, 125 

Hinge, 41, 48, 54, 56, 86, 89, 96, 100, 

105, 107, 126, 128, 130, 138, 142, 155 

His Excellency

His Excellency The Governor of 

Madras, Sir Arthur Lawley, 29, 

38, 41, 44, 50, 52, 53, 57, 60, 61, 62, 

63, 65, 66, 67, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 

82, 84, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 

108, 110, 112, 116, 118, 128, 130, 

134, 145, 148, 157, 177 

His Excellency Sir Arthur Lawley, 43, 69, 

81, 84, 86, 115, 126 

Hodgson, 179 

Holmes, 41 

Homfray, 48, 74, 77, 78, 80, 89 

Hookey, 65, 118 

Hookham Snivey, 46 

Hope, 28, 29, 62 

Hope-Johnstone, 29, 30, 35, 40, 66, 69, 71 

Horne, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 48, 52, 

54, 56, 61, 71, 73, 74, 77, 81, 84, 86, 

96, 98, 100, 102, 115, 124, 126, 128, 

130, 136, 140, 171, 172, 177, 182, 183 

Humfrey, 31, 35, 41, 66, 71 

Hungerford, 23, 49, 50, 60, 66, 90, 100, 

109, 118, 125, 130, 141 

hyaena, 59 

ibex, 53 

Ibex, 83 

Itabu, 72 

Jack’s Nest, 30, 63 

Jackson, 41, 89, 96, 100, 105, 115, 159 

Jago's Gorge, 57 

Jemakal, 49, 50, 122 

Jumping Moses, 183 

Kabbalkod, 63, 81, 102, 134, 137, 141 


0 

Kabbalkod stream, 63, 141 

Kabbolkod, 118 

Kaggodumund, 91, 95 

Kangodu Hill, 57 

Karimulimund, 48, 70 

Kelly Shola, 81, 134 

Kengodu Hill, 30, 34, 83, 115 

Kengodu shola, 29 

Kennel, 34, 68, 177 

Khed Shola, 30, 68, 70 

Kilkaval, 79 

King Edward V11, 24 

Kleine, 39 

Krumund, 134 

P a g e | 188 

Krurmund, 32, 42, 52, 53, 64, 73, 74, 77, 

80, 84, 85, 97, 99, 124, 125, 129, 137, 

141, 145, 146, 149, 150, 151 

Krurmund Path, 32, 42, 64, 74, 80, 84, 

85, 97, 99, 124, 125, 137, 141, 146, 

150, 151 

Kudumal Mund, 67 

Kurothaguli, 46 

Kurumund, 81, 134, 171 

Kuruthaguli, 44, 46, 78, 79, 96, 98, 124, 

125 

Kuruthuguli, 53, 56 

Lambton, 31, 33, 37, 41, 42, 43, 48, 52, 

54, 56, 71, 73, 74, 77, 86, 89, 96, 111, 

115, 124, 126, 128, 138, 139, 140, 150, 

155 

Lancer Shola, 64, 130 

Lascelles, 54, 56, 69, 70, 87, 88, 117, 129

Lawrence Asylum, 46, 72, 147 

Leatham’s Nullah, 28, 100 

Ledger. See Atkinson 

Leech 

Atkinson, 97, 147, 177, 183 

Mrs, 21, 36, 44, 46, 177 

Lenox Conyngham, 33, 35 

Lew Covert, 25 

Lewnham, 62 

Likari, 179 

Limerick, 32, 64, 79, 80, 96, 100, 116, 

130, 140 

Lord Boyne, 22, 28, 103, 109, 122, 128, 

129, 183 

Lowry 

Colonel, 33, 37, 40, 43, 48, 71, 73, 77, 

89 

Lungan, 22 

Mackenzie, 56, 69, 116, 130, 131, 136, 

137, 150, 155, 177 

Mackenzie's Crossing, 56, 69 

Maddry, 29 

Maduray, 88, 95 

Maharajah, 23, 25, 41, 115, 122, 124, 135, 

158, 165 

Marchant, 33, 41, 49, 71, 73, 81, 86 

Marliamund, 97, 98 

Master 

Capt Allen Ll Palmer, 30, 33, 34, 35, 

36, 37, 39, 40, 42, 46, 47, 48, 51, 53, 

55, 56, 58, 59, 61, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 

70, 71, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 


0 

P a g e | 189 

83, 85, 87, 88, 90, 91, 94, 95, 97, 99, 

100, 101, 102, 105, 106, 115, 123, 

124, 125, 127, 129, 135, 136, 137, 

139, 140, 143, 144, 145, 146, 148, 

149, 150, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 

159, 160, 172 

Mekod, 42, 74, 89, 146, 151, 152 

Melkaval, 36, 53, 61, 78, 79, 139 

Meyer, 41, 133 

Mills, 21, 22, 25, 38, 39, 40, 54, 56, 64, 

72, 73, 99, 100, 104, 107, 117, 128, 

129, 143, 155 

Minchin, 33, 37, 41, 43, 49, 52, 54 

Miss Lawley, 21, 29, 32, 33, 35, 37, 41, 

70, 71, 72, 77, 116, 117, 142, 145, 149, 

151, 155, 173 

Monsoon, 32, 35, 36, 50, 52, 55, 57, 73, 

85, 87, 90, 94 

Mooltan, 20 

Moore, 66, 100, 126, 128, 133, 138, 142, 

155 

Morgan, 30, 67, 90, 115, 120 

Muddray, 17, 52, 63, 127, 158, 161, 178 

Multanad Hill, 24 

Municipal Crossing, 25, 39, 79, 99, 129 

Municipal Stream, 54, 56, 64, 129, 143 

Mysore, 46, 49, 50, 51, 53, 80, 81, 85, 

124, 125, 135, 137, 151, 152, 158, 159, 

160 

Nadankodmund, 81 

Nadunkodmund, 84, 85, 135 

Nanjunad, 46, 53, 55, 56, 60 

New Covert, 21, 38, 39, 73, 79, 87, 98, 99, 

129, 150, 172

Newmarket, 25, 38, 39, 40, 48, 54, 66, 77, 

84, 85, 99, 100, 104, 107, 108, 110, 

116, 117, 122, 123, 132, 143, 150, 155, 

171, 172 

Newnham, 52, 66, 69, 71, 73, 74, 77, 81, 

84, 86 

Nicholson, 21, 28, 29, 30 

Nojairage, 23 

Nunjeenaad, 140 

Nunjunad, 35, 36, 46, 52, 77, 97, 98, 126, 

129 

Oyster, 24, 61, 70, 84, 87, 96, 98, 103, 

108, 110, 112, 117, 126, 131, 141, 142, 

149, 153, 155, 183 

Pagackomasq, 50 

Palmer 

Capt Allen, The Master, Huntsman, 

Author, 30, 32, 48, 144, 172 

panther, 71, 164 

Paragon, 30, 34, 50, 67, 68, 86, 106, 115, 

120 

Parson’s valley, 24, 28, 98 

Parson’s Valley, 28, 42, 49, 176 

Parsons valley, 32, 41 

Parsons Valley, 64, 124 

Patrick Shola, 67, 68, 88 

Penn, 39 

Pennant Shola, 42, 74, 140 

Pichalmund Shola, 125 

Pig and Whistle, 42, 63, 84, 85 

Pinch-me-near Forest, 164 

Plague Camp, 29, 119 


0 

plague shola, 29 

P a g e | 190 

Plague Shola, 63, 115, 135, 149, 153 

Point to Point, 25, 40, 77, 106, 132, 171, 

172 

Point-to-Point, 58, 84, 99, 115, 143 

Pollard, 37, 43, 49, 56, 77, 102, 116 

Porlock, 21, 23, 33, 40, 64, 84, 85, 86, 99, 

110, 116, 118, 150, 154 

Price, 33, 37, 41, 43, 48, 66, 71, 73, 77, 

81, 86, 89, 96, 100, 115, 138, 142, 150 

Pug Pits, 74 

Pykara, 29, 30, 34, 39, 40, 51, 62, 65, 67, 

68, 70, 72, 73, 77, 88, 89, 90, 91, 94, 

95, 97, 101, 102, 105, 106, 108, 109, 

111, 112, 115, 117, 119, 122, 124, 127, 

129, 134, 137, 142, 149, 150, 152 

Quinn, 28, 50, 183 

Rallywood, 21, 22, 25, 32, 38, 40, 54, 56, 

61, 75, 77, 79, 87, 97, 110, 116, 119, 

128, 129, 139, 143, 144, 171, 172 

Rawlings Nullah, 23, 28, 98 

Rawling's Nullah, 39, 40, 85, 99, 100, 

173 

Rees Colner, 30 

Rifle Butts, 75, 76, 88, 109 

Rimington, 37, 41, 47, 48 

Ritual., 183 

Roberts Shola, 67, 89, 111 

Robertson, 37, 48, 56, 73, 77, 81, 86, 89, 

96, 100, 115, 126, 128, 130 

Robinson, 71 

Rolf, 53 

Rolfe

Miss, 31, 33, 41, 43, 48, 52, 54, 56, 66, 

69, 73, 77, 78, 80, 81, 84, 86, 89, 96, 

98, 116, 124, 126, 128, 130 

Romilly, 37, 39, 41, 49, 116, 124, 126, 

128, 130, 136, 138, 155 

Russel Shola, 67 

Salsette, 20 

sambhur, 81, 91, 95 

Sambhur, 35, 36, 52, 75, 77, 80, 98 

Sandy Nullah, 23, 25, 40, 50, 51, 59, 66, 

77, 87, 88, 89, 94, 95, 100, 103, 109, 

123, 126, 127, 141, 143, 173 

Sandynullah Valley, 85 

Schmidt, 38, 40, 41, 53, 65, 66, 79, 80, 98, 

123, 143, 152, 154, 173 

Scott, 41, 66, 69, 71, 73, 74, 77, 81, 86, 

89, 96, 100, 115, 124, 126, 128, 130, 

138, 140, 142, 145, 172, 183 

Scott,, 41, 66, 71, 73, 74, 77, 81, 86, 89, 

96, 124, 130, 138, 140, 142 

Sheffield Corner, 28, 32, 41, 42, 44, 48, 

49, 52, 53, 61, 64, 77, 80, 87, 124, 125, 

130, 143 

Singh, 142, 151, 162, 163, 164 

Sivagiri, 116, 124, 126, 128, 130, 136, 

138, 140, 142, 145, 150 

Slater, 133, 164 

Sloe 

Dennistoun, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 

33, 34, 38, 41, 46, 49, 57, 67, 72, 73, 

74, 75, 78, 79, 80, 82, 87, 89, 93, 94, 

97, 98, 101, 103, 104, 108, 109, 

110, 111, 112, 117, 119, 130, 131, 

141, 147, 151, 155, 176, 180 

Smallwood, 24, 25, 41, 182 


0 

Somerdale, 33, 34, 69, 70 

Spencer, 133 

St Leger Atkinson, 12 

P a g e | 191 

Staircase, 28, 38, 40, 49, 54, 55, 56, 60, 

64, 65, 66, 84, 85, 86, 96, 97, 103, 104, 

108, 109, 116, 122, 124, 127, 133, 143, 

150, 152, 154, 155, 179 

Stephenson, 41 

Stevens, 66, 89, 96 

Stewart Brown, 33, 37, 41, 43, 48, 52, 54, 

71, 73, 77, 80, 81, 89, 100, 115, 150, 

155, 177 

Sutherland, 41 

Synnott, 31, 33, 35, 41, 43, 46, 49, 52, 53, 

56, 73, 77, 81, 89 

Thong, 17 

The terrier, 17, 48, 49, 50, 66, 67, 84, 

94, 101, 102, 108, 109, 111, 131, 

141, 145, 182 

Thukkarai, 134, 137 

Thurkai, 141 

Tiger Shola, 46, 78, 97, 98, 100, 126 

Tinmans, 24, 25 

Toda Cathedral., 24, 54, 95 

Toda Coffee Shop, 29, 30, 57, 67, 68, 84, 

86, 87, 89, 90, 109, 115, 119, 120, 141, 

176 

Treble Crossing, 38, 39, 40, 77, 88, 99, 

100, 129 

Tudor Hall, 64, 75 

Tuvalkandi Shola, 67 

Tuvalkondimund, 68 

Tuvalkundi Mond, 30

Umbrella Tree, 30, 48, 58, 93, 94, 119 

Vane’s Copse, 140 

Vogel, 28, 42, 116 

Walker, 33, 35, 37, 43, 49, 54, 56, 65, 66, 

69, 71, 73, 74, 75, 77, 81, 86, 89, 96, 

100, 116, 126, 128 

Warwick, 29, 30, 33, 34, 57, 83, 87, 88, 

120, 126, 127, 156 

Waterfall Shola, 50, 51, 56 

Watson, 41, 71, 78, 81, 118, 142 

Watts, 40 

Weile, 39 

Wenlock, 29, 34, 62, 63, 67, 68, 70, 89, 

91, 94, 101, 102, 107, 111, 115, 127, 

131 

Windy gap, 30 

Windy Gap, 55, 91, 95, 105, 122, 134, 

136, 153 


0 

P a g e | 192 

Wolfe-Murray, 16, 25, 33, 35, 37, 40, 43, 

48, 71, 73, 74, 77, 81, 84, 89, 96, 100, 

102, 110, 115, 124, 126, 128, 130, 135, 

136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 145, 149, 

151, 155, 159, 177 

Worgan, 28, 29 

Wynch, 41, 71, 73, 81, 86, 116, 126, 138 

Wyndham Quinn, 29, 30, 35 

Wyndham-Quinn, 33, 38 

Yemakal, 29, 54, 55, 63, 69, 80, 81, 84, 85, 

89, 91, 94, 101, 102, 106, 107, 108, 

110, 122, 123, 134, 137, 141, 149 

Yuvaraj 

The Yuvaraj, 51, 112, 115, 159 

Zemindar, 37, 116, 124, 126, 128, 130, 

136, 138, 140, 142, 145, 150, 155 

Zemindar of Wiyyur, 37 

Zemindars, 31


0 

P a g e | 193 

FIGURE 65: MOTHER, LADY LAWLEY, WITH URSULA AND CECILIA IN ABOUT 1900

HUNTING THE OOTY HUNTING THE OOTY In 1910 - Colgate Farm ...

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