Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/69

, boots, and breeches, proceeded to tie about his head a white silk kuffia, adjusting it with a twisted cord, and fastening the ends at the back of his head, after the fashion of the Bedouins of Syria. The match on this particular afternoon was between the bachelors and married men of the club; and as Charles Farwell was to have played in it, he had arranged for Larkington to take his place.

Mrs. Fallow-Deer had begged him to do something for the Englishman, and this had been the easiest thing to do.

A prize cup had been offered by the ladies of Newport, and the match was undoubtedly the most important one of the season.

"Just like my luck to be in for this game," Larkington had said to Stirrups that morning.

The signal to ride into the field was now given, and the six bachelors, chastely and appropriately attired in white, rode into place at their end of the ground. Ranged side by side,