OUR RECEPTION MN THE CITY OF YALACHS.
A ROYAL ENTRY, FORTY SIXTH ARTICLE, Calcutta, We knew well enough that a number of Bengal cyclists intended to meet us and give us an escort into Caloutts. The local pers had recorded the formation of a ception Committee, and the secretary of that committee had communicated with us as to the exact day of our arrival. We anticipated that may be thirty or forty thusiastic wheelman would dare the rigour of the sun to give us a hyndshake. But at Chandonagore, whilst luxuriating in the delight of iced drink and lounging about the verandah in li-lit pyjamas, we picked up a copy of The uglishman and learnt the tale awaiting us, We smiled.
The programme hinted at the at least princes of the blood i of travel-stained cyclists. There was to be a special train to bring Calcutts people to a convenient point on the'grand trunk road to watch our advent. All the bicycle clubs were to be represented, the roads for seven miles were t" be guarded with extra police, "li traffic was to be stopped for an hour in the streets of Calcutta along which we should journey. There was to be a reception at the Volunteer Headquartora, there was to be a big public dinner, ploasure excursions were to be arranged, with general feting and entertaining, anil the best done to make us sufferers from.swelled head. Wo rubbed our eyes, and each exclaimed, ''Do I wake, do I dream, or are visions about!" Woe couldn't quite make it out. But one of us looked at himself in a glass, and the realisation that something important was about ta happen was summed up in the remark, © Wellin that case I think I'll have And that ten-days' delayed operation was hardly completed when we heard a couple of lusty voices shouting, 5 "Well, where are they?" and the next moment we wore having our arms wrung by Mr. W. J. Bradshaw, the secretary of Burke who is a literary gent and the gey-kempton Committee, and Tt W. 8. seric humorist of Calcutta.
We-were thin and worn and hollow. checked"with hard cycling, and they were aldermanic in' proportions, 80 that we had to apologise for our-scragginess. and come down a fow days later.
"Hero!" we observed to the two busy His, ' what's all this ¢amasla for? What's bent 2 questions," was the reply to happen the jovial and bubbling Bradshaw, "but know that from this moment till the time you leave for Burma you are the property of the people of Calcutta, and there is to be no protest." We said we had never played xt royalty before, but that the experience would be li Chandenagore is ne twenty-five miles m the metropolis of India. We set off shortly after three o'clock that delightful Saturday afternoon, and ran through beautifully shaded lanes, with rich, heavy Eustern foliage hanging overhead. Often there was a break, revealing a little wood beyond, reminding one of pretty corners in green Notts. We halted to look at two gaudily-painted lumbering Juggernaut cara, saw a number of quaint-domed temples, and had a halt by the banks of the curling Hlugli to smoke the cigar of companionship, Remounting our machines, we suddenly ran into a hamlet overhung with the smoke of gaunt jute 10 narrow lanes were filled with natives who showed distinct signs of excitement, A mad scurrying ahead wis noticed, and whom turned a corner we wore met with a cheer.
grent jute works was decorated with bunting, all the employees were on the walls and the roof, and two or three Union Jacks were waved. Thro was a shout for us Tau Chiesty, but if we atop now heaven knows when ire will got to Calcutta," said one of our guides. We just returned the salute and went on.
The road now rather assumed the appearance of a long straggling village. Thousands of Hindus wore out shouting all sorts of things in Benguli. Stray Britishers in pith helmets and light suits came along astride wheels, and told us the special train from Bally had arrived, and that 258 bicyclists were awaiting'us. Then cames sprint, and a minute later we were standing, hats in hand; feeling rather confused while crowd of English riders crowded round and cheered and waved their hats, "Wait till' you get over the bridge," srhispered someone in our ears; " meanwhile have something to drivk." A kind cycling Calcutta-ite, knowing the prodigious thirst of cyclists; had an al fresco free. drink" bar under the trees, and for five minutes there was nothing but the clatter of glasses, the popping of corks, and the gurgling of liquid.
Just in front was Bally Bridge, with a cluster of natives squatted on the roadway at our end, but with not a soul on it save a bevy of red-turbaned native police. "Now, gentlemen, we'd better br moving." shout. ed Bradshaw.: We, as the heroes of the moment, were put in front, and the Reception Committee followed: in twos. Wo walked slowly across the bridge. Then was revealed sight that repaid us well for our long ride and many'hardships, As far as we could seo down the road stretched an avenue of cycles and cyclists, all with the front wheels turned towards the road—a picture excoedingly effective, and all the more interesting to our weary-eyes by-the fact that it was a crowd of our own countrymen awaiting us. And then there was the cheering, loud and long, and: every -bell"on every machine tinkled and rattled; there was the waving hats and' warm-hearted.'gresting.—a scene, indeed, of wild enthusiasm of which no "man:: could: be the- recipient without: being affected; Such'a greeting' we'nteither"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.