OUR GIRLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20288, 22 June 1929, Page 4 (Supplement)

OUR GIRLS.

THE FLOOD. ♦ Jean Bond was a Girl Guido of tho St. Andrew's Company and a splendid example. Her one joy when she returned from tlu meetings was to stand on High Point Hill and gaze over tho panorama .before her. Stretched bolow her, snuggled cosily in the encircling hills was the small picturesque village of Holiirigbrooko. When tho tietting sun painted the heavens with a lm'id glow Hollingbrooke lay quiet and ptuneful. Ail that could be heard was the twittering of the birds and the echoing ring of the old church bell. A few miles distant was the village's water supply—th& rippling water of the dam.

It was Wednesday night and Jean with somtf fellow Guides were strolling slowly hom<3. When she had taken leavo of them the night was so beautiful that shi decided to walk the distance to the dam. .. . .

Slio was watching tho rippling water when a senso of danger came over her. Her keen eyes roved ovei the huge walls, and, but a foot from the bottom a tiny hole had let loose a rivulet of water. Jean's fascinated eyes watched it grow larger and larger, and then sh.o awoko suddenly to action. She knew that by' the time repairers were brought the hole would bo too lar°;e to mend. With palpitating heart sho ran the whole mile to the first house. " The dam has burst! The dam has burst!" White-stricken face 3 showed at tho doors.

" Run for your lives!" / A horse stood harnessed to a cart. With deft fingers she threw off the harness leapt on to the horse and was soon riding at break-neck speed down the dusty road. All, who heard that awful message did not take long to get into safety, but already the water was swirling round the horse's hooves as the gallant' animal stumbled on. At last Jean reached tho church. She nearly fell off the horse and ran blindly in, then, grasping the ropes, pulled desperately. The bell responded and in the night air its deep mellow notes sounded the warning. People rushing out saw the oncoming torrent and scattered in . all directions. "The dam has burst! Tho dam has burst! Run for your lives!" Again Jean was on her horse and many a child and animal sho took to safety. At last, utterly exhausted, she slid off into the swirling water. But eager hands pulled her to safety. A few minutes afterwards sho gained consciousness. "Where is Poppy and mother?" was her first thought. " It is all right; your sister and mother are here. You may not realise it but you havo saved every, person in Hollingbrooke by your brave action." Jean vvas" lying on the grass ; on High Point Hill and sitting up she looked upon a foaming torrent of water with hero and there pieces of floating: wreckage which had once been strong buildings and she shuddered. Now Jean has an addition to her uniform—a beautiful medal for her steadfast courage in that devastating flood. By Winifred' Stone, 15G, Jervois Road, Heme Bay.