BRAVE WOMAN'S ORDEAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21112, 20 February 1932, Page 2 (Supplement)

BRAVE WOMAN'S ORDEAL.

AFRAID FOR FIRST TIME. ENCOUNTER WITH THIEF. •" London ' lions' are far more dangerous and far more terrifying than any African lion." In these words Miss Hilda May Gordon, a world-travelled water-colour artist, described her ordeal when an attempt was made lately to snatch her handbag at Kensington, London. She managed to foil the snatcher's move, however. Miss Gordon has recently returned from a tour of Africa with her brush and easel. " Fifty miles up the River Limpopo I have slept while round about were all kinds of wild animals growling constantly, but they were afraid to come too near," she said. " Luckily, I have no sense of fear, and it is possible to walk anywhere, for unless the animals are hungry tlicy will never attack a human. "Tn all my wanderings around tho world, during which I spent many years among the savages, I have never had to fight a man—until the other evening. It was awful, and for the first time 1 felt afraid. " A feeling of loneliness came down upon me, and my legs .quaked and knees knocked together. " The bag I was carrying was one I had brought back from Africa with mo, and has a pair of owls oil the flap. 1 swear that I will never lose it." Miss Gordon was suffering for several days from strained muscles in the arms and back as a result of her encounter, and was able to walk only with difficulty.