Hydrophobia.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 791, 29 April 1887, Page 4

Hydrophobia.

From C. F. Gordon Cumming’s wellworded aketch on ‘ Hydrophobia ’ we extract a memorable act of true demotion :—‘A very remarkable instance of courageous presence of mind in face of this danger was that of a young English girl who had taken a party'of children to play in some pleasant flowery meadows. When the fun was at its height she heard In the distance a confused noise of many voices and hurrying feet, and presently, as they drew nearer, she discerned the dread warning shout, ■“ Mad dog ! Mad dog r’ A moment later the dog and its pursuers came in sight, the hunted, maddened creature making straight for the spot where, right in the centre of the great meadow, she had gathered her covey of happy little ones, while far behind followed a crowd of men and boys bearing pitchforks, pokers, and such other implements as they had been able to snatoh up are joiniug in the ohase. From the headlong speed at which the dog rushed on, it was evidenLthat long ere the children could possibly get out of the field he would be in their midst, and that probably several might be bitten—a truly appalling prospect, which struck the girl with a thrill of horror. In a moment, however, she had decided on her line of action. Bidding the children fly to % place of safety, she breathed a fervent prayer for physical aud mental strength, as she nerved herself for her devoted deed of true heroism. She had heard that though a mad dog will snap to right and left, it will rarely, if ever, turn aside from its straight course. So, seeing that it was coming in a direct line towards her, she simply stood still, facing it. She wore a heavy woollen dress and under petticoat, which happily Ihung in full folds. Gathering these in either hand, she spread them out to their widest iimits, and, standing with her feet well apart, she calmly awaited the oncoming of the

wretched animal, which now, oovered with foam, dashed headlong against her. With her whole might she grasped its head between her knees, and folding her skirts around it, she contrived, notwithstanding its wild mad struggles, to hold it captive until its pursuers came up and - quickly ended its' miserable life. Not till -then did the brave girl's nerve and strength give way, aud she sank to the ground in a dead faint. Such had been the intense mental strain of those few minutes, that for weeks she was subject to awakening in the night with the renewed impression of horror. Happily, however, the impression slowly faded from her mind, while there remained the blessing of each mother whose child had been exposed to such terrible danger.’