A FIGHT WITH AN OCTOPUS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3374, 26 January 1884, Page 2

A FIGHT WITH AN OCTOPUS.

The “ Warrnambool Standard ” (Vic) reports that recently a gentleman had a rather unpleasant encounter with an octopus whilst bathing alono on tho southern side of Middle Island, in one of the many dark and silent pools of salt water which remain trapped after each receding tide. He struck away to explore a grotto-like opening in the rock which he observed on the opposite side of the pool. He penetrated the cavernousjaperture. but no sooner did he attempt to regain his footing than he felt himself seized by the left leg. Thinking it was seaweed, he shook himself, and repeating the process with some violence, he found his action resisted, and the next moment he was prone on the floor of the cave. No sooner was he down than both legs were entangled, and sitting waist-deep in water he saw, to his intense horror, the spreading arms of an octopus, and quickly felt the sucking tentacles on bis unprotected limbs. In another moment the head of the repulsive monster was seen dimly through a surrounding of mirky flnid. Its parrot beak touched the breast of the adventurous swimmer before the real gravity of tho situation was experienced. Realising his peril, the bold exploiterer tore with fierce energy at manifold stripes of slimy flesh which were darting forth to enfold him. The straggle was a long one, but at length the horrorstricken man had the gratification of seeing some of the long arms of his foe paralysed, and drop from bis nervous grasp. With a vigorous wrench he managed to free himself, bleeding, breathless, and well-nigh beaten in his terrible battle with the sea monster, and regaining the upper earth, he lost no time in making his way to the opposite shore, well assured of having escaped a deadly peril.”