“DOGGED” BY A BOMB

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1934, Page 11

“DOGGED” BY A BOMB

SUDDEN END TO “FISHING TRIP.” EXPLOSIVES RETRIEVED. Christchurch, Feb. 2 ■ Four Christchurch young men have been frightened out of about 10 years of their lives by the playfulness of a faithful hound. Added to the hound was a bomb of a. highly explosive and dangerous character, which made all the difference, of course. It must be granted that the young,men attempted a breach 'of sporting ethics in the-first place. They were on a pig-shooting holiday in the hills near Kaikoura last week. C-ame a day so hot that such violent, exercise as pursuing the wily pig was out of the question. So the four, decided that they would try'exploding a bomb in the river, with the object of securing some trout. Such tactics are frowned on by the authorities, but the spot -was an isolated one. Dynamite or gelignite there was none, but many, rifle cartridges were broken open, and their charges used to make a bomb. A fuse that would burn under water was contrived, added to the bomb, and lit. Then the young men threw their .big bomb into the river, and departed in search of cover. It was at this critical juncture that the dog attached to the party decided that a delightful game was in progress. He leaped into the river, swam till he found the bomb, and proudly emerged from the water again with the comb m his mouth. As became a good retrieving dog, the hound sought his masters, intending to lay his trophy at their, feet.. The feet in question, however, were in Very much in vse.

To and fro galloped the panting and enthusiastic do£, while.the short fuse of the bomb fizzed -away, merrily. To and fro galloped the panting young men, far from merrily. The dog was showixuz; bU top speed. So were the young men. Desperate, they began to hurl stones at the dog, hoping to: drive him away with his dangerous prize. Every second the fuse became shorter. At the last moment, the stones took effect. The • dog, considering himself misunderstood, dropped the bomb and departed in high dungeon. ■ • He was barely out of the danger zone on the river bank when the bomb went off. It was a successful explosion. Had it happened in the water.... However four young men have made a belated New Year resolution about bombs, and a dog is extremely lucky that his head is still attached to his body.