TAKING A BULL BY THE HORNS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVI, Issue 993, 24 November 1883, Page 3

TAKING A BULL BY THE HORNS.

An incident showing great presence of mind and extraordinary muscular strength happened recently on a Scotch farm. Mr Archibald M'Donald, one of the five brothers who occupy the farm, was going over the grounds, accompanied by the shepherd, and when they were passing through the field in which the cattle were grazing, a bull that on previous occasions had shown an inclination to chase people, gave themchase. The shepherd, acowardly fellow, ran and left his master to his fate. Mr M'Donald could not run, having suffered a good deal from rheumatism, and is now obliged to use crutches. The bull approached and began to attack him, he doing his best to keep the bull at bay with the aid of his crutches. As good luck would have it, Mr John M'Donald, an elderly brother, happened to be outside the house at the time. He heard the cries and ran at once to the rescue. In his hurry he forgot to bring any instrument with him with which to fell the brute. As he ran it occurred to him that if he caught the bull by the horns he might keep him from doing more mischief till some help arrived. Accordingly, arriving at the spot, he caught him by the horns, and with one supreme effort gave a sudden twist of his head, dislocating his neck by the jerk, and in a moment the animal lay dead at his feet. Fortunately, Archibald was not seriously injured. It may be mentioned that John M'Donald was at one time champion athlete of Scotland, and even yet those who know him will readily believe that when thoroughly roused he possesses the strength of two ordinary men.

Sad news has been received at Adelaide of the party sent in search of Readford and party, east of Attack Greek, from Mr Skinner, of Alice Springs, who says :—": — " I have not yet had full particulars, but I believe that the whole party with the exception oi Mr Giles and a black boy, have perished for want of water. Mr Giles left Trooper Shirley about fifteen miles from Attack Creek apparently completely exhausted, but as there were thunderstorms about the vicinity, there were some slight hopes of his surviving, but the rest of the men, viz., J. Reeves, J. Hussey, George Phillips, and Arthur Phillips were left without hope of recovery. Mr Giles and the black boy walked fifty mU«a to Attack Creek."