A RACE FOR LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17131, 18 June 1927, Page 16 (Supplement)

A RACE FOR LIFE.

• TRIUMPH OF ‘‘LIGHTNING LAD.” ■ ‘ I: & (By Clarice E. Turner.) if ;t is over a year ago that I escaped :Sa terrible death, through the 'fleetness jand endurance of my horse, Lightning JLad, and had it not’ been for his great Strength*, I- shbuld not be here to relate tthe following narrative. _ 1 It happened in a jungle in the Congo, Swhere iny chum Ben and I were on a shunting expedition, in company with several natives. Our camp was situ ated in a small clearing in the depths silver streaks of dawn the approach of day we belean packing our provisions in preparaK for a day’s hunting. Leaving our fhorses in charge of two natives we set. SoiL Nearly a mile had been traversed ’'when we were startled by a gasping fcry from our guide. • -Bass 1 Bass i” he called. - I smell -fire. Run!” And before our astonished teyes he darted through the thicket. ; I stopped. Distinctly the odour of tburning brush floated to me, and with Linking heart the terrible truth flashed ‘upon me. The jungle was on Are l . *»perhaps our recent camp Are was the ‘cause. We stared dumbly at each Mother, and tore through the dense ?undergrowth like hunted beasts. | Fortune favoured us, and unconsciously we fled towards our camp. :As we reached the clearing Bens ‘horse reared on his hind legs, .gave one whistle, and sped inaperfect ifrenzy of panic and tear, right in our 1 direction. I leapt aside in the nick of ’Yime,"'fmiUbne hi the flying hoofs hit Ben on the head, dropping him like a stone. Lightning was neighing and stamping in apprehension, eager o flee, yet not liking to leave his master. Lifting Ben to the faithful beast s •ba<jk I leapt behind him, and the race began in deadly earnest. Like an arrow from a bow the steed flashed from the clearing with winged hoofs. By now the flames were leaping hungrily upwards, while columns , of !smoke rose to the sky. Out of the , bracken, voicing their terror, crashed * frantic animals,-while above the flames : flew screaming birds, and ever onwards tore the flery demon in relentless pursuit. Guided by instinct, Lightning was soon 'pounding:up a narrow track, dould we get out in time? Would our weight prove'too much? These tor- • men ting thoughts flashed through my mind. •’ ‘ r “On,? Lightning, old pal, onl 1 gasped,:, at • Jthe .’same, time discarding my pack to" lessen, the weight. Putting forth all his sinew and muscle 1 into his iron limbs the noble creature, with bulging eyes, and extended nostrils ran as he. had never run before. Trees flashed by, but ever behind came the cruel flames. ... Would we nfever come out of tins raging furnace? Once Lightning tripped and almost fell, but with a hurcuiean effort he. retained his feet. His pace slackened slightly. Distinctly I heard the dull roar of the lire. The double weight was telling. •‘Good lad i Show us what you can do," .I called in' the silky ear pointed back to *catch my words .of encouragc- , ment. And he did. With every ouneo of energy and every nerve strained he sprang forward, and simply “flew.” At last I "Dutwin the open we darted. Away from .the' glare and heat. Safe! And .Lightning had saved us. I slipped from his back- and laid Ben on the ground. Then 1 turned to my faithful friend, and,- ‘looking into his soft, understanding eyes, I thanked God for our deliverance.