The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-08-07 00:00:00

A FIGH FOR LIFE.

Our readers will perhaps remember that last week
a bather in the Serpentine was almost overpowered by
a dog, whilst in the water, and that he bad great difli
culty in reacuing himself ; but that incident wan but
trifling in comparison with the following, the particu-
lars of which "W. I. G.," writing from Cookham,
July 27, has sent to The TOW :-

- -
Last Faturday I took my flout bathe of the season in the
beautiful and retired pool below the weir at °doer, near
Cookbam. This pool, like most of the weirs on the names,
is known to be dangerous when much water is coming
down, ea the under currents are very strong, flowing directly
back beneath the upper down currents until they reach the
hoarding, which is extensively undermined. As the river
was low, no danger was to be apprehended on this score,
even by a poor swimmer out of practice like myself. I had
with me a young retriever of very large breed, a famous
swimmer, which, whet-ding, I left on the bank untied. My
boatman, who is a flue swimmer, bathed at the same time
As soon eel took a "header" into deep water froni the
sill, the dog lumped in after me, following t. short distance
as I swam acrms the pool As I seemed to be able to keep
away from him. I never thought of danger or inconvenience
from this. After resting awhile, I started off again, swim-
ming on my back and plashing with my feet, when friend
doubtless thinking his master was in a bad way,
hastened with all speed towards me. Having turned on my
oreast, I ....then swimming leisurely away, about the middle
f the pool, which is over 15 feet deep, when I felt the dog
close upon me. his Claws scratching my back. I struck out
hard, but amid lint get away fast enough, his claws scratch.

Mg my back terribly, and bo,Ming my nose under water re-
leatedly, till he sent me right under many feet by Putting hie
paws on my shoulders. When I came up out of breath, and
with my mouth full of water, at his ride, I yelled out, as
well as I could, "Quiet, Bohn !" This wao heard above the
noise of the waterfall and called the attention of some gen-
tlemen near the bridge, but it failed in its effect on my
dog, who delighted to me me above water again, come
to fondle me, and, putting his paws em my sh'ul'le"
and heel, as he swam over me, shut me down under water
e v. r .to far.

Luckily. N tore gave me a calm temperament and Presence
of mind in 'lancers worse thou this, and as I was goner down
deeper and 41 per I said to myself. , "Oval God ! this dog
will drown me if I can't get away; my only chancels to dive
away from hi ni tinder water." Immediately I turned under
water and itruik oat, away, as fast as possible and Astons as ,
could. The lioatmau tells me he had seen or heard DO-
thing of this saimniing to the far side of the poi, when,
turning round at this moment, he saw neither of us, and he
got alarmed, as I kept so very long under water. He says
the dog must have dived after me.
When I mine up greatly spent and out of breath, to my
horror the dog was close to me. I struck out for the shore
for dear life, bat immediately be was upon me. I cast a dew
pairing glance around. I saw the boatman was too far on to
reach me In time, or even to get nie up in time if I sank In
the deep water, i saw the gentlemen running, and one run-
ning round to the nearest hank. I said, "They will come too
, late if I can't help myself now." I thought, "Shall I seize
hold of the dog? No he will tread me down In front before
I can turn myself round, and I cannot reach his back. Good
God' I shall be drowned if I don't mind."
. Again he was upon me. Again he trod me under with his
paws as he swam over me, sending me far down. The water
gurgled in my ears, the light above shone dim In my eyes as
I went down to the AMAMI; but, luckily for me, my brain
kept clear, and i could still think. It flashed across line,
"The only chance left me now into strike him hard on the
nose " Again I CAllle gasping and exhau.ted, and, luckily,
he was close to my right side, when, striking him with all iny
might on the tender part if Ma nine, i drove him away three
or four yards, avid then struck out for the shore,a race fir
dear life, my faithful dog cline at my ht els. I sawn gentle'
01 ill naming to the hank to help me. "Strength for a few
more strokes and I shall ti saved."
It was dlii heartfelt Or inkfu.ness I touched the ground
with my knees, and with utter exhaustion I staggered the
two paees up the liank, ene fell dow,i with heaviog chest and
gasping breath, unable to move, while my poor dog licked
ore all over to show his gladness at my having got our safe.
It San a quarter of an hour before I could stand, and the •
scratches on my back from stem to stern were something to
look at. flowerer, I wao determined not to give way to my
dread of the water after so narrow an escape, and, making
the boatman hold the dog, I got Into the water again and
swam a few strokes, then tumbled out, very glad to get Into
any clothes again. I know now what is best to be done If ever
I am in the some difficulties,
It was hours before I recovered my strength; so hard had
I fought for life in those few moments of time.
Having bail so narrow an escape of cry life, for probably
the dog would have prevented those from diving successfully
after me who were ready to help me, and whom I take this
opportunity most sincerely to thank, I think it becomes my
duty to warn all others, as few know what a dangerous com-
panion is a dog in the water, unless indeed specially broken
in, or swimming with those who, unlike the writer, are per-
fectly at home in the midst of the deep.