A RACE FOR LIFE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1518, 28 March 1887, Page 2

A RACE FOR LIFE.

Tbe "Albnry Banner" tells th« fol!<iwing thrilling snake story :— " A young lady oat la the Laoblan district, when re<nming to her Jodgtags a few days ago, observed a beautiful flower by the roadside, and paused to plack it. In the very act cf duiog no a snake fastened on her hand. Providentially the band ' was gloved. With great presence of mind. she tore off the glove and hurried to a eaidenfc o'ose by, and urged him to cut rhe piece out. Unforluoately the man was timid, and barely sbratohed the punctures, not drawing any blood, and then, with otkllous indifference to the poor girl* fare, left heir to find her way home, • dißtance of two miles, as best oho oonld. Arriving there she at once procured a horeo aud a man, »nd started • journey of 18 milea to reaoh the doctor, drnrcelj, horeror, had the covered six miles of her journey before the poiaon began to operate, and she reeled m her saddle. In grent alsrm, her companion threw his arm around her, but on trying «t the same time to catch her hone, the reins became entangled, and for a time 'viih riders were m imminent danger, until providentiolly t^e horses' wer« brought to a stand. Her companion then dismounted, and l»ying her gently on the nwurd, he rac^d for dear life t> a neighboring station, Here ha prooured «eslct&nce and two bottles of btaody, with which he rodt back to t'« now unconscious lady. With great d fficulty tbey got her a«'in m the saddle, ■ ud, tying i heir hornets' bridles to hers, continued their terrible ride, one man ■»nppor>iug her on cauh aide. Thai: they rode at a hard gallop for three more miles, when tha youi>»4 ( ady became delirious, and th«y found that iheir mutual efforts •:onld not »a vail to keep her m the saddle. In de*p»ir they dismnauttd ugain, and :<t-nt one of thcirnmober on at f nil spesd '•ir the doctor. The others remained b«* MnH ia a state more e&sity imagined than i^floribed. They hid 10 milss ttill to i.-avel on foot, with their now onoonteioai urden Tbey dragged her between

era alternately, plying her with brandy Mid beating her wi h their hands to keep he* f r m the UU\ slet*p. In this aitaailon f-ey were fortunately observed by a .eotlemsn if ho was driving Heat ones took her m hia buggy, *nd giving his tiorßßß their head, drove thnm at a killing pace till the doctor w.is reached At thU t me her condition was 10 critical that little h<>pe of saving her life wan eotar« ained, and her friend* were at one* onmninnJoated with. However, the doc"ir was of thi nil desperandum nehool. Be gave her no le&a than eevau iojsotioDß 'if ammonia, and two bottles of brandy, »nd k pt three persons the be»t of the niuht keeping np a frictioa on various parts of the body, and with saoh good results that by daylight the good newi wai traneraitted to her friendi, 'She lives to tell tho tale." 1