MASTER’S CLOTHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 340, 28 April 1928, Page 29

MASTER’S CLOTHES

VICTORIAN FLOOD EPIC The epic of the Gippsland floods was told recently by “Scotty” Macpherson, formerly a trawl fisherman In Scotland, who was marooned in the top of a willow tree at Calulu, 15 miles from . Bairnsdale, for some hours one night, with flood waters rapidly rising about him. And the hero of the story is “Scotty’s” dog “Squizzy.” Intense cold finally forced “Scotty” to discard his clothes and swim for safety, as he felt he could not keep his precarious perch in the tree for much longer. Swimming across a 20 yard stretch of swirling flood waters, strewn with logs and debris, he finally reached dry land, after having been carried some distance by the strong current. When he decided to risk swimming the flood, “Scotty” took off all his clothes end put them in the fork of a tree. Squizzy mounted guard on them, and remained on the tree when his owner swam off. Still in Tree “Scotty” reached the home of Mr. Peter Cox, where he was put to bed. Early the following morning he returned to the floods to find Squizzy still on guard. The flood waters were up to the dog’s neck, and still rising slowly. "Scotty” whistled him twice, and the dog left the clothing and swam to safety. The man and his dog got into difficulties with the floods when driving along the main read, near Calulu. As dusk was coming on “Scotty” saw the mailman stranded on the far side of a stretch of flood waters. Diving through this, “Scotty” brought the mailman across without mishap. He then saw a cow stranded on the far side, and went back to rescue it. The flood was rising rapidly, however, and when about 20 yards from safety the man and dog were washed off the cart by powerful current. Hacked Horse Free “Scotty” spent half an ho | • hacking at the harness before he could free his horse, which swam to safety. Not caring to risk the swim with all his clothes on, “Scotty” made for the tree, where he intended to remain till help came. “Scotty” was a-bed early that night, and “Squizzy” was on guard once more—this time at the front door of his owner’s tiny cottage in Main Street, Bairnsdale.