CHILDREN'S GREAT BRAVERY.

Taihape Daily Times, 12 April 1918, Page 7

CHILDREN'S GREAT BRAVERY.

The “London Gazette” announces that the King nas been pleased to award the Albert Medal to Doreen Ashburnham, aged 11 years, and Anthony Farrar, aged 8 years, residing at Vancouver Island, hi recognition of the great bravery displayed by them in the following circumstances On September 23, 1916, the two children left their homes at Uowichan Lake for the purpose of catching their ponies, and when about half a mile from home they ■were 'attacked by a cougar. They were almost upon the animal before they saw it crouching in a path at a corner. The little I grl was first attacked. The cougar sprang upon'her and she was knocked down with her face to the ground, the animal being on her back. The boy at once attacked the cougar with his fists and riding bridle, and drove the animal off the girl. It then attacked him, and his companion getting to her feet, came to his rescue, fighting with her clenched hands and bridle, and even putting her arm Into the cougar’s mouth to try to prevent it from biting Anthony. She succeeded in getting it off the boy, and it stood on its hind legs and fought with her, but evidently it was disturbed by some sound, for presently it slunk away and ran under a log. where it was afterwards killed. The children, though both bady injured, were able to make their way home. The cougar measured over 7ft from nose to tip of the tail. (The cougar is an animal of the cat family, tawny brown in colour, without spots. It is called also puma, panther, catamount, mountain lion,, and American lion.)