SAVING HIM BY BITS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 606, 15 November 1881, Page 2

SAVING HIM BY BITS.

Before the erection of the new pier at the Castle Rock, passengers from Dumbarton had to be conveyed down the Levon to the Clyde steamers hy a ferryboat rowed by two sturdy and g.morally elderly ferrymen. On one occasion an E iglish commercial traveller had seated himself on the gunwale of the stern One of the old ferrymen, aware of the danger to anyone so placed when the rope of the steamer should bo attached to the bow of the boat, took occasion to warn the man of his danger. “ Noo, ma man, come doun aS that or ye 11 coup ower.’’ The ba-man replied by te'ling him to mud his own business and trust him to take care of himself* ” Wee!” said the ferryman, * : mind I’ve * telfc yc ; as sure as ye’re girtin' t.ierew’*

ye’ll coup ower.” No so<m had Therope been attached and ohe boat got inevitable tug of tbe steamer than the f-liow went, heels over the stern, •‘Gowk, I.telt him that!” H<>wi v*r being in the water, it behoved that every eft'ort should be ma le to resciv’ him. So the ferryman made a grab at what s em- d the hair of Ids hw'd, whm a wig came away. Throwing t:u ; impatiently into the boat, he mnie a seo.'.rd gtip

the collar of his shirt, whan a front came away. (Jisling this from him with still greater scorn, he shouted to his companion, Tummas, com’* here am! help to save as muckle o’ this man as ye can for he’s cornin’ a’ tuva’ in bits !”