GORED BY A BULL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1518, 27 November 1886, Page 4

GORED BY A BULL.

The Taranaki Herald, of the 17tb, pnbliihee the following itriking instance of pluck on the part of a mere lad named Alfred Wade, at Mangaeri:—On Monday morning Mr Wide went ta shift a ball which wee tethered byaffcheip on the hill tide near the home. On Mr Wade approaching, the animal ehowed •uni of being much infuriated, and diihed madly at him. Mr Wade quickly itepped back eo aa to get beyond the length of the i tether,'but Ai the chain waa faatened to the bnll’a ’horna it inajljped with a tremendou jerk, and Mr Wade waa in an inatant in the bnll’a power. Tt caught, him 'on the aide, tosaed him many feet in the air—the ion aaya nearly aa high aa the home, which is "mere than twelve feet—caught him fgain, and flung him aome diatanoe down the hill aide. She animal wai about to follow up hia attack when Alfred Wade, who ia fifteen year* of age, and who waa a witneaa of the terrible aoene, hastened without any hesitation towards the maddened beast with the intention of rendering assistance. Mr Wade, who though suffering irom almost mortal injury was yet completely conscious, warned bis ion “for Hearen’s sake not to venture to come near or the bull would kill him,” Undeterred by thia reminder of the danger he waa incurring young Wade come to his 1 father’s aide and boldly faced the bull,* 3 when the animal seemingly amaied at the youth’s audacity, •topped short for a moment or two. In the meantime Mra Wade had been alarmed by her little daughter, who ran into the home ahd eried out, “ The bull has killed father.” Mra Wade harried outside to ascertain what had happened, and saw her husband lying on the ground apparently dead, and her intrepid •on atanding by hia aide facing the auailant, which seeined still undecided what next to do. Mrs Wade waa also about to rmh to her •trioken hmband, when Alfred called to her, “ Keep baok, mother; keep back.” Mra Wade cried oat asking hat what ahe should do. The lad replied that she was to gat a rope and give to hia little slater to bring to him. Mra Wade did eo, and, proving that bravery is not confined to one member of the family, the little girl boldly advanced to her brother with the rope. Alfred then, with the utmoet coolneaa and steadiness, walked 'toward! the boU and aeissd the end of the chain that was on its horns. He then essayed Do thefbrute away, and, astounding to -rellte, the animal became at onoe subdued by the pluoky and commanding attitude assumed by the boy. It, however, snorted and trotted round the lad onoe or twioe, during which time the boy was in., terrible suspense, not knowing whether,the bull would'turn on him.' fortunately,' by hie presence mind land intrepid , conduct he overawed the brute, which then quietly submitted to beinf led; and on completing thia part of hia task; young Wade went to a neighbour's for assistance, and afterwards galloped ointo town for Dr •Iwatham.w'M

Alfred conduct has such a manly and heroic ring about it that it: .everybody’s i admiration.. Bren Mr Wade ’himself, who is hovering-bstween life and death, forgets his own pain and his critical condition, and dilates' upon the heroism and bravery of his ion..' A Boyal Humane Society's medal cannot reward inch an action as that of this Taranaki lad, for stub self? sacrificing devotion and bravery are acore sll reward. But the official recognition' of bravery s'rtonld certainly be extended to l the hero of this episode,. for if it falls short of •oßoently honoring him it will at all-events tphblisb his action far ahd widefortheemulation of other colonial- youths. A telegram to hand- on Thursday states that Wade, is repotted to be; improving. He, however, is not able to move,his legs or arms.