A PLUCKY LAD.

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1668, 23 April 1874, Page 2

A PLUCKY LAD.

Colonial boys have their faults, but want of pluck is not among them. Instances are not at all uncommon where young boys plunge into danger to rescue others from it, and several cases of this kind have been distinguished by the recognition of the Royal Humane Society. It would be difficult to imagine one with better claims to such honorary distinction than that of the young Cecil Macmeikan, who, although only nine years of age, last week jumped into the Saltwater River with most of his clothes on to rescue two drowning schoolmates from the water. To reach the second of the boys their young rescuer had to dive below the surface—a feat which, in so critical an emergency, and. under such exciting circumstance!, is not always successfully performed by older and experienced swimmers. He, however, achieved it, and brought out his companion when lift or^eath was a question of a few seconds with him. This, heroic act occurred the day before the meeting was held at which resolutions were passed in favour of establishing a Victorian Humane Society, and the event shows that here we are by no means free from the dangers such a society is intended to le3son, or wanting in the eases of heroism which the society would feel itself pleasantly called upon to recognise with a suitable distinction. The conclusion of the paragraph relating the rescue is worth quoting for the lesson it gires to parents:—" It is worth while to explain how so young a lad came to be so cool and expert in the presence of such a danger as that in which he so usefully interposed. Some time since his father took possession of a house at Footscray, near to which and within the surrounding grounds there was an old quarry-hole, of considerable area, and six feet deep in places. For the protection of the younger members of his family he at first thought it necessary either to fill up this hole or deck it over, but it was a pictureique feature in his grounds, and capable of being rendered ornamental. So, on reflection,' he decided to teaoh his youngsters to swim,, and leave the quarry-hole open* • How successful his teaching was has already appeared. '—Australasian.