Bogged

1901

While traveling in Cornwall in 1891 Rev. S. Baring-Gould came near being overwhelmed in a bog. He and his companions got lost and at dusk found themselves in a bog called Redmire. Six bullocks had already been lost there that year. Mr. Baring-Gould's adventure is related in his "Book of the West."

"All at once I sank above my waist and was being sucked farther down. I cried to my companion, but in the darkness he could not see me, and had he seen me he could have done nothing for me. The water finally reached my armpits.

"Happily I had a stout bamboo some six feet long, and I placed this athwart the surface and held it with my arms as far expanded as possible. By jerks I succeeded in gradually lifting myself and throwing my body forward till finally I was able to cast myself at full length on the surface. The suction had been so great as to tear my leather gaiters off my legs.

"I lay at full length gasping for nearly a quarter of an hour before I had breath and strength to advance, and then wormed myself along on my breast till I reached dry land. My companion, it turned out, had had a similar experience."