1 62 THE HORSE: ITS TAMING, 



the burning dynamite, which then began to hiss, and 

 throw off sparks, seeing which Wilson called upon 

 Hansen, who was standing on top of the waggon, to 

 come down. The two men then ran off, and when 

 about lOO yards away Wilson fell down exhausted, 

 Hansen being some 20 yards nearer the waggon. 

 At that moment the dynamite exploded with terrific 

 force, scattering pieces of iron in all directions, tearing 

 up trees, and cutting others clean through. Hansen 

 was unhurt, but Wilson was struck by something 

 which shattered his right arm and smashed his ribs. 

 Notwithstanding the nature of his wounds, however, 

 he mounted a horse and rode to the Twelve-mile, a 

 distance of about 100 miles from the scene of the 

 accident. He was then brought into town to the 

 hospital, where he was immediately attended by Dr. 

 Dyson ; but the injuries sustained, and aggravated by 

 the long ride, were of such a nature that Wilson died 

 on the following Saturday. An inquiry is being held 

 into the matter, but so far nothing has transpired to 

 show how the fire originated. The loading on the 

 waggon consisted of about two tons dynamite, general 

 ironmongery, steel tram-rails, some cases of chemicals^ 

 and a jar of acid was carried on the tail-board. The 

 explosion was felt many miles away, and where the 

 waggon stood there is now a deep hole. The Iffley 

 Hotel received such damage that the building entirely 

 collapsed two nights afterwards." 



