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On Friday； the 15th； I was going into Bungay when at the level crossing on the Bungay road I was hailed by two plate…layers； who are named respectively George Arterton and Harry Alger。 These men informed me that the dog had been killed by a train； and took me on a trolly down to a certain open…work bridge which crosses the water between Ditchingham and Bungay； where they showed me evidence of its death。 This is the sum of their evidence：
It appears that about 7 o’clock upon the Monday morning； very shortly after the first train had passed； in the course of his duties Harry Alger was on the bridge； where he found a dog’s collar torn off and broken by the engine （since produced and positively identified as that worn by Bob）； coagulated blood； and bits of flesh； of which remnants he cleaned the rails。 On search also I personally found portions of black hair from the coat of a dog。 On the Monday afternoon and subsequently his mate saw the body of the dog floating in the water beneath the bridge； whence it drifted down to the weir； it having risen with the natural expansion of gases； such as； in this hot weather； might be expected to occur within about forty hours of death。 It would seem that the animal must have been killed by an excursion train that left Ditchingham at 10。25 on Saturday night； returning empty from Harlestone a little after 11。 This was the last train which ran that night。 No trains run on Sunday； and it is practically certain that it cannot have been killed on the Monday morning； for then the blood would have been still fluid。 Further； if it was living； the dog would almost certainly have e home during Sunday； and its body would not have risen so quickly from the bottom of the river； or presented the appearance it did on Thursday morning。 From traces left upon the piers of the bridge it appeared that the animal was knocked or carried along some yards by the train and fell into the brink of the water where reeds grow。 Here； if it were still living — and； although the veterinary thinks that death was practically instantaneous； its life may perhaps have lingered for a few minutes — it must have suffocated and sunk； undergoing； I imagine； much the same sensations as I did in my dream； and in very similar surroundings to those that I saw therein — namely； amongst a scrubby growth at the edge of water。
I am forced to conclude that the dog Bob； between whom and myself there existed a mutual attachment； either at the moment of his death； if his existence can conceivably have been prolonged till after one in the morning； or； as seems more probable； about three hours after that event； did succeed in calling my attention to its actual or recent plight by placing whatever portion of my being is capable of receiving such impulses when enchained by sleep； into its own terrible position。
On the remarkable issues opened up by this occurrence I cannot venture to speak further than to say that — although it is dangerous to generalise from a particular instance； however striking and well supported by evidence； which is so rarely obtainable in such obscure cases — it does seem to suggest that there is a more intimate ghostly connection between all members of the animal world； including man； than has hitherto been believed； at any rate by Western peoples； that they may be； in short； all of them different manifestations of some central； informing life； though inhabiting the universe in such various shapes。 The matter； however； is one for the consideration of learned people who have made a study of these mysterious questions。 I will only add that I ask you to publish the annexed documents with this letter； as they constitute the written testimony at present available to the accuracy of what I state。 Further； I may say that I shall wele any investigation by petent persons。
I am； your obedient servant；
H。 Rider Haggard。
To the Editor of The Times。
The editor of the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research says：
This case is one of very unusual interest from several points of view。 It is； therefore； specially satisfactory to have it so well authenticated； and Mr。 Rider Haggard deserves the gratitude of psychical researchers for having collected all the available evidence so promptly and pletely and put it at the disposal of the scientific world。
This experience produced a great effect upon me； and at first frightened and upset me somewhat； for without doubt it has a very uncanny side。 By degrees； however； I came to see that it also has its lessons； notably one lesson — that of the kinship； I might almost say the oneness； of all animal life。 I have always been fond of every kind of creature； and especially of dogs； some of which have been and are as very dear friends to me。 But up to this date I had also been a sportsman。 Shooting was my principal recreation； and one of which I was； and indeed still am； extremely fond。 Greatly did I love a high pheasant； at which sometimes I made good marksmanship。 But now； alas！ I only bring them down in imagination with an umbrella or a walking…stick。 From that day forward； except noxious insects and so forth； I have killed nothing； and； although I should not hesitate to shoot again for food or for protection； I am by no means certain that the act would not make me feel unwell。 Perhaps illogically； I make an exception in favour of fishing； and I daresay that if salmon came my way I might once more throw a fly for them。 I do not think that fish feel much； also I always remember that； if He did not fish Himself； our Lord was frequently present while others did； even after His Resurrection； further； that he ate of the results； and indeed by His power made those results more plentiful。 Lastly； on one occasion — I allude to the case of the coin that was paid for poll…tax — this fishing was not carried on for the sake of food。
Again； harmful creatures must be destroyed since man must live； and so must those that are necessary to his physical sustenance； such as sheep and cattle； that is； until he bees a vegetarian； as perhaps he will one day — a long while hence。 In fact； subsequent to this date； I fell into great trouble and was held up to the readers of sundry journals as a cruel br