LOST IN THE BUSH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 24 July 1909, Page 4

LOST IN THE BUSH.

A YOUNG MAN’S EXPERI-

ENCE. 1

The Otaki Mail, publishes. ths experiences of Mr Hugh Cockrell, who was recently lost in the bush, at the back of Otaki. Mr Cockrell says

On Friday, 9th July, Mr Walter Jttdd and I started out from Mr Judd’s whare, at the “Forks,” to drive back some cattle that had strayed into the bush on Mr Sheridan’s property adjoining Mr Judd’s. We came upon the cattle we were in search of, two of which immediately made off further into the bush. My companion, with his dog, started off in pursuit of these. I remained to guard the two beasts that were left, which, after about half-an hour’s waiting, began to grow restless, and finally broke away from me, following in the footsteps of their comrades. I pursued them, and finally managed to head them, but by that time concluded I had better look after Mr Judd ; consequently I traced him and came across the cattle he had evidently abandoned. I endeavoured to head them, so as to start them on their way home, but they again broke away from me. It was then about 2.30 p.m., I thought it was time to start for home. Thinking the quickest way would be down the creek, I decided to take that route, but not being a very experienced bushman, clambered down the wrong side of the gully, and found myself in the head waters of the Waiotaura, the main branch of the Otaki river, the locality of which I then had no, knowledge. Knowing that my only way of escape lay down stream, I continued my way, hoping to find a bushman’s camp before night. As I proceeded, the stream grew bigger, until I found my way blocked by a 10ft waterfall, barred across the top by two huge tree trunks. I resolved to climb the hill again, light a fire on top, and spend the night there* When I reached the top I discovered a dry tree, but found to my chagrin that I had left home without a single match. I tried the method of starting fires by rubbing two sticks together, but the wood not being hard or dry enough I was unsuccessful. I decided to go down the cliff again, thinking it would be warmer there during the night.: When only half-way down darkness came on. I crouched under a log, but, as it rained all night, it was rather damp, and I did not have many minutes’ sleep. At daybreak I proceeded cautiously down the cliff till I reached the river again. I had lost my leggings the night before. As all my provisions had been eaten on Friday, I had to be satisfied with cold water for breakfast. All day Saturday I proceeded down the stream, and at night scratched out a hole beneath a log, which I lined with fern leaves, and there made myself as comfortable as possible, endeavouring to court the god Morpheus. My feet and shins had by this time become so benumbed that I felt neither bruises nor cold. My clothes, too, were getting very dilapidated, the left leg of my trousers > being torn from the bottom almost up to the thigh, and the seat of my nether garments being a minus quantity, scrambling over rocks. Luckily I was fairly warmly clad, otherwise it would have fared very badly with me. Once I had to swim for it, and on another occasion I was washed over a boulder by the swift current of the stream; On Sunday afternoon I came across a pair of blue mountain ducks, but tailed to catch, them, although they were very tame. As the afternoon waned I climbed the cliff and found a dry rata log in which to sleep, that being the only good night’s rest I really had. On Monday, having lost heart somewhat, I wandered along the banks of the stream, only going down to the water when I wanted a drink. Being unable to find any nikau, the'only food I had was a handful supple-jack berries, plenty of water being ; needed to wash, these down. It rained fairly heavily on Monday Vafternoon,, so I sat under a big log that projected from the hill.. This protected my body, while'to shelter my legs I built a smalT hut'Off ern fronds, and there I lay" fiU'Tuesday morning. The nigbt being, bitterly i cold—it was a hard white frost—l did not rise with my customary alacrity but waited till the sun was up, when I slowly dragged my weary limbs up the cliffs. I awoke that morning with a premonition that I would be rescued that day. About half-past two in the afternoon, when about three-quarters of the way up the cliff, T thought I heard voices on the opposite side, and gave vent to a coo-ee, which was speedily answered by a shot and another coo-ee. It did not take my rescuers many, minutes to climb, down the side of the cliff and up to the other to .teach me, and I was never more pleased to see the faces of those two young men, Messrs Walter Judd and Jack Fraser. A fire was speedily lighted, at which I warmed my aching, litnbs, and changed my wet coat for one of their dry ones. After I was fairly warm these two set to work, taking turns to carry me on their backs down the cliff,, which at this .place was very steep. For about the last chain we had to slide. A supple-jack was passed' round a tree, this I gripped, and' thus lowered myself as far as' I could. Afterwards one took my feet, and the other the collar of my coat, and thus \ve scrathbled to the foot of the cliff. A couple oft horses had been left about half-a-' mile down the stream, so again I had a . turn ,at pick-a-back, not being allowed-to walk, as I would/ have made too slow progress. Ou>