A STRANGE STORY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9068, 7 February 1908, Page 3

A STRANGE STORY.

One of the weirdest sensations of modern times has just occurred in Belgium. The population rin 'the neighbourhood of the forest of Soignies had been living in a Estate of fear owing to the appearance in the forest of an unknown animal, which was reported to be of {gigantic stature. It was seen to 'move quickly along the branches of the trees, but -always mysteriously disappeared. Finally an expedition to hunt the -creature was organised, and the members of the p -rty secreted themselves in a part of the forest where it had frequently been seen. After waiting far several hours, without result, they were finally rewarded iby the appearance in the thicket of a man, with flowing disorderly hair and a long matted aboard. He was almost naked, and was jumping from branch to branch like a monkey. The hunters tried to seize him, but he got away in the depth of the thicke and could not be found. Next day the man-ape was captured by a crowd of villagers, who surrounded him. He was covered with short hair, exactly like an orang-outang. He shrieked when captured, but made no attempt _ to reply to the questions put to §him. He was offered some bread, which he ate ravenously. It was noticed ■that he wore round his neck a chain, do | which was attacked a medal, bearing the word “Mygrean.” The police discovered that this was the name of a Norwegian barque which was wrecked on the French coast in 1895. No survivor was found at the time, and it was at once conjectured that the man had escaped from the wreck and had become insane. Baron Orynsdal. the Norwegian philanthropist, heard of the case, and supplied funds to have the captive sent back to Norway. The man was taken aboard a Norwegian ship at Antwerp, and his identity as a member jof the crew of "the wrecked Mygrean was dramatically established, As he went aboard, the captain addressed him inNorweigan. The man was seized with violent emotion, and fell on the deck in a 'fit. When he recovered he was able to answer the captain’s questions sensibly, and told how he had lived in the forests of France and Belgium for the last twelve years.