EXPLORER'S ADVENTURES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 69, 17 April 1909, Page 3

EXPLORER'S ADVENTURES.

I ENCOUNTER WITH BLACKS, A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. Mv Frank 11. Hauii, the well-known Australian explorer, has told a thrilling storv of an exploration trip Jie has just completed ill West Australia. He described how about 2.j0 miles from Luvertnn he noticed native fires, which led him to the conclusion that blacks were following his party, and continues ; ".lust before daylight 1 noticed their fires again spring up, and then walked towards them without firearms. On seeing me they moved away, each carrying a lirestick. I made signs to thciu to come to me, which they did. I told them—four in number, all naked—by means of signs to sit down, and asked the sharpest one to show me their camp, at which 1 discovered no weapons of any sort. Taking them to my camp, I fixed np a big billy of-boiled rice and raisins and one of tea, well sweetened, and Wen told Plunieridge, who accompanied me. not to let the blacks leave the camp, and I knew from previous experience I bat they would steal anything. Taking the same smart one with me, I went down the gorge to get water, and made him haul a sufficient supply for the camels and horses. He wanted to get away, but under my instructions my black boy | would not let him.

" On the return to samp the wur of them finished the rice and drank the tea, as we wanted to pack the billies. 1 tied a large piece of Turkey red round the smart fellow's body una a wnue Handkerchief round his neck. I started Talbot back on my tracks, which was indistinct, and then went on to a point to take some sights. The point is about a quarter of a mile from the camp. I parted from my four durk friends on thej best of terms, and then went on to over-; take Talbot. 1 had to travel slowly' over the atony ground, and t'acn proceeded at six miles an hour. But when two <niles from the camp I happened to glance behind me just before emerging from a clump of inulga, I saw a nigger with a red band in the act of throwing I immediately bent low, and at the same time my mare threw up her head and nearly stove my face in. A spear just grazed my back. The back made a bolt for the dill'. I turned my mare, had a shot, and heard a yell. 1 was successful in cutting him off from the cliff, although I was suffering severely from the pain in my face. The other three men faced me with their The leading one missed me with a womberra. I again escaped, and taking the opportunity 1 made off. Talbot, on hearing my shot > came galloping up, but as the blacks had reached the cliff there was no hope of getting them. " The idea must have been to kill me, and then they would have killed l'lumeridge and Talbot, who suspected nothing, and take possession of the outfit. HaU 1 shot the black with the red band 1 would havo cut off his head and sent the skull to Mr Brockman, of Perth, who asked me to send him one, as a friend of his in London wanted one. 1 was very sorry that I could not send him. four, but later on I got him a splendid one. We seemed to have struck a bad lot of blacks on the journey, ones 1 have not seen before. The Ainslie Gorge, which cuts through Tom Brown Range, is nearly a mile in length. Going through we came to a eoak I discovered five years ago. While cleaning this out we again saw blacks, but on seeing us they cleared. While engaged on cleaning I had another providential escape, as on turning round I saw another black with a spear aimed at me. My rifle was 20ft away, but happily no harm was done. These experiences have opened my eyes in regard to the blacks, and I must say that it is absolutely unsafe for any party to venture out without being thoroughly prepared, and someone must stop in charge of their camp, otherwise these blacks would steal anything, and place the party in a hopeless and perilous position.