EXPLORER’S ADVENTURES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2483, 23 April 1909, Page 3

EXPLORER’S ADVENTURES.

ENCOUNTER WITH BLACKS.

A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE

Mr Frank H. Mann, the well-known explorer, made a communication to a press reporter at Morgans, Western Australia concerning his last journey in the inulga. It contains some remarkable statements. He describes how about 250 miles from Lavenion lie noticed native fires, which led him to the conclusion that blacks were following his party. He continuer-;: —‘‘Just before daylight I noticed their fires again spring up, and then walked towards them without firearms. On seeing me they moved away, each carrying a firestick. I made signs to them to come to me. which they did. 1 told them —four in number—all naked —by means of signs to nit down, and asked the smartest one to show me their camp, at which I discovered no weapons of any sort. Taking them to my camp, I fixed up a big billy of boiled rice and raisins, and one of tea, well sweetened, and then 'told Phnneridge, who accompanied mo, not to let the blacks leave the camp, as I knew from previous experience that they would steal anything. Taking the same smart one with me. I went down the gorge to got water, and made him haul a sufficient supply for the camels and horses. He wanted to get away, lmt under my instructions my black boy. would not let him. On the return to camp the four of them finished the rico and drank the tea, as we wanted to pack the billies. I tied a large piece of Turkey red round the smart fellow’s body and a white, handkerchief round his neck. I started Talbot back on. my tracks, which were 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 dark friends on the best of terms, and then went on to overtake Talbot. I bad to travel slowly over the stony ground, and then proceed at six miles an hour. But when two miles from the camp I happened to glance behind me just before emerging from a clump of nttlga. I saw a ni<>ger with a red hand 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 hack. Jno black made a bolt for tne cliff. 1 turned my-mare, had a shot, and heai d a veil I was successful m cutting him off from tin- cliff. ahbeugh I was suffering severely from the pain m my face, The other three th n need me with their spears. '1 he .eao.ng one missed me with a womberra. I again escaped, and taking the opportunity, I made off. Talbot, oil 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 Piumendge and Talbot, who suspected nothing, and take possession of the outfit. Had i shot the black with the red band I would have cut off his head and -sent the skull to Mr Brockman of f ertli, who asked me to send him one as a friend of his in London wanted one I was very sorry that I could not send him four, but later on I f£°t ‘P * splendid one. e seemed to mne struck a bad lot.of blacks on the journey, ones I have not seen before. Ihe Ainslio Gorge, which cuts through Tom Brown Range, is nearly a mile m length. Going through we came to a cleaning this out we again , ' but on seeing us they cle:ared M en pucrao-ed on cleaning 1 had a noth, l 1 tuga eu on C ® 0) . tunnng round 1 mw another with » spear amiccl \ )v r iHo was twenty toot away, lmt happily no h.m *» th T oit "ATtfi If:;. I ’, lV .ei bw-n hi steal anything, ami place de Imrty in a hopeless and penlovts pridtiou. .