AN ADVENTURE ON THE RANGES.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 95, 20 October 1908, Page 5

AN ADVENTURE ON THE RANGES.

BUSHED IN THE RUAHINES

Last week a party of six Umutaroa settlers started out at daybreak to hunt for cattle in the Tamaki and iikmg the Ituahine ranges, the reason for the search being that last summer during the height of the bxish fires a number of cattle got away from the the various farms, and were supposed to be pasturing on the ranges. The six agreed .to, niuster div jra^rs,;:. each pair taking. a >; different direction,. Messrs Hughes and Hitchings, who are both good bushmen, electing to take .the roughest track tovya^ds the Ruahines. During the day snow began to fall, and by evening Messrs Hughes and Hitchings. "vyjere forced to the conclusion thatt.-'theyS w'erj©:'^ 'bushed," as the siiow obliterated all their tracks, and prevented them seeing for any distance either before or behind them. They were then in a sad plight, having no food and no blankets, while they wore only dungaree '.'suits" over their flannels. Fortunately they had matches, and mamaged to make a fire in a hollow tree, where they took off their sodden clothes to dry them, but -'the cold was so intense and they were so numbed that they could scarcely feel the snow falling on their bare skin, while their teeth chattered so that it was only with difficulty .they could converse with each other. There was also great difficulty in getting a place to lie down as the country was so steep and broken. Next morning at daylight they resumed their weary tramp, hungry, wet and cold. JThey decided to follow a river, which, .they crossed several times/waist deep, the banks being very steep. On leaving the river they were forced to walk or crawl through the dense bush up and down hill and gully, followed 1 by their three footsore dogs, three others having left them earlier, which was considered a bad omen, as they had never done so before. At the end of the day they were still, to all appearances, in the midst of impenetarable bttsli, and were forced to spend another" ' night out, but they managed to sleep, though faint and weak from the wairt^of food. Next morning (Thursday) "they were off again at dawn, but after a while Mr Hughes sat down, saying he could go no further, so Mr Hitchings left him, and climbed to the top of the nearest ridge, and was thankful. to see a house in. the distance. Letting his mate know the good hews, lie. started off, and reach the house; He there procured some food, with which he returned to Mr Hughes, and then, though very weak, they scrambled out of the bush, with their clothes torn to ribbons, faces and hands scratched, and bleeding, dogs completely done up, and altogether a sorry party. v On making enquiries they foiind that instead of striking Norsewood as they had intended, they had completely crossed the ranges, and were at the head of the Pohanr gina Valley, 20 miles or more from the railway. The settlers were exceedingly kind to them, and gave them food, boots, and clothes. They then had to face another weary walk of about 16 miles, when a coach took them on to Ashhurst, and they arrived in Daitnevirke at 8 p. m. on Friday night. .

Though looking gaunt and haggard, and feeling very stiff, neither of the participants in this unpleasant atfventure appear to have suffered any serious after affects. In all their long tramp they diet not see a living thing,' • except a young foal, quite alone, and there was hot even a berry of unv kind to be seen. To satisfy the craving for food they tried chewing gei-gei for a time, but found it very tough and not very satisfying, while their unpleasant experience was considerably intensified by the 'fact that it was snowing all the time, and there was not a single gleam of sunshine.