AN ISLAND EPIC.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 19391, 17 August 1928, Page 12

AN ISLAND EPIC.

A LIFE SACRIFICED. MELBOURNE MAN'S NIGHTMARE , JOURNEY. (THOU OUa OWN COB.BESPONDENT.) SYDNEY, ■ August 9. The tragic death in the New Hebrides of Mr Angus McPhail, a young Melbourne surveyor, first suspected of, having been murdered by the natives, has been cleared up by the arrival in Sydney of his partner, Mr C. Dalton, and by letters reecived by Mr McPhail's relatives and close acquaint-, ances. Pieced together they tell, an ,epie story, of, heroism and adventure, so much so that over McPhail's. grave might .be ' written the epitaph: ■ "Greater love hath no • man than this, to lay down his life for his friend." Messrs Dalton and McPhail were engaged by the Condominium Government of New Hebrides in a survey 01 the island of Malekula. They were, together with natives in a most isolated section for. four months, when, owing to the failure of the steamer connexion, their provisions ran out. Dalton went down with fever. The . only planter, in the vicinity was also short ; of food, and he could not keep the full party. Taking a few native?) McPhail set out for Bushman's Bay, 30 miles f across wild country. He reached his objective all right, but,had to go through a nightmare owing to the treachery of the natives. In a letter to a Melbourne friend he stated that fio suspected! that .the. natives were taking him in the wrong direction. Before many hours had passed he was certain of it, and he grew very uneasy, because of the curiosity he aroused in the native _ villages, A couple of natives showed. distinct signs of insurrection, so .he' decided to disarm the police boys. .He told them plainly, what would happen.if they did, not alter the route. They eventually obeyed and his "progress for three days after that' was made with the natives ; in front of his rifle.' For/two nights, he was not able to sleep. He had'to; keep himself awake with • his gun across his knees. If he had dozed for a minute-he might have been killed. Apparently he arrived at Bushman's Bay in a weak condition,, but after only a short spell he > set but again fdr camp of-his friend, laden with food; and medicines. Mr,Dalton waited, for a fortnight, but McPhail did not'arrive. What actually happened on that return trip is not yet definitely known, nad probably never'will be known. Mr! McPhail, with his system > weakened, was evidently attac&ed."..-'■ with blackwater fever, and he managed to get back to Bushman's Bay. He . died there in the Mission Hospital a few. days, after he wrote recounting.: his terrible experiences; Thus ended W 28 a life that was full of promise. '-'■"'"';