DESERT MAN-HUNT

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1925, Page 6

DESERT MAN-HUNT

ACROSS AFRICAN WASTES. CAPETOWN, June 15. A man-hunt of 470 miles across the northern deserts of South-West Africa was related this week by Constable J. L. Hoffman, of the Camel Police. Three policemen of Grootfontein were instructed to pursue two stock thieves who were making their way toward the borders of Portuguese Africa, 470 miles away. The criminals had sixteen hours’ start. „ On camels, with enough rations for three days, the policemen set out. About 120 miles from the border one of the camels went lame, so that the pursuers had to take turns to walk. After adventures with lions and elephants, the police came at last to a mission station near the border. They had been told by natives that the thieves were resting at this station. Joyfully the weary policemen slipped off their camels and went to the door. The missionary answered their knock, but when questioned, replied “No, I’m sorry. Two persons crossed the river bolder an hour ago. I gave them some food, but they were unable to cat it. One of their horses tumbled over on arrival here.” Across the river' the disappointed policemen saw a huge fire blazing, and round the lire, of course, were the thieves. Next morning the police sergeant tried to lure the thieves back to the South-West African side of the border, but it was useless. Soon afterwaids began the journey back to Grootfontein. Food ' was running short, and a wild beast was killed. Lions prowled round the constables as they slept, disturbing the camels. Rifle fire drove the lions away. About 89 miles from Grootfontein a search patrol met the policemen,' who were absolutely finished. They had not eaten for two days, their last meal being one cup of mealie meal each. They had covered 1000 miles across the desert—and failed to get their men.