STOCKMAN’S PLUCK.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1925, Page 3

STOCKMAN’S PLUCK.

TALE OF EXDUItAXCH. SYDNEY, July 3. -Many deeds of everyday heroism oeeui- in the Australian hush without ever being heard by the dwellers in comfortable city homes. Old-timers will say that these deeds are becoming fewer and lower, hut now and again one such act receives the publicity it merits and so refutes the allegations that the Australian bushmnn of to-day is not what lie used to he. A striking example of the pluck of a Queensland stockman, which lias just received space in the Brisbane newspapers, has directed attention to the fact that the breed ol the outback still runs true.

While out mustering on the Buckingham Downs .Station on June I Ith, \\ 1 12i;ini I 1 it/.gerald, head stockman, contracted a chili during a spell of bitterly cold weather. He was then on a remote part of the run. hut as the cattle were already mustered, they had to he taken to the nearest water, about 20 miles away. Fitzgerald's illness became worse, and the pain became so acute that every time ho coughed, agony toned him to his knees. His ill ties s grew so bud and the pain so excruciating that he was forced to lie down, lie sent his musterers on with tlie cattle, and alter rolling himsell in a blanket directed his black hov to go on a horse and acquaint tlie manager of the station of his plight. The hoy rode 15 miles and telephoned to the head station, 35 miles furthei on. Fitzgerald, left alone, had only a waterhag of muddy water to sustain him. flis plight became worse. Ants, scenting a weak victim, swarmed over him. and the agony of ants stings was almost unbearable. Every movement he made in an effort to drive them off only added to his torture. In these < irctimslam-es he welcomed cold drizzling rain which set in about I o’clock in the afternoon. The cold became more intense, hut the ram drove away the ani.x. lankily. Fitzgerald had a tent lly. and despite extreme pain he managed to pul! it over him. There ito lay resigned to a long wait through hours of darkness, with the night rain becoming heavier. As soon as tlie staiion manager received the black hoy’s message by telephone. lie set out after 111 o’clock at night ill n car to find Fitzgerald. All lie knew was that Fitzgerald was from 2(1 to 25 n-jles away from the nearest road, and to get there he would have to go through a range of hills, then travel over a dozen or more broken gullies and some difficult creeks. It meant a journey of 70 miles by road, and then would follow the worst part of the trip. Rain poured all night, fiiit the manager’s sense of direction was almost uncanny and never failed him. How lie found Fitzgerald lias since puzzled the oldest and most experienced biishmen.

The manager found Fitzgerald at daylight. Fitzgerald was then in a had nay. lie was placed in the ear. and the return journey of ISO miles' to the ('oneui'rv Hospital enmincnoei K Everv ijolb of the ear brought Fitzgerald pain. Inti tl e hope of eventual relief kept him cheerful. The following morning he was out of danger.