LOST EXPLORER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22241, 16 October 1935, Page 10

LOST EXPLORER

MYSTERY OF JUNGLE COLONEL FAWCETT TRACfiD — SEARCH AMONG WILD INDIANS [fbom oue own correspondent] NEW YORK, Sept. 25 Two Englishmen who were reported missing for several months in the South American jungle recently returned to civilisation. They are brothers, Patrick and Gordon "Ulyatt, who had gone into the interior of Brazil, into the wild Matto Grosso region, interested in mining possibilities. They also believed they would hear something about Colonel Fawcett, English explorer, who has been missing in that sector since 1925, together with his son. The Ulyatt brothers had several talks with Mrs. Fawcett before they set, out, and she gave them all the facts sh« had regarding her husband's .plans. Needless to say, Mrs. Fawcett believe* her husband is alive. The two brothers went in by the north-west route; other expeditions had entered from the eastern side. The searchers met a number of Brazilian rubber gatherers, who warned them they should not go further as the In. dians wer« very hostile. They stopped at an old cainp of a white man, who went there gathering rubber, and learned that members of his party were all slain by Indians, but that he himself escaped. The brothers had a small dog, called Blackie, with them, their only com. panion, as their native bearer had deserted. Blackie growled one night and when they looked around they saw nine •: Indians naked, and armed with bows and arrows. The white men quickly decided that they would be killed, so, ai a gesture of peace they gave the Indians everything they had. The Indians made it clear by signs that the travellers must go back, so they went back, carrying their guns re. versed as another gesture of peace. They now had nothing— no food, no tobacco —and the rainy season came on. They were days without food. One of the brothers burned his boots while drying them at a fire, and he finished the journey on moccasins made of banana leaves. The men were frequently lost in the forest. .

They report having heard a good deal •about Fawfcett fiom rubber gatherers, Most of the natives they niet knew Fawcett, and the two brothers are firmly convinced that he is alive. The place where they believe he will be located is surrounded by a ring of unfriendly Indian tribes. The iHyatts say they are not surprised that no message has come out from the missing explorer.