STOCKMAN’S PLUCK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19529, 11 July 1925, Page 21

STOCKMAN’S PLUCK.

TALE OF ENDURANCE. ILLNESS AND A DUTY. PAINFUL WAIT FOR HELP. (From Pra Own ('nnpFfvnvnirKT ' SYDNEY, July 3. Many deeds of everyday heroism occur in the Australian bush without ever being heard of by the dwellers in comfortable city homes. Old-timers will say that these deeds aro becoming fewer and fewer, but now and again one such act receives the publicity it merits and so refutes the allegations that the Australian bushman of to-day is not what ho used to be. A striking example of tho pluck of a Queensland stockman, which has just received space in tho Brisbane newspapers, has directed attention to tho fact that the breed of tho out-back still runs true. While out mustering on tho Buckingham Downs Station on June 14, William Fitzgerald, head stockman, contracted a chill during a spell of bitterly cold weather. lie was (hen on a-remote part of the run, but as tho cuttle were already mustered, they had to be taken to the nearest water, about 20 miles away. Fitzgerald's illness became worse, and the nain became so acute that every time ho coughed the agony forced him to his knees. His illness grew so bad and the pain so excruciating, that he was forced to lie down. Ho sent iiia muste.rers on with the cattle, and, after rolling himself in a blanket, directed his bluckboy to go on a horse and acquaint the manager of the station of his plight. The boy rode 45 miles, and telephoned to the head station, 35 miles further on. Fitzgerald, left alone, had only a water bag of muddy water to sustain him. His plight became worse. Ants, scenting a weak victim, swarmed over him, and the agony of ant stings was almost unbearable. Every movement ho made in an effort to drive them off only added to his torture. In these circumstances, he welcomed cold drizzling rain which set in about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. The cold became more intense, hut the rain drove away the ants. Luckily, Fitzgerald had a tent fly, and despite oxtieme pain, lie managed to pull it over him. There he lay, resigned to a long wait through hours of darkness, with the night ruin' becoming heavier.

As soon as the station manager received the black boys’ message by telephone, he set out after 10 o’clock at night in a car to find Fitzgerald. All he knew was that Fitzgerald was irom ;20 to 25 miles away from the nearest road, and to pet there ho would have to go through u range of hills, then travel over a dozen or more broken gullies and some difficult creeks. It meant a journey of 7(1 miles by road, and 1 hen would follow the worst part of the trip. Rain poured all night, hut ( the managers sense of direction was almost uncanny ami never failed him. How he found Fitzgerald lias since puzzled the oldest and moat experienced bushiiicn. The manager found Fitzgerald at daylight. Fitzgerald was then in a had way. He was placed in the car, ' and the return journey of 180 miles to the Cloncurry Hospital commenced. Every, jolt of the car brought Fitzgerald pain, but the hope of eventual relief kept him cheerful. The following morning he ,was out of danger.