LOST IN THE BUSH.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1926, Page 9

LOST IN THE BUSH.

SAILORg’ TERRIBLE .WALK. MEN ILL AND STARVING, RESCUED BY ABORIGINES. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 14, 8.30 p.m. . Brisbane, April 14. Rigged with a flour bag sail and patched with boards from kerosene cases, a sampan with four men, who said they had voyaged from China, was wrecked on a beach on the far north coast, while endeavouring to make Cooktown. Two members of the party, Poynton and Clements, set oft to walk through the bush to the township of Coen on April 5. The country through which they passed was so rough that their feet were soon bleeding, while the grass was higher than the men’s heads. Walking was agonising, and they were compelled to make canvas coverings for their feet, but they lasted only an hour or two. Their provisions ran out and the men were fed by aboriginals, who also undertook to guide them to Coen. On April 8 Poynton collapsed, and while Clements was attending him the guides decamped. While searching for water, Clements had a bad fall, and on April 10 both men were ill and starving. A party of blacks came across them and took them to the camp of a busliman named Dodds. The latter, however, was very ill and died tire following day. Clemente took two of Dodds’ horses, and, leaving Poynton to mind the eamp, rode to Coen, arriving there yesterday. Assistance was immediately sent to Poynton.