AUCKLAND MAN’S ESCAPE

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1930, Page 9

AUCKLAND MAN’S ESCAPE

WOUNDED BUFFALO ATTACKS

THRILL’S QN AFRICAN EXPEDITION

WAS SERIOUSLY GORED IN THIGH

(By to N®ws.) Auckland,, Last Night. Thrills sufficient to last most people a life-time fell to the lot of Mr, IH. Thomas, Auckland, on his first big game expedition in Africa. He had a miraculous escape from death in an. encounter with a wounded buffalo. Mr. Thomas returned to Auckland to-day with Mr. J. Holmes, leafier of the party of three sportsmen who made the trip. The third member, Mt. A. MacKinnon, Auek, land, returned through Wellington.

Mr. Thomas’ encounter with the wounded buffalo was an unenviable experience. “Wo had just entered M’wamba Valley,” Mr. Thomas said. “One morning Mr. MacKinnon and myself left the camp together to follow the trail of an elephant. For a while we tramped through typical African bush country—fairly open—with our’ gun boys and native trackers and suddenly came upon two buffalo bulls. They were fine animals and the opportunity was too good to miss.

“One shot killed one hull but the other bull was only wounded. Wo startc to track him to finish him off. We followed ffis tracks for about two hours, traces of blood here and there showing US that he had beep hit. But the African buffalo is a fierce animal with a considerable amount of cunning and this particular fellow was no ex? ception to the rule, He deliberately ambushed us! “Mr. MacKinnon had branched off to have., a look at th© country from the top pf an ant hill and I happened to be nearest to the trackers. Suddenly as they approached a fallen tree the buffalo sprang up and came at US at close quarters, The x trackers 'had almost walked on top'of him! They dashed in all directions hut their presence in front of me. delayed mo a bit and I could only get one. shot at the infuriated beast. ; ..;' ' ' • ' , “Then th© buffalo made for me, I ran for a tree but lie was wonderfully quick and he bustled me tfway from any cover. He made one vicious, lunge and struck me a glancing blow on the side, ripping my clothing. 1 “Then before I could got clear he lifted me right off th© ground by on© leg. I managed to hang on tp his horns, but while I was ©n ids back MacKinnon could not shoot for fear of hitting me. “Finally the beast shook me off and as J lay on tho ground I felt fil© huge chest pin me down, Then I heard a trifle bark and saw blood spurt ffrom the beast’s shoulder. Mr. 'MacKinnon had had to take careful aim but his shot mad© the buffalo straighten up and j was able to crawl clear- Mr, MacKinnon fired again, hitting the beast in the face, By -this, time I haff' managed to pick up my rill© and with a couple of shots J finished him pff.” Mr, Thoma? had been seriously gored in the thigh. Great care ha© tp be taken with any wounds in tropical. Africa and ers took.him 20 miles to a mission stiction. — ' - - ■ ■ - •

“I am recovered now Mr. Thomas Aaid. “Everything poflsibi© wa© done for me at th© mission ©tatjon but I have reason to he thankful for the rest- of, my days for tfiftt ©hot’from Mr. hUc? Kiimpn that got my friend the buffalo in th© ©boulder,” 1 ’