LOST IN THE BUSH

Waipa Post, Volume 44, Issue 3178, 14 May 1932, Page 3

LOST IN THE BUSH

ORDEAL OF PIG-HUNTERS. (By “ W.A.”) “How about a hunt? We can do with some meat,” remarked a young man of his friend. “ That would be fine. Would !omorrow do?” answered the friend. They settled it there and then. The name of the young man, a short, well .built, fair fellow was Henry Baker, and his friend’s, a tall, thin, dark, mid-dle-aged man, Jim Dawny. The former was down at Jim’s place on Saturday night, when the above-mentioned discussion took place and as Jim Dawny could do with some meat, they arranged to hunt for some the next day—Sunday. The sun rose ropnd and red, but Henry was up long before it, and he called his brother, a younger man, the same build as himself, only fairer and shorter. “ Go over and ask Stan if he would care for a hunt, as we are going out to-day,” commanded Henry of the younger brother. “ All right,” yawned Jeff. “ Good morning, Stan. Would you like to come hunting this morning? ” Jeff asked Stan some twenty minutes .later as a tall, dark, curly-haired, well-built young man made his appearance. “ I wouldn’t mind at all. In fact, I would enjoy it immensely,” answered Stan. “What time are you going? ” he added. “ As early as we possibly can,” said Jeff. “ Well, I can be ready by half-past seven,” broke in Stan. “Would that do? ” ' “That would do fine,’” answered Jeff. “ How many are coming out? ” asked Stan. “ Four of us, Henry, Jim Downy, you and myself,” answered Jeff. “I had better be getting back and get ready,” he added. “Hooray, Jeff, see you later.” “Good-bye, Stan,” Jeff threw over his shoulder as he turned and went his way. About an hour later the four men started off on their hunt. All rode horsesj Henry was in the lead because he knew the best tracks, and after crossing a bush clearing they entered a block of New Zealand forest comprising some 80,000 acres of land, into which the surveyors had cut a pack-track.

They rode on through the bush for half-an-hour, then dismounted, tied up their horses and started off up a ridge which the surveyors had called the marking up ridge, on foot. After travelling perhaps an hour, their dogs started bai’king down a gully toward the south. The hunters went in pursuit, and within half-an-hour had come to where their dogs were barking on a sow, which in due course they killed, but owing to it being in poor condition, they decided they would leave it in the bush and go on with the hunt.

Once again, up on the marking up ridge, they followed it for a time crossed a saddle and climbed up on a high hill, covered with broad-leaf trees and pepperwood saplings, which they afterwards discovered was the northern end of the Puke-a-ka-ha Range on the watershed. Here they all sat down and had a smoke. In due course they again started on their hunting expedition, and after travelling down on to another watershed, their dogs picks up and bailed, another pig, but not unlike the first, it was too poor for meat and consequently was left behind. Howevm, the hunters went still further in search of meat, and, after unsuccessfully travelling for some time, decided at last to give it up and make trades for home. They had barely started back when the dogs once more gave tongue. This time they could not bail their quarry quite so easily because what turned out to be a boar did not want to be caught just then. It gave them quite a long chase before finally bailing up, away down in a very broken basin where a well-known river starts. It is easy to imagine what the hunters thought when they came upon a pig very little better than the pigs already caught. However, they each took a piece and started off, at sundown, toward their horses. They had barely cover a third of the distance when darkness set in. Now had they lighted a fire, sat down, and waited for daylight, this story would never have been written. All night long they kept on, frequently bumping their heads and bruising their shins, but instead of walking nearer their horses, they were rapidly drawing away, and when daylight finally came, they were sitting down shivering. It was bitterly cold, and they had made themselves so tired scrambling through the thick bush they were unable to proceed further. “ We will build a fire and cook some of that boar we caught yesterday evening,” said Henry. “ That would be a good idea,” said Stan. “But we can’t eat just meat,” broke

in Jim, who was inexperienced in roughing it in the bush. “ I’m dashed hungry,” said Jeff. “We all are hungry,” said Stan, “ and the sooner we get a fire going the better,” he added as he proceeded to gather dry supple-jacks and twigs, enough to kindle a fire. A quarter of an hour later all four unlucky adventurers were squatting around the fire, spitting pieces of meat. “Mine is done at any rate,” said Henry, as he removed the now cooked piece of meat off his stick, replaced another raw piece, and proceeded to eat. Half-an-hour later, their hunger appeased, all started on their homeward journey, and after travelling all day were still a good day from their horses, so by dusk they made a fire, cooked some more meat, and ‘ lay to ” for the night. The next morning found them considerably refreshed, and after breakfasting an what was left of their meat, once again started on their homeward journey. After travelling for about an hour the hunters came upon two wild cows, which they killed, skinned and hung up, for they were only half-a-mile from their horses. On arriving at the horses and finding them still securely tied, the hunters mounted and rode out to Baker’s farm where they enjoyed the first real meal that they had had for over forty-eight hours, changed horses and returned for the meat which in due course they re-located and finally carried out. This is one of the many adventures that the back-block settlers frequently meet with while hunting wild pigs and catt’e to save expense of buying meat.