The Howard union. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-28
A TRIP THROUGH A DESERT.

n Ihlf IhhOUUd OESEhl.
We extract from work entitled Travels
in Central Asia" by Arminius Vanberry,
the following thrilling sketch Ct trip
through the sandy desert Of Central Asia:
After leaving this hospitable sojourn, the
caravan penetrated further and further the
untrodden wilds Of Central Asia, until
they reached the sandy desert on the route
to Bokhard. Here they were doomed 10
encounter the most dismal terrors. II was
the month Of July. The first station brought
them TO sea Of sand, extending as far as
the eye can reach. On one side it was
formed into high bills like waves ashed
into that position by the storm. On the
other lille, it was like the smooth aters
Of still lake, serenely rippled by the
western wind. The camels and asses
sank 10 their knees at every step. Not a
bird was visible in the air; not q worm or
beetle upon the earth. The bones of those
who had persisted on the way, whitening in
the sun, as they lay collected in heaps to
guard the march of future travellers, formed
a sombre memorial of departed life. The
strength Of the cames had been exhaust.
ed before they entered the desert, and two
of them died at the first days station. The
terrible heat already left the travellers
without strength; two OF the poorer men,
bers of the company, who had tramped on
foot by the side of their feeble beasts, be.
came SO sick that they were unable to si
or ride, and had 10 be bound at full length
upon the camels. AS long as they were
able to ariculate, they kept excaiming
"Water water !" the only words tina,
escaped their lips. On the fourth day, onc
OF them was relieved BY death from thu
torments OF thirst Before he drew hi
last breath, his tongue was quite black, tn
roof of his mouth grayish white, his lip,
shriveIled, and the teeth exposed. Beior
leaving the desert, the author had only abou
six glasses Of water left in his leather
bottle. These he drank, drop by drop, t
appease the burning heat Presently hi
tongue began 10 turn black, and alarmed a
the danger, he drank off half the remaining
store at a draught, thinking thus 10 say
his life. But it only increased The fever il
his veins. His strength was gradual
leaving him, when the caravan was strucl
by the tebbad, poisonous wind of the des
ert, which had hurried rapidly toward then
with death in its appearance.
The cnmels, from which they lost no tim
in dismounting, uttered loud cry, fell Of
their knees, stretched their long necks CT
the ground, and strove TO bury their head
in the sand. The wind rushed up with
dull gathering sound, leaving the party
covered with crust of sand two finger.
thick. The first particles that touched III,
body seemed TO burn like a rain of flake.
of fire. Had they met the wind six mile.
deeper in the desert the whole caravan
would doubtless have persisted. The author
was left half dead. He could not dismoun
from his camel without as, istance. As h,
was laid full length upon the ground, fear
full fire seemed 10 almost consume his inte
rlor he was driven almost 10 madness b,
the pain in his head; he was apparent,
suffering the agonies of terrible death
Starting toward midnight on the periou
march, he fell asleep, aud, On awakening il
the morning, he found himself IN a mud hut
snrroundedby people with very long boards
He had no strength to speak TO them, bu
they kindly treated him, gave him somethin!
warm TO drink, and afterwards some soul
milk mixed with water and salt, which sool
set him once more upon his feet.