New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-26
EXPLORING THE SAHARA.

DERR1-SkETCH OF A GREAT TRAVELLER III oNh
OF TIE SAME GRATITUDE EXPEDITION UNDER
THE AUSPICES OF THE KHEDIvE-FERIILE RE-
GIONs DISCOVERED TO BE ANNEXED TO EGYPT
fTRoh AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
WHnAR Germany. Nov. 22.-Last "Wednesday
evening a farewell supper was given here to the
distinguished African traveller, Gerhard Rohlfs who
for three years past has made his home in this quiet
little German capital. BY the courtesy OF Herr Won
Boianowski. the editor of the Weimdrische Zeiung
was enabled to be present and to hear the details OF
one of the most interesting plans of exploration
which has been undertaken of late years. Perhaps
its most remarkable feature is that it should have
been so long neglected or overlooked.
The name of Rohifs has been mentioned from
time TO time in connection with his previous African
journeys in the American newspapers; but sketch
of his wonderfully adventurous life viii no doubt
be new to most readers. He was born near Bremen,
in 1884 and the events of 1913 forced him, as boy
of IS into the military ranks. He served during the
Schleswig HOlsein of lS49. and so distinguished
himself at the battle of Idstedt that he was APP
. pointed officer For several years afterward he
studied medicine at the universities of G0ttingen
and Heidelberg; then. instead of settling down to
the exercise of his art at home, he shot off at
tangent wandered through Austria and Italy, and
finally after many unTecOrded adventures. turned
mp as a French soldier in the Foreign Legion en-
ployed in Algiers against the rebellious Kabyles.
Here he rose 10 the rank of sergeant received several
decorations. and-what was of immeasurably greater
value-mastered the Arabic language
In the year 1861 Rohlfs began his explorations.
Disguised as a Moorish physician, he entered the
Kingdom of Morocco practIced for time and with
great success at Fee, and in the of year or
two visited all parts of the country During
Journey to the Oasis of Tablet in the Sahara he was
attacked 10y the leaders of the caravan he had
joined, plundered, severely wounded and left f0I
dead on the sands. Many hours afterwards some
doryishes passing the same way, found him nearly
diving from thirst and loss of blood, and proved
themselves to he good Samaritans by staying with
him until he was able to travel. Nothing daunted
by this terrible experience, he next undertook TO
reach the Oasis of Tuat. which had never been
visited by European. In this he was perfectly
successful: he explored the famous oasis from be-
ginning to end, secretly measured and mapped it,
and then made his way to Tripoli by the more north
ern Oasis of Ghadames. This journey counts among
the most daring and important explorations of the
Great Sahara.
In 1863 after a short visit to Germany, Rohlfs re-
turned 10 rripol with the intention of penetrating
a mountainous region called the Hogan; but, being
prevented by wars among the Tuareg Arabs he
went TO Mnurzuk, the capital of Fezzan, and there
waited until March, 1866 for the opportunity of ex-
Having received money and goods he set out with
a small caravan and in four months, by way of
Bilma Nhe old route followed by Denham and Clap
pertonl arrived at Kuka. the capital OF Bournu
Here he asceraned the fate of his unfortunate pre-
deeessor Montz Won Beurmann, who was murdered
on reaching the frontier Of Waday by order of the
Sultan of that country. ROhlfs nevertheless, sent
messenger to Wara, the capital of Waday, asking
permission TO travel thther, and while waiting for
the answer made ajourney 10 the country OF Man
dara and the great river Benue.
By this time he almost without meaHs: the
climate affected him seriously, and, finally, in
December 1866 he decided TO make his way TO the
Gulf Of Guinea. During this journey he passed
through the kin gdOm Of Jakowa, which no traveller
hadpfeviously entered and followed entirely new
route thence to the Benu6, which he descended to
It's junction with the Niger ROhlfs informed me that
he encountered comparatively few difficulties and
dangers while traversing the unknown territory,
From the Niger he crossed the country in straight
line TO the coast at Lagos where he found an
English steamer and reached Liverpool on the I'd OF
July. 1867.
Before six months were over, Rohlfs was again IN
Africa. King Wilhelm of Prussia appointed him
military correspondent to accompany the English
expedition to Abyssna. He made the campaign,
from the coast to Magdala and after the death OF
Theodore accomplished some limited but interesting
explorations of the Abyssinian highlands. A year
later partly assisted by the Prussian Government,
be undertook series of researches among the ruined
Greek and Roman cities of the Cyrenaica. and
wound I'D with Journey TO the celebrated OsAis Of
Jupiter Ammon. in the Lbyan Desert.
For the last three years, Rohlfs has been occupy
ing himself chiefly a lecturer and writer for the
press. His style clear and animated, and his do
scrptions perhaps from the very soberness of their
Of smith ttlr
The herosln of his nature is suggested in his per-
sonal appearance. He is strikingly handsome man,
about feet in hight, with crisp blond hair, blue
eyes and an almost Greek profile of nose mouth and
chin IN spite of his forty years, and the enormous
hardshps he has undergone he does not appear to
be much over thirty His bearing is soldierly almost
10 severity but this gives him an air of authority,
which is an element of great value in the accom-
plishments of an African explorer Since 1870 he
has married and built himself a stately house
here the Grand Duke has bestowed upon him the
title of Hofrah Court Councilorl, and l presume
this will be his future home. if Allah brings him
back victorious from the present adventure.
The idea of an exploration of the Libyan Desert
originated with Rohlfs but the realization thereof
is due to the Viceroy of Egypt. Ii is only few
months since the plan preached. presented. and
accepted 1t is of the safest briefest and most
practicable which can be imagined when con-
trast means and probable results and if had not
purgea the Traveller from my blood, | should be
tempted 10 ask for a subaterns place in the enter
prise.
The supper was simple and appropriate in its
character. that should like to offer it as model
TO- all similar celebrations at home where usually
have hollow splendor at an immense cost ali op-
portunity for the getters-up Of the feast to dis.
tiDgnish themselves, without much regard to the
object or it's representative. We had plain. snb.