, 1884-07-13
ADEN'S DESIGNATION.
The City of Abyssinians, Camels and
Microscopic Donkeys.
a Land Where Rains Are hare and
Drinking Water Dear linz
mems Water Tanks and
SIuIceVyays.
[Cor. Kansas CltY JournaL.l

ISOT- hhllSAs SlIy JOURNAL
Two days before we dropped anchor here,
we sighted the dim Arabian coast line, and
then followed it, about forty miles of, to
Alden. This coast, like Alden, is as desolato
a place as can be found il you look the world
over. Not u tree or a green thing is in
sight anywhere. Only dreary, barren hills,
and extinct volcanoes.
Alden is appropriately but not very ele-
gantly referred to as "Hell with the fires put
out" II l had dreamed the place was SO
awfully d~esolate, l would have brought
along a little tree or "a sprig of something
green to remind martyr Europeans who live
here OF civilization. A more naked and for
hidden place for a habitation cannot be con-
ceived Of.
The hotel, postofice, and half a dozen two
story bungalows opposite where we are an
chored, do not constiutute Alden.
They are simply the "harbor landing"
where live the Parse ship chambers and
some government officials. Alden is n young
city of perhaps 10000 inhabitants, including
the natives, situated five miles distant. The
road connecting the two settlements is along
the shore, around a promontory, and through
n deep gorge which il fortified with guns.
The people encountered on the way are very
black Abyssinians, with shock heads" Of
dingy blonde hair. The principal clothing
worn Is jewelry. Enormous silver ear orna-
A'NH)t ho7o AihBot hhhicSt rims uHu
strings of glass beads, all on the most mas
sive scale possible, are very popular. The
chief beasts of burden are u~ngainly camels,
dromedaries, and microscopic donkeys.
Some OF tho negroes were gotten up in great
style, their heads being about the size OF a
bushel basket.
Alden lies in u basin about a mile in
diameter, surrounded by Jagged volcanic
peaks, which are fortified.
Tha natfya Ia zars 49,. awoooJf,a, 0I.b,, aaI
not specially interesting. In large. airy stone
environments in the center OF the town sew
eral regiments of soldiers are qunrtered. You
remember that during the Abyssinian war
Alden was made the base OF supplies for the
English troops operating against King Theo-
dore. In the summer the temperature Is
ovonlike here. Rains are exceedingly rare,
and the drinking water has to DO condensed,
by means of engines, from the briny deep. 1t
sells at about 8 cents a gallon at present.
This is too costly for wasteful use, as we per-
ceive when we come to buy some fowls. Out
of a dozen hens and a dozen ducks, seven ~
the former and three of the latter are dead
from thirst within half an hour after they
had been taken on board, despite the fact
that the steward does everything possible to
restore them. The bill is altered to show this
shortage, but only scalpers live at Alden, and
the full number is charged. 9TH steward is
now killing the rest Of the fowls to save their
lives.)
Among the other supplies, which we are I'M
fortunate enough to have to procure here, are
some potatoes at tue rate OF 800 a ton. andR
small quantity OF coal at about 80 a ton.
Before the days of steam the natives used
to obtain a water supply by means OF a series
OF immense water tanks arranged en- chelon
in a ravine, whore tho rain, falling upon IA
wide stretch OF rocks, is caught and carried
fhNntrYh a art,na9gfn- ~ s.-,InIr k-n.I