New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-06-13
THE KALAHARL.
lively ROOK OF TRAVELS.

conntry and exhibited party OF Earth-men mas
written an uncommonly sprightly and ln'eres'ips
account of bis journey across the kalaharl hcSo''
ora his adventures in that little known region.
His COMPANION IN his travels a Young photog-
rapher and gymnast whom he calls Lulu ana
more enthusiastic knight of the camera never "en'
@erantng- for fresh subjects. with an Ola MANI
named Kert for guido and general adviser, roo",'
wagon and number of mules and oxen, the party
was probably as we'll equipped as IL was posspc W
be- The object of Mr. Farini was to penetrate 10
Lake Miami and perhaps TO secure concession
of land for co+;le raising from the native chcfs.
A secondary object was the discovery of the Earth
men and the attempt TO persuade some on them 10
visit civilization. The principal fact established
by the expedition was the faliacy Oh Gazing
Kalahari a desert 1t appears TO he region WHICH,
tbour Oh scantlly supplied with water and contain
ing good deal of sand IN patches, yet embraces
large areas of productive land and an abundance
of n peculiar plant which nature has evidently
introduced there TO take the place of springs ana
streams. This is the sauna. kind of wild water
melon resembling when cooked the ordinary
vegetable marrow. 1t is so full OF watery juice
that pals full can be obtained by squeezing the
ripe plant The cattle fatten on it and require no
wafer while so nourished Onr travellers lived for
weeks mon this vegetable and its expressed iuice,
with which latter they could make coffee almost as
well as with water. Game of many xmas Is
found on the Kalshari, including lions elephants
rhinoceros, Glands giraffos, ostriches, qnaggas,
sebras, gemsDok hartebeeste, and wild fowl IN
great abundance, while hyenas Jackais anu a
variety of poisono1s snakes, spiders, etc. heip 10
keep up the excitement OF natural freaks ana
wonders the supply appears to be considerable
One of them ls a bug which on being touched en'ts
n perfume, as Mr.. Farini says like Rmmers
shopr and two or three OF which carried in his
WAGON scented il delightfully."- for weeks Another
e,centricity is a plant apparently of the cactus
Kind viii Il when disturbed gives forth an appal-
ling stencil The traveller dag one OF them up and
put 1t in the wagon but the Odor was so potent
that even the Kafir driver conld not stand IL ana
was compeled 10 GET out and walk. This strange
production has been very ftly named the carbon
plant 1t possesses in addition to its powerful
scent, narcotic properties affecting those VINO
breathe its emanatiOns with a kind of torpor
Mr.. Fariui passed through the diamond fields on
his way to the Kalahar and his account of them is
interesting For unreieved discomfort and fell
ugliness they evidently far exceed the worst
specimens of gold regions in any part of the world,
while the facilities for robbery great that
the corporations in whose hands the principal
mines now put what seems an extravaganza
estimate on their annual losses in this way. These
companies employ KatliIs to Dig and they re care
fully searched every time they leave work. though
as they oniy wear was.-clOth the opportunities
for concealment in their clothing are small. Their
favorite method, however is to swallow the
diamonds and those SD disposed of are beloved to
amount in the course of the year to several millions
Of dollars. This. however Mr. Farini is inclined 10
doubt for the reason that nobody at the mines,
ontsile of the companies. appears to have grown
rich Ii cannot be said that this IS conclusive
circumstance, for naturally the traders would get
the cream tie Illicit business, ano they OF course
send their winnings away from Kimberley
The expedition passed through the country of
the Boers with whom a class Mr.. Farlnl was by
no means pleased. lie describes them as being
svaricious, hypOcritica full of cant. sluggish ana
mdoent, dong nothing for themselves or the
country. abusing all the native tribes with which
they come in contact cruel and mean, ana
thoroughly barbarous in their tendencies. 1t must
be SAID too that all or nearly all his exDeIie',ces
among these people Justify his dislike of them and
if is To be remembered also that travelling rs an
American be was received by them with whatever
hospitality they ever show any one. They appear
to be unpIogressye in fact tending rather TO revert
TO savagery than to introduce civilization to the
country they have conquered for themselves. Even
when their dwellings on the banks of streams
they are too lazy to fertize their land by rriga-
ton and the Boer who has half an acre of garden
Once out in the so-called desert it became
necessary when camping to take precautions
against nocturnal visits from lions. ring of moi
bushes a prickly shrub whose spines no wild
animal will face, is first built round the camp. and
then circle of small fires. large fire in the
centre IS for cooking and warmth. All these
precautions, however. did not prevent lion from
springng into the very middle of the camp one
night AM striking down a bullock. Fortunately he
was shot before lie had done much damage. but his
adven. gave the native theories of campprotection
rude shock The village OF a native chief named
Mapaar having been reached DIR. Farm and his
party were well received. The chef, however,
was thirsty and this Is how be was supplied:
After the inspection of his gardens Mapaar paid
n visit 10 our laagcr. when offered INN some
ginger-brlndy lie tasted gingerly.' hut dLd net
did not say cau-dc-C oogne." but that was what he
meant, and lr.tz. understanding him, brought out
q bottle, for had fortunately land III "a store OF IT,
having been warned at Kimberley that 1t was
favorrte LIQUOR with the natives. among whom 10
divided popularity with Perry Davss Pam killer!
The traders having once fostcred the native taste
for stmuiants had to keep the supply equal TO the
demand somehow; and when they were out OF
spirit sold perfume" and when the perfume ran
short substituted for it drug" The cork being
extracted from the worst brand OF Maria faTlnl.
Mapaar put the bottle TO his lips. and never took 1t
away I'LL he had einpucd the contents GOWN LIS
And then he asked for more!
Was at irst afIsid y comply with his modest
request, fearing that if it disagreed with him ia
any way his people would lay the blame to MS.
"Ion't YOU lraid" said Fritz, who was quite mp
TO the business: "you vatol 1t. he could six up
him get and almost before could utter assent
ing All right; give him another" the second
bottle was brought out 1t did not take long to
send it after the first and then his chiesblp walked
oil snceremoniously to his palace OF mn l-bsdaubcd
poles and grass, as happy as any threc-bottic man
to his Pail Mall Club.
After leaving Mapsar's country few days travel
he 10 LAX W bel hey
found a village of the pigmies. Before this one Of
the latter had joined Farini in curious way,
having come TO the camp to procure aid for sick
white man q German. who had been plundered by
Hottentots aud left for dead. and who would have
died hut fol the flithlnl dwarf. This man. Fritz