The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-08-23
THE DESERTS MONARcHS.
The Only Inhabitants Of the Great Sahara
A Peculiar Race.

A Peculiar Race.
A caravan may travel for weeks with
out seeing single person, and yet there
is scarcely square mile of the Sahara
between the Atlantic and the region OF
the Nile that is not at some time passed
over by some of the wandering tribes
that make the desert their home.
The regular caravan routes that ira
verse it lead from Morocco to Timbuc-
too, from Algiers to the Niger at Tim
buctoo, from Tripoli to the same re-
eion. or to the cities of the Soudan
farther eastward. The population OF
the towns of the GASES in the northern
edge of the desert is the same as the
native population of the rest OF Algiers
Arabs, Jews, Moabite merchants, ne
grOes, etc.
About the outlying GASES are the
wandering tribes called Chambaas,
who are nominally subject to the
French and live in good understanding
with them.
The great desert unwatered region,
nearly thousand miles wide, that
stretches it's sandy wastes southwark
nearly to the edge of the SOudan. is
overrun-fOr it can not be called in
habited the several tribes OF the
IOnaregs, who do not number more
than 1000 or 5000 warriors, yet are
the terror of all peaceful traders who
endeavor to pass through their coun
try to the cities of the SOudan.
The Chambaas entertain friendly re-
lations with the Algier Tonaregs, but
are bitterly hostile to the POggars.
who are their nearest neighbors.
The Tonaregs are peculiar race Of
people. They live principally by brig,
andage and laying tribute on caravans
that cross the desert. They are sup
posed to be descendants of people
that in prehistoric times emigrated
from Asia or from Europe to the South
ern shores of the Mediterranean and
were gradually crowded southwark
into the desert.
They are of swarthy aspect, tall, Wig
orous, supple and quick and energetic
in movement. Their only clothing il
blouse and pantalOOns of red Or blue
cotton and fitted close to the figure
On their breast is a sort or white scarf.
over which is a belt of red leather sup
porting the cartouch box, which is o.
the same material. The head is GOV
cred with turban fastened about the
| forehead with band of black stuff
while a black vest cOnceals the lower
part of the face, leaving little but {
black eyes.
All are armed with a long barbe(
lance. which never leaves their hands
a twO-handed saber and a pOniard. A
their saddle hangs a double barrellet
gun and a shield OF antelope hide.
Thus equipped and mounted on theil
camels Of the species known as mehari
which they guide with great dexterity
they present an imposing appearance
and recall the knight errant of tn,
Middle Ages.
Their appearance is threatening, ant
it is not surprising that their less war
like neighbors regard them with APP
prehensiOn.
The TOnareg noun ted on his mehar
leans against the high back of his sad
die, and pulling his legs about tn,
cross that forms it's front, places hi
feet on the animals neck, and guide
: it by gentle pressure of the toes OF
one side Or the other. Trained iron
its earliest youth to this manner, i
responds promptly and turns in tn,
} direction desired, leav ing its rider tn,
free use of his hands to WELD hi
weapons.
The fem ale Tonareg guides he
camel in the same manner. and SOM
, among them are so expert that the,
) can play lively air on the mandolin
and compel the animal to follow it in
dance movement like a well-traine,
circus horse.
Owing to the scarcity of water, tn
TOnaregs never wash themselves
: Their filth becomes hereditary, evel
exceeding that of the most squali,
tribes of American Indians. Sal
Francisco Chronicle.