New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-29
ACROSS SAHARA TO S0UDAN
THE EXPLORATIONS OF MIR. CASTOR MERY
IN THE EFFORT TO OPEN TRADE
ROUTES FROM ALGERIA.

aesert to go by slow stages 10 Iouareg, 10 make
transactions with unfriendly tribes and to ne
rotate for commercial relations between Algerian
and Central Soudan. is not an easy undertaking.
Int such was the mission of the explorer MI
CASTOR Merry who set out on his uncertain eA-
EDITION last February. Numerous attempts have
heen made from time to time 10 encourage trahc
across the desert ard to conquer and clvlhze
~. remote tribes but the efforts have been
,,uitiess The obstacles in the way of terri
ne Journey and the indsposition of the tribes
theneelves 70 enter into anything that suggested
anv complications whatever have not been easy
N overcome But Mr. Merry thinks that he has
AZ last found the solution OF the difficulty, ana
that the only thing necessary to establish
reoular system Of commerce between the remote
narts OF Northern Africa is public high road
Nr Merry is an Algerian by birth, and his
temperament together with his mastery OF the
different languages and his thorough acouaint-
ence with the manners and customs or IN" various
tribes enabled him TO make the journey under
the most favorable circumstances Accompanied
hv guide from one OF the Araoiah
,r,bes Of Southern Algeria, young
Arab as servant, and camel driver
Eve camcls and two greNhounds' thev set OUT
on their tedious march across thc desert
Two camels were necessary for transporting the
,ocrrelv 20 the saddle by means Of crupper
end breastband The ordinary water bottle used
81, = short tourney is made from single goat
sl,n and il so attached 10 the pommcl OF the
saddle that the rider can easily unhooN II ana
drink without slackcring his camels pace but
ire yyater-earriers used for long marches are much
larger. holding from fifty 70 sixty gallons IheS
ara made from the entire skin OF young
camel and two of these are swung across 'he
add. Wallets of cameps hair contain 'he
portoble provisions. such as rice. dried oates
coffee etc At best the Journey Is mnlcuio
~ md ia NOT often undertaken by the pleasure
,.oker The dangers that continually beset the
nov. such as sirnoons robbers. attacks from wild
h.osts etc are 10 lie expected. even in the
well beaten tracks.
A, Arabian IL At nil competent. generally makes
clio host Guide in the world. He is absolutely
fearless courage being a national characteristic
There 10 a maxim among the Arahans Confront
dancer IL Won would escape it," which seems 10
be generally practised Like the INDIAN the
Arab is a child of nature He can steer by the
stars or even oy the smell of the heritage and
the sensation OF the sand: and at night wheh
,hore ;s NOT q star 10 he seen. he tell the
time by the temperature of the sand aid his To-
coltv by the taste OF IL. Even the proximity oil
water can he determined by the shade OF the
berbare Unless the Arabian is able 10 90 all
this he Is not a suitable guide, for IN no place
in the world is it more difficult to Keep one
hoorincs than in the desert Every experienced
guide knows every road and the location vi
everv well He is acquainted with all the dan
,ors that are liable TO overtalle his party and
,bo host means of preventing them. and he KNOWS
all sorts Of remedies II is absolutely es'en'lai
,ha, he should be acquainted with all the cheIs
q, the districts through which ne - to pass ara
he able TO secure passports into every territory
In a more limited sense. the resporslolhS OF
the guide is not unlike that of the relS' or iun'-
,ionarv who takes charge Of a caravan. Inc rels
has complete responsibility of every de'alI con-
nected with the Journey In matters of authority
and arbitration he is autocratlc as the cap
tain OF a ship, even TO the power OF HE anu
death. and his responsibilities are greater ne
insures Pie safety Of travellers under ms pro'ec-
ton from any sudden violence, even from .HV
vengeance Of personal enemies ana from penalty
for previous acts. He paws the blood money
Of any traveller who meets his death through
defective ARRANGEMENTS and is answerahl" ior
f,ilure of water as well rs for attacks from
r,hbers or course lie must be a man OF sirlcI
Integrity and Of great diplomacy in order 10
socure nassDorts wi ore or he wishes VINE me
ruide does not enter inc any such CONTRACT i'
nevertheless has 80 fo.ri at his mercy. ana y
is worth the w' 10 of thr latter 20 gain the
favor OF the gu'r "hc q idc carries with him
his abbsve. los, sleeveless cameTs hair mant"
generally OF bright re- color. During the daN-
time he is unhuntcic. p, extra clothinc, wear
inc ONLY the fut. which is generally OF hlne
or white clotl str nt with rod or yellow eN-
tending only to the hnces Al night, however.
he rolls ND in his ablave. covering his head
entirely to protect him from the chilly dews and
s1o 10
20 sleep lightly. md is awakened by the slight
est sound During his Journeys he smokes ana
cbev-s incessautly For his pipe ne uses thc
leaves and stems Of hemp mixed with tobacco ana
he cheUs bete plant possessing the ln'ON'
eating quality Of hemp
Mr. Merry had all that could he desired IN the
way of an intelligent guide and proper EQUIP
rents but his journey was an exceedingly tedious
one II is impossible 90 give all tie 1ncldeAtN
recorded by tie explorer but they wer' l"tcr-
ttting and numerous !or such Journey Nh''f
such circumstances must necessarily he iull o!
uniaue experiences The sand marshes "hioh
surround FL Oucd gave them their last grlps OIL
Vegetation and marked the borders Of civilization
Throughout their journey they had the usual cN-
perenccs of camp life. enduring harI,hlps. max
Ing sporting adventures, and all the usull Incl
dents which would furnish material for whole
Years story telling Soon after ting OF thcy
crossed the Igharehcr. river t!,at IN prehistoric
times must have been a IN gh;y torrent. although
IL is now completely dry TIE bed i, covered
with many colored gravel stones W; shed down
from the Hoggar Mountains TIL water in the
neighhorhood il fairly abundant and ON l.
reached by well about 100 feet deep. The
first well that dug by the guide WIS coll.l
Ilassi Mabrouka. in honor Of his wife, piece Of
gsllautry not to De expected from IN Arab. Tn
frat charitable act Of The guide TO condact
the party to the encampmcnts OF his own tribe in
the southern part Of Algerian Sahara. These
people are nominaly conquered. but practicily
they are almost Independent. TIER only dc'irr
t. 20 he let alone and allowed 10 remain front er
tribes instead Of becoming slaves to thrIr con
querors. Upon reaching the encampmcnt The
party were invited t. meal consisting Of camels
milk made into a curdie and goats flesh. II