The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-11-25
FIGHTING A SANDSTONE,
Terrible Experiences of British
Troops in the Soudan.
Prom London Standard.

Prom London Standard.
Our camp consists of nine tents scattered
among dry and stunted acacias, on which
the camels feed with evident relish, writes
our war correspondent from the scene of
the British operations on the Nile. Beat
ing down upon this arid plain is the fierce
sun which gives temperature of 120 de-
grees in the shade The heat and glare
are intolerable. At midday one lies swelt-
ering and gasping under coating of sweat
and sand; eyes, ears and nose choked with
dust, while flies, gnats and ants seek out
the tenderest parts. There is no escape
from these conditions.
At first one sighs for breath of wind
to cool the burning air When it comes
the effect is disastrous A binding, suf-
locating cloud of dust springs from the
earth, sweeps over the camp and searches
out every nook and Granny in hut and
tent 1t penetrates the most secret re-
cesses of trunks and boxes, mingles with
food and drink, and makes a sticky COM
pound of sweat and mud, under which the
skin smarts and stings. Evening and
morning are numbered among the delights
of the desert. Under normal conditions
they are pleasant enough, but unhappily,
they are too often attended in these parts
with violent storms of wind and sand dew
lis. These ''devils' are whirlwinds of
dust that gather volume and force as they
sweep along cutting fresh particles from
the matrix of sandstone rock, and driving
their myriads of atoms to swell the dust of
the desert
During the last few days we have had
several opportunities of observing this pro-
cess of nature Last night my blankets
were spread under the veranda of the tent,
1t was a beautiful night. The air was
calm, the sky was clear, and the moon
east dark shadows of dark palm mimosa
on the white plain. Under these soften
ing influences of light and sound the desert
lost its terrors, and one looked dreamily on
the picture, until solemn silence fell
upon the camp and sleep sealed the eye
lids. A moment later and the scene was
changed. A breath of hot wind as from
furnace, brought every tented sleeper to
his feet with gasp. Instantly the camp
was alive with sounds and motion The
rush Of the storm mingled with the neigh
ing of horses, the groaning of camels, the
bleating of goats and the tapping of can
vas. The moon was hidden behind
cloud of sand Sand filed the air-a
whirliug. rushing hail of atoms As it
swirled around and above the tents, strain
ing ropes, dashing against canvas, tearing
tent-p out OF the ground, one began to
realize how fragile was the roof overhead,
aud TO be even thankful that it was not
more substantial The sand devil ragged
for half an hour without damage, save to
tent pegs, which flew about rather dan
gerously Every moment | expected the
tent to collapse and 90 scudding before
the storm. But it held fast, and, cover
ing my head with blanket, I lay down,
smothered in dust, while the struggle be-
tween canvas and sand went on with grow
ing iereeness The servants, who lay on
the sand, slept undisturbcd until aroused
By their masters.
Then active operations began, and the
sharp click of mallets falling on tent-pegs
was heard through the storm. The tent
next to mine was the first to 20. II fell,
or rather ghded to the ground, and pres
entity there emerged from the wreckage
three figures. Finding the position un-
tenable, | made virtue of necessity aud
struck my tent before further damage
could be done. Having made fast the
canvas over my baggage and furniture, l
drew my bed into the open, and wrapping
myself in blanket lay sweltering and
choking until the storm abated AT dawn
we were able to remove the traces of this
experience. The tents were soon pitched.
Furniture, clothes and boxes were dug out
Of the sand, and presently Abdul Hasson,
Mohammed. and the other servants were
making kitchen" and lighting fires under
cover of some dead bushes.