Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-26
CROSSING THE SAHARA.
The FOureau Expedition md Its Ex-
periences in the Great Desert.
From the New York Sun.

per1ences IN the Great Desert.
From the New York Sun.
Mr.. F. Foureau. one of the most tireless
and intrepid explorers OF the Sahara, re-
Gently returned to France from his tenth
expedition among the sand wastes and GASES
of the desert. On this journey he led the
largest party that has ever crossed the Sa-
hara. 1t was a government expedition and
was equipped regardless OF expense. The
party was to travel through the country OF
the hostile Tuaregs and. as It was on a
political mission and a fair rate of speed
was desired great pains were taken to
make the expedition strong that the
natives could not seriously impede its prog
ress. The government, however, could take
no precautions against the overwhelming
heat reflected from the sand wastes. 1t
could provide relief for a scanty water
supply, and the party was really embar-
raised by its unusual size on account Of
the inadequacy of the infrequent wells to
provide sufficient water So the expedition
was a long time in crossing the desert to
the Sudan.
Foureau set out with $50 Algerian SOL
diers, under the orders Of Commandant
Lamy and five other officers. The entire
personnel numbered about 200 men, and
LOCO camels carried their equipment. It
started from Wargla, a little south of Al
geria and the expedition made an imposing
appearance as 1t marched out of the fer
tile oasis. But 1t was terribly decimated
by the hardships of the desert march be-
fore II reached the southern edge Of the
Sahara Mr.. Foureau has just given La
Geographic the story of his journey and
IL is interesting the experiences OF q
large expedition in crossing the Sahara
AS the great caravan turned its back on
Warga in October, 1898, 1t saw the desert
sands stretching ahead, while behind 1t
were hundreds OF thousands of date palms
watered from the wells that are scattered
over the oasis. The route led nearly
straight south across the large sand ex-
panse Of the Erg and into the country Of
the warlike Tuaregs, who killed Col. Flat
tiers in 1881. When the expedition reached
the scene Of the tragic death Of Flatters
they had penetrated the desert for 12O
miles south Of Wargla- So far the jour
ney had been fairly comfortable, but 1t
recalled the horrible sufferings of the fifty
nine survivors of the Flatters expedition,
who, after their leader and many of his
men had been killed, retreated for over
two months. during which they often had
nothing to drink but blood. Only thirteen
of them survived their terrible hardships
and staggered into Wargla at last.
A little farther south. however the sur
ferings of the Foureau party began In
earnest. There was not sufficient water
for so large a caravan. The men, OF
course, had all they required but scores OF
the camels died every day Their baggage
was added to the loads the other animals
carried for some days. but this could not
long continue 1t was found necessary at
last to build little earthwork and leave
within it part of the baggage, under
guard of soldiers The earthWork was
named Fort Flatters.
The rest Of the party pushed on over
regions now sandy, now merely rock
strewn and barren. until they came to
Iferonane, where 1t became necessary TO
procure more camels. The Tuaregs dared
not attack so strong party and were
keeping out of the way. few of them
were caught and released upon their prom
Use to return with camels. but nothing
more was seen of them. The men In one
Of the villages one day made bold to at
tack the whites, but were speedily driven
off, and Foureau felt himself warranted on
account of this assault In marching
against the town and selling all the came!s
and donkeys he found there. This consld-
cradle addition to the number of his trans
port animals enabled him to send party
back to Fort Flatters, and in short time
the men and supplies left behind rejoined
the main party.
About half of the journey across the
desert was yet to be made. and the most
trying part Of 1t was still ahead. Inc
natives. warlike as they are, fled upon the
approach of so large body OF invaders
Foureau had the greatest difficulty In re-
plenishing his food supplies, though he
paid handsomely for every pound Of mlllet
and other food that was brought to him.
Some of the people. stimulated by the
large prices offered, succeeded In SNUG
Cling a few sheep. clabbered milk ana
ground nuts into the camp during the
darkness Of the night But the camels con-
tinued to succumb under their hardships.
For days at time nothing but drfed-up
wells were met, and the party was some
times reduced to a few drops of water for
each man. When the party finally arrived
at Finder. the end Of the journey, on tho
northern edge Of the Sudan. 1t had been
travelling very slowly and painfully, with
long pauses at large wells. for thirteen
months. and had proven quite conclusively
that. though large caravan secures COM
parative immunity from attack by tho
desert nomads, 1t incurs perils that are
even more formidable on account Of the
increased difficulty Of procuring water and
food for large parties.