The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-04-27


desert on the edge OF the Great Saba
"a, is not at an arduous. and dan be ae-
eomplished direct from London in -four
days, the through ticket costing a lit
tie over u pounds. says the Pall Mall
Gazette. From Marseilles the COM
Portable steamers Of the Transatlan-
tique company leave once a week di-
rect for PhillippeYille. and once weekly
via Bona. the direct crossing taking
thirty hours From Phillippeyille Bis
kra is reached by rail in a day. Most
travellers will prefer to break their
journey at Constantine. that inland
Gibraltar, whose splendid situation
enthroned on its isolated plateau Of
rock. is unique in the world. interest
ing as it is. however. it unfortunately
lacks good hotel accommodations. an
accusation which can not be urged
against Biskra, which possesses at
least one first-class hotel in the Royal
and several others. the Victoria. the
Oasis. the Des Zibans. etc. clean. COM
Portable and moderate enough to suit
every ones means The Royal Is the
most modern. and has a large inner
court laid out as a garden. an extern
sive fiat roof and a minaret. whence
the gorgeous desert sunsets can be
viewed to perfection. and a splendid
view from the terrace eastward. over
the bed Of the river, the Oued- Biskra.
TO the Sahara and the picturesque
range OF hills. the Diebel-Meuill on
the horizon. The Dar-Daif Hotel. at
tached to the Casino has an excellent
restaurant and cafe. the prices at all
these hotels ranging from - 10 l6
francs a day. AT Biskra it rarely
rains, though heavy tropical showers
are not unknown; bright sun and blue
skys are the rule; there is no damp.
and the pure. dry air of the Sahara
is Of incalculable benefit to seekers af-
ter health; yet it has by no means the
appearance OF resort OF inyalids
only; the little town wears gay
French air. has excellent shops and ba-
zaars. public gardens in which roses.
heliOtrope. hibiscus and bOugainyillea
vie in profusion and coloring: a high
ly Oriental looking Marie a French
fort. garrison and military club. all
picturesquely contrasting with the
Arab life which to unaocustomed
northern eyes is the great and salient
novelty Of the place Very quaint and
interesting are the native streets. the
market square with It's huddled groups
OF white-robed Arabs. the languid
professions OF laden and weary cam
els, the tunnel-shaped avenues Of mi
mosa, and the villages scattered about
the oasis, screened and Overhung by
countless waving date palms not less
countless to the enchanted traveller be-
cause his guide with frigid accuracy.
informs him that the oasis contains
not less than 100 900 Of these self-same
palm trees. in this indolent land there
is yet plenty for the energetic 70 do.
the mornings can be pleasantly occu-
pied by bathing at the Hamman-es-
Salahin. six kilometers out In the des-
ert where there is a miniature bath
ing establishment. built over the
springs. which have a natural heat Of
l12 degrees Fahrenheit AS this heat
is. however. extremely enervating to
the bather. il is advisable to order the
bath beforehand and 70 allow it time
to cool TO a reasonable temperature
The tramway which runs to the baths Z
passes first under palms and mimosa. /
through the exquisite oasis OF BENZ I
Mora, out into the desert. taking about I.
three-quarters Or an hour. In the az I
ternoon there are excursions. driving. /
riding, on horses or camels. 10 the en- I
virons and to the neighboring oases. I
and. after dinner. concerts. operettas.
petite chevaux and bacarat at the Ca 4
sino or visits to the numerous Moor I
ish cafes in the town. where may be I
seen the native girls dancing their /
strangely m0notOnous Arab dances 10 /
the no less monotonous accompani- /
ment Of Arab music. strident tom-toms 4
and ear-piercing pipes. intended only. I
one is told. as an accompaniment 70 .
the distracted thoughts Of the listener.
while he sips the sweetened coffee
and smokes innumerahle cigarettes.
The rather squallid hauuts OF the hash
ish smokers may also be visited: ex-
cellent guides are to be found at II
hotels. al Of whom speak French. aud
some a little English Travellers who
visit Biskra. unless for health. usually
stay a day or two only; but It Is really
worth a longer visit A fortnight GER
iainly can be pleasantly passed there
In the course Of which the expedition
by diligence 10 the important oasis
and city Of Pugart can be undertaken.
There Is also fairly good shooting
within easy reach. chamois and the
moufon, which are really Barbary
sheep. abound between Biskra and IN
kantara. and for these expeditions the
services Of one OF the numerous trust
worthy guides can be requisitioned.
Good vacaflou.