Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-04-27
LIFE IN AN OASIS.
BRIGHT SKIES AND DRY AIR IN
BISKRA.
An Odd Retreat in the Algerian Desert
on tho Edge of the Great Sahara-
Energetic People visit Land or In
dolsnce.

The journey to that charming retreat
the oasis of Biskra. in the Algerian
desert, on the edge of the Great Saba
ra, is not at all arduous and can be ac-
complished direct from London in four
days, the through ticket costing a lit
tie over II pounds, says the Pail Mall
Gazette From Marseilles the COM
Portable steamers of the Transatlan-
tique company leave once a week di-
rect for Phillippeville. and once weekly
via Bona, the direct crossing taking
thirty hours From Phillippeville 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, extern
s1ve 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 d-Biskra
to the Sahara and the picturesque
range of hills, the Djebel-Metlili 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 II to 16
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 inValidS
only: the little town wears a gay
French air, has excellent shops and ba-
ZaarS, public gardens, in which roses,
heliotrope, hibiscus and bOugainvillea
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 unaccuStomed
northern eyes is the great and salient
novelty of the place. Very quaint and
interesting are the native streets, the
market square with its 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 160, 900 of these self-same
palm trees. In this indolent land there
is yet plenty for the energetic to 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
112 degrees Fahrenheit. AS this heat
is, however, extremely enervating to
the bather, it is advisable to order the
bath beforehand and to allow it time
to cool to reasonable temperature.
The tramway which runs to the baths
passes first under palms and mimosa
through the exquisite oasis of BENZ
Mora, out into the desert, taking about
three-quarters of an hour. In the af-
ternoon there are excursions, driving
riding, on horses or camels, to the en-
virons and to the neigh boring GASES,
and, after dinner, concerts, operettas,
petite chevaux and bacarat at the Ca
sino, or visits to the numerous Moor
ish cafes in the town where may be
seen the native girls dancing their
strangely mOnotonous Arab dances to
the no less monotonouS accountant
ment of Arab music, strident tom-toms
and ear-piercing pipes, intended only.
one is told, as an Accompaniment to
the distracted thoughts of the listener.
while he sips the sweetened coffee
and smokes innumerabie cigarettes.
The rather squal1id haunts of the hash
iSh smokers may also be visited; ex-
cellent guides are to be found at the
hotels, all of whom speak French, and
some little English Travellers who
visit Biskra, unless for health, usually
stay day or two only; but it is really
worth a longer visit A fortnight GER
tainly can be pleasantly passed there.
in the course of which the expedition
by diligence to the important oasis
and city of Pugart can be undertaken
There is also fairly good shooting
within easy reach; chamois and the
mouflon, which are really Rarbary
sheep, abound between Biskra and FL
services of one of the numerous trust
--orthy guides can be requisitioned-