The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-09-28

| across the Sahara desert by one OF tb.
protectorate residents In Baron. The
distance Travelled was LOO miles Tn
the mountains OF Gharian Mr. Vische,
found people living In subterraneap
dwellings. Through entrances ten yards
long and one yard broad he came upon
square court yard, which was In real.
ity great hole open to the sky. Upon
this all the rooms and stables con.
verged. The ROOMS were very dark and
there were no windows, but the mos.
absolute cleanliness prevailed. Round
the court yard was a wall protecting
the dwelling underneath.
Beyond Gharian the expedition pro
ceeded over rising grounds to the hills,
where fig and olive groves lay among
Roman ruins and underground villages.
Nearing Murzurk, Mr.. vischer came
upon stretches of petrifed forests.
Describing part Of his journey across
the waterless desert, Mr.. vischer said !:
I'VE have had I'VE days march
across the desert without water. At
the commencement of the desert all
caravans waited for one another, until
our combined party numbered over 800
cannels. No caravan dares 60 through
the desert alone. Everywhere the
ground 10 covered with wind-polished
stones, which are gradually themselves
becoming sand.
Everywhere IL an endless horizon
Often apparently we see lakes and
palm groves, but ON all sides are moth
ing but stones, stones, until the sun
disappears and the sky becomes filed
with colors which would have given JOY
to Titan ora Turner. All our march
ing Is done at night. When we came
to the end Of the Hammada, Djamy
Bey and I rode together ahead OF the
caravan until we reached the edge of
black gorge. This" said the Arabs,
sis the door Of the Hammada. the
waterless stone desert"
Mr.. Vischer reports that while he
was at Bllma a French force FROM Zin-
der formally took possession Of the
oasis. Shortly afterward two French
detachments were attacked by a band
OF Taureg, all Of whom carried mod
ern rifles, and a desperate fight en-
sued
Mr.. Vischer reports that Just beyond
the waterless road and the wild Turn
mo mountains he came into contact
with Tuareg and Arab band who had
come out TO attack him or endeavor 30
get into the desert ahead to wait for
him.
Mr.. vischer says: II at once made
the necessary preparations By putting
all my men ON guard and patrolling
myself on horseback round the camp
and town 10 prevent the Tuareg from
joining the Tubbus against me, for
though they were usually fighting each
other, l had been told That they In
tended 10 Join forces against the Chris
tians this time. Twice, at 2 a. m. and
8 a. M, I met Tuareg messengers, who,
however, ran away when I fired.
"In the morning left the camp In
the charge OF my boys and went to
attack the Tuareg before they could
get at me. found them after much
difficulty intrenched in position which
enabled them to see me while they were
absolutely hidden BY some shrubs. I
sent a Tubbu to ask them to come out
and fight me- They answered back
that they would come out when It
would sudt them 10 wipe me out and
take my loads.
Il then fired, and they answered
with a well-kept-up fire from about
twenty modern rides. Their shots all
went over my head or into the ground
ahead. 30 that was able 30 approach
TO within about 200 yards. killed
one man and four Of their cames, and
then went back to my camp six miles
away.
"In the afternoon I attacked again.
this time with all my ten rides, while
I left the camp In charge Of the women
and some friendly native TubbuA I
killed four Of their men and sixteen
oamels, which had the desired effect Of
driving them back north and keeping
away the Tubbus, who are all towards,
The great following Of Arabs which
had come with the Tuareg bad kept
away 30 see the result OF the fight, and
then disappeared. was not attacked
again on the road"
A Brides Dilemma.