El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-01-25
THE FIRST GUIDE
OF THE DESERT
By Maurice Prax.

II VERY time when the train from
r., Algiers arrived at FL Kantara,
Mabrouk ben BessaOud began his
activity. He rushed to every first class
compartment and, If by chance he dis
covered a single traveller. he put this
simple question to him: why don't
you stop here?"
Invariably the traveller replied: Il
am going to Biskra-"
Then Mabrouk sighed and shrugged
his shoulders.
Oh Biskra! OF course it is beautiful
there. but not half as beautiful as here
at EI-Kantara. Here it is just like a
painting, a real painting, tell you
Come on, Come on! Give me your
grip. quick"
Occasionally a tourist let himself be
persuaded and cOnfided himself 10
! Oiabrouk. who Immediately began to
, enumerate his qualifications.
~Herei TsiAe my card, I am Ma
BRONX ben Bessaoud, the first guide on
the desert. You need not fear anything
as long as you are with me. I have
a permit to carry arms am not Ike
the Arabs
He talked Of his brethren the Arabs
with a wonderful expression Of con-
tempt and disgust and Immediately be-
gan to suggest distant excursions and
/ expeditions. His charge must hunt
gazeIles at Aures Gazelles were
plentiful, no place in the world like
Aures for gazelles- Then it would be
necessary TO explore the unknown
parts Of the measureless desert. He.
Mabrouk. was ready TO form a caravan
at moments notice.
Tnen the tourist generally asked If
Alabrouk had been far into the desert.
Far? As far and farther than any
French soldier"
In reality Nabrouk had never seen
the desert, but he had a very good
idea Of what il looked like for there
are plenty of places around El-Kantara
which are fair samples OF the desedL
Neither had he ever gone gazelle hunt
ing. and had never had the slightest
desire TO do so for he felt that ne
would get dizzy if he ever tried to
climb a mountain
It was only because he felt sure OF
a refusal that ne dared suggest such
perilous undertakings to the tourists.
but IN his quality OF urst guide OF
che desert" he must throw dust into
the eyes Of his customers.
He never took tourists any further
than to the three native villages IN
the oasis, for there are three villages
at EL-kanrdra. one WulLe. one DIOMA
and one black Then, Of course they
must also see the famous Golden Gate
through which one passes from Algierg
into the Orient And last, he showed
piously the tomb Of the marabout
After that he conducted the travellers
back to the hotel and bis task was
over.
One morning Mabrouk ben Bessaoud
saw a beautiful young lady leaving
The train all alone He made rush
for her.
What do you want. madam? Want
to see El-Kantara? 1t is very beautl-
full You are right Give me your
grip. am the first guide OF the
Here you are" said the young lady.
Take it,
You are a woman, so OF course you
don't care to hunt gazelles but there
are excellent excursions from mere.
You may go into the desert can
take you TO Timgal It is far, very Iaf'
but very beautiful. Or I might take
you to Biskra through the oasis
For once he was all taken PACK.
when she said in a very determined
voice; al right let US go to Blsk-
"a Get two good miles and let US
start We will sleep in the open,
which viii be fine. and my HUSBAND at
Biska will be surprised. when ne sees
me coming on muleback.
Mabrouk was Mortified and STAN
mered: You don't know where Bisk-
/ IA is It is much too far for you