American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-04-16

certainly gives a very practical example
of the simple life, for his needs are re- V~Ms
duced to a minimum. Food, shelter and \W
clothing of the rudest kind are all that
he requires as he wanders from desert to Y
tell with his focks. Like the bishop of
Browning's poem. he seems only to ask
that
That hutch should rustic with sufficient
straw"
but he is nevertheless said to suffer
greatly from rheumatism caused by in
cessant exposure to all weathers, and also from
ophthalmia, which is a real scourge among the
natives Of Algeria, and results all too frequently
in complete blindness.
About a week or ten days before Christmas the
courses indigenes," or native race meeting, takes
place at Biskra. This meeting is, of course, much
less popular than the fashionable one which Is
held in the spring. but a good number of French
people always attend it. There is a superstition
in Biskra that this particular week is always the
windiest in the year, and certainly, on the soli-
tary occasion Of which l have had experience, the
reputation was justified. Even in the shelter Of
the stand we were thckly powdered with fine
. white sand that was blown in upon us by the high,
strong wind. We drove out to the course in one
of the shaky little carriages drawn by two swift
ponies, which can be hired so cheaply in the town.
The Hippodrome DEL Ala was thronged with
people. French for the most part, with a sprinkling
of English and Germans, and some native Kaids
gorgeously appareled. The first part, Courses
du Ministere de la guerre," consisted only OF two
events, the distance in each case being $500
meters. In the second part, Courses de la Com
mune Indigene," there were three events. and the
longest. distance run was 2,4O0 meters. this race
being open to horses of all ages. The horses bore
such names as Boucoucha, LAMAR, Salah and
Mabrouk, while the jockeys figure on the pro
gram under such nomenclature as Messaoud-den-
Chebha, Observation-Disclosures and so forth. The
course is of hard. white sand, upon which the fly
ing hoofs beat with a noise like thunder.
The streaming burnouses OF the Arab jockeys
red and white and blue OF all shades-made
patches Of brilliant color. There were no rows Of
raucous-voiced bookmakers shouting the odds;
but as the Arabs are inveterate gamblers. no
doubt a good deal OF quiet betting went on.
Among the spectators were many French officers,
wearing the pale blue tunic of the famous
Chasseurs d'Afrique. Most Of them we're combin-
ing business with pleasure. for the Arabs from
all parts OF the desert bring their best horses 10
compete in the races, and these are frequently
bought for the remount department or the African
cavalry. Every effort is being made by the
French government to encourage horse breeding
among the Arabs.
Close to the grand stand some OF the harem
carriages. with their shattered windows, could be
seen wherein the Arab ladies of quality we're sit
ting. concealed, catching imperfect glimpses OF
the races and also of what probably interested
them far more-the t~oilettes Of the French WON
en-. A group OF Spahis, in their bright rec
burnouses and high red boots, added to the pic
turesqueness of the gay scene When the races
we're over we were invited to mount up into tbs
Judges box TO witness the fantasia This was
thrilling and rather dramatic finale to the day,
proceedings.
The men of each goum, or tribe. rode past, head
ed by their ka.A u CHIEF g~alloping In rapid sue