The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1925-04-15

A Musical N;
prepared by the National Geogra phic So
ciety Washington. d. c.
The hard facts that the world ism
civilized yet and that some men still
live by preying on whom they cal
with sword and gun. put an end a few
weeks ago to careful plans Of Frencl
millionaire to operate pleasure cara
vans by automobile across the Sahar;
desert from Algeria to that famOu:
synonym for the remote-Timbuktu
A string of hotels or, more properly
intervals in the sandy and rocky
wastes. and special automobiles with
caterpillar drives had been construct
ed to make the journey. The whole
elaborate plan was quashed by the
French military authorities of north
ern Africa because they could not as
sure protection from the Tuarges and
other desert tribes, who for ages have
looked upon any caravan passing
| through the Sahara as fair targets for
| e'SAi tttluNhSs anu W MIOlu IOOl car
ried In the tonneau of an automobile
would be equally as alluring as that
strapped to the back of camel.
The tourist lost most interesting
objective when the opening of an
easy road to Timbuktu Cor Tombouc-
tou, as the native calls IT. failed.
The town Is situated at the southern
edge of the Sahara about nine miles
from the most nOrtherly point of the
River Niger. In the rainy season it
It reached by a canal from Kabara,
the so-called port; In the dry season,
when the river Is very low, a canoe
can go along as far as Koryiamo, from
which point a pony carries the trav-
eler across dry marshland and sand
dunes to this mysterious city.
AS the traveller approaches the city
on ponyback the governors palace
first attracts attention; but other we'll
built offices and houses of solid stone
add to the view, and he marvels how
such edifices could have sprung up in
the desert.
Arrived In Tfmbuktu one can best
get general Idea Of the city by
ascending to the fiat roof Of the COVER
nor's palace. But the trip should be
made early before the sun has climbed
high enough to make things uncom-
Portable
Wonderful View From Palace.
The first thing to catch the eye Is a
mosque, mud dome some so feet
high, at the far corner Of the city, its
Isolated position making 1t conspicu-
Gus amid the irregular and curiOusly
shaped house tops.
From this point Of vantage is seen
wonderful moving picture Of Arabs,
Moors and Tuaregs wandering along
he narrow streets; camels with rid |
srs, camels with loads, and donkeys |
With packs; pedestrians shutting along
With their sandals Gathering against
heir heels; and here and there the red |
ez cnp of French tirailleur. From
he market place rise the shrill voices
II women and boys calling out their
wares.
Soon one must escape from the sun,
preferably TO the home of a French
ficer. These are charming places,
Mostly built of mud in true Arabic
lyle. with doors and windows sim
ar to those in Morocco, and divans
nd cushions much In evidence.
Toward evening one may visit the
'arket and the famous old mosque
ne site of the former slave market.
nd also the present-day settlement of
re freed slaves. Deep sand lies ev-
rywhere and roads or paths do not
Sist.
Today Timbuktu has scarcely more
IAN 5000 Inhabitants. and many of
lese are nonads who pass through
18th cattle or engage I'm the great
Ut trade from the Central Sahara. I
nee the city was much larger. n vcr- I
able desert metropolis.
The market place Is Interesting hlt
r from pleasant. Meat, covered with '
es innumerable, and all sorts of e
ticles Of food are offered for ssle. (
'ur or five languages are distinguish I
lie at times. the cultural sounds Of t
e Tuareg being predominant. The
on sun Is blazing hot. but a sun-um n
ella affords some relief. |,
The natives sit on mats, under the e
elter Of little grass shanties. All "
rts Of trades are represented: II
tcher. saddler, leather-worker, gro t,
r. jeweler, perfumer, barber, black b
18th. tailor, and last, but not least, a
: fishmunger. W