Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855Barth, Heinrich
History
Travels and discoveries in North and Central Africa, Vol. 3 (of 5) : $b being a journal of an expedition undertaken under the auspices of H.B.M.'s Government, in the years 1849-1855
Barth, Heinrich
Africa, Central -- Description and travel; Africa, North -- Description and travel
We started very early, for a long day’s fatiguing ride; for,
notwithstanding all the care I took of myself, I could not recover from
my sickly state, and was extremely sensitive of fatigue. The country in
the beginning of our march was less adorned with trees than usual; but
it became more densely wooded after we had passed the vale called
Asfúra. This hollow, of small extent, and inclosed all around by steep
slopes, is provided with a great number of wells of excellent water; but
its bottom, being in most parts stony, is almost bare of vegetation,
with the exception of here and there a dúm-bush. While the men made a
short halt for taking in a supply of water, I went a little in advance
with Abd-Allah; but I soon found that he did not know the road at all,
keeping far too much to the south, and I thought it wiser to return to
our people, and march along with them.
The country here offers a greater variety in its configuration; and,
instead of an extensive level, as before, hill and dale succeed each
other. Having passed several smaller concavities, we reached a more
considerable valley, called Jená ú Shelúkko, which contained corn, or
rather durra fields, but they were entirely destroyed by the elephants.
Grain had also been cultivated at the foot of the slope; but it had
failed entirely, on account of the scarcity of rain. There were no
vestiges of human habitations.
Our people had begun to make themselves comfortable in this fine valley
for passing the heat of the day, when suddenly orders were given for
continuing our march. The country now became more hilly. Having passed
_en route_ a hollow provided with wells and called Aghó, once one of the
most famous places of Kánem, we made, after noon, a short halt in the
flat dell called Núndul, in which are several kháttatír, or draw-wells,
and stubble-fields, in order to provide ourselves with water, and also
to water our horses. There was a great bustle and confusion, everybody
wanting to get first to the wells, and proceed with the principal troop,
as we were now approaching a hostile territory. My she-camel, which was
a very fine little animal, but rather too heavily laden for such an
expedition, was among the last that arrived; and, starting after the
others, was soon left behind the whole troop; and I endeavoured in vain
to bring her up.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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