Observers' Field Reports 75 



the interpreter and 2 soldiers of the escort. It seemed imprudent to take the caravan, as 

 it was reported that there was no pasturage at Motylinski or in its vicinity. Upon arrival 

 at Fort Motylinski I had reason to be glad the caravan was left behind at the pasturage 

 where we were encamped, since the camels belonging to the post had to be sent 7 days' 

 travel away to obtain good pasturage. The commandant, a sub-officer, greeted us and 

 entertained us as royally as his means permitted. Consulting with him relative to our 

 future plans, he suggested that we should go to Agades, and thence west to Timbuktu, 

 adding 14 or more days to the itinerary, but assuring pasturage most of the way. He 

 thought that to take the direct route, across "the Tanezruft" which lay 5 days' march 

 to the southwest of where we were encamped, would cost the loss of 15 of the animals of 

 the caravan, while not an animal would be able to go beyond Kidal, the first Sudanese 

 post. In the Tanezruft we would encounter such heat that our tinned provisions would 

 burst. As it was desirable, however, to have magnetic data from the Tanezruft, it seemed 

 best to take the direct route. Through the kindness of the officer of the post, Tuaregs 

 were found who could furnish 11 fresh camels in good condition. These Tuaregs with their 

 camels were engaged to go with us as far as Kidal. Completing observations on the 11th, 

 buying provisions for the Arab caravaneers left in camp, also a camel load of millet, to assist 

 the starving animals in the passage of the Tanezruft, I rejoined our camp on the night of 

 February 12, and found everything in readiness for instant departure. For two more days 

 we remained in camp until the soldiers could secure camels to convey their provisions. 



February 15, the route was resumed with 5 days of travel to bring us to the edge of 

 the disreputable Tanezruft. Every precaution was taken to husband the strength of the 

 animals for the trial they were to undergo. The caravaneers were forbidden to drive any 

 animal unless he actually stopped moving. On February 20, we camped at Amselkat on 

 the last good pasturage on our side of the Tanezruft. Here it is customary for caravans 

 to halt to pasture their animals preparatory to hurrying across the Tanezruft. Never is a 

 stop of less than 5 daj's made for this purpose. While we halted, the caravaneers, under 

 the leadership of Isa ben Saad, cut the "drin," a tough, fibrous grass, with which the pas- 

 turage abounded. This was tied up into large bundles to load upon the camels. On the 

 26th, after a halt of 5 days, the Tanezruft was commenced. Eight camels carried only 

 loads of cut "drin." On this morning one camel, Kaddour he had been Observer Saw- 

 yer's riding-camel was shot and abandoned, no amount of effort succeeding in getting 

 him on his feet. Previous hard times had taken so much out of him that the 5-days' rest 

 came too late. This was the only magnetic station that was left marked with a camel. 



The first day's march into the Tanezruft was a moderate one, scant pasturage being 

 found at the camping place. The following day a 9-hours' march was made and no pas- 

 turage found. That night the camp was aroused at 2 a.m. and the march resumed to 

 ll*" 30" a.m., when camp was pitched and a magnetic station was occupied. At this en- 

 campment a few scattered dry plants were found that were of no account as pasturage. 

 Camp was aroused March 1 at 2^ 30" a.m. and the march resumed until noon. At this 

 encampment, observations were prevented on account of electrification of the instruments 

 and tents by the wind and driving sand. There was no pasturage. This was the first 

 station lost on account of physical conditions encountered. We were now in dangerous 

 country, and the escort, desiring a march of 15 hours on this day, to be followed on the next 

 day by one of 10 hours to the well, staj'ed in camp very unwillingly, being brought back 

 after riding off. On the following day the expedition was aroused at 2 a.m. and the march 

 was resumed up to lO"" 30" a.m. During the night the wind, which caused some uneasiness, 

 as it might render travel impossible, died down. The camels were fed as customary with 

 carried pasturage. 



Complete observations were made at the encampment of March 2. The party was 

 aroused at 1 o'clock the following morning to resume the march. At 9 a.m. a piece of 



