188 Land Magnetic Observations, 1914-20 



Congo amounted to 1,280 miles, which, together with the 700 miles caravan and canoe 

 travel, gives a total mileage of 1,980. The average travel for each station was 64 miles, 

 but the average distance apart of the 26 stations occupied along the land route was 

 27 miles. The average field expense of the 31 stations was about $32. 



IV. From the Congo to the Nile via Lake Tchad. At Brazzaville tents were pur- 

 chased, camping equipment renewed, and provisions selected which were intended for 

 use in the desert country around Lake Tchad. On November 24, 1916, the journey which 

 would eventually bring us to Egypt was begun. The Belgian state steamer Brabant, 

 whose destination was Stanleyville, took us to Bolobo, the first stage of the trip, where 

 we were delayed 2 weeks waiting for the French steamer bound for the Ubangi River. 

 At all the stops between Bolobo and Bangui, the rivers were in such an exceptional state 

 of high water that nothing remained above water except the officials' houses. All local 

 travel was by canoe and no observation spots were available. Bangui was reached 

 December 21. A delay of one month occurred here, in which the government authorities 

 determined that it was impossible to go north of Lake Tchad toward Tripoli, but that 

 the route east to Egypt would be permitted provided the British officials would grant 

 the necessary permission to enter Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. 



Leaving Bangui January 21, 1917, the portage to the Chari River was accomplished 

 in 29 days, during which 8 stations were occupied. The baggage, provisions, and instru- 

 ments were carried on the heads of native blacks, while we rode two horses purchased for 

 the purpose. However, one horse soon died of sleeping sickness, which compelled each 

 man to walk half of the distance. The worst part of the dreaded sleeping-sickness dis- 

 trict was left behind on reaching Fort Crampel. At that place the government main- 

 tained a segregated refuge for stricken natives; they were given rations and permitted 

 to rest undisturbed by the healthy natives until the end. Nearly 70 were there at the 

 time, mostly children or very young adults. The journey from Fort Crampel to Fort 

 Archambault on the Chari River was made in a steel canoe belonging to the Maison 

 Hollandaise. From Fort Archambault to Fort Lamy, the same company maintained a 

 fleet of large steel barges, the central sections of which had a shelter of grass matting. 

 The crews of these barges propelled them by punting along the shallower parts of the 

 stream. When necessary to cross the channels, they would paddle, always to the accom- 

 paniment of their native chants. At Fort Archambault, we were delayed 26 days waiting 

 for the lower river boats. 



Fort Lamy was reached April 19, 11 stations having been occupied since leaving 

 Fort Crampel. At this point Mr. Barwell returned to the coast. Permission to enter 

 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was received through the French army radio station from Lieu- 

 tenant-Colonel R. L. Saville, the Governor of Dar Fur Province. The passage down the 

 Chari and across the eastern arm of Lake Tchad in a launch of the Maison Hollandaise 

 was completed May 5, 3 stations being established on the lower banks of the Chari. 

 The trip from Lake Tchad eastward began May 9 and followed closely the same parallel 

 of latitude. The district of Kanem east of the Tchad consists of stationary sand-dunes 

 usually covered by some form of vegetation. Through it, running about northeast from 

 the Tchad, is an ancient watercourse called the Bahr-el-Ghazal. Throughout the Kanem 

 the water in the dry season comes from shallow wells where the earth formation under 

 the sand forms a pocket and holds the water. It is a grazing country, and herds always 

 collect around the water-holes, as a result of which the water is discolored and polluted. 

 This condition exists as far eastward as Abech6, but to a lesser extent. After passing 

 Lake Fitri the surface becomes less sandy, rocks are occasionally exposed, and wells 

 are slightly deeper. Just north of this lake is a huge rock mass which can be seen for 

 many days' travel through the surrounding flat country. It was the first rock we saw 

 after leaving the upper Chari. The Tchad basin gives one the impression of having 



