1812 .975

v. 2

18NE F 61353

CONTENTS

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAPTER XII.

Philipville-Hôtel d'Orient-Visit to the Archæological

Museum-Our Cicerone-Ruins of the Roman Amphi-

theatre Reservoirs of the Town-Irrigation-Great Un-

dertaking Sum spent in Algerian Railways-Railway

along the North African Coast-Aspect of the Country

-Remarkable River-Extraordinary Appearance of the

Women-Iron Bridge over the Roumel-Magnificent View

of Constantine-Approach to the City -Curious Appear-

ance of the Natives-Waiting for the Evening Gun. 3

CHAPTER XIII.

Batna to Biskra-Hôtel des Colonies-Ride in a Bus-

Lambèse-Relics of Antiquity-In Search of the Pictur-

esque-Lions and Panthers-Cedars -Hill Tribes-The

Steed of the Desert-Departure from Batna-Inn of El-

Kantara-Precipitous Gorge-Oasis of El-Kantara-

Gardens-A Sheikh's Washing-General Salutation-

Arab Village-Roman Remains-New Road-A Sorry

Vehicle-El-Outaia-Barren Plains-The Great Sahara

-Biskra--Hôtel de Sahara

. 13

vi

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIV.

Biskra-Face of the Sahara-Oulad Nayls-Their Costume

-Arab Acrobats- A Lunatic-Negro Festivals-Jew-

esses-The Date Palm-Irrigation-Dates-Old Biskra

---A Military Cicerone-The Cypress-Hunting Grounds

of Ouargla-Ostrich Hunting-Murders-Particulars re-

lating to the Ostrich-Biskra after Dark-A Café-Ka-

byle Dancers-Opium Smokers-Picturesque Group-

Experiment in Locomotion-Ride on a Camel-Dis-

mounting-The Desert Our Guides-Residence of a

Sheikh-Night in the Desert-Pépinière de Beni-Mora

-Plague of Grasshoppers-The Touaregs-Wonderful

Specimen of the Oulad Nayls .

CHAPTER XV.

38

Cotton in the Sahara-Visit to the Commandant Supé-

rieur of the Bureau Arabe-Military Quarrels-Stalwart

Natives-Visit to M. Dufourg-Cultivation of Cotton-

Scarcity of Water-Fabulous Prices paid for it-Blind

Policy of Government-System of Repression-The

Fremy-Talabot Contract-M. Dufourg's Prospects-His

Limited Experience-Export of Cotton from Egypt—

Cotton grown by M. Dufourg-The Commencement and

Progress of his Business-The Cotton Season-Cleaning

Machinery-Expenses-M. Dufourg's Letter to the

Plains of the Hodna-Scene of Desolation-False Alarm--
Unpleasant Memorials-Mdoucal-Tedious

Ordeal-

Quicksands — Dangerous Tribes - Sand and Bog

Sheikh Baleuti-An Arab Peculiarity-Extract from

Government Report-The Barika-Gentlemen of the

Road A Sheikh's Encampment-Arab Etiquette-Up

in the Morning-Wild Game-A New Sensation—A

Doubtful Welcome-Weird Scene-Night in an Arab

Tent-Visit to M. Jus-Model Encampment-State of

the Country-Excellent Breakfast-Msila-Officers of

the Bureaux Arabes

CHAPTER XVII.

101

Msila to Algiers-Population of Msila-Anecdote-Marriage

and Divorce-Game-Limitation of the Tribes-A Pro-

phecy and Revolt-Mineral Productions-Bordj-bou-

Areridj-Abd-el-Kader-Extent of his Power-The Emir

in Disgrace-Travelling Difficulties-Taking the Law

into our own Hands-Interior of an Arab Tent-Serious

Illness-The " Grand Porte"-Protection against Lions

-Scene of Horror-Beni-Mansour-Sport-Ambulance

Mules-Bouira-Again in the Saddle-Dra-el-Mizan—A

Dilemma

137

CHAPTER XVIII.

Journey through the Western Province-Orphanage of

Ben-Alloun-Blida—The “Bois Sacré❞—Signs of the

Late Earthquake-La Chiffa-Up the Stream-The Five

Cascades-Miliana-Destitution- Crops-The Cemetery

-Touching Memorials-Excursion-Wild Glen-Forest

Lands-Incendiarism-Government and Colonists-Thu-

ya Tree-Teniet-al-Had-Change of Climate-The Hill

Country-Rich Vegetation-Our Guide-Arab Tale

-Forest of Teniet-al-Had-Mineral Springs-Procession

of a Douar-Visit to our "Cocher"

173

viii

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

Province of Oran-Mineral Wealth-Population-Com-
merce-Mostaganem-Native Children-Plague of Grass-
hoppers Spaniards in Oran-Native Hovels-Colony of
Charcoal Burners-Extraordinary Houses-Arbal—
French Hospitality-Model Farm-Merino Sheep—Ruins
of a Roman Town-Pretty Garden-A Jolly Life-The
Oldest Colonist-Reckless Settlers-Colonial Manage-
ment-Land-Wages-Labour-Complaints of Colonists
-Agricultural Prosperity-Rural Life-Usine d'Egrain-
age-Cotton-Growing-Cleaning Machines-The Reser-
voir-Water Tax-Night Journey in a Diligence-
Tlemcen-Ride through the Town-Striking Scene---
Magnificent Relic-Children in the Street-The Great
Mosque--Sidi-bou-Medin-Tomb of the Recluse--A
Schoolmaster and his Class-Plains of the Isser-Town
and Country-Last Solitary Walk-Dreadful Vacarme
--Eastern Phlegm-A Common Occurrence-French
Dominion-Maladministration-Distribution of Property
-Colonization-The Army-Situation of Affairs-Mili-
tary Government.

214