The great traverse of the
Saharan desert, however, with all its vicissitudes and dangers, the
physical aspect of that wonderful region, and the manners of the various
tribes that inhabit it, will, in the present volume, be found to be
fully described--not, it is true, with much attempt at literary
ornament, but in the vivid though simple language in which a man sets
down impressions which he has just received. I have endeavoured to
remove all the faults which may be supposed to have arisen from haste or
carelessness, and have necessarily re-written several passages, and
passed a correcting pen over the whole manuscript. But I think I may say
with confidence, that there is no observation or statement in the
following pages which cannot be justified by a reference to the original
journals and scattered memoranda.
To me this simple record of daily occurrences seems highly interesting.
It divides itself, naturally, into a succession of parts of unequal
importance. First comes an account of the journey to Mourzuk, the
capital of Fezzan, containing the traverse of the frightful Hamadah or
plateau which separates that province from the regency of Tripoli. Then
we have a residence at Mourzuk itself, Mr. Richardson being obliged to
wait the arrival from Ghat of an escort of Tuarick chieftains, with whom
he had partly made acquaintance during a former trip in the desert.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25