SAHARA'S SECRET UNVEILED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 2 July 1907, Page 4

SAHARA'S SECRET UNVEILED.

UNDERGROUND VILLAGES IN THE HEART OF THE DESERT. Interesting details are sent by Renter's correspondent at Tiariitn. in Nigeria, of the remarkable trans-Saharaii journey undertaken by Mr 11. Viseher, one of the Protectorate Residents in liornu, from Tri]K)li to Lake Cliad. In the mountain* of Charian Mr Viseher found people living in subterranean dwellings. Through entrances ten yards long and one yard broad he came upon a square courtyard, which in reality was a sipiare hole open to the sky. Ppon this all the rooms and stables converged. The rooms were very dark and there were no windows, hut the most absolute cleanliness prevailed. Hound the courtyard was a wall protecting the dwelling underneath. Beyond (iliarian the expedition proceeded over rising ground to the hills, where fig and olice groves lay among Roman ruins and underground villages. Ncaring Murzuk. Mr Viseher eame upon stretches nf petrified forest. Describing part of hi* journey across the waterless desert Mr Viseher said: "We had a five days' march across the desert without wafer. At the commencement of (he desert all caravans waited for one another, until our combined party numbered over !>OO camels. No caravan dares to go through the desert alone. Evcywhetc. thc-gSQttiMb is covered wHh winu-polisheil stones. which are gradually themselves becoming sand. Evevwhcre is an endless horizon. Often apparently we see lakes and palm groves, but on all sides are nothing but stones, stones, until the sun disappears and the sky becomes filled with colors which would have given joy to a Titan or a Turner. All our marching is done at night.''