Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Tozeur and Nefta
That night, Sergeant Major Nicole said to Corporal Pistache and François: "This is the famous hometown of dates, which is what our captain called 'date palms', just like my comrades-in-arms. , 'Rush to the First' and 'Cutting Hearts' have the same name, if they get the gift of speaking..."
"Well," replied Pistache, "there are dates everywhere, in Gabes or Tozeur, if only they came from one tree... Isn't it right, Monsieur François ?”
When people speak to this man, they always say "Monsieur François".His master himself said so, and Monsieur François, out of his natural pride, insisted on the title.
"I can't take a stand," he replied in a serious voice, putting his hand to his shaved chin early the morning after departure. "I admit that I don't have a strong liking for this fruit. It is good for Arabs, but not for Normans like me..."
"Oh, you're so awkward, Monsieur François," cried the sergeant, "good for the Arabs! You want to say it's too good for them, because they can't value it for what it's worth! … These dates And pears, apples, grapes, oranges, I trade all French fruits for dates! …”
"Ah! But they shouldn't despise..." Pistash declared, sliding his tongue over his lips.
"So to speak," continued Nicole, "must have never tasted Gerard's dates. Well, tomorrow I'll give you a date straight off the tree, plump and Translucent and when ripe it becomes a delicious sweet paste...you'll love it! It's a fruit of paradise...our gluttonous ancestors were probably tempted not by apples but by dates. "
"That's likely!" echoed the corporal, willing to submit to the authority of the sergeant major.
"Don't you think, Monsieur François," continued the sergeant major, "that I am the only one who thinks so about Gerard's dates, and especially about those from the Oasis of Tozeur! Just ask Aldi Captain Gon and Lieutenant Vieter, they also know this kind of dates, and even asked about 'scrambling first' and 'cutting hearts'..."
"What," said Monsieur François, his face full of surprise, "your dog and your horse?"
"They love dates, Monsieur François, and the noses of horses and dogs smell date palms three kilometers before they arrive. Yes, they've been together since the second day Enjoy the delicious...”
"Well, Monsieur Sergeant Major," replied Monsieur François, "if you please, Corporal and I. We are more than happy to eat dozens of Gerard's worthy products with relish!"
To be sure, the Sgt is not exaggerating.Throughout the region, especially around Tozeur, the dates are of excellent quality, and in the oasis, there are more than 20 palm trees producing more than 8 million kilograms of dates.This is a great asset to the region.This attracted caravans of camels, which brought wool, gum, barley and wheat, and untold sacks of the precious fruit.
From then on, we understand that the residents of this oasis are really afraid of creating such an inland sea.In fact, according to them, the dampness caused by the flooding of the salt lakes would deprive the dates of their superior quality.It is due to the dry air of the Djerid region that these dates stand out among all the dates, the tribes have them as their staple food and they can be preserved indefinitely, so to speak.When the climate changes, the dates are thought to have been picked in the Gulf of Gabes or near the Mediterranean Sea.
Have these fears been substantiated?It is well known that the opinions are not unanimous in this respect.What is certain is that the indigenous peoples of lower Algeria and lower Tunisia were outraged at the creation of a Sahara Sea when they thought of the irreparable damage that would inevitably be caused by the Rudel plan, and thus opposed it.
Therefore, from this age onwards, in order to protect the area from the gradual encroachment of the desert, the first forest department was organized, which soon developed, as did the increasing planting of pine and eucalyptus, and the building of firewood rafts. (similar to that demonstrated in the Landes Action Plan).But now that the measures against the gradual encroachment of the desert have been understood and implemented, the arduous struggle must be sustained, otherwise the desert will soon break through the barrier and return to destroy and engulf the good land.
The traveler was then in the center of the Djerid district of Tunisia, whose chief cities and towns were Gafsa, Tamkeza, Midas, Chebica, Nefzawa, and Tozeur,— —Several large oases such as Nefta, Udiyana and Rajama should also be attached to Tozeur, and in this center the expedition could get acquainted with the details of the works of the French overseas company which were suddenly interrupted due to financial difficulties that could not be quickly overcome situation.
Tozeur has about 10,000 inhabitants and nearly 1,000 hectares of arable land.Industry was limited to the manufacture of woolen cloaks, rugs and rugs.But, as already pointed out, camel caravans flood here and millions of kilos of palm nuts and dates are carried away.Perhaps surprisingly, education is held relatively high in this remote town of Jared.Indeed there were almost 600 children, frequenting 18 schools and 11.As for religious orders, there are many in the oasis.
But if the forests and beautiful oases of Tozeur did not arouse the curiosity of M. de Charais, it must be the canal.Its waterway for several kilometers passes here and flows towards Nefta, which arouses his curiosity more strongly.On the contrary, for Capt. Ardigan and Lieutenant Viette, it was their first visit to the city.They pass here to this day, satisfying the most curious travelers.Certain squares, with streets lined with reddish-brown houses, are arranged like stunning, stylized paintings, which are truly beautiful.It is there that the eye of the artist must be attracted, rather than Tozeur's few remains of Roman occupation.
Early the next morning the adjutants and soldiers were given leave by Captain Aldigon to cross the oasis at will, provided they were present at the double roll call at noon and evening.Also, one should not venture outside, as the military outpost established in the town, under the command of a senior officer in command of the fortress, did not agree to do so.Consideration should always be given to possible over-stimulation of settled or nomadic tribes in the Jared area due to restoration projects and the imminent flooding of the Salt Lake area.
It goes without saying that Sergeant Major Nicole and Corporal Pistash were walking together at dawn.Since Scrambler hadn't left the stable (where the hay was half a leg high) and at least Heart Cut was bouncing around them, the dog must have felt curious enough to ask around, thinking his big friend Scrambler So do.
The most frequent meeting of engineers, officers, and soldiers during the day happens to be in the marketplace.Mainly the former residents of Dar El Bey House gather there.The market looks like a barracks, and the merchants, under erected tents, use palm branches to support a mat or a piece of cloth, and in front of them place their wares, which are carried by camels from oasis to oasis.
From time to time the sergeant major and corporal took the opportunity to drink a few glasses of palm wine, the famous local drink called "lagami", which is produced from palm trees: people can get it by cutting off the top of the tree, and the tree is beheaded. Finally, the tree will surely die; or just make a few cuts, so as not to let the sap flow so profusely, that it will die afterwards.
"Pistash," the sergeant major told his men, "you know you shouldn't drink too much of the good stuff! This lagermi has a lot of stamina..."
"Oh, Sergeant Major, not as good as date wine," replied Xia Shang, who had a good idea of wine.
"Of course not, I'm sure," continued Nicole, "but one should be suspicious of this wine, because it makes the legs weak and the head dizzy!"
"Relax, Sergeant Major, look, here are some Arabs who will set us a bad example!"
There were indeed two or three locals, drinking their drinks, staggering through the market, in a drunken way, especially for Arabs, which was not very respectable, which caused the corporal to say so correctly. reflection:
"In my opinion, Islam forbids all believers to get drunk..."
"Yeah, Pistash," echoed the sergeant major, "no alcohol is allowed except this laga honey... Seems like the Qur'an makes an exception for Jared's product..."
"I see the Arabs are taking advantage of that! . . . " retorted the corporal.
It appears that laga honey was not included in the list of fermented beverages that were forbidden for the children and grandchildren of Muhammad.
Thanks to palm trees, the best trees in the area, the soil of the oasis is exceptionally fertile, the gardens are beautiful and rich in a variety of plant products.The vibrant waters of the Belcook River flow gently through the surrounding fields, either through its main bed or through the many creeks that originate from it.Tall palm trees shade olive trees of medium height, olive trees shade figs, figs shade pomegranate trees, under which vines zigzag and spread among wheat, vegetables and vegetable plants , Seeing all this, doesn't it arouse people's admiration? ...
In the evening, at the invitation of the Commander of the City Defense, Mr. Dessaray, Captain Ardigan and Lieutenant Viet came to the Kasbah Hall. The benefits brought by the region were discussed.On the subject, the commander said:
"The natives really do not recognize that the Jared area will benefit to a great extent from the Sahara. I have had the opportunity to chat with Arab chiefs. Oh, with few exceptions, they expressed their opposition to the plan. I did not Can make them listen to reason! They fear that the climate will change and that the products of the oases, especially the palm forests, will suffer. However, everything proves the opposite... The most authoritative scholars have no doubts about this. It will be The wealth that the canal brought to the region through the sea. But these natives were stubborn and would not budge."
Then Captain Altegan asked:
"This objection does not come from nomadic tribes, but from settled tribes?"
"Indeed," replied the commander, "for the nomads are no longer there. All Tuaregs are known for their violence, as one can imagine. The caravans are shrinking in number and influence, and more The Kafirahs are still on the road to Jared, and there is still robbery! All trade will be done by the ships of the new sea, unless the Tuaregs turn stealing into sea robbery! But , in which case we would soon have them helpless. It is not surprising, therefore, that they took every opportunity to try to instill in the settled tribes the idea that abandoning their ancestral way of life would expose them to the prospect of ruin. Prospects. We are thus confronted not only with opposition, but with an unreasonable fanaticism. All this, almost in a latent state, will, sooner or later, erupt in the form of violent upheavals through the fatalism of the Muslims. Clearly, Those people understand neither the results of the Sahara nor the measures of diversion. They see only the work of the sorcerer capable of wreaking terrible disaster."
The Commander gets no news from his guest.Captain Aldigon had no idea that the expedition would be unpopular among the Jared tribes.But the problem is that if the mental stimulation is too great, people will inevitably fear that there will soon be some riots among the residents of the Larsa and Malgil districts.
"All I can answer to this question," declared the commander, "is that the Tuaregs and other nomads have so far not seriously threatened the canal, except for a few isolated raids. From what we know, Many of them attribute these projects to the inspiration of the devil in Islam, and believe that a power stronger than this inspiration will come here to rectify. Besides, how to know the exact thinking of these hypocrites? Probably They are waiting, the work resumes, the workers recruited by the new company go back and try to carry out more effective raids or powerful strikes! …”
"What kind of powerful blow?" asked M. de Charley.
"Mr. Engineer, can they gather thousands of men, and try to throw the sand from the steep slopes of the river bed back into the canal, block a section of it, and at a certain point, stop the water of the bay by hand?"
And Mr. Descharais had this to say:
"They have a lot of difficulty filling in the canals that our predecessors didn't need to dig. In short, they can't succeed in filling the canals in extremely open areas..."
"They have plenty of time!" reminded the commander, "Didn't someone say it would take about ten years to fill the salt lake?"
"No, Commander, no," said the engineer affirmatively, "I have expressed my opinion on this, and my opinion is not based on erroneous data, but on precise calculations. Relying on the vital labor of man, especially with the aid of our It will not take 10 years, not even 5 years, with the big machines you have today, to fill Larsa and Malegir with water...the water will widen and deepen the riverbed open to it. Tozeur is a few kilometers away from the salt lake though , who knows if it could become a seaport one day and be reconnected via Larsa to Lahama? And that goes to show the necessity of some protection works that I have to consider, which is what I am considering The drafts of the ports, in the north and south, are one of the important purposes of this trip."
In view of M. de Charley's methodical and rigorous thinking, there is reason to believe that he has not abandoned those fanciful hopes.
Captain Aldigon then asked a few questions about the Tuareg chief who had escaped from Gabes Fortress.Has anyone reported on his presence at the oasis?Any news about his tribe?Do locals in Jared now know that Adiyar is free again?Shouldn't it be considered whether he will do everything possible to incite Arab riots against the Sahara Sea project?
"On these questions," replied the commander of the fortress, "I cannot tell you with certainty that the news of Adiyar's escape must have spread in the oasis, and the news of his arrest with your participation has caused a stir. But if No one has reported to me that the chief has made an appearance near Tozeur, at least I know that the Tuareg bandits are fleeing in the direction of the canal that connects Larsa to Malegir."
"Have you any reason to believe in the reliability of this message?" asked Captain Aldigon.
"There is reason, Captain, because I got word from one of those who stayed there to work, and they called themselves and thought they were watchers and guardians of the project, so they must want the administration to grant some titles."
"All in all, work done," added Mr. De Charais, "but these works must be effectively supervised. If the Tuaregs try to encroach on the canal, it is a sign that the site is particularly distressing to them."
"Why?" asked the commander.
"Because the submersion of Larsa was no more exciting to them than the submersion of Melegil. The former did not include any valuable oases, whereas the latter did not, and some very important oases there must be submerged under the waters of the New Sea. Therefore , it must be expected that it is precisely the second canal on which the water will be diverted that will be attacked, and precautionary measures must therefore be taken against possible encroachments."
"Anyway," said Lieutenant Vieter, "after the river reaches Larsa, our squad should remain vigilant..."
"They can do it," Captain Aldigon declared. "We caught Adiyar once, we will definitely catch him a second time, and while we wait for the court-martial to remove him from the area for good, it's best not to have what happened to us in Gabes again."
"This is what is desired, and as soon as possible," added the commander, "because this Adiyar has a great influence on the nomadic tribes and has the potential to incite a rebellion throughout the Jared area. In short, Shinkai One of the benefits is that it can eliminate several criminal lairs in Malegil..."
"But not all, because, according to Captain Rudale's leveling, there are different areas like Hingiz and its main town Zangfik that are not necessarily flooded."
The distance between Tozeur and Nefta is about 25 kilometers. The engineer estimates that it will take two days to complete this section, and the next night will be camped on one side of the canal.In this section, the direction of the canal does not correspond to Rudel's sketches, and in order to greatly satisfy the inhabitants of this area, this direction makes the area of Tozeur and Nefta between Djerid and Larsa The peninsula, where the work has been fully completed, is still there, and everything is intact.
From the early morning of April 1, the detachment left Tozeur taking advantage of the changing weather.At lower latitudes, such weather has caused downpours.However, in this part of Tunisia, such rain is not terrible, and the clouds are high above, which will certainly reduce the heat of the sun.
We walked at first along the steep banks of the Berkuk River, and passed the handrails of many bridges, the ruins of these ancient buildings, which provided the materials for these bridges.
The boundless, sallow plain spread out to the west, where it was a vain effort to find a place of shade where the sun, and fortunately, was reduced.In the two sections of the first day's journey, in the center of this sandy land, we encountered only long-leaved, emaciated grasses that the locals called "driss", which camels love to eat. This is a great wealth for the Kafila people in the Jared area.
From sunrise to sunset, nothing disturbed the march, and the tranquility of the camp was not broken at all until dawn.Several bands of Arabs had appeared away from the north bank of the canal, heading up towards the Aures Mountains.But they did not worry Captain Altegan, and he made no attempt to deal with them.
The next day, April 2, the march towards Nefta was as in the previous day, overcast and not too hot.Closer to the oasis, however, a gradual change occurs and the soil is no longer impoverished.The green plains were covered with stipa, and among the stalks ran the meandering streams, and artemisias appeared, and hedges of prickly pears appeared on the plateaus.On the plateau, the orchid-white flowers of limonium and petunia are a feast for the eyes and intoxicating.Then clumps of trees rose and stretched along the river bank, olive groves and fig trees, and finally groves of gum-flowing acacias, growing in clusters against the horizon.
The only wild animals in this area are the antelope, and they flee in groups so fast that they disappear in a blink of an eye. The scramble itself, whatever its owner may think about it, cannot drive the antelope to exhaustion.As for Heart Cut, he kept barking as large groups of tailless macaques hopped among the trees in the Salt Lake region.We also saw some buffalo and blue sheep, which need not be pursued since they will surely be supplied at Nefta.
The most common beasts in this part of Djerid are the lions, and their attacks are most dire.But since the start of the canal work, they have gradually been driven to the Algerian border, and also in the area around Malegir.
Still, while wild beast attacks are not a cause for concern, people and dogs and horses must also watch out for scorpions and rattlesnakes - the naturalist's cobra, which proliferate near Larsa.In addition, the reptiles were so numerous that some areas were uninhabitable, among them, Tierga in the Jared area, which had to be abandoned by the Arabs.During the night camp, near the Holy Willows, M. de Charais and his companions could not rest if they were not careful.Everyone admits that the sergeant major sleeps with one eye open and one eye closed, while the "scrambler" sleeps with both eyes closed. "Cut Heart" is indeed on the alert at night, always creeping forward suspiciously, and signaling when he sees a threat to the horse and his master.
In short, there was no accident that night, and the tent was put away just after dawn.The direction followed by Captain Aldigon has always been southwest, and the canal has been heading southwest since Tozeur.At the 207th kilometer, the canal went northward. From this turning point, the team left Nefta, which had just arrived this afternoon, and walked slowly in the meridian area.If Larsa could be brought together somewhere on its eastern border towards Tozeur, the length of the canal could be shortened by around 15 kilometers.But implementing this plan is fraught with difficulties.Before reaching this side of the salt lake, extremely hard rock must be excavated, at least longer than the Gabes Ridge, which is more expensive, and 30 to 35 meters above sea level would require huge engineering.For this reason, the engineers of the French Orient Company conducted in-depth research on this area, abandoned the original direction, and adopted a new direction, that is, from 207 kilometers to the west of Nafta.From this point, the canal flows north.The third and final section of this first canal has been splendidly completed.The finish is wide and the project takes advantage of many depressions, reaching Larsa deep in a small bay located at the lowest altitude of this salt lake, almost in the middle of the southern shore.
Monsieur Dessaray shared Aldigan's thoughts and did not stop at Nefta until the third day.There they had only to spend the last hours of the afternoon and the next night to rest and resupply the detachment.Moreover, starting from Gabes, that is, between March 17 and April 3, during the straight-line distance of 190 kilometers, neither man nor horse should be too tired.They could even easily cover the distance left by the engineer to reach Larsa Salt Lake on time during the day the next day.
From the point of view of the area and the nature of the soil, the products of the plants are clearly different from those of the Tozeur oasis.The residences are all gathered in the surround of trees, they are all Casbah-style layouts, and all have military deployments.However, there were not many people in the oasis, no more than 8,000 residents at that time.
The French and natives gave Captain Aldigon's squad a warm welcome, and busied themselves to house the squad in the best possible house.In this regard, there are some reasons for self-interest, and it is impossible for everyone to be surprised by the new direction.Nefta's trade will greatly benefit from the fact that the canal flows near the oasis.If the canal flows out of Nefta towards the salt lake, the trade that the oasis would have lost would be restored.It seemed that Nefta was on the eve of becoming a city on the new shore.So the residents couldn't help but congratulate the engineers of the French company that built the Sahara.
However, although the residents earnestly kept the expedition team, it was only 24 hours, and they set off again after the sun came out the next day.Captain Aldigun, always troubled by the news that the second canal to Malegir would be too irritating to the inhabitants of the vicinity, wished to put an end to this expedition.
When the people assembled, the chariots and horses were ready, and the signal for departure was given, the sun had not yet appeared on the horizon.From Nefta to the bend, and from the bend to Larsa, the canal has traversed 12 kilometers.
There was no incident on the way, and it was about six o'clock in the evening when Captain Aldigon stopped at the inlet of the canal which fully reached the Salt Lake.
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