A plain, workaday American motor truck braved the terrors of a 6,600-mile journey across africa and the dread Sahara desert. A tale told with stark simplicity "in straightflun_g words and few," a tale that needs no verbal varnishing. The facts in it provide the thrills; and there are enough of these to make it a resounding Odyssey of our internal combustion age.
A plain, workaday American motor truck braved the terrors of a 6,600-mile journey across africa and the dread Sahara desert. A tale told with stark simplicity "in straightflun_g words and few," a tale that needs no verbal varnishing. The facts in it provide the thrills; and there are enough of these to make it a resounding Odyssey of our internal combustion age.
A plain, workaday American motor truck braved the terrors of a 6,600-mile journey across africa and the dread Sahara desert. A tale told with stark simplicity "in straightflun_g words and few," a tale that needs no verbal varnishing. The facts in it provide the thrills; and there are enough of these to make it a resounding Odyssey of our internal combustion age.
AFRICAN
ADVENTURES
OF AN
AMERICAN TRUCKPrologue
journey aero Equatorial Afica and the dread Sahara desert, all,
‘witout a single failure or a single instants fal Tei, a all,
truly great mories must be, a tale told with st in straight-
Hung words and few,” tale that needs no verbal varnishing. The
in it provide the thrills: and there are enough of these t> make it «
resounding epic of motor transportation, « matchless Odyssey of our internal
‘combustion age.
Across Equatorial Afica, Clyde N. King piloted thie truck 3,800 adventur-
cous miles in 19 driving days and King is just a business man, a Harvester man
desk and-ofice man, if you please, and a stranger in that strangest of lands,
‘Then, at railhead ia Northern Nigeria, Sir Charles Markham, British explorer,
bought the track by telegraph "unsight, unsoen,” on the strength of what the
iad whispered to him about its marvelous performance.
[North then, “into the blue,” and acrous the Sahara, Markham steered this
ing days; crore the great Sahara that
‘synonym of thirst and of death the
Shara that in strewa jth the bleached bones of man and beast entrapped in
its vast treacherie,
[Epic and Odyssey, this tale tells of mountains climbed, deep lowing rivers
forded and t-opical foreste penetrated; sometimes of good roads, often of bad
‘ofuapeopled, unmapped, immensurable
‘wate spaces traversed under the blistering dost un, water tank and radiator
nearly empty, the way lost and the truck habsdeep in Sahara's sunds-—and
Il the steady, tireless, rhythmic beat of a motor that never misses,
Ejghtcon miles and more to the gallon of gasoline, King logged across
Equatorial Africa, Markham's diary shows 15.05 miles per gallon across the
‘Sahara, and he says, “oil consumption was perpetual wonder to us”
But the point of this wonder-tae is that these things were done by a stock
truck, without reheareal, preparation, tuning oF xpecial equipment-~che Gest
fourarbecled stock track or motor vehicle to cross Africa and the Sahara.
‘The nub of the story is that from radiator to tail-light—aave for the sala
body and top buile for King at Nairobi—thie track was and is identical wit
any one ofthe thousands of Special Delivery Internationals that are busy doing
the world’s prosaic work in every civilized community under the ean. What
this track has done, any of these other trucks could do.
‘The ultimate extence of this tale ists dramatic illustration of what quality
means in manufacture—the quality that underlies endurance, performance,
Schievement; the quality which isthe fre article inthe Harverter gor
‘guality which, as President Legge has said, “is the foundation of our business.”
Reprinted from the International Trail,
ublished. by the International Harvester
Sreanization, 605 South Michigan Avene,
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. A. |Across Africa by Motor Truck
3,809 Miles in 19 Driving Days
By Clyde N. King 4
NDING myself in
Nairobi in December,
1927, and desiring to
reach Nigeria and the
Gold Coast Colony before
the rainy season started, I
decided to drive through
Kenya, Uganda, and Bel-
gian Congo to Stanleyville
and go by boat down the
Congo River to Boma and
up the coast to Nigeria,
It happened that T had
met Father Thomas Gavan-
Duily on the British India
boat coming down from
India to Mombasa, Father
Dutly intended to visit
missionsin Tanganyika, Kenya, Uganda,
and the Sudan, and then leave Africa
by the way of the Nile boat from Rejat
to Cairo. He expressed the desire to
make the trip with me and it was
arranged that we were to mect at
Kampala, on Lake Vietoria Nyanza on
December 20.
Father Duffy speaks French fluently,
and the success of this trip I attribute
largely to his knowledge of languages,
travel, and his very pleasing person-
ality. [ also had him to thank in a
large measure for the courteous treat-
ment received from the different mis-
sions through whose territory we
Passed.
After fully deciding to undertake this
trip, Lasked J. A. Jacklin, manager of
the’ International “Harvester Export
Company, Nairobi, to have a Special
Delivery ‘truck chassis uncrated and
set up. T had a safari body with full
top and side curtains built on. this
‘chassis, making provision for tirecarrier,
Mr. King and is International Speci Delivery
‘ruck at Buta, Belgian Congo
iol the Aine pon i witb, bala he
Buta mission A.
“This common bell
ng fwd may of th ben
‘i for erase domestics m
for one extra spare tire and tube, Talso
had a rack built on the running board
to hold one 5-gallon can of lubricating
oil and one $-gallon can of water.
While the body was being built I, with
the assistance of Mr, Jactin, got my
equipment together for the journey.
‘On the evening of Decemiber 16 we
loaded the truck with the camp equip-
ment and provisions, and then packed
cases of gasoline into every available
space. We were successful in loading
64 Imperial gallons (76.8 gallons) in
At $:30 A. M., December 17, I le‘t
Nairobi. The speedometer registered 22
tiles, 11 of which represented the road
test at the factory, which all Interna
tional trucks undergo. At that time of
the morning, Nairobi (altitude of 5,500
feet) was uncomfortably cool. After the
sun came up it grew warmer and by the
‘middle of the morning it was very hot.
The road toward Naivasha’ is a
gradual ascent up to about 8,000 feet,
unAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
and then there is a very
steep descent. This es:
carpment is a part of
the Aberdere Mountains
and is reached just be-
forecoming to Naivasha.
As T reached, the 100
and stopped for a few
‘moments to look at the
beautiful panorama with
the mountains in the
distance, and the sun
shining on the waters of
Lake Naivasha, I knew
that this was only a hint
‘of the beauty and the
grandeur which lay
ahead of me.
My, truck had_been
behaving nicely, handl-
ing the very heavy load
‘without apparent diffi-
culty. [had no need to make any
further stops except occasionally to
replenish the water in the radiator.
kept pushing on, making about 20
iiles per hour, until late in the evening
‘when I commenced looking for a place
to camp. Not finding a place to my
liking, and being anxious to make as
good time as posible, I kept driving.
Soon after this, the weather tured bad,
with lightning and thunder. I could
not make very good time but did not
want to stop for the night as it looked
like the rain mightstartatany moment
Tthought I would be much better off in
the truck than trying to put up a tent
by myself.
T reached the little town of Mu:
horoni at 8:30, where I stopped for the
night at the Uganda railway rest house,
My speedometer showed that Thad
driven 192 miles
the first day out.
The next
morning, De-
cember 18, Left
Muhoroni about
daylight and
drove all day,
passing through
Kisumu,
Munias, Busia,
Tn Der eh eb
renin eg tears
Gi ikea cede
ee eae eee
etter
and arrived at Jinga at about dark,
having traveled 196 miles over very
poor roads. At Jinga, a beautiful little
city, there is a very’ nice little hotel
overlooking Lake Victoria Nyanza.
From the hotel one can hear the rumble
‘of the water flowing out of Lake
Vietoria Nyanza over Rippon Falls,
about a halt mile away. ‘These falls are
the source of the Victoria Nile River—
the water flowing northward into Lake
Kioga, then through another part of
the Victoria Nile over the Murchison
Falls into Lake Albert, then on north
through the upper Nile to the Mediter~
‘AL9 o'clock next morning I eft Jinga,
crossed a narrow part of the lake on a
motor ferry above Rippon Falls, and
Tanded on the other side at 9:30. From
Jinga to Kampala, 56 miles, there is a
beautiful road. I reached Kampala at
noon, and put up at the hotel to avait
the arrival of Father Duly.
He arrived in due course and we
left Kampala about 2 P. M. December
21, We drove until almost dark and
decided to stop and make camp while
there was still light enough to sce.
‘The country in this neighbothood is not
all that might be desired for camping,
but as this was our first night to spend
res)AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
in camp, and not having experience in
putting up tents, cooking our meals, an
doing other odd jobs necessary in mak
ing camp, we decided to make the best
of it, We drove over to one side of the
road, got our tent and set it up in a
clump of banana trees on the opposite
side. As soon as we stopped, several
natives came through the banana groves
from a neighboring village and stood
around watching our efforts to make
camp. They very good naturedly
helped us put up our tent, set up our
camp beds and mosquito nets. When
Tmade signs to the Chief that we were
going to sleep there I noticed he smiled
as though he thought it was a good
joke. ‘The natives stood around while
T cooked supper, going back to theit
village when it commenced to get dark.
Immediately after supper we turned
in, and it was then that I commenced
to see why the Chief laughed when I
told him we were going to sleep there
that night. The ground on which we
pitched our tent was very soft and
spongy, and the tent poles sank down
until it looked as if our tent was going,
‘out of sight. When we lay down on
cur es they, sank down into the
soft ground. ‘The mosquites swarmed
around in droves, and in spite of all
we could do they’ got inside our mos-
quito nets in large numbers. We fin-
ally got up, packed out equipment and
left before daylight. Next day I found
spots of blood on my pillow where 1
Father Thomas
Gasen’ Bua the
‘She! ay th Special
Detrery, shite Mr,
ingibeihs phate
wroph, Thethsched
tf inthe bak
prownd covers oe
See rating “pet
Setucen” Tore Sud
bungee
had at least wounded some mosquitoes,
but on the whole felt they had gotten
the best of the encounter, as we were
both badly bitten by the insects. In
talking the battle over later, and won-
dering how so many mosquitoes got
into the nets, Father Duffy advanced
the idea that the big mosquitoes pushed
the smaller mosquitoes through the
nets; in any event they were successful
\Wesoon left behind the tropical vege
tation of Lake Victoria Nyanza. We
reached Masindi about 1 P. M., then
Pushed on, reaching Butiaba on’ Lake
Albertabout4 P.M. Our first sight of
Lake Albert was well worth the effort.
We were traveling on a very good road,
and all at once around a turnin the road
and far below us we saw Lake Albert.
‘At first we mistook the water of the lake
for mist—it was hard to tell where the
haze left off and the water began. The
road was at least 1,500 feet above the
lake. Across the lake the mountains on
the Congo side seemed to rise almost
perpendicularly from the lake. On the
Uganda side the escarpment was very
steep and the hills were some $ or 6
miles back from the lake. The ground
from the foot of the escarpment was
very flat—no vegetation except a very
coarse grass. Tt was very hot and the
heat waves seemed fairly to dance over
this desolate bit of sand,
We located a British marine engineer
who evidently had. the dual job of
Resident as well as that of looking after
(31AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
the business of the small steamer which
lies between Butiaba and Kesenyi,
jelgian Congo, one week, and Butiaba
and Rhino Camp on the Nile the next
‘This gentleman told us the steamer
was leaving Christmas Eve for Kese-
nyi, but he was not sure that it could
take us across, as word had_been
received that a party of Boers with two
trucks was due next day, and that they
had reserved all the space available
on the boat. We did not know until
almost time for the boat to leave on
Christmas Eve whether we were going
to get across the lake by this steamer
or not.
Next day the party of Boers came in.
They had a car and two trucks and told
us they were going into the Congo to
work around the gold mines at Kilo,
Our chances to get across the lake by
that boat began to look slim, but the
captain of the boat finally decided to
tow a barge behind the boat. We got
permission to go aboard about 5 P. M.
and drove our truck on to the boat,
where we blocked and roped it down
securely. The Boers put their trucks
aboard the barge. ‘The little steamer
backed away from the dock about
8 P. M., picked up the barge, and we
were off for the Congo.
‘Aboard our boat besides the Boer
party were five young Belgians going
‘out to the Congo, ‘The marine engineer
also decided, as it was Christmas, that
he would take an outing and go along.
We had quite a nice party for dinner
aboard the boat that night.
Next morning there was quite rough
sea, and the fact that the barge towing
behind did not want to track did not
help the situation. ‘The boat, a side-
wheeler, had about all she wanted to do
to make headway with the barge strain-
ing first on one tow line then en the
other. We did not reach Kesenyi un
about 1 P. M. on Christmas Day.
‘At Kesenyi we called on the imm
gration and customs officials, and by the
time we had gone through both these
slepartments found it too late to go any
farther that day. We were told by the
immigration official, that we would
have to go to Irumu, seat of the Belgian
Government in Eastern Congo, to get
‘pass through the Kilo mining section,
and that there was a very bad escarp-
ment, which we would have to go Up.
He stated that it was seven miles to
the foot of this escarpment and another
seven miles from the foot to the top of
a very steep grade, with several hairpin
turns, and with a rough, loose rock
roadway.
A typical native village inthe Congo, The
Autor atte bombo, lesered tk mid,
‘ond ached ih grasAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
We were also told by a Maltese
trader who lived at. Bunia, and who
was on his way to Nairobi, that this
road was very bad, and he expressed
a doubt as to whether or not we could
make it fully loaded. We decided to
start early next day and try to climb
this escarpment while it was yet cool.
We started while it was still dark and
arrived at the foot of the escarpment
just after daylight. We started up with
no little amount of doubt. The first
bad place we reached I dropped into
second gear, at the
same time keeping a» -
sharp lookout for
very bad places; yet
after going a couple
of miles over very
steep and rough roads,
and, not finding any “
roads where it was
necessary to go into
Tow gear, we com-
menced to breathe a
bit easier. ‘The road
after that was some
better and I shifted
into high and we went
on up the hill without
difficulty.
‘The Tittle Special
Delivery fooled us on
this hill, and the
motor was not ¢x-
ceedingly hot. At
Bunia, about 20 miles
farther on, we meet an Englishman
named Parker, who directed us. to
Trumu, and he very kindly invited us to
come back to his place and stay all
night. We went on to Trumu for our
vise@and pass into the Kilo section,
returning to Parker's late that evening.
Parker has some 1,500 acres of land
fon which he raises coffee, oranges,
lemons, pineapples, and other fruits
and grains. He has been in the country
fifteen years, and I was surprised to see
that his records show such an even
Seetage uefa He assured me any
thing could be raised there—the only
difficulty was in getting it out of the
‘country.
Tpenda,
‘mb of te rad encounter in
ear cho
tril s between Busta and Te
On the morning of December 27 we
left Parker after he and his good wife
had loaded down the truck with oranges
and pineapples, and several pounds of
coffee grown and roasted on their farm.
We traveled all day through a high
plateau country and saw several tribes
of very interestirg natives. In all the
trip across I did not see any natives who
wore as little clothing as these. No
cloth of any kind is worn, and what
little in the way of clothing was worn
was made of grass, These natives evi-
dently saw very few
strangers from the
outside world, as they
appeared very curious
and would run after
‘our truck just as long
a they could keep in
sight ofit. Wemissed
the road turning
toward Watsa and
drove some 25 miles
ast the point where
weshould have turned
to the left. We did
not know ‘this until
we artived at Mahaji
and made inquiry of
the Belgian Resident
there.
¢ €
chiefs was breaking
up. All the chiefs from
the neighboring villages were there, and
there was quite a variety of make-up.
We passed hundreds of natives on the
road returning from the meeting—some
of the chiefs were being carried in sedan
chairs, and each notable was accom.
Panied by a boy carrying his offical
stool or deck chair. As soon as we
found out we were on the wrong road
we back-tracked until we found our
road, and then we camped for the night,
Next morning, December 28, we felt
bright and early for Watsa, and reached
that point about 6 P. M.'after a very
uneventful day—during the day we
celebrated the passing of the 1000-mile
mark on the speedometer,
(31AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN
We stayed at Watsa that night at the
mission, where we enjoyed a very-much-
needed ‘shower bath. There we met
several visiting priests, who told some
very interesting stories of the natives,
in that neighborhood.
Next morning we left Watsa, going
backs about 7 miles where we took the
road leading north through the wile
of Doko, About 15 miles north of Doko
the roads forked, one bearing off in a
northeastern direction, the other in a
northwestern direction. Our intentions
‘were to go straight north to Faradje,
where we could connect, up with the
‘main east and west road between Buta
and Rejaf, We decided to take the left
hhand road, We soon thought, however,
we had taken the wrong road, as our
Compass showed the one we were
‘was bearing too much to the south and
west, The road we were traveling was
{oo narrow, and the vegetation so thi
that we could not turn around, so we
kept going on, hoping for the best,
About three hours later we reached
the town of Toro and inguired from
a Belgian who runs
a store there as to
just where we were.
He informed us that
a week before there
had been a new road
‘opened up from Toro
t6 Dung, which is
fon the main Buta-
Rejaf road. He also
informed us that
this road by way of
Toro was some 40
or 80 miles. shorter
than by the way of
Faradje. We had to
cross two streams on
the Toro road, but
found the ferries
workingand reached
Dunguin good time.
From Dungu to
Niangara there is a
very good road. We
reached Niangara, a
large native town,
just at dark. In the
Ea:
‘The Interntionel Special Delivery pholo~
graphed on the grounds of the mission at
The matiee boy shown in the fore
{round is enraged ob the mission
TRUCK
vicinity of Niangara, we saw a tribe
ives who bind ‘the heads of the
in such a manner that as the
baby grows and the skull hardens, the
head is forced back from the forehead
in the shape of a cone. Atter the skull
hardens the binding is removed, thus
leaving the child with a cone-shaped
head, the apex being in most cases from.
3 tod inches in diameter.
We left Niangara the next morning,
December 30, just after daylight, over a
recently completed road. By this time
‘our truck was thoroughly broken in, and
as the roads were very good, we reached.
Titule by way of Bambili’ just before
dark, We decided to travel on to Buta,
about 85 miles, reaching there at 8:30,
Our speedometer showed that we had
traveled 289 miles. We left Buta De-
cember 31, at 1 P. M., for Stanleyville,
We drove until dare over very bad
roads, and finally stopped for the night
ata small native village.
‘The chief and the whole village looked
‘on while we got supper. We made the
chief a present of a porcelain cup filled
with coffee. We left
about davlght, Jan:
uary 1, on what we
thought was our last
day's journey in the
truck. Most of the
roads from Buta to
Stanleyville, a dis
tance of 210 miles,
were either trails
through dense tropi-
cal forests or over
newly built roads,
which were very
rough and spongy.
‘The afternoon of
January 1, we passed
through a’ small na-
tive village where
the whole popula
tion was evidently
celebrating the new
year. Several_men
were beating on the
tribal drum and
other smaller drums,
while the women
(orAFRICAN
danced around in a large circle.
As we neared Stanleyville the vege-
tation became dense and the country.
very low. “There were several rivers to
be crossed, all during the journey from
Buta to Stanleyville. We had to cross
the Arumiwi River, and the incident of
this crossing brought to our attention
for the first time very forcibly to what
Purpose tribal drums were put, We
Teached this river which was about a
mille wide at that point and found the
ferry was on the opposite side. Down
the iver about two or three miles was
the village. Upon our arrival at the
river the natives, seeing we wished to
cross, picked up drumsticks which were
wound with crude rubber and com
enced to beat a certain rhythm on the
deum. Immediately we heard the reply.
from the drums down the river, and
soon saw the natives coming tp in their
dugout canoes. The ferry consisted of
four canoes about 40 feet fong, each dug
‘out of a single log; on these a platforin
is built. This raft is propelled by the
natives standing in the canoes, using
long paddles, We drove aboard and
were paddled across the river. Two
Young men stood on the stern of two of
the canoes and led off with a native
shant, while the entire crew joined
he pklles were dipped into the water
to the accompaniment of the stamping
ofheels, and the noiseof the cowrie shell
anklets reminded one of castanets.
At about 5 o'clock in the evening of
January 1, we reached Stanleyville and
made inquiries as to when we would be
able to geta boat down the Congo River
to the West Coast. We were informed
that the boat had left Stanleyville De-
cember 24, and would not be back for
at least a week. After staying in Stan.
leyville several days we decided to drive
east on a new road which is being built
to connect up Stanleyville with Irumu,
and which at that time was finished
to a point 136 kilometers (84.5 miles)
cast of Stanleyville in the neighborhood
of Bafouaboli. Leaving’ Stanleyville
arly one morning we drove out some
78 Kilometers (160 mile) Ga
village where we camped for the night,
a
ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
A sis-months
ld otaprsasery
fund onty tna
eres
the great Coneo
Sorest. Fes
tehte men have
ittse; mes of .
bape ee
rae mascums have ben speared and delivered,
40 ealectors bythe pigmy ck en th eb
‘this district.” This ane fs tn pestesion of he
Brotiers of the mission at Bata
‘The natives of this village were very
friendly and very curious,
‘Thenextday wedrove to Bafouaboli,
the end of the good road, where we
met a Belgian in charge of some 700
natives building this road. He told us
he was clearing the forest at the rate
of 4 kilometers, and filling up the grade
and finishing the work at the rate of
about 3 kilometers per month. After
visiting with this gentleman for some
hours, we returned to the village where
we had stayed the night before
Next day we returned to Stanleyville
where we found that news had filtered
up from the coast that Boma and
Matadii, at the mouth of the Congo
River, were quarantined against yellow
fever, and that until this quarantine
was lifted, there would be no further
boats from that point up the river. We
then decided that it would be necessary
for us cither to drive back to Nairobi or
tzy and drive on through to the West
Coast, We stocked up our truck with
Provisions and taking aboard 70 gallons
of ‘gasoline left Stanleyville on the
morning of January 13, going back to
Buta where we urchased one dum
of 8 Imperial gallons (9.6 gallons) of
gasoline, as we figured we would not
be able to buy gasoline very readily
from that point on west. We saw #
very interesting and rare animal, the
‘okapi, which was not discovered until
1900.’ This one is in possession of the
mission at Buta, and is thought to be
the only one in captivity. We left Buta
‘at 3 o'clock the next day, January 14,
7AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
A native tribal dance at one of the villages between
Buta end Sioxteyele. "The omen dance while
the men beat tome on hells log drums thick are
tals sed for signaling.
Next
day, we drove to Monga over fairly
camping at Djamba that night
good roads, We left Monga early
January” 16 for Bangassou. From
Monga to Bangassou, 2 rough country
and very sparsely settled, the roads got
very bad.
‘About two hours after leaving Mon-
ga, we ran into a storm which lasted
practically all day. This storm hit us
Just as we were between two very steep
Clay hills, The rain came down in tor-
rentsand itwasimpossible to get up the
steep, slick, clay hill ahead; therefore,
‘we were forced fo stay in that spot until
fate that evening, until after the rain
had ceased. About § o'clock two native
hoys came by—the first humans we
hhad seen that day. We made signs to
them that we needed help to get up the
hilland the boys went on. Tn about an
hhoue's time they reappeared, bringing
with them the entire village. The
natives, men, women, and children,
assisted us in unloading our equipment
and gasoline, took hold ofa 50-Loot rope
which we tied to the front end of the
truck, and helped us get up this very
bad piece of road. They then returned
to the bottom of the hill and carried
‘on their heads our equipment to where
the truck stood and helped us reload,
Tt was then very late and we drove on
about 10 miles and camped.
‘About9 the next morning we reached
a native village opposite Bangassou, a
French town situated about 1} miles
from the Mboma River in
French Equatorial Africa. The
river at this point is very wide
‘and deep. We procured a native
‘canoe, ‘over to Ban-
ascot, and made inquiry as to
how we could get our truck
across, We learned that there
was no ferry, and upon asking
what provisions there were for
people who wanted to cross
the river we were advised that
no one wanted to cross. We,
therefore, were forced. to pro-
cure native canoes, cut, poles,
land get what pieces of lumber
were available in the neighbor-
hood, and with the aid of a bunch of
natives we were able to fashion a very
serviceable raft. We completed the
raft about 4 o'clock in the afternoon
and paddled across to the Bangassou
side, where the natives helped us up
the steep bank by means of our rope.
‘After paying the natives we left Ban-
gassou and drove some 30 miles farther
on over a very good road.
‘Next day, January 17, we drove to
Bambari over very good’ roads. Here
swe had quite a discussion as to whether
Gr not we should go south by the way of
Bangui and try to make it across due
west toward Duala, or whether we
should go north by the way of Fort
Crampel, Fort Archambault, Fort
Lamy, and then on to Kano, North
Nigeria. At Bambari we learned that it
was impossible to drive a car or truck
all the way through to Duala, there
being a strip of country between Car-
not, French Equatorial Africa, and
Naga Eboko, that was then impassable,
‘This necessitated our going on north by
the way of Fort Lamy.
From Bambari on we drove continu-
ally from early morning until late at
night, only stopping for short periods of,
rest. ‘We arrived at Fort Archambault
wary 20, where, after making in-
quiries we finally found a gentleman
‘who consented to sell us a part of his
storeof gasoline. We bought 24 gallons.
While in Fort Archambault we were
told by a party of Austrians whom we
is)AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
met there, that two Europeans, Sir
Charles Markham and Baron Blixen,
the vicinity but were not in
Fort Archambault that day. Here we
saw a tribe of natives who were very
tall, and it was said that the average
height of the men of this particular
tribe was 6 feet 6 inches. We also saw
quite a number of the tribe known as
the Plate Lip people, The women of
this tribe perforate both upper and
lower lip and insert therein wooden
disks. In some instances these disks
are from 4 to 8 inches in diameter and
give the natives a very grotesque
appearance.
From Fort Archambault to Fort
Lamy, we drove through a very sparse-
ly settled country; the road between
these points following a ridge between
two rivers. There had been no rainfall
in this neighborhood since the first
part of October, and the country was
very dry.
‘The roads were very rough and
sandy, and in some places were mere
trails.’ ‘The tall grass of the country
had been and was still burning as we
Passed through, and we saw herds of
all kinds of game congregated near the
In our hurry to get to Kano, we had
* completely lost track of the days of the
week, and upon arriving at the river
The ferry boat abvee carried Mr. Ki
‘Riser tn the Congo. This wos the
several miles above Fort Lamy on the
morning of January 22, we were under
the impression that the day was Friday.
Teso happened that a truck belonging
to the French Governor of the Chad
District was waiting for the ferry which
was coming up the river to take the
Governor's truck across to Fort Lamy.
On account of this we were able to get
our truck across without losing very
‘much time,
Weedrove on into Fort Lamy, and the
arrival of this truck from the east coast
of Africa created quite a little excite-
ment among the French Colony, which
was comprised mostly of government
officials and traders,
We immediately called upon the
French Governor to pay our respects
and inquired when we could get a ferry
to put us across the other river, 50
that we could be on our way without
too much delay. The Governor stated
that they would not be able to furnish
usa ferry until the next day, because of
the fact that this was Sunday and that
the European population of Fort Lamy
were holding a race meet that after-
noon. Consequently all of the natives
4s well as the Europeans would attend
‘the meet, and no one would be available
to man the ferry,
We attended ‘the race meet, met
several of the French population, and
Father Duty. andthe Special Delcery truck sro the Welle
fey ous daring ie ete ip deo Coro AreAFRICAN ADVENTURES O
returned to Fort Lamy where the Gover-
nor instructed that we be domiciled. He
sent his orderly with casks of water and
portable bathtub, and did everything
in his power to make our stay in Fort
Lamy as comfortable as possible. He
also invited us to dinner that night, an
invitation which was accepted with
‘many thanks. He stated during dinner
that he thought possibly we could get
a ferry by 10 o'clock the next mo
‘The next morning the Governor's
orderly came to us with
an invitation to lunch
with the Governor. We
saw our hopes of a 10
O'clock ferry go glimmer-
ing. However, at 1 P.M,
we were told that the
ferry was ready
‘Just belore leaving
Fort Lamy I received a
telegram from Baron
Blixen at Fort Archam-
Dault, in which he stated
that Sir ‘Charles, Mark:
am, his companion, was
interested in buying the
truck we were divi
He inquired as to. the
condition of the truck,
the number of miles on
the speedometer, and the
price, stating that if sat-
Isfactory, they would
ick the ‘truck up. at
Kano, North. Nigeria
Treplied that the truck
was in perfect condition
at that time, had 3,350
miles on the speesdometer,
that I had one extra tire,
and had not had a. puncture during
the entire tip, and that I would leave
icin charge of the African & Eastern
alin Corporation in. Kano.
‘Weleft Fort Lamy at 1 o'clock and in
about an hour's time were landed at
Kousseri, which lies up the Logone
River about 5 miles above Fort Lamy.
The road from Kousseri runs ina
northwesterly direction and isa. yery
Poo and rough, winding tral infact
om that point on to Kano, some 500
{10
Dap, a distin
aed in ens
a Medyconam,
oni
ex, Thomas Gaven-Dufy as
orn im: Nice, Bronce, im 1888,
"son of Sir Charles Gavan:
ondAwstralion politica
ind ra
Sd ordained tn f911, Jenin
he Bett Scely of Portis
‘icine, he oo ap hs is
Honor iets Beaders
F AN AMERICAN TRUCK
miles, there is hardly anything that
could be called a road
We arrived at the Nigerian frontier,
which isa smal river flowing into Lake
Chad and which is some 65 miles fiom
Kousseri, about 6 P.M. Soon after we
reached the river a’ number of natives
1¢ up from the neighboring village
and we made signs to them that we
wanted to cross. They procured, from
the other side of the river, a’ very
primitive raft. This raft consisted of a
few heavy boards nailed
together to make the run-
ways for the wheels of the
car or truck, with eros
pieces fore and aft tohold
these runways in place.
‘The gasoline tins that had
‘once been used to buoy up
this raft had long since
been stove in. Thenatives
took a look at our truck
and seemed to be very
doubiful that the raft
would float us across. We
insisted, however, that
they try, and we unloaded
all of our equipment from
the truck to make it as
light as possible. While
we were doing this the
natives gathered three
large bundles of Guinea
cornstalks, These bundles
were 8 to 10 feet long and.
3 feet in diameter, and
were tied together’ with
bark. ‘The bundles were
tied, one across the front
of the raft-and one on
each side. They then
procured four long poles which were
put under the raft proper, and we
proceeded to drive the truck’ onto this
makeshift. The river at the bank was
very shallow, shelving down gradually
until it was about 6 feet deep in the
center, As. soon as we were on the
raft they immediately tried to float
it out into deep water by taking hold
‘of the poles which were under the raft
and rolling it over these poles until it
reached deep water. By this method
fhe Trish
Sout Ares,:
}
|
}
.
AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
we got about 25 feet out. Here the
water was over the running boards of
the truck, and still the raft rested on
bottom,
By this time it was dark, and in this
high altitude as soon as the sun goes
down it immediately becomes very cool.
‘The natives were working in the water
and the cold discouraged them greatly.
They insisted on knocking olf work
unl the next day, and it was necessary
‘to put forth some persuasive arguments
to keep themon the job. After they had
built huge fires on the
opposite bank and ut
had gotten together
two more large bun-
les of ‘cornstalks to
tise as buoys, we man-
aged to. be’ hall-car-
ried and half-floated
across to within some
15 fet of the Nigeria
By this time it was
pitch dark and very
cold. AS soon as we
reached the opposite
bank the natives all
set up a big shout,
rushed out of the
water, and_ crowded
around the reson the
bank. ‘The truck was
still partly submerged
and the raft was com-
pletely out of sight,
‘Aiter the natives had
warmed up a bit, we
managed to get a few
‘of them back into the
river, where the corn-
stalk’ bundles were untied, and as we
had no runways or other means of
getting off the raft, we decided to try
to drive ashore. As the front wheels
Teft the raft the front part of the
truck dropped down and the drain plug
in the crankease pan caught on a sub-
merged piece of timber which pulled the
plug away from the pan, leaving a half
moon-shaped hole, and allowing the oil
torun out. The shock of this drop also
bent the pan badly.
rm wk Si Ch
‘Kany, North, Nii, th nd
"kings jounty das bot
Bare ney
rina ae meee
‘et, Ratton ate
Bir, det ste lee
Bets eat he onc ad
atatin i Ata
eat aes ee
Gated” Yes arround bya mad
SRE ity hed hots
‘hasnt
We drove up onto the bank, stopping
about 10 feet from the water, and found
that the oil was running from the crank-
case in a stream. The natives set to
over our equipment, and
to repair the damage.
the crankcase pan, and
using the jack as an anvil, we beat i
back as nearly as possible to its original
shape witha hand axe, By using leather
from an old shoe, the end of a spoon
and a bolt we completed repairs, and at
half past one in the morning, we were
finally ready to con=
re
tinue our journey.
The conditions
under which we were
working were none
too favorable, as the
truck was ona sand
Dar. twas very dark
and cold and our only
Tight was a smoky oil
lantern and a small
spotlight; however,
this change was made
with only the two or
Ee ee
8 supplied with
the truck and at the
expense of several
hours of hard labor
anda few skinned
knuckles.
At half past one we
put up our camp beds
and attached our tent
to the side of the truck
and lay down for a
much needed rest.
Soon, however, a
very ‘bad electrical
storm came up, and after trying for
some time to sleep, gave it up as a bad
job, packed our equipment in the truck,
‘and left at about half past four.
‘The road from the bank of this river
was only a trail through the sand and
scrub thornbrush. We hekd ths trail for
a short time and then lost it entirely.
‘After traveling around in a circle trying
‘to pick up the trail for about twenty or
thirty minutes, wecame to theconclusion
‘we would have to wait until daylight.
les ‘Mrtham ond
of the
iyAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
However, a native who lived nearby and
evidently saw our lights, put in his
appearance and made signs that he
‘would guide us to the road, which he did,
walking ahead of the truck for several
miles until the road became more plain,
‘We arrived at Dikoa, North Nigeria,
about 7 on the morning of January 24
where we met the English Resident, the
first Englishman we had seen since
leaving Stanleyville. He very kindly
gave us tea and cakes, and after visiting
with him for some time and looking
over the extent of our damage by day-
ight, we drove on to Maidougari. At
Maidougari we met a man in. the
Government service whom I had met
going down on the ship to Lagos last
year. He told me that the next day at
1 o'clock there was a boat train leaving
Kano for Lagos, and that there would
not be another for two weeks. We had.
only slept two hours the night before,
and as Kano was 370 or 380 miles from
Waterfalls ot Bui, usar Bangui.
‘Maidougari, and as we were anxious to
reach the coast we decided to try to
reach Kano in time to catch this train,
We left Maidougari at 11 A. M. an
drove continually until midnigh
snatched 3 hours’ sleep and were off
again, arriving at Kano at 10 o'clock
the next morning,
‘The hardest part of the entire trip, on
both men and truck, was between Fort
Lamy and Kano. ‘The roads betwee
these points were mere trails, very
sandy, and there were several dry river
beds which we had tocrosson grass mats.
‘Ourarrival at Kano occasioned a great
deal of surprise among the residents
‘when they learned thatwehaddriven this
truck from Nairobi, British East Afr
We turned the’truck over to Mr.
Strawn and Mr. Carpenterof the African
& Eastern Trading Corporation, divided
the remnants of our stores between
them and caught the train for Lagos,
leaving Kano at 1.08 P.M., January 25.
(2)AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
A Few of Sir Charles Markham’s Snapshots
y
Giant mud fsk cought
‘nthe Shari
Elephant, billed in the Fort Arch-
‘ambauldistricr
‘Bridge repairing in Africa isstrilly
El Gola, reached on April 10. ‘oman erie jo.
(131RAVELING across equa-
believed to be the first trip
of the kind ever made in a four-
wheeled stock car or motor truck,
was the recent remarkable achieve-
ment of C.N. King, of the general
office of the International Har-
in an International Special De-
livery truck, Mr. King traveled
3,800 miles in nineteen driving
Se sh
Finally, after Mr. King arrived
Markham, who with Baron con
trip of 2,818 miles in 16 driving
days at an average of 15.05 miles
to the gallon of gasoline consumed,
This is also believed to be the first
time a stock model, four-wheeled
across the Sahara Desert.
4
ATLANTI'HILE certain details of Mr. King's and Sir Charles
Markham's stories may appear irrelecant to motor
transportation, it must be remembered that they
provide a background for the truck's accomplishments and
‘ive a true picture of the nature of the country traversed
and the hardships encountered.
The difficulties which Mr. King and Father Duffy had
to face on their journey from Nairobi to Kano were many.
Despite their severity they are not comparable with those
encountered by Sir Charles Markham and Baron von
Blixen-Finecke, who journeyed through to Algiers by way
of the Sahara Desert.
The diary of Sir Charles tells a tale of fears and mis-
ich brought the venture within a shade of dire
It needs no imaginative elaboration to indicate
the trying nature of the ordeal through which these intrepid
adventurers passed on their trip across the most arid stretch
of country in the world.
The stamina and reliability of the International Special
Delivery truck earried thom through under the most adverse
conditions. Had any serious mechanical difficulty occurred
it is certain that this story would have remained untold...
16}From Kano North Across the Sahara
to Algiers and On to London
Sir Charles Darkham’s Own Account of His Grip Across the Sahara
Desert with Baron von Blixen-Finecke in the Same International
Driven by @. N. King in His Journey from Nairobi to Kano
hy we crossed the
Sahara by car I should
find it difficult to answer,
beyond admitting that i
doing so we attempted and
accomplished something
which everybody claimed
was impossible,
‘To tell an Englishman
that some particular feat
cannot he accomplished is
about the best possible way
to make him attempt it
‘Since last August, Baron
Bxen and. had_‘been
slowly making our way
northward to Lake Chad
hy way of the Congo and
Shari Riversina small boat.
Our difficulties and har
ships enter into this story
only in so far as the mental
strain and physical exhaus-
tion had reduced us to a
state that, when the ques-
tion of getting out of the
country” arose, we were
struck with the possibility
of going all the way home
by ear. Although this was first. sug-
gested as a passing joke, the more we
discussed the possibilities the keener
wwe became to try it
Fate, however, decided for us. At
Fort Archambault on January 2i, we
were told that a Mr. C. N. King, of the
International Harvester Company, and
a companion, had motored through the
day before, coming from Kenya Colony,
some 3,000 miles distant. Mr. King
told somebody when he reached Kano,
ie were asked to state
‘Sir Charles Martha, Enalish
“olden diploma, eplorencond
eeeame hunter, author of the
tivdine account of
theSahara
Saterrtional Special Deivery
truck, phatograpbed inthe
Gerri whih on adda one ofthe
‘oretto antloper, Sine leas.
ine the diplomatic srece he
deol istame ta his a
sess intrest and to explore:
Hon ‘and’ big-game”hanting
hie
tn Baron Bror FrederikvonBisen
Finecke,”Suedich notlenan,
form tir Baron Bac,
far" resided. in Tansanyihe
Trrritry since 1013. Hote he
(eons and operates 0M eight
Shonsond-acre farm.” Baron
Biisen 0 ted. sportsman
‘ond. biggome. Inter and
‘cpectaly. famed throughout
‘ii an aio hao ie
isn experienced explorer wi
din extensive bnentedze ofthe
“African continent
sel in an
that he proposed to sell his International
truck and continue by train to Lagos.
Mr. Kingis, I believe, the first individ-
ual to drive a regular commercial four
whee'ed vehicle from the East to the
‘West of the African continent.
As Baron Blixen had already met Mr.
King in Kenya, we telegraphed to him
to know if he would sell his. truck,
delivery at Kano. He wired back,
pressing agreement. We thus acquired
the means of carrying out our project of
u7yAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
attempting what the Frenchmen de-
clared to be impossible. Looking back
how, we must have been crazier than
wwe Imagined we bought a vehicle that
neither of us had seen, a make we knew
nothing about other than its world-wide
Feputation of strength and reliability
‘Anyhow qe felt confident that Me-King
‘would not have wired “first-class condi
tion” had it not een so.
‘Wenoweontinuedonourway toChady
where for two months we hunted and
Tished according to plan. We had several
‘minor adventures on the Lakes both of
tus underrated the magnitude of this
sheet of water which is considerably
larger than Belgium. My Tittle boat,
though made of steel, and capable of
carrying a Toad “of three tons, was
tossed about like a cork. On two occa-
sions it nearly foundered. On our
return to Fort Laray we were able to ob-
tain a few details about road conditions.
Before we left Fort Lamy, the Gov-
‘emor, Monsieur de Coppet, endeavored
to persuade us to abandon our project
for the following reasons:
{Vehicle unsuitable,
‘owing to small tires,
‘and ot possessing one
very low gear, neces
sury (0 he said) to
plow through the sand
2:Danger of bandits,
who infest thesouthern
Sahara, coming from
Rio de Oro on the west
and. Tripolitans from
the Mediterranean.
3. ur lack of knowledge
of the desert. ¢
tong te of yar;
terra pasa Ue
Recess oe
SRB winds ta An, MAY)
‘which cause tet
sandstorms.
We both felt that having gone so far
‘as buying the International truck (as
yet unseen), and our keen desire to
Show that it could be done, we would
ignore his advice and decide to go on.
Later we bitterly regretted not listen
ing to him.
jonsieur de Coppet is that type of
French gentleman usually found in
French colonies. By wise and careful
administration, Chad is emerging from
‘one of the darkest and most primitive
countries into a rich and prosperous
colony.
‘On March 21 we said good-bye to our
friends at Fort Lamy, We reached
‘Kano on March 24, where for the first
time we saw the International truck,
Abe: Native fuking canoes and wets,
Hort Lamy om Like Chad. "Right, above!
Bite pot on Labe Chad. eft: Camp
i the Share" River where Sir Charles
tind Boron Blisen spent Chrisias, 1927.
118)AFRICAN ADVEN
We were favorabl
from the first. Tt looked just the thi
for our purpose. We examined it with
considerable care, for by
were beginni ye
not embarking on a joy ride. ‘Though
we thoroughly examined it, we found
nothing wrong—in fact, as it was then,
robody would have suspected the gruel”
ing ithad already been through. In one
t it was defective, if it can be
called a defect. There were practically.
no tools, only one spare rim and tite
and sio rim tool. Tshould not have been
surprised at the shortage of tools, as
Americans place implicit trust in their
cars and trucks,
By Monday afternoon, March 26,
all our arrangements were completed.
Every item to be carried was carefully
‘weighed, nothing being taken that was
impressed with it
not absolutely necessary. It was finally
Jaden with:
2 Rolls Bedding 100 tbs.
2 Small Suit Cases 30 Ibs.
1 Food and Cooking Box 40 Ibs.
1 Box Sundries, Camera, Ete. 50 Ibs.
1 Box Tools, Etc. 30 Ibs.
120 (Imperial) Gallons Petrol 1,200 Ibs.
6 (Imperial) Gallons Oil” 60 Ths.
1 Native Boy. 120 ths.
Blixen 160 Ibs,
Self 100 Ibs.
In addition, we carried two new tires,
two already having been put on the
back wheels, the old ones carried as
spares; thus, in all,
six spare tires and
‘ight tubes.
We dined with Mr.
‘Spears, the Honorable
lember for Kano,
Prior to moving off.
Plenty tocat, and still
more to drink, result-
ed in delaying our
departure till 1A.M.,
March 27.
Out first lap was to
Zinder, some 300 kel
fometers (186.4 miles) from Kano, a
fair road without much sand. At
4A.M. we stopped, overcome. with
sleep, the result of dining too well.
Native conve made of papyrus reeds,
RES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
March 27. Up and away at 6:30,
Good progress was made all day unti
3 o'clock, when we had a puncture in
the near’ back tire. A thorn was re-
sponsible. It took two hours to patch
the tube and replace the tire. The
lack of a rim tool and a respectable
pump made the job much harder,
resulting in some unparliamentary
language.
Ve arrived at Zinder at 6:30 P. M.
where the Chef de Cercle, corresponding
to our Resident Commissioner, was
oor enough to place a house at our
lisposal. Zinder in the past was a
place of considerable importance, hav-
ing been the base from which the south-
em Sahara and Lake Chad were occu-
pied. ‘Today commerce has superseded
militarism. Natives come and go in
absolute security. The few soldiers
present are in reality policemen,
‘The Colonel commanding, an old
hart-bitten colonial veteran, told us
that our best route would be to follow
the Niger as far as Gao, close to Tim-
Ductoo, thence northward. He further
told us that at Gao we should find a
French company which sold petrol. We
therefore decided to leave 56 gallons
behind at Zinder, as it was useless to
carry more than was necessary,
March 28. We left Zinder at 10:30
A.M, lighter by nearly a quarter of a
ton. “Good progress was made, the
track being hard with little tand,
except in the valleys,
The International
boiled badly, which we
at first attributed to
the car, but later real-
ized that it was due to
the appalling heat,
our thermometer reg”
istering 125 in the
shade. Stopped at 2
A.M. andslept by the
side of the road.
March 20. Off
again at 6 A-M-sharp;
efor breakfast. The road, such
as it is called, or at least marked on the
map, “passable for cars,” became worse;
up hill, down dale, running sand, and
(191AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
Baron Bison, Ai, ad the Intemational Special Delivery photgrphe onthe desert
‘Ree ines ond wae ere more importa th fod.
sharp flints. We again had two pun
tures, Hot and trying, repairing them.
Slept on roadside, too tired to eat
March 30. ‘At i0.A.M. wearrived at
Niamey, having covered the 900 kilo
meters (559.3 miles) from Zinder in 46
hours, atno timeexceeding 30ilometers
per hour, at which speed we found the
engine consumed the least water.
Niamey, the capital of the Niger
colony, is'a pretty little town on the
Danks of the Niger. The Governor and
Iisstal were most kind. He gaveus per
mission to use the Publie Works Depart.
repaired our tires and tubes. “We also
thoroughly greased the car. ‘The engine
itself required no oil (oil consumption
‘was a perpetual source of wonder to
us, as only a gallon was consumed dur-
ing the whole trip).
‘March 31. Left Niamey at 10 A. M.,
the authorities giving a bad report on
the road. Progress. during ‘the day
wwas slow, barely averaging 10 miles per
hour. We again intended traveling all
night, but were forced to stop at 11
o'clock, having hopelessly lost our way
in the hills. Road-making in this
country isa simple matter. Small piles
fof stones are heaped together every
100 yards, nothing else. » Sandstorms
frequently. bury. these landmarks. for
considerable stretches. After wandering
ahout and going round and round in
Circles, we finally had to stop until the
morning. During the night we heard
two lions calling, which did not improve
our night's rest, as we had no fire,
“April 1. Next morning we soon found
the tracks, so difficult to follow the night
before. Reached Gao at 11:30, having
plowed through deep sand for miles on
end. Both of us enthusiastic about the
International. Its behavior was magnifi-
cent. The resistance of the sand places
a terrific strain on the differential and
transmission, yet everything was fune-
tioning perfectly. We called on the
Chef de Cercle, who offered us a houce.
This we were forced to decline, as we
hoped to start off into the bl
the same day.
Visited the French company, where to
our dismay we were told there was no
petrolleft. Fora imeitlooked as though
120}AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
Adrab, a typieal native
desert arn, Jus wert of
Regaan.
we should have to wait until supplies
could be sent up from Bamako, involv
ing a delay of at least a month,
Here Fate was kind to us in that on
calling on the captain commanding the
garrison, this gallant officer offered to
Tend ws petrol out of the Government
aviation stock,wwe undertaking to replace
the amount taken out. We were thus
saved from the unpleasant situation of
having to sit down and do, nothing for
anything up to six weeks. The car was
repacked; several things being abau
doned, owing to weight. In the mean-
time, the Chef de Cercle had procured a
guide to show us the way as far as In
‘assit, 130 kilometers (80.8 miles) rom
Gao. In Tassit, though marked on the
map, isin fact only a water hole,nothing
else. From thence onward we were to
depend on our own resources. He told
us that we should follow old tracks all
the way, and that we might count on
‘two more water holes, one at Tabankort
and the other at Asselagh, some hundred
Kilometers farther on.
We now made
one of our biggest
mistakes in” not
sending our so-
called Kano guide
back home. He was
moreor less useless,
not knowing the
local language, al-
though af the time
we engage 1°
assured us that he
The road leaving Timimoun.
could speak pure Arabic. Instead of
sending him back, we decided to take
him along and send him home from
Marseilles, via Lagos and Kano,
Up till now we had covered 1,680
kilometers (1,044 miles) since leat
Kano, and with the exception of punc=
tured’ tires, the truck itself had not
's worry.
At 5:30 we again set off. Our new
guide took us direct across country,
winding our way round thornbrush and
avoiding drifting sand banks. Att A.M.
wereached In Tassit, where we found the
water hole. Here we slept the night.
April 2. Up at 6 o'clock, paid off the
guide and started again into the blue.
At 9445 we reached Tabankort, which
until recently wasa small military post,
and its desolation would drive most
white men crazy ina month. One small
square enclosure, surrounded by a
‘mud wall, in which are several smaller
buildings, buile of the same mater
Not a blade of grass for miles around,
This so-called post has now been come
pletely abandoned.
How it ever existed
cannot be under-
stood. The heat
is beyond descrip-
The water
was almost as salty
as that in the sea,
Five minutes after
drinking it, you are
thirstier_ than be-
fore. Wedecided not
ruAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
to fill our two ten-gallon water drums
‘a3 according to the Captain we should
pass another wel called Asselagh about
60 miles farther on, where the water was
said tobe better. Anyhow, we filled our
‘two four-gallon tins, which were fixed to
the running board.” Owing to the in-
tease heat our water consumption, even
15 miles an hour, necessitated our
filling the radiator every ten miles. We
continued on our way, no friendly heaps
ff stones, only old six-wheeler tracks of
cars belonging to the TransSaharan
‘Company, which eross the desert when
passengers are willing to risk the heat
and hardships. In the event of a car
hot arriving within a certain date, re-
lief cars are sent out from Reggan on
the other side. As a further security,
these cars (specially built y
low gears, six-wheels and tire equip-
‘ment greatly out of proportion to the
size of the car) carry’a complete wire-
less transmitting and receiving: set.
‘They can thus at any time get into
communication with their base.
‘On we went, the tracks in places
almost impossible to see. By midday
‘we had not found a water hole; still we
eptgoing, thinking perhapsthe Captain
had made’ a mistake in the distane:
‘The going, all the way, became steadily
worse; the country became more and
‘more arid, with less and less vegetation,
sand taking the place of the smali
stunted thornbrush.
At630 we came to the
conclusion that we had
either missed the well, or
that the tracks did not
lead to it
We were thus faced
ith the alternative of
ther going on (the go-
if, 80 the Captain said,
was better after the first two hundred
miles), or returning to pick up water
at Tabankort, which in reality meant
going right back to Gao, as we should
not have sufficient petrol to re-con-
‘tinue as from Tabankort.
We both went through a bad five
minutes, though neither admitted it at
the time. Either way courted death, a
death so terrible! Returning was, on
the face of it, the simpler plan, but the
going had been so bad that we doubted
‘our water supply holding out. No car
an travel in that heat without water
‘We would also have the wind behind 1
‘causing theengine tooverheat still more.
‘To go on, we were pushing into the
empty spaces of the worst desert in the
‘world, with no knowledgeof what was in
frontof us beyond what the Captain had
told us, and his information regarding
the water hole had been so inaccurate
that we doubted whether he knew
what the conditions really were. We had
only five gallons of water left, instead af
‘twenty-eight, as we planned to take, a
big difference in view of the engine's
‘Bel, the French fot at Lake Chad.
iAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
requirements. Ali by now was reduced
toa stateof useless flesh. He lay at the
bottom of the car, moaning and erying.
He would do nothing until a threat of
leaving him behind and an occasional
forcible reminder persuaded. him to
obey orders
Both wrote our decisions on a bit of
paper, so that neither could say that the
other first suggested what to do. We
both voted to go on, and again aban-
doned the greater part of our kit and
food, only keeping what we considered
vitally necessary. We were forced to
dispense with food, clothing, and equip-
ment, together with our two big water
drums, s0 carefully provided
We ‘now fully realized—perhaps for
the first time—the seriousness of our
situation. We knew that it would bea
grim fight to get through. We felt so
small, alone in this vast desert, where
not even man without his own’ javen-
tion “the car” could penetrate and
come out alive. A sea of sand all
round us, baked by the scorching sun;
a country hard and relentless. There
isno mercy from thedesert. We passed
‘too many tokens, as it
was, to be pleasant
ships of the desert
camels. Their bones
told their own tale—
water. Water, which
at Tabankort ‘we re-
garded as filthy, sud-
This phetgraph
2 ale he
Fanart Boer
Dacia theinene
feet it eas ne
Eien Meio
Sad ‘Beem. son
Pomcereee
ceuftcer thet
as
denly tasted like champagne. Each
mouthful to be taken sip by sip, won-
dering why one ever drank anything
ele. On we went, mile after mile,
no improvement in’ the going except
that going at ten miles an hour the car
consumed the minimum of water. At
2:30 A. M., overcome by exhausti
we were compelled to siop. A small
glass of water each and dry biscuits.
However, not a sound of complaint
from our wonderful ear.
April 3. The sun rose red and angry,
foretelling a gruelling hot day. We
started off at 5:30, neither having much
tosay to the other. The going became
worse, involving the use of corrugated
iron sheets uncer the wheels, which
otherwise would have sunk up to the
asles in sand, Forward four feet. Stop.
Seratch sand, replace sheets; again for-
‘ward four feet, and so on for hundreds
of yards on end through deep drifts of
loose sand. “In spite of these delays,
we managed to keep going, slowly but
surely, hoping to find the hard sand on
which, we were told, a car could go
100 kilometers an hour.
At5:30 P. M., we lost all signs of the
tracks. We took a wide circle, hoping
to rejoin them, but no trace could be
found. Twice we circled, the second
time a still larger sweep, but with the
sameresult. Weagain thought of turning
back, but eventually dismissed the idea.
We had not the faintest hope of getting
123]AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUG
back now. Our only hope lay in going
‘on with the use of the compass. We did
not even possess a decent map; all we
had was a general small scale map of
Africa, which was slightly Letter than
nothing. We therefore decided that the
next day we should proceed by com-
pass, hoping for the best. Too tired and
weary to get our blankets out, both
secretly thought we had come to theend
‘of our last journey. We now had less
than a gallon and a half of water left.
and were still barely half way.
April4. Off, 5A. M., setting our
course dus north, Sand was worse, i
possible, than yesterday; water dw
‘We now ceased drinking. Our
Position was. practically hopeless. At
12:30 we again ran into theold tracks.
We were glad, but felt. that now it
scarcely mattered. At 1:30 we see a
speck on the horizon. “What isit?” we
ask each other. At first curiosity, then
hopejitisa drum. Can iteontain water?
Weaccelerate. Hardly can we curb our
impatience. Empty! We cannot de-
scribe our bitter disappointment; nev:
born hope dashed! to the ground. Em
Onward, mile after mile, parched with
thirst; every drop of water poured into
the radiator felt like parting with our
life's blood.
At 3:30 we ran into a deep valley
where the sand was even deeper than we
‘encountered before. The truck sinks in
and stops, this time up to the axle
Only a quart of water left. For whom?
‘Theengine, or ourselves? Ali is now in
of tire tro
such a state that nothing can move!
We compromise by taking a mot
each. ‘The car drinks the rest and as
for more. We jack up the truck
again place the sheets under the
Progress is terribly slow, the car sh
dering under the terrific stiain fro
the resistance of the sand. Clouds
steam emerging from under the bon
but our International comes through
usual with flying colors. We eliml
‘small escarpment with considerab
difficutty. What do we see? No,
cannot be, but yes. Five drin
standing in solitary state barely
mile away!
The “International” is driven to
utmost. She herself seems anxious
know if she is to remain for al ti
monument over two dead white
Again we run into patch of loose
half way to the drums. Blixen gets 0
and staggers toward them. His pact
slow; at least, sitting in the car, I fe
itis. What an eternity it takes to
that half mile. I see Blixen shake th
nearest drum; itis apparently full but
it water or petrol?
With feverish haste he comes b
to get a spanner to open the bung.
again use the sheets in order (0 0
traction and eventually stop alongs
the drums. It takes little time to 0
the first in order to ascertain our
Itis water! We drink and drink, th
precious liquid which sends new Ii
through our We are safe!
least, we feel so, although still oly h
The Tanesraft Desert, hard-baked sand and fit rocks which withthe heat were the chi
This pire shes te tacts "hick he Intratonal Spel Dery
Bs
[ayAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
ttt rere ee ae EN EUS
Another photograph ofthe Special Delivery taken inthe mid ofthe desert. The sifting sands
build sp many such dunes asthe oe appearing inthe background.
way. We see the rolling Tanezruft
Desert stretching apparently intermina-
bly, until finally lost on the horizon,
Good, hard sand. ‘The whole position
was changed in ‘the twinkling of an
eye. We behave like elated schoolboys.
Who could wonder?
It took some time to revive poor Ali;
natives have neither courage nor sta-
mina.
Four drums were full and the fifth
two-thirds full. This we purloined.
Having eaten a hasty meal (by thi
time we were very hungry), we again
started off full of hope, the sand greatly.
improved, enabling us to increase our
average. ' Petrol consumption had,
naturally, been high. Had conditions
continued as in the past, we would have
been faced with another danger, that
of running out of petrol before reaching
Reggan. “No man could walk far in
such terrific heat.
‘Through losing the tracks again, we
were forced to stop at 1 A.M. The
going for the last four hours had been
excellent until the tracks came to a
dead end in front of a sand dune 50 feet
high, Thisdune must have been formed
Within the last twelve months. We
stopped here for the night in order to
snatch a few hours of welcome rest.
April 5. Offat6 A. M., soon finding
a way round the dune.” The going
improved, enabling us to travel in top
gear for mileson end, the truck humming
along in fine fete." We are now in the
middie of the great Tanezruft Desert
where it has never been known to rain
Hard sand with small lints lying on top.
‘We made excellent progress all day. in
spite of tire trouble, one back tire having
“crept,” owing to deflation while going
through sand, ‘The tube had ‘been
pinched, thus causing the puncture,
We again had trouble with the other
back tire, owing to a faulty valve.
We drove all through the night and
reached civilization, or at least its out
post, at 10:30. M.—Reggan.
April 6. We had thus covered 3,010
Kilometers (1,870.4 miles) since leaving
Karo on March 27, the lest 1,200
Kilometers (745.7 miles) without water
or the sight of a human being.
Reggan is the headquarters of the
‘Trans-Saharan Company, from whence,
as already stated, specially ecuippet
sicwheel cers with dual tires on exch
wheel, cross the desert. Monsieur ard.
Madame Hardoin received us. They
‘were most kind, Madame Hardon pro-
vided food, and her husband welcome
drinks, ‘These attentions thoroughly
125]AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
cheered us up. We apologized, and at
the same time thanked them’ for the
water, without which we should never
have gotten through. The water we took
‘must have stood them at shillings per
gallon.
‘After an excellent lunch, we sid
good-bye to our hosts and proceeded on
our way. From now onward there is a
well-defined track, marked by little
heaps of stones, such as we were ac-
customed to before leaving Gao. Not
that it was a road, for such things do
not exist in theextreme south of Alger'a.
We went through bad places as belore,
involving the use of ur iron sheets,
but nothing so serious as. previously.
experienced. We now knew that even
though the car break beyond repair
we should be within walking distance
of water, But our Intemational kept
true to form and didnot fail.
At 630 P. M, we reached Adrah, the
farthest military outpost in southern
Algeria. ‘The Lieutenant commanding
was most kind, giving us.a room and an
excellent dinner.
‘April. Next morning we broached
the subject of petrol (we had only three
gallonsleft). Unfortunately, he had no
authority to supply us, We therefore
had to wait until a reply came to the
message we sent by wireless to the
General Officer commanding in Algiers.
‘The answer came days after, granting
‘ourrequest to draw on military supplies,
but thiswasunnecessary,asthe Lieuten-
ant found a four-gallon tin of condem-
ned aviation petrol which he placed at
‘our disposal. This proved sufficient to
get us to Timimoun, 170. kilometers
ahead. We therefore’ decided to push
illization, soos reached after
‘on the following day, having enj
ceases (atcha
both good as we were beginning to
the strain and anxiety of driving
average of twenty hours a day und
the most terrible conditions,
Apel oa Lal sich at 2
track not very, good, resulting in
not reaching Ti 130
where we had the greatest surprise
our lives. Timimoun, a little garri
post, occupied by a handful of white
men, boasted an hotel, and what
hotel! Spotlessly clean, rooms proper
furnished, hot and cold water laid into.
every room, a comfortable dining room
such as one finds in Europe, proper
food, and a wine list that _no
manager told us that the hotel belonged
to the Compagnie. Trans-Atlantique,
who own a chain of hotels throwgho
North Africa. Tourists are taken i
six-wheel cars on circular tours, eal
imimoun so that visi
ssid we thought we were alread
“You are not through yet,” he
‘very few cars, other than six-whee!
‘Aftera most excellent lunch we again
set off; and by traveling all night we_
reached Fort McMahon, 190 kilometers,
(1IS.1 miles) from Timimoun, at § the
aera a Wastopped only BL
rit i0., We stopp. an
hour, as there was nothing to ree. The
‘teloe hundred bilometers of desert
desert, en from Reggan, also shat the old abandoned native fork,
(26)AFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
‘Our International had brought us safely ever the most dificult port of our journey.” The
photograph above tabon upon thei arrival at Reggan, shows Str Chaves Martha a te exteme
‘gh with Baron con Bien, while Als the naive guide, of he rear cf the truck
post wasabandoned yearsago. At 1130
swe arrived at El Golea, 200 kilometers
(136.7 miles) from Fort. McMahon,
where we found another hotel belong”
ingtothe Compagnie Trans-Atlantique.
‘At 3:30 we again started off. About
10 o'elock the same night we had really
bad tire trouble, three tires going flatall
atonce, two with valve trouble and one
pinched tube. The lack of a rim tool
‘made the job much harder. Our pump,
purchased at Kano, broke. The front
tire, as I said before, was due to a worn
valve. These tires had come through
from Nairobi, in Kenya Colony, with-
out theslightest trouble. ‘This was the
first time they had even to be pumped.
‘They had thus covered 6,000 miles,
most of which were cross country
through thornbrush, over hills strewn
th stones, and deserts, where they
became so hot that one could barely
touch them. Having repaired the tires,
we slept by the roadside.
‘April 11. Off at 430A.M., reaching
Cardaia, 300 kilometers (186.4 miles)
from El Golea at 11:30. Bad going over
sharp flintsand boulders. AtGardaia our
tcoubles were over. From now onward
we traveled on the world-famous Route
Nationale.
Started off again at 2:30 P.M. and
reached Laghouatat 9 P.M. Laghouatis,
a town, being a big military depot with
hotels, cafes, music halls, etc. Our en-
trance into the hotel caused a sensation.
Gur clothes were in rags and extremely
dirty and we ourselves look little bet-
ter than tramps. Anyhow, they fed 1s,
‘which wasall that mattered so faras we
were concerned. ‘The manager sold ts
petrol to help us on our way, probably
hot liking the Alea of having us 2%
guests in the hotel
Wemovedoff a 10:30 P.M. making
wood progress on a first-class road. We
Fal stopped on the roadside at 2AM
and slept til 4AM. when, owing
toevery car that pasced inquiring i we
were broken down, thereby disturbing
bur rest, we again got going, though stil
very tired,
‘April 12. ‘The last day was in away
the best, The road was a first-class one,
permitting a speed of 30 miles an hour,
and lay through some of the finest
Scenery we had ever beheld, The Atlas
Mountain, once sean, are neve tbe
forgotten, in some way resembling
Switzerland, and yet far more beautiful
For the first time we really felt that
‘we were out of the tropics. Finally, at
So‘clock, we dropred dawn into Algiers
land repaired to. the Hotel Algeria,
ivhere we found our clothes, which had
been sent out from home, wait
We had covered 4,535
(2818 miles) in sixteen days, including
one day lost at Adrah. From Kano to
‘Algiers the engine consumed 150 Im
pnAFRICAN ADVENTURES OF AN AMERICAN TRUCK
perial gallons (187.25 gallons) of petrol,
(15,08 miles per gallon) and only one
tallon of oil. Our tires gave no really
serious trouble.
‘The engine itself gave no. trouble
whatsoever. It certainly boiled, but
as already stated, the cause lay in the
terrific heat. We took the boc to Mar-
seilles, taking our International with us.
he last lap, from Marseilles to
London, was accomplished without in-
cident. "Leaving Marseilles
ng of the Ith at 9:30 o'clock, we
reached Paris the following afternoon,
having driven through without stop:
ping other than for petrol and meals
The following day’ I called on Ma-
demoiselle de Coppet and gave her
letters from her brother, the Governor
of Chad, entrusted to me 27 days before.
Thus ended our journey, begun and
carried out without any previous ex-
perience or special preparation of any
sort. All we had was the overwhelming
kindness and help from every French=
‘man we met; they one and all did every-
thing possibie to help us. I believe they
genuinely enjoy extending hospitality
to travelers. ‘They are proud of their
colonies and like you to see them,
Adak, the frst French military
‘on Blixen: Pineche tn Southern Algeria
“ere a day was lst in securing fasaline.
Perhaps at some no-distant date
express trains with sleeping cars and
restaurants will cross the Sahara more
or less the way we came; the traveler,
reclining in a comfortable chair, drink:
ing an iced drink, will not think much
of the country through which he is
traveling. Time, will enable him to
forget the days’ when it was not so
easy. Such is progress.
For our part, we are not only glad
to have safely accomplished this di
cult journey, but to have done it on a
regular four-wheeled stock commercial
vehicle, and without any special equip-
ient_or preparation, other than the
carrying of extra tires, fuel and water.
‘The route followed by the Interna-
tional Special Delivery car from East
Africa to London, England, was as fol-
lows: Nairobi, Uganda, ‘across the
Belgian Congo, French Equatorial At
rica, Lake Chad, Nigeria, French West
Africa, Sahara Desert, Algiers, across
France and on to London.
From Nairobi to Algiers the distance
covered was 6,618 miles over roads,
tracks, ete., which in Europe or Amerie
d not be classed as roads at all
No spare parts of any sort or descrip”
tion were carried; the four original tires
came through from Nairobi to Kano
jout any trouble. At Kano the hack
tires were replaced by new tires, but we
the old ones as spares.
at reacked by Sir Charles Marthom and Baron Frederik
In front
ofthe International 18 a typial French solder, eteron of many desert campaigns.
(28)Here's Economy for You—and Speed—in the
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The New Special Delivery is a result
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