In the summer of 1884 a reconnaissance was made by Lt.-Col. Colvile and Lieut. Stuart-Wortley from Assiut to Lagia, in order to find out whether the forces of the Mahdi could penetrate into Egypt by this road. The result of the patrol was satisfactory, and demonstrated that, owing to the paucity of water on the road, it would be quite impossible for a force of any size to traverse it.
The total length of the Darb El Arbaïn, from Assiut to El Fasher, is certainly not less than one thousand (1,000) miles. To cover this stretch in forty days would appear to necessitate particularly excellent camels, but the following is the normal time taken, according to native report:—
| Place. | Marching Days. | Rest Days. | Total No. of Days. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assiut | — | — | — |
| El Kharga | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Beris | 1½ | 1 | 2½ |
| El Murra | 3 | — | 3 |
| El Kassaba | 1½ | 1 | 2½ |
| Sheb | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Selima | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| El Lagia | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Natron Wells, Bir Sultan | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| J. Anka or Meidob | 7 | — | 7 |
| El Fasher | 3 | — | 3 |
| Total | 32 | 8 | 40 |
A day’s journey in summer lasts from El Asr (two hours before sunset) till one hour after sunrise; and in winter from sunrise till three hours after sunset.
Description.
The only points south of Kharga which have been astronomically fixed in modern times are Kassaba and Sheb (Talbot, 1903), and therefore the distances between the main points given below must be considered more or less approximate. The road is hardly defined at all throughout its length, and variations occur at different points. A road also joins the Arbaïn from Mut (Dakhla Oasis) at Terfawi (five days).
On no account should an intending traveller move without reliable guides, who may usually be obtained, or heard of, at Assiut.
(a.)—ASSIUT, viâ KHARGA, to BERIS and MAKS.
(“Kharga Oasis: its topography and Geology,” by John Ball, 1899, Public Works Department, Cairo, pp. 20, 44-60, &c.; Captain Lyons, R.E., February, 1894, &c.)
| Place. | Miles. | Description. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-mediate. | Total. | ||
| Assiut | — | — | Leave Assiut on the S., turn to W.,through cemeteries, and along the the foot of the scarp. |
| 5 | 5 | Road winds uplimestone cliff 470 feet. A few miles over broken ground brings oneon to nearly level limestone desert, with no hindrance in anydirection. Road runs generally S. over flat limestone; nothing ofany interest till the road dips into the great hollow of theoasis. | |
| 82 | 87 | ||
| Ein Karam Mohammed | 13 | 100 | First water at EinKaram. See book above-mentioned for maps and full description ofthe great Oasis of Kharga, which lies in a dip over 100 miles longand 20 miles wide, running N. and S. About 120 wells and 10villages or districts; population about 8,000; 4,500 feddans ofcultivated ground, and about 60,000 palm trees. The oasis includesthe villages of Bulak (third largest village), Beris (secondlargest village), attacked by Dervishes in 1893, and Maks (Bahariand Gibli). The road now strikes again S. into the desert. |
| Kharga | 26 | 126 | |
| Bulak | 15 | 141 | |
| Beris | 39 | 180 | |
| Maks | 9 | 189 | |