. The gateway to the Sahara; observations and experiences in Tripoli. fondiik to caravans and the trade is are usually rectangular enclosures witharcades along the sides and open in the centre,surrounded by the palm and olive gardens of thekeeper, who may supply fresh fruits, vegetables,and other domestic products. There is one en-trance protected by heavy doors, which arebarred at night. Usually, either town or coun-try caravansaries occur so frequently on thetrails that long, forced marches are seldom nec-essary. About four cents per head is charged forcamels and a nominal
. The gateway to the Sahara; observations and experiences in Tripoli. fondiik to caravans and the trade is are usually rectangular enclosures witharcades along the sides and open in the centre,surrounded by the palm and olive gardens of thekeeper, who may supply fresh fruits, vegetables,and other domestic products. There is one en-trance protected by heavy doors, which arebarred at night. Usually, either town or coun-try caravansaries occur so frequently on thetrails that long, forced marches are seldom nec-essary. About four cents per head is charged forcamels and a nominal price for goats and sheep:at fonduks green fodder and other supplies maygenerally be obtained. Fonduk-el-Tajura was typical of those foundthroughout North Africa. The impatient beasts,hungry and eager to seek relief from their heavyloads, tried to jam through the single portal wideenough for but one camel and its burden. Allwas dust and confusion. Midst yells, curses,and *hike, hikes, their drivers sought to extri-cate the animals or save the goods from being [184]. 3 M THE CARAVAN TRADE ripped from the loads. The inside of the fondukwas a square open enclosure bordered by a cov-ered arcade as a protection for the men in therainy season. When all were in, the heavy doorswere closed and barred against marauders. Allabout me the great beasts were dropping to theearth, remonstrating and groaning as vigorouslyas when they were loaded. The packs taken off,their saddles were carefully removed and scouredwith sand, for the hump must be kept clean,healthy, and free from saddle sores. The camels were soon given their green fod-der, which at fonduks generally consists of fooa[madder-top roots] or barley, the ksub [guineacorn], or bishna [millet], while that cheapest andalmost indispensable food, the date, finds its wayto the mouths of men and beasts. The mainstayof the caravan men is dried dates and breadmade with guinea corn. On long voyages the days fare is often con-sumed on the march
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