73 



they be, I do not think that any education or coaxing could elevate 

 them to the higher ranks, as friends, comrades, sporting companions 

 and playfellows of man as are so many of his pleasant acquaint- 

 ances among the brute creation. 



Like many human beings, camels get credit for good qualities 

 which they do not possess ; for example, patience is popularly 

 supposed to be one of their virtues. Now I do not know a more 

 discontented fidgetty, ill-behaved animal than a camel when being 

 detailed for duty. 



Some Indian traveller, if I mistake not, Russell, of the " thin 

 red line" fame gives an excellent description of the objections 

 raised by baggage camels to being laden, but the impatience 

 of one of these is trifling to that shown by many of the highly- 

 bred and light animals, kept solely for saddle-work ; most 

 of which are really very beautiful game and blood-looking crea- 

 tures, in appearance as different from a baggage camel as is a 

 thorough-bred from a dray horse. Unless a saddle camel is very 

 well broken the moment the rider's foot is in the stirrup, up springs 

 the camel, hind quarters first, so that, as the beast's knees are still 

 on the ground, the rider is shot well forward to be the next moment 

 as rapidly jerked back, as the forelegs are brought into play ; then 

 probably the beast makes a bolt for a hundred yards or so, per- 

 fectly regardless of the reins, or whatever may be the proper term 

 for the tiller rope like guiding strings attached to the wooden studs 

 let into his nostrils. Then they give themselves as many airs, and 

 they are as fanciful about the particular objects they elect to shy 

 at, or to object to, as many horses and to make one go pleasantly, 

 a light hand is even of more consequence than in horsemanship, for 

 these beasts have as many peculiarities of tender or hard nostril as 

 a horse has of mouth. This however once understood ; I do not 

 know a more pleasant hack, or one of greater service to a sportsman 

 than a well-broken riding camel, one that will sit quietly while 

 being mounted and will not pull. The exertion, so often spoken 

 about, of camelmanship, if there be such a word, is only imaginary ; 

 the rider has only to sit as loosely as possible that is not to grip 

 the saddle and to give his arms, legs and body any play that wil) 

 prevent their resisting the motion of the huge animal ; to sit native- 



10 



