17 



he does with cautiou, stopping very high. If ho gets into a 

 quicksand he is apt to "lose liis head'' and exhaust himself seri- 

 ously in his struggles — but places which have a shifting sand 

 bottom are often passable by mules, oxen, &c., only after the 

 bottom has been hardened and rendered firm by the passage of a 

 number of camels ; when the bottom is slippery the camel is apt 

 to get into difficulties. When the water is very low and practi- 

 cally the river is but a wide stretch of sand the camel traverses 

 it with facility. Over deep wide rivers they may best be conveyed 

 in long boats, they will kneel down transversly in a row and 

 remain very quiet. With regard to swimming camels, it is much 

 better to ford a river if possible. This may be attempted even 

 when the water is 3 or 4 feet deep if the bottom be good and the 

 current not too rapid. As even a narrow trench will absolutely 

 check the progress of camels, it is always advisable to, as was 

 found essential in Afghanistan (Martin), carry on the leading 

 camels gangboards 8 ft. by 3 ft. to act as Camel-bridges ; many 

 a very vexatious and prolonged delay will thus be prevented. A 

 camel weighs about 14 maunds with 5 maunds as load, we must, 

 therefore, have somewhat stout boards with which to make these 

 bridges. 



(9) . The Camel is an easy animal to feed and requires only 

 simple management while on active service to preserve him in work- 

 ing order, but even this has not been granted to him iif recent 

 campaigns. Martin tells us that in the Kuram valley "a very 

 large number of camels perished. The camel appears to have 

 remained a comparatively neglected animal and his diet, treat- 

 ment in sickness, habits, capability of marching, &c., appear to 

 be only partially understood. When camels were attached to 

 regiments as Regimental Transport they fared better than when 

 on general duty. The Sepoys and Camel-men foregathered and 

 the beasts and their drivers obtained a larger share of considera- 

 tion, the officers of the regiment naturally interesting themselves 

 in them." It is very evident that Camel Transport has never 

 had a fair trial, for it has never been under good management, as 

 eusurable only by adequate curopeau supervision. It is to be 

 anticipated that things will be much improved under the present 

 Transport Organization for India which supplies experienced 

 Transport Officers and Non-commissioned Officers, but, unfortu- 

 nately, not iu sufficient numbers. 



