142 



was only half enough transport and it was most difficult to feed 

 what there was {Official Report ; Nile Expedition). 



The Marches in the Nile Expedition were too long fSO — 40 

 miles per diem) and often too fast (3 miles an hour^ including 

 halts). Often the animals were loaded up long before start- 

 ing and long after arrival at the end of the march (Jones). 

 The emergencies of the campaign often rendered these errors un- 

 avoidable, but it was made very evident that 20 — 25 miles per diem 

 is quite sufficient for a camel force, that in a march of 20 miles the 

 camels must be allowed two halts of 5 minutes each for staling, 

 that the walking pace should not exceed 2^ miles per hour, 

 including halts. Walking too fast interferes with rumination. 

 Proper rest is absolutely necessary^ but when a force halts long 

 in one place exercise should be given and is especially good in 

 the early morning (Queriple). Col. Furse in his Nile Report 

 quite admits that, were it practicable, parking in circles or leaving 

 free in corrals would be preferable to tying up in lines where 

 camels feel the restraint and are restless. 



The want of blankets at night was much felt. The tempera- 

 ture at Ambigol was at times oO^F. It was urged that the 

 blanket might be used as a jhool at night and a saddle cloth in 

 the day time, but when it was desired to issue blankets for the 

 camels the Commissariat Officer replied he had not enough for 

 the men.- It is noted as an exceptional fact that the gun camels 

 were groomed; w^ashing twice a Aveek was considered good but 

 great care was needed to avoid subsequent chill. 



Sir Charles Wilson objects to niglit 'marching. He urges 

 that "camels suffer enormously; they start on empty stomachs, 

 get no proper food or rest, their loads are badly put on, tliere is 

 much confusion, long halts are necessary, the beasts are hurt 

 bv marching in close order over rough ground in the dark, sleep 

 by day is not so refreshing for man or camel as it is by night. 



Bennett considers that 16 miles per day of eight working 

 hours is better than greater distances, and, since continuous 

 marching wears out the animal, periodical days of rest should be 

 allowed. In the trot a camel can traverse 7 — 8 miles per hour, 

 and in the amble 4— 4\ miles. Hiding camels with despatches 



