28 SPORT IN ABYSSINIA. 



iron score the back. In two days the wound begins 

 to discharge matter ; after a {q.\\! days more, the 

 sore should be washed once or twice every twenty- 

 four hours and dressed Avith fresh butter. The back 

 becomes much iiarder after these wounds have healed 

 up, but it requires at least a month or more to do 

 so, and the animal should be kept within doors or in 

 any enclosed space, and fed on corn and green food, 

 as the discharge from the wound is exceedingly 

 weakening. 



Some merchants of Abyssinia, who travel daily 

 for months down to the coast from distant parts, much 

 prefer mules and donkeys whose backs have been 

 burnt, as, they say, the animals are hardier, and the 

 soreness and swelling are not likely to recur. 



As to our camels, they were with us only a short 

 time, for they left us at the foot of the hills ; my 

 experience of camels, therefore, is not very great. 

 All that I observed was, that it is best to leave them 

 to the cameleers ; but to see that the cameleers, when 

 loading up at starting, are not trying to shirk their 

 loads and put the things told off to them on their 

 neighbours' camels. This is a favourite expedient, 

 and they will tell any lies and swear any oaths to get 

 rid of a pound or two of baggage, especially if the 

 camel is a favourite one with them. 



With regard to the mode of packing mules and 



