16 SPORT IN THE EASTERN SUDAN 



with pommels in front and behind, made to seat one 

 only ; quite different from the quilted Indian saddle, 

 made to seat two. The Arab saddle is convenient for 

 carrying rifles, water-bottles, etc., but it frequently 

 struck me that if I had brought a couple of Indian 

 saddles from Bombay, one for myself and the inter- 

 preter, and the other for the two Indian servants, 

 I should have saved the hire of two riding-camels 

 up to Kassala, and could probably have sold the 

 saddles for their full value afterwards. At the same 

 time the Arab saddle is something of a curiosity, and 

 I bought a couple, which I still possess, for 3 apiece. 

 The baggage-camel saddle is a rough wood and 

 sacking affair, which ought to cost about 4s., though 

 I paid 6s. apiece in Kassala. The pommels are 

 frequently breaking, and when this occurs the bind- 

 ing cords should be cut to pieces, and the unbroken 

 pommels saved for future use. The sportsman should 

 bring at least one old hunting-saddle for his donkey 

 or pony, of course, provided with as many stout 

 " Ds " as it can carry, also a few old bridles, head- 

 stalls, etc., as well as punches, rivets, and other 

 tools for the repair of leather, at which business he is 

 likely to become something of an expert. 



The business of most importance in African travel 

 is undoubtedly the water-supply, and it is unthink- 

 able that his Arab attendants will permit the most 

 ignorant European to be neglectful in this particular. 



