182 CAMEL AND DROMEDARY. 



ball of 'paste each day. They often run in this manner for 

 eight or nine days, without meeting with any water, 

 during which time they never drink ; and when by chance 

 they find a pool at some Distance from their route, they 

 smell the water at more than half a mile before they come 

 to it. Thirst now makes them redouble iheir pace ; and 

 then they drink enough for all the time past, and for as 

 long to come ; for often they are many weeks in travelling ; 

 and their time of abstinence endures as long as they are 

 upon their journey. 



In Turkey, Persia, Egypt, Arabia, Barbary, &c., they 

 use no other carriage for their merchandise, than camels, 

 which is, of all their conveyances, the most ready, and the 

 cheapest. Merchants, and other travellers, assemble 

 themselves in caravans, to avoid the insults and piracies 

 of the Arabs. These caravans are often very numerous, 

 and often composed of more camels than men. Every one 

 of these camels is loaded according to his strength; and 

 he is so sensible of it himself, that whc^i a heavier load 

 than usual is put upon him, he refuses it by constantly re- 

 maining in his resting posture, till he is lightened of some 

 of his burden. 



As the collecting of sucti an assemblage requires time, 

 and the imbodying of them is a serious concern, it is con- 

 certed with great care. Four officers are appointed to 

 preside over different departments the chief or head of 

 the caravan, the masters of the march, of the halt, of the 

 distribution. A paymaster is also chosen, and three officers 

 who perform the duties of quarter-master and aides-de T 

 camp, by marshalling the troop when the caravan is at- 

 tacked, and assigning the station when obliged to encamp. 

 A large caravan is composed of no less than five distinct 

 companies, first the heavy caravan, consisting of elephants, 

 and dromedaries, camels, and horses; secondly, the light 

 caravan, with a small number of elephants; thirdly, the 

 common, which is formed entirely of camels and horses ; 



