174 THE STORY OF THE CAMEL. 



The riding camels are a different breed from those used to carry mer- 

 chandise, and a swift camel is as highly prized by an Arab as a good horse is 

 prized by Americans or Europeans. The speed of these riding camels con- 

 sidered in connection with their endurance is something remarkable. Egyptian 

 camels have been known to travel a hundred and twenty miles a day. They 

 can go a hundred miles a day easily, and there are authentic cases in Africa 

 of messages having been sent a thousand miles in ten days by camel. 



The swiftest breed of the riding camel is known as "El Heirie." The 

 Arabs, in their poetical way of speaking, describe the speed of a heirie some- 

 thing after this manner : "When thou shalt meet a heirie and say to the rider 

 'Salem Aleik,' ere he shall have answered the 'Aleik Salem' he will be afar 

 off and nearly out of sight, for his swiftness is like the wind." 



Although the camel serves its master well, it rarely receives good treatment 

 in return. It is beaten with and without cause. At night its forelegs ;ire tied 

 together while the animal is in a kneeling position, thus preventing it from 

 rising and straying. When it is over-loaded it will not rise, and no amount 

 of beating will make it, although the Arab continues to belabor it with a club, 

 which experience should have taught him is perfectly useless under the cir- 

 cumstances. 



While the camel always wears a look of weariness and despondency, it is 

 one of the most tireless of animals, and is fitted by nature to undergo hard- 

 ships that would kill the average four-footed beast. 



