210 THE CAMEL 



Mle at Wady Haifa, where the stream is very broad 

 and the current powerful, and also in the harbour at 

 Suakim ; so that most ordinary rivers, except in the 

 first rush of flood, would be no serious obstacle to him. 

 He can ford a river well, even if deep, so long as it is 

 not rapid, and should the bottom of the ford be shifting 

 sand the passage of a number of camels is said to 

 make it hard and firm. Of course, in both the above 

 instances, as well as when ferrying them across, un- 

 load and unsaddle them. 



Good tra- To sum up, then : in spite of the gross exaggerations 

 and misstatements regarding the marching and carrying 

 powers of the camel, it will be seen that for speed and 

 endurance the Sawari and the baggager, according to 

 their respective classes, and under certain conditions, 

 cannot be surpassed. I have made many quick rides 

 with the former and many good marches with the 

 latter ; but I cannot do better than quote one of the 

 late General Gordon's, who to this day is remembered 

 by the Bedawins in the Soudan for his fast performances, 

 and that was his last memorable ride from Korosko 

 to Abu Hamed, across 230 to 260 miles of the very 

 worst desert in North Africa, when, in company with 

 Colonel H. D. Stewart, of the llth Hussars, he ac- 

 complished it in fifty-two hours' riding all told, con- 

 tinuing the journey to Berber, another 143 miles, in 

 twenty-four hours, or from 373 to 403 miles, including 

 halts, in nine days. As an example of what the Bac- 

 trian species can do, I cannot give a better instance of 

 great hardiness and endurance than the exodus of the 

 Kalmucks in January 1771 from Eussia, during the 

 reign of the Empress Catherine. In all about 600,000 

 souls were concerned, and in the first seven days, 



