EQUIPMENT 243 



Wadi Haifa. Needless to say I found the equipment in 

 a most deplorable condition, the framework of the saddles 

 being simply in pieces. As we were to start in a few 

 days I lost 110 time in going over to the Ordnance officer 

 with rather a formidable requisition for various articles 

 (tarred yarn especially, to lash the frameworks together). 

 I had already drawn a certain amount, but found that 

 it was insufficient, as I had not anticipated getting such 

 hopeless gear. The Ordnance officer, who was very 

 young and inexperienced, informed me that I had drawn 

 enough, and refused point-blank to give me any more. 

 I promptly rode off to the Brigadier-General in com- 

 mand, explained matters to him, and returned in a few 

 hours armed with his authority to draw whatever I con- 

 sidered requisite for the overhauling of my equipment. 



What is wanted among various other things to make A good 

 transport efficient is a good pack-saddle, and without it saddle 

 your animals must deteriorate into an effete and debili- 

 tated lot, not worth the cost of maintenance. As has 

 been pointed out over and over again, this want has 

 made itself felt in all our expeditions, and has always 

 been one of the principal sources of mischief. Too 

 much attention cannot be paid to this, for it is self- 

 evident that the better your equipment, the more 

 durable it will be, and the better condition will your 

 animals maintain the latter, in fact, being to a great 

 extent a result of the former. This can be very easily 

 procured, and there would be no difficulty in making 

 a pattern saddle. The framework should be made 

 of a light durable wood, strongly put together. The 

 panel ought to be lined with a tough but riot too coarse 

 and not too porous material say felt and stuffed with 



R 2 



