256 THE CAMEL 



this iota, which harasses and fatigues him to a great extent, 

 especially when he requires most of his time, energy, 

 and capacity for other and more important purposes. 

 The way In dealing with natives, above all things, firmness 



with and fairness are essential. Once show that you are 

 undecided, or hesitate in the smallest way, and it is all 

 up with you. Always pay the men yourself; see per- 

 sonally that they get their rations, clothes, and every- 

 thing that they are entitled to. Show them that you 

 take an interest in them. On the other hand, be very 

 severe and strict ; punish them promptly for any 

 violation or dereliction of duty. Do not try to reason 

 with them, or do not appeal to their feelings 

 the class of men we have on service do not as a 

 general rule possess any. If necessary, however, the 

 only way to appeal to them is by a flogging, which is 

 the only appeal they understand. Fining is inadequate, 

 and often no infliction whatever, because such unprin- 

 cipled loafers as we get do not appreciate the true value 

 of money, and as frequently as not it is a matter of 

 indifference to them. Do not bully them, and, above all, 

 do not be changeable and uncertain to them, but let 

 your guiding principle be decision. No one that has 

 not actually gone through the mill can conceive any 

 idea, much less form an opinion, of the difficulties in 

 this one branch alone that a transport officer has to 

 contend against, the tact he requires, and the delicate 

 way in which he should handle these men (1) to get 

 any work out of them, (2) to prevent desertion. All 

 the obstacle races ever run have been child's play to 

 it. I could fill pages on this point alone, but I think I 

 have said enough for our purpose. 



