264 THE CAMEL 



order to arrive in camp early, while no camp followers 

 of any description are ever allowed near the baggage 

 columns ; and striking or ill-treatment of camels or 

 their drivers is strictly forbidden. No further explan- 

 ation is needed, but let us read, mark, and inwardly 

 digest these golden maxims. 



Spare This brings us to another very weighty matter 



namely, that of spare camels ; and herein to a great 

 extent lies the very marrow of a transport system on 

 service viz. a sufficient percentage of spare animals, 

 20 per cent, if possible, but certainly not less than 10. 

 Every unit ought to be complete in this respect, and in 

 the field and on the march this percentage should be 

 kept up. These units should be fed from a reserve 

 accompanying the force, otherwise those already loaded 

 will be called upon to do more than they can, and a 

 breakdown will be the result. Many are the collapses 

 that could have been avoided had there been a reserve. 

 All other branches of the military machine have a 

 reserve, why not the transport ? Why not indeed ? 

 With an inefficient transport a force is cramped and 

 slow in its movements, and mobility, one of the main 

 characteristics, almost the 'essence, of a good army is 

 out of the question. 



Spare camels are also most useful when, as often 

 happens, the drivers get footsore, knocked up, or fall 

 sick. There is no help for it in the present state of 

 things but to place them on a laden camel, as con- 

 voys on lines of communication are always without 

 ambulance conveyance, medical aid, or comforts. 

 Once or twice between Assouan and Haifa, had it not 

 been for the river, I would have been placed in rather 



