286 THE CAMEL 



From Tuli to Salisbury, and even from Johannesburg 

 and Mafeking up to Tuli, transport riders did not as 

 a rule carry more than 5,000 lb., and occasionally 

 6,000 lb., as the roads were rough and heavy and the 

 distance long. 



The mule The mule is about the handiest and hardiest of all 

 pack animals. He can work in any country, and under 

 every condition of climate, but is specially suited for 

 mountainous regions. He will go over any ground, no 

 matter how steep and rocky, he is so very sure-footed 

 and nimble. His toughness and endurance are perfectly 

 marvellous, and it is wonderful how long and on how 

 little he seems to live and even thrive upon. He is 

 less liable to sore backs and galls than any other animal, 

 the donkey excepted. He is a fast walker, and will 

 keep up 3 miles an hour on average ground, and 

 on good I have known him to do 3^. Even on a bad 

 road over rocks and hills he will do 2^ miles an hour ; 

 but of course heavy sand is very trying to him, as it is 

 for all animals except the camel. He is accused of 

 being obstinate and ill-tempered, but this if it is the 

 case arises almost wholly from ill-treatment during 

 juvenility, as well as from the woful ignorance of the 

 animal's ways that generally prevails among Britishers. 

 The mule is naturally docile and patient in the hands 

 of those who understand him and who treat him kindly, 

 and he will show them as much affection nearly as a 

 horse. He strongly objects to be hit over the head 

 and kicked violently in the ribs or stomach, as I have 

 frequently caught Tommy Atkins doing, and naturally 

 enough this brutal treatment by no means improves his 

 temper or his manners, so he returns it by biting, 



