294 THE CAMEL 



undertaking, they would have come out much better 

 than they did without doubt. Even as it was, it is 

 simply wonderful to think that, in spite of everything 

 being against them, they covered a daily average of 34 

 miles in the first march, and of 20 in the second, which 

 was nearly 200 miles in length, and included two days' 

 halt, and two general actions, which delayed us another 

 two days, so that the camels actually marched about 30 

 miles a day. It is my firm impression that not one of 

 these and other camels similarly used ever recovered 

 from the terrible effects of the work they were forced 

 to do, but that one and all died eventually. One can 

 hardly compare the two marches, not only for this 

 reason, but also because (1) Eoberts had 10,150 fight- 

 ing men and 8,145 followers, ten times Stewart's force, 

 which was mounted, even the transport, while his 

 were chiefly infantry; (2) the distance was much 

 greater, and (3) so were the impedimenta (guns in- 

 cluded) and the number of followers, Stewart having 

 no impedimenta to speak of, a few seven-pounder and 

 machine guns, and only some camel drivers, from 100 

 to 150. 



But though the mule actually walks faster, the 

 baggager of the right stamp, and in proper hands, will 

 for all practical purposes cover as much ground daily 

 as the former, while the Sawari will jog away from him 

 in no time. In other respects a mule has the following 

 advantages over the baggager : (1) he can stand climatic 

 changes, heat and cold, wet and dry; (2) on this account 

 he is hardier and tougher ; (3) can tolerate any ground 

 except heavy sand. On the other hand, he has always 

 to be shod regularly, in rocky hilly country especially? 



