322 THE CAMEL 



expeditions the transport has been nothing more than 

 a mere hasty collection of animals, bought not for their 

 special fitness, but by the gross, looked after by men 

 totally inexperienced and ignorant of the work, without 

 any organisation, and with improvised administration. 

 Such it will remain as long as the system is unchanged. 

 As Lord Strathnairn said, it would be ' wiser to have ten 

 thousand men with perfect transport, which ensures their 

 efficiency, than twice that number with imperfect trans- 

 port and all the evils which follow in its train an em- 

 barrassed strategy, neglected sick, and an ill- supplied 

 soldiery.' 



Advan- A permanent camel transport has indisputably in 



peS?a f every way the advantage over a temporary train, the 

 temporary mam features of which, in summing up, are: (1) The 

 transport q u i c k er an ^ easier method of obtaining a large supply 

 of animals ; (2) the supply of a superior stamp of ani- 

 mals ; (3) improvement of class and breed ; (4) a 

 decided diminution in casualties on service ; (5) a con- 

 siderable increase in the weight-carrying capacity of the 

 animals, thus adding considerably to the mobility and 

 activity of an army; (6) a state of preparation and 

 readiness which, if it does not immediately secure a 

 moral victory, at all events secures the initiative, and 

 gives a force all the moral superiority which the attack 

 has over the defence ; (7) an immense economy of (a) 

 money and (b) time both of which are of inestimable 

 value, the latter especially, plunged as we so often are 

 into war without a moment's warning. While in peace 

 time the following are some of the sources by which 

 profit may accrue : (1) Yearly increase of animals by 

 breeding; (2) yearly revenue to be derived, (a) by 



