wild Camels 



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herbage in the midst of what appeared miles of open water ; 

 and, in fact, during wet winters there is no dry land to be seen. 

 Yet they never approach the adjacent dunes of Dofiana, though 

 these would appear so tempting. By night, however, the camels 

 sometimes pass so near to our shooting-lodge that their scent, 

 when borne down- wind, has created panic among the horses, 

 though the stables are situate within an enclosed courtyard. 



Antonio Trujillo, formerly head-keeper of the Goto Donaua, 

 some vears ao-o chanced on a camel that was " booked " in a 

 quicksand {nude). These places are dangerous, and it was not 

 till six days later that he was enabled, by l)ringing planks and 



ropes, to drag the poor beast to firm land. All round the spot 

 where the camel had laid he found every root, and even the very 

 earth, eaten away. Yet the animal when set free appeared none 

 the worse, for it strolled away quite unconcerned, and shortly 

 commenced to browse while still close by. 



Young camels are born early in the year, about February, 

 though whether that is the exclusive period we have no means of 

 knowing. 



A curious incident occurred one winter day when we had 

 ridden out into the marisma expressly in search of camels. It 

 was an intensely cold and dry season, almost unprecedented for 

 the severity of the frost. When several leagues from anywhere, 

 a keen eye detected in the far distance a roving fox. All 

 dismounted, and letting the horses graze, hid behind them and 

 awaited his approach. Then with only a single podenco, or 



