CHAP. xxiii.J WARS OF THE REVOLUTION. 361 



his men by compelling them to carry this extra weight, 

 and the pikes were consequently never used. It will be 

 remembered that this was the same device that was used 

 by the English archers at Agincourt against the charges 

 of the French men-at-arms. 



Another interesting and peculiar incident of this expe- 

 dition was the organisation by Napoleon of a regiment 

 mounted on dromedaries, which constituted a species of 

 dragoon force very efficient upon the desert, where horses 

 marched with great difficulty.' The corps was composed 

 of carefully-chosen infantry soldiers, armed with muskets 

 and bayonets, and riding upon a kind of Turkish saddle, 

 which covered the hump of the animal. They were able 

 to carry ten days' provisions with them. On going into 

 action they halted, and the dromedary knelt down 

 motionless, while the riders dismounted, formed up as 

 infantry, and fought either in line or in square, as occa- 

 sion required. At first each animal carried two soldiers, 

 but it was found better to have only one, the place of 

 the other being used to carry provisions. 



^ Humbert, 165. 



