MULES FOB MILITARY SERVICE. 129 



" Of all transport animals the hardiest, and therefore, on the 

 whole, perhaps the most useful, is the mule. To be worth his 

 keep and supervision, mules should not be less than 13 hands 

 high, and capable of carrying 1801b. to 2001b. over rough 

 country. This they will do if provided with a suitable saddle, 

 so that the load may ride easily, and sore backs and continual 

 breakdowns may be avoided." 



The engraving shows a gun mule in marching order 

 as used in the Indian Mule Batteries, but, as Captain 

 Lugard says, the character of the saddle is most important, 

 and therefore it is desirable to reproduce the following 

 detailed description of the best pack saddles used in 

 India, the native one which is used in the Punjab and the 

 Government gear which has been founded on it. This 

 very important detailed account was furnished by a 

 military officer in an exhaustive article on Indian transport 

 animals, communicated to the Times, September 21st, 1880. 

 In the course of his introductory remarks, the writer says : 



" The mule is, probably, the best of all transport pack animals 

 for a mountainous country. Unfortunately, she — for the female 

 is generally employed — is comparatively scarce in India. The 

 mules purchased for transport purposes in Afghanistan were, 

 generally speaking, small-sized animals, seldom exceeding 

 13 hands, but they have wonderful powers of endurance, and 

 are seldom 'sick or sorry.' For some time past the Govern- 

 ment of India have endeavoured to improve the breed of mules 

 in the North-Western Provinces, and it is satisfactory to learn 

 that the question of the best means of extending mule breeding 

 throughout India is now engaging serious attention. 



" The nature of pack saddle in general use for mules and 

 ponies is that known as the 'Punjab pattern.' It is a modifi- 

 cation of the native pack- gear which is met with all along the 

 North-Western frontier of India. The native mule-owner, 

 when ' saddling up ' or preparing the animal to receive the load, 



K 



