28 THROUGH SOMALILAND AND ABYSSINIA CH. 
camp at night one has often to pass among them as they kne 
in rows, sometimes stepping over them, or stooping under the 
outstretched necks, but I have never had experience of a vicior 
camel in Somaliland. Even when undergoing firing operatio1 
they rarely bite, although the head is left free. This a 
commodating disposition I attribute greatly to the manner - 
which they are treated by the natives, who, though rath 
cruel to their ponies, never ill-use a camel. Many Somél 
are utterly ignorant of loading, this work being done largely | 
the women. When acamel is intractable it is generally throug 
ignorant handling. The Somalis talk and sing to their anima 
when loading and unloading, and whistle while they are drinkin 
some of the songs used upon such occasions being very ancien 
During loading the camels are made to kneel, and the head-ro) 
is passed round the knees and made fast there. 
When marching with loads they need to be watered eve 
fifth day, though upon emergency we have often worked them f 
ten days without distress. While on the march they are tic 
head to tail, as in Northern India. In rocky places, where tl 
caravan animals are liable to stumbles and sudden stops, tl 
tail is sometimes torn off. 
The usual load is not less than about two hundred ar 
seventy-five pounds, exclusive of mats, but it varies according - 
the nature of the load. Dates are bad to carry, being compa 
and heavy in proportion to their size, and the date load 
generally two gosra, or two hundred and fifty pounds. Europez 
baggage comes under the same category. The marching hou 
are from about 4 a.m. to 9 a.m, and from 1 to5 pm. Ti 
camels are allowed to graze during the mid-day heat, ar 
for half an hour before sunset. It takes three-quarters of ¢ 
hour to load up, from the time of rounding in the grazir 
camels to the start-off, and unloading takes about fiftec 
minutes. In stating these particulars I am giving our ov 
average with complicated boxes, tents, loads of trophies, and | 
forth, a Somali caravan probably taking less time. The usu 
rate of marching is from two and a quarter to two and thre 
quarter miles an hour, not counting short halts to adjust load 
The fastest rate, for a short distance, which I have tested h. 
been three and a quarter miles an hour. The loaded Som 
camel will not trot as a rule, though sometimes the Midgai 
train them to do so, leading them by a string. 
Camels are delicate, and I have considered myself lucl 
