XXVII 
CONCLUSION 
367 
and that, when loaded, a couple of soldiers may 
mount upon its back without increasing the 
burden. It does not matter in the least whether 
the saddle fits, or whether it is properly stuffed, 
or whether the hungry animal has eaten the 
stuffing from its own saddle when unloaded for 
the night. In this manner the camels are 
generally neglected in our military expeditions. 
When it is considered that the success or 
failure of every expedition must depend upon the 
transport, it is astonishing that the organisation 
of the camel corps should be so lamentably 
neglected. 
In the last Afghan campaign 61,000 camels 
actually died from starvation and over-work. 
The country has not yet recovered from this 
terrible mortality. The few weeks between 
Korti and Metemma in the Soudan expedition 
were sufficient to disable all the transport 
animals. 
I have had a long experience in desert 
travelling, and I strongly advise (whenever 
possible) the hire of camels with their owners, 
instead of purchase. If it is absolutely necessary 
to buy, the greatest care must be directed to their 
backs, and all those should be rejected which 
exhibit old scars of healed sores, as these are 
almost certain to break into wounds after a few 
weeks’ hard work. 
The camel-saddles must be rigidly inspected. 
These should be stuffed with rice-straw, or other 
