370 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
appearance. Upon a fiat surface it will travel 
with 500 lbs., but in a hilly journey all camel 
loads should be restricted to 400 lbs. 
The Hadendowa animals are celebrated for 
rocky and uneven ground, as they are born and 
bred among the mountains. This breed is very 
sure-footed, and from its continual practice upon 
a rough surface, it does not get foot-sore during 
a march over broken rocks. Between Berber 
and Souakim there is a portion of the route 
strewed with obsidian; this somewhat resembles 
broken bottles, and is very dangerous to the feet 
of camels. 
It is a difficult matter to obtain a first-rate 
riding dromedary. The name is merely optional, 
as there is no distinction except the appearance 
of “thoroughbred,” such as would be denoted 
in a horse. The Arab sheiks decline to part 
with their best “ hygeens ” upon any terms, 
although as a personal favour they will sell 
you an inferior animal with a magnificently 
false reputation. 
A really good hygeen, carrying one rider upon 
a light Arab saddle known as the “ mogaloofah,” 
should travel 80 miles, if for only one day, at 
about 5 miles an hour. The same camel would 
cover 60 miles, at 6 miles an hour. Such a 
first-class animal would continue to travel 60 miles 
daily throughout the week at this pace, resting 
occasionally during the day’s march. 
When we consider that Weston the pedestrian 
