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training the animals in a week. The first trip was from Zaria to Kano-97 miles. which proved so successful that I repeated the trip several times before coming to England on leave, and when you take into consideration the fact that one harness camel will practically take the loads of three pack animals, it means a great saving in labour and wear and tear of animals.
It is a very advisable thing to train camels to eat grain, so that if they pass through country where their natural food is scarce, a ration can be issued and the animal kept fit.
The camels I bought would not look at grain when they first got to the transport lines at Zaria.
Camels of from 7 to 12 years old were the best I had, and stallions, mares and geldings were worked together, bat experience taught me that where mares were in work in company with stallions, it was advisable to geld the majority of the latter, thus preventing fighting, and consequently fewer animals were on my sick lines. I kept the best of the stallions for stud purposes, and had one or two good youngsters at heel when I left in December last.
Riding Camels.
I made a saddle to carry two persons, which was very handy, as from it light baggage, water-bottle, guns, &c., could be suspended, the camel carrying a total weight of about 450 lbs. a useful mode of travel for officials wishing to make short trips of, say, 40 to 50 miles.
I sent one driver on one camel a distance of 97 miles in 18 hours, with a despatch, during the last Sokoto rising.
Donkeys.
These animals carry two loads of 56 lbs., and can do their 15 miles a day easily, and are very hardy, slow but sure animals, and not troubled with a great amount of sickness (See photo 7.)
A Salutri, or native
Photo No. 9 shows part of my transport lines at Zaria. Photo No. 10. Part of my Indian establishment. veterinary assistant, and four Naiks, or corporals. The Salutris are very handy
men.
Photo No. 11.-Types of cattle.
Mules.
In certain parts of Africa. the mules does excellent service, but the cost of mules
in East Africa as against the bullock is to my mind prohibitive, unless mule breeding has been started in that country.
Pack Horses.
A well-organized pony pack train is of great value in countries free from horse- sickness.
The pack horses belonging to the Mounted Infantry, during the Sokoto rising last year, did (I believe my figures are right) over 30 miles a day for 9 days, and arrived with two slightly-touched withers. A remarkable journey; showing what can be done with careful handling.
Each pony carried 160 lbs.
Pack Bullocks.
Carry 160 lbs.
One driver to two.
If well broken to pack, and shod, do well.
Grain Rations.
In work. Bullocks, 7 lbs.; mules, 5 lbs. ; camels, 4 lbs. ; donkeys, 3 lbs. Resting. No grain if grass plentiful. If grass bad half of above ration.
Harness: Mules and Horses.
Raw hide wheelers, £8; leaders, £4.
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