MANUAL OF PACK TRANSPORTATION. 43 



Steadfasts. — There is but one cause for steadfasts, that is in no<z:lert- 

 ino; to fix for ' ' bunches," a ne<2;lect of twenty-four hours niter the l)uii('h 

 has been caused and the bunch will becoju(^ didicult (o reduce; a ne<(- 

 lect of thirty-six hours and the bunch will n^sult in tlu^ flesh l)econiln<^ 

 hard and callous, and assume the condition and a|)i)ear:ince of dried 

 beef; this condition is termed a "steadfast." To remove the stead- 

 fast the knife has to be used and all appearance of the steadfast must 

 be cut out; the animal experiences no pain until the sound flesh is 

 touched. Apply a slice of fat bacon after the steadfast has been re- 

 moved and the sore will heal in a few days; this will not interfere with 

 the working of the pack animal. 



If packmasters will exercise care as above outlined when settin<^ 

 up and fittino; the aparejo, they can follow^ a troo]) of cavalry at any 

 gait desired, or climb any mountain wdiere an animal can find footing, 

 without the least danger of losing load or aparejo. 



In the case of aparejos ribbed with willow or other sticks, the main 

 secret is "ribbing" properly, that is, the gradual lessening in the diam- 

 eter of each stick from front to rear. 



To keep animals sound requires the time and experience of experts 

 at the business. 



