46 MANUAL OF PACK TEANSPOKTATION. 



The more compact the packs and the better the ends are kept 

 square, the better the load will ride and the less danger there will 

 be of the sacks bursting when dropped on the ground, through acci- 

 dent or negligence. 



For this purpose old or unserviceable sling, lair, or lash ropes may 

 be used. Cut a length, say, 20 inches and untwist; take one of the 

 strands and form a bowline knot at one of its ends. (Sec. 46, fig. 79.) 

 Always commence at bottom or seamless end of sack. 



Procure a marline spike; cause pack to rest on its end; face one of 

 the narrower sides; squeeze the sack about 4 inches below the farther 

 corner with both hands, so as to bring the hands toward one another. 

 Through the portion of the sack thus included pass the spike, and 

 form hole large enough for strand to pass through. 



Pass the end of strand through hole formed, and draw it through 

 until bowline knot meets hole; hold strand taut; tap lightly on knot 

 with heel of right foot, drawing slack as rendered by tapping. Should 

 not sufficient slack be gained, tap lower down, 4 or 5 inches from knot, 

 gradually raising until knot is reached. 



Hold the rope taut; move around so as to face the other end of the 

 sack; make a hole with the marline spike as before, and pass the free 

 end of the strand through; tap with the heel, as described in the 

 former case, and draw taut. 



Now introduce end of strand through loop or eye of bowline knot, 

 (see fig. 80), draw down snug, and secure. Turn up the other end and 

 do likewise, and pack is in condition to "lair up." Sacks needing 

 it should be doubly sacked. 



HOW TO LAIR UP SIDE PACKS, 



Sec. 15. Secure a lair rope and spread out manta; place pack diag- 

 onally in center of manta; i. e., with ends facing opposite corners. 



Face a side of the pack; pick up the near corner of manta and 

 bring it tightly over pack, lapping corner under sufficiently to make 

 it just cover the pack. Place knees on this part; grasp the opposite 

 corner and, turning it under also, bring it tightly over pack, its edge 

 flush with near edge of pack. Place right knee to hold this part in 

 place and face one end; smooth canvas squarely down, and turn in 

 corners; reach out and grasp the end, and bring it tightly over pack, 

 spreading canvas out, if necessary, to cover corners. 



Place left knee thereon, face opposite end, and do likewise. In 

 bringing this last corner across length of pack turn corner under 

 when necessary to square with end of pack. 



Place left knee on pack and reach for lair rope; bring the rope 

 lengthwise under pack, leaving the eye near the upper edge. Place 

 end of rope through eye, if not already there, and draw it through; 

 grasp the running rope in both hands; place both knees on end of 

 pack, and draw well taut. This should bring the eye about 6 

 inches over end. 



Hold slack with left hand; grasp the rope with right about 2 feet 

 in advance of the left; form a loop outward and inward, so that the 

 right hand will come under the left, and the running part of the rope 

 will ride under the standing part. Pass this loop under the pack 

 about 6 inches from the end and draw taut. Face the other end, 

 placing the knee on the intersection of the ropes; form a similar loop, 



