MANUAL OF PACK TRANSPORTATION. 55 



is tluis made t(^ haiif? down on the "off" side of the aparejo, while 

 the two ends oalh^d, respectively, the "front" and "rear" ropes, 

 han<^ down on the near side. (See fig. 11.) 



If, due to the size of the load, it is necessary to lengthen or shorten 

 the loop on the "off" side, do so by taking or giving slack on the rear 

 rope, never on the front rope; the latter should be allowed to hang 

 nearly to the ground. 



IIOW^ TO LIFT SIDE PACKS AND PLACE THEM ON THE APARE.TO. 



Sec. 26. The "off" packer stands facing the sides of the packs; 

 takes hold of the uppermost pack at each end, hands well under, and 

 raises it to his knees; raises it from knees quickly to breast and car- 

 ries it to "off" side. If heavy, incline the body forward and raise 

 quickly, throwing the head and shoulders back. Rest lower edge of 

 pack on aparejo and allow flat side of pack to come down on aparejo. 



The upper edge should ride flush wath the center or top of aparejo. 



The "near" packer lifts in similar manner and })laces his pack so 

 as to lap about four inches on top of "off" pack. Weight of packs 

 bein^ equal, this will permit the "near" pack, after "braking," to 

 ride level with the "off" pack. 



HOW TO SLING THE LOAD AND TIE THE SQUARE KNOT. 



Sec. 27. The "off" packer, standing somewhat away from the mule, 

 as a brace, supports his pack in i)lace with left hand, palm against the 

 center of the pack and slighth^ underneath it, so as to balance the 

 weight of the pack. 



With the right he picks up the front and then the rear pai'ts of the 

 loop of the sling rope and brings them up to center, the left hand re- 

 ceiving them between thumb and forefinger and holding them taut 

 against the pack. 



He then passes the loop of the rope over his right shoulder, and 

 when "near" packer calls out "Rope," he throws the looj) lightly 

 over with his right hand. If thro\\^l hard it will bound back. 

 Should there not be sufficient rope to pass to "near" packer, he pulls 

 on the rear rope sufficiently to do so. 



The "near" packer takes a similar position to that above described 

 for the "off" packer and supports his pack with the left hand in the 

 same manner. With the right hand he picks up the front rope and 

 brings it to the center of the pack, the left receiving it between the 

 thumb and forefinger and holds it taut against the pack. 



Now take the end of this rope in the right hand, call out "Rope," 

 to "off" packer, and quickly ])lace the rope on top of the loop as it 

 comes over. Pass the end through the loop from above and draw 

 down taut, letting the right hand slip down on rope to near the edge 

 of pack. 



The load is now held in place by the rope as though caught in a 

 bight. The loop of the sling rope should never be placed above or 

 below the swell of the pack, as the rope then loses its retaining hold 

 on load. This does not apply to box loads. 



Now place the left-hand edge of palm resting on top of rope below 

 its engagement on the swell of pack, raise the rope with the right 

 hand so as to give opportunity for the last two fingers of the left 



