110 MANUAL OF PACK TKANSPOETATION. 



forming a loop, and then under and around tlie pack to front; now 

 bring the end of the rope over and under the standing and running 

 rope and draw sufficient shick on rope to pass under and around the 

 pack on the rear side to the rear; now bring the end of the rope over 

 and under the intersection of the standing, running and front rope, 

 and drop the end of the rope over the animal's haunch on the off side 

 of the animal, and the hitch is formed ready to tighten the load. 



To tighten the load, bring the running rope under the standing rope 

 so as to be caught in a bight, now, take hold of the running rope, 

 close the cinch hook and take all slack possible, allowing the hands to 

 come quickly to standing rope, and grasp both ropes with the left 

 hand; receive this slack from above the bight, pass to the "off" side 

 and take in all slack from front to rear, keeping the rope against the 

 lower edge of pack; pass to ''near" side, and take in all slack by 

 pulling tlie end of rope and place the rope in similar manner as for 

 the ''off" side and secure the end of rope on the near or off side or 

 on top of load. (Figs. 56, 57.) 



The forks of the saddle act as a holdfast in keeping the packs from 

 moving fore and aft, the lash rope tightening the load at the center of 

 side packs. 



Note. — This form of hitch is the parent of all other hitches used 

 in pack-train service. The change in not bringing the loop under the 

 standing rope forms the "Oregon diamond," the latter leading to the 

 "diamond," "double diamond," etc. This hitch is used by pros- 

 pectors, miners, hunting parties, the Bureau of Forestry, and is 

 known and practiced in many countries. 



HOW TO FORM THE STIRRUP HITCH. 



Sec. 41. This form of hitch is used principally by cattlemen ("cow 

 punchers") on the "round-up" or trail, the ordinary riding saddle 

 being sometimes employed for the purpose. 



Assuming that the load is properly slung on the crosstree, take a 

 rope about 30 feet long, without cincha, and pass the rope over the 

 load, so as to have an equal division on each side; now form a loop 

 on top and center of load. Each packer will now take the end of 

 rope and pass it from above, down into the loop at top, taking suffi- 

 cient slack so as to leave a loop long enough to place the foot therein. 



Each packer will then pass the loop held by the foot to each other 

 under the belly of the animal, and receive it by passing the end of 

 the rope into the opposite loop and release the foot. (Fig. 58.) 



Before taking slack it is well to spread the rope at top of side 

 packs, so as to grip them more securely. At the call "Ready," each 

 packer will place his foot against the animal's body and draw rope 

 taut, and secure end of rope to loop on center of load; or a bowline 

 knot may be formed on end of rope on the "off" side, sec. 46, fig. 79, 

 the "near" packer passing his end through loop; the "off" packei 

 giving slack in the usual manner, and secure rope at bowline knot. 

 (Figs. 58, 59, and '60.) 



TAKING OFF THE LOAD AND APAREJO HOW TO TAKE OFF THE LASH 



ROPE AND THE LOAD. 



Sec 42. (1) Ojf' packer. — The "off" packer releases the end of the 

 lash rope, as secured on the "off" side (fig, 40) and passes it quickly 

 over the animal's neck to near side. This sliould be done quickly, 



