MANUAL OF PACK TRANSPORTATION. 137 



which is the choice side. Do not unnecessarily move an animal 

 around, causino^ loss of time. 



BHnd the animal, the mate in the meantime putting on the sling 

 rope. Pick up pack and place it in position on "off" side, mate 

 putting up the near" pack and tying the sling. The "off" packer 

 steps quickly around and grasps the end of lash rope. Swing it 

 away back, as in so doing time is saved and labor with it. Get in 

 position and wait for near packer to pass the loop of the rope over. 

 Work quick and true, and above all things keep the mouth shut, for 

 no packer has time to listen. 



As each mule is loaded he is turned loose. 



When cargo is nearly loaded, or before, if opportunity offers, the 

 pack master will detail a packer to assist the cook to load, the kitchen 

 mules being tied conveniently for the purpose. 



Before loading, but after the rigging is on, the pack master causes 

 the "bell" animal to be tied in some convenient place in as open 

 ground as possible, so that the mules, as they are loaded and turned 

 loose, will remain in the vicinity. 



The blacksmith will keep loaded animals from straying away, and 

 the cook, when ready, will assist. Each keeps count of the animals 

 as they are turned loose, prevents them from lying down or straying 

 away, and reports any accident to the pack master. 



LEAVING THE PARK OR CAMP GROUND. 



Sec. 62. Loads being on, the pack master calls out "Bell!" The 

 cook, riding quickly, unties the "bell" animal and leads out in direc- 

 tion indicated by pack master. 



Cargador and blacksmith count the animals as they string out, 

 cargador reporting quickly if any are missing. 



Time allowed. — Twenty minutes for getting blankets and canvas 

 and riding animals saddled, fifteen minutes for breakfast, twenty 

 minutes for rigging, and twenty minutes for cargo. Total, one hour 

 and fifteen minutes. It can be done in less time with a well-organized 

 crew. 



3. DUTIES OF PACKERS ON THE MARCH. 



Sec. 63. In open country. — On leaving camp packers must string 

 out so as to take in five packs, one packer riding opposite every fifth 

 animal, and about 30 yards from near side of train, dust or conditions 

 of country permitting. Each packer should not only watch the five 

 packs in front, but also those in rear, as far back as his eyes can 

 detect whether a pack is riding straight or not. Circumstances per- 

 mitting, packers should ride in the order of mate following mate. 



Sec. 64. On had and narrow trails. — Packers must ride on trail one 

 behind each fifth animal. If a pack needs attention, the packer in 

 rear calls out to packer ahead, who will assist him in catching animal 

 and straightening its load. 



While the two packers are thus engaged, those in rear ride foi'ward 

 and take their places in the train. 



When the two packers have straightened load and turned animal 

 loose, they will immediately fall in, in places made vacant by those 

 who have gone ahead. 



