An Elk-Hunt at Two-Ocean Pass 209 



ally when in the mountains I have merely had one 

 companion, or at most a couple, and two or three 

 pack-ponies ; each of us doing his share of the pack- 

 ing, cooking, fetching water, and pitching the small 

 square of canvas which served as tent. In itself 

 packing is both an art and a mystery, and a skilful 

 professional packer, versed in the intricacies of the 

 "diamond hitch," packs with a speed which no non- 

 professional can hope to rival, and fixes the side 

 packs and top packs with such scientific nicety, and 

 adjusts the doubles and turns of the lash-rope so 

 accurately, that everything stays in place under any 

 but the most adverse conditions. Of course, like 

 most hunters, I can myself in case of need throw the 

 diamond hitch after a fashion, and pack on either 

 the off or near side. Indeed, unless a man can pack 

 it is not possible to make a really hard hunt in the 

 mountains, if alone, or with only a single compan- 

 ion. The mere fair-weather hunter, who trusts en- 

 tirely to the exertions of others, and does nothing 

 more than ride or walk about under favorable cir-. 

 cumstances, and shoot at what somebody else shows 

 him, is a hunter in name only. Whoever would 

 really deserve the title must be able at a pinch to 

 shift for himself, to grapple with the difficulties and 

 hardships of wilderness life unaided, and not only 

 to hunt, but at times to travel for days, whether on 

 foot or on horseback, alone. However, after one 

 has passed one's novitiate, it is pleasant to be com- 



