84 SPORTSMAN'S HAND BOOK. 



about equally balanced. To saddle the pack-animal first 

 put on the saddle-blanket; over this there is no objection to 

 putting one of the camp blankets; the blankets should ex- 

 tend well down the animal's side, then put on the saddle or 

 aparejo, put on the crupper and adjust the saddle in the 

 proper position, then run one hand under the blankets, on 

 the animal's withers, and raise up the blankets cleaj of the 

 animal's backbone, then cincho very tight. A cincho is the 

 broad band used to fasten the pack-saddle; it goes entirely 

 around the saddle, as well as the animal. On the ends of the 

 cincho are large rings; to one of the rings is fastened a long 

 leather strap called a latago. This strap should be wreathed 

 through both rings, like a tackle block, which gives a good 

 purchase. It requires the strength of two men to cincho a 

 pack-saddle properly. The animal will "hump his back" 

 and make some fuss, but no difference, it must be "cin- 

 choed " tight for the animal's good, for if the saddle is loose it 

 will soon chafe sores on his back. When paniers or pouches 

 are used, blankets can be folded up in square packages and 

 piled on top the paniers; if you have no paniers or pouches 

 everything but blankets should be put in strong bags, each 

 separate article of provision in small bags; then put into 

 two large bags. These, when packed, should be about 

 equal in weight. Hang the two bags together with a sling 

 rope, one on each side, in the proper position quite high up 

 on the animal's side, pack blankets on top of all; then the 

 whole business is fastened on with a long rope, generally a 

 raw-hide one, called a lash rope. Lashing on the pack is 

 the most difficult part of packing, yet quite simple to expe- 

 rienced packers. Here is a description of how it is done, 

 but it is almost impossible to make it intelligible in writing: 

 The lash-rope (only one to an animal) should be about 

 twenty-five feet long, twisted or braided raw-hide is best, 

 about five-eighths of an inch in diameter; on one end of 



