650 WOODCRAFT. 



pack as a larger animal in rough places, and are more to 5e relied 

 upon where there are steep ascents to be made or fallen timber to 

 be crossed. Two hundred pounds is enough for a single pack 

 mule to carry at once, but some persons will overload their ani- 

 mals to save buying an extra mule, and will not see their folly 

 until they have lost some of their best animals by rolling down 

 hill sides against the rocks, or by having them " snagged " in 

 fallen timber. When returning at the end of the season, if the 

 animals' backs are sound and good from the effects of light loading, 

 they will command a good price and are easily disposed of ; but if 

 on the contrary, their backs are covered with sores, they will only 

 bring one- half their original value, so men may easily seethe econ- 

 omy of having a sufficient number of animals to carry their luggage. 

 P"or riding animals use mules for the mountains and horses for 

 the " plains." A good mule will follow a trail and take its rider 

 into camp the darkest night that ever was. Should you get 

 strayed away from camp and not be able to find your way back 

 again, drop the bridle rein on the horn of your saddle and trust to 

 the instinct of your mule, and if it is not very hungry, after v/ander- 

 ing about a short time it will take a direct course for camp, 

 although the rider may think camp is in an opposite direction from 

 the one where the mule is taking him. The common Indian pony 

 or bronco is the best horse to use on the plains, as they are tough, 

 quick and thoroughly acclimated to cold weather and the poor feed 

 that is to be had in most places. Select an easy saddle with a 

 good California tree, a light pair of spurs, and a broad hair Cincho 

 bridle with a light curb bit, a good saddle blanket, a small pair of 

 saddle bags, and your riding outfit is complete, unless you ride a 

 mule, and in such a case a good strong broad crouper is necessary, 

 so it will not cut the tail of your riding animal. When travelling 

 do not hurry your horse, or do not allow him to become lazy ; keep 

 him at a steady gait, and if necessary, he will accomplish a long dis- 

 tance daily ; but should you become impatient and lope him nearly 

 all day, he will become poor, stubborn and lazy. Use the Spanish 

 arrapahoe instead of the pack saddle, as it is easier packed and 

 more comfortable for the animal wearing it. Select heavy lash 

 ropes, or they will stretch, and the animals will have to be repacked 

 a doz^n times a day, particularly after a rain, when the ropes have 



