AN ELK-HUNT AT TWO-OCEAN PASS. 



199 



had one companion, or at most a couple, and 

 two or three pack-ponies ; each of us doing 

 his share of the packing, 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 pro- 

 fessional 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 companion. The 

 mere fair-weather hunter, who trusts entirely 

 to the exertions of others, and does nothing 

 more than ride or walk about under favorable 

 circumstances, 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 comfortable when the comfort does not 

 interfere with the sport ; and although a man 

 sometimes likes to hunt alone, yet often it is 

 well to be with some old mountain hunter, a 



3 7B 



