18 HORSE PACKING 



These mules were in perfect condition — not from 

 long rest — but from constant and properly supervised 

 use. Of course, after such heavy strains they were 

 given a day's rest to regain their normal condition. 



The writer has made a forced march across a South 

 American desert with a pack train of the little native 

 mules. In 26 hours they marched a shade over 100 

 miles, with one halt of 10 minutes and one of 2 hours 

 at a camp by water. At the finish one mule broke 

 into a trot as it recognized the station some three miles 

 away and trotted up to the rails showing but little 

 signs of fatigue. A careful comparison with the in- 

 voices showed that it had been carrying a weight of a 

 little over 400 pounds. Native packers were used and 

 they thought this nothing unusual. 



Another instance was that of a little South Ameri- 

 can mule that carried a revolutionary field gun weighing 

 600 pounds a distance of 6 miles and with the half-breed 

 packer riding on top in addition. The minute the mule 

 halted, it dropped under its burden as if shot. The 

 native packer was punished. 



In the Philippine Islands the mount of a navy rapid- 

 fire gun of the U. S. gunboat "Quiros" was carried 

 three miles inland on a pack mule, and later back to the 

 gunboat again. It weighed 540 pounds and was carried 

 by the mule over the poor trails or cross country on the 

 Island of Jolo. 



