358 APPENDIX B 



The waterproof duffel-bags usually sold are too light in texture and 

 wear through. A heavier grade should be used. The small duffel-bag 

 is very convenient for hammock and clothing, but generally the thing 

 wanted will be at the bottom of the bag ! We took with us a number 

 of small cotton bags. As cotton is very absorbent, I had them paraf- 

 fined. Each bag was tagged and all were placed in the large duffel-bag. 

 The light fibre case described above, made just the right size for mule 

 pack, divided by partitions, and covered with a duffel-bag, would 

 prove a great convenience. 



The light steel boxes made In England for travellers in India and 

 Africa would prove of value in South American exploration. They have 

 the advantage of being insect and water proof and the disadvantage of 

 being expensive. 



It would be well if the traveller measured each case for personal 

 equipment and computed the limit of weight that it could carry and 

 still float. By careful distribution of light and heavy articles in the 

 different containers, he could be sure of his belongings floating if acci- 

 dentally thrown into the water. 



It is not always possible to get comfortable native saddles. They 

 are all constructed on heavy lines with thick padding which becomes 

 water-soaked in the rainy season. A United States military saddle, 

 with Whitman or McClellan tree, would be a positive luxury. Neither 

 of them is padded, so would be the correct thing for all kinds of weather. 

 The regulation army saddle-blanket is also advised as a protection for 

 the mule's back. The muleteer should wash the saddle-blanket often. 

 For a long mule-back trip through a game country, it would be well to 

 have a carbine boot on the saddle (United States Army) and saddle- 

 bags with canteen and cup. In a large pack-train much time and labor 

 are lost every morning collecting the mules which strayed while grazing. 

 It would pay in the long run to feed a little corn at a certain hour 

 every morning in camp, always ringing a bell or blowing a horn at the 

 time. The mules would get accustomed to receiving the feed and 

 would come to camp for it at the signal. 



All the rope that came to my attention in South America was three- 

 strand hemp, a hard material, good for standing rigging but not good 

 for tackle or for use aboard canoes. A four-ply bolt rope of best ma- 

 nilla, made in New Bedford, Mass., should be taken. It is the finest and 

 most pliable line in the world, as any old whaler will tell you. Get a 



