ART OF PACKING. 181 



The carga, if a single package, is laid across 

 the mule's back, but when composed of two, 

 they are placed lengthwise, side by side ; and 

 being coupled with a cord, they are bound 

 upon the apareio with a lonsr rope of sea- 



grass or raw-hide, which is so skilfully and 

 tensely twined about the packages as effectual- 

 ly to secure them upon the animal. The mule 

 is at first so tightly bound that it seems scarce- 

 ly able to move ; ^but the weight of the pack 

 soon settles the aparejo, and so loosens the 

 girths and cords as frequently to render it ne- 

 cessary to tighten them again soon after getting 

 under way. It keeps most of the muleteers 

 actively employed during the day, to main- 

 tain the packs in condition ; for they often lose 

 their balance and sometimes fall off. This is 

 done without detaining the atajo (drove of 

 pack-mules), the rest of which travel on while 

 one is stopped to adjust its disordered pack. 

 Indeed it is apt to occasion much trouble to 

 stop a heavily laden atajo ; for if allowed a 

 moment's rest fhe mules are inclined to Me 

 down, when it is with much difficulty they 

 can rise again with their loads. In their ef- 

 forts to do so they sometimes so strain their 

 loins as to injure them ever after. The day's 



made without 



the consequent unloading and reloading 

 "Would consume too much time: and as a 

 heavily packed ataio should 



rare 



^ route more than five or six hours, the Jor- 

 nada de recua (day's journey of a pack-drove) 



is usually but twelve or fifteen miles. 



16 



