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which it is to be put。
The Diamond is good because it holds firmly； is a great flattener； and
is especially adapted to the securing of square boxes。 It is celebrated
because it is pretty and rather difficult to learn。 Also it possesses the
advantage for single…handed packing that it can be thrown slack
throughout and then tightened； and that the last pull tightens the whole
hitch。 However； for ordinary purposes； with a quiet horse and a
comparatively soft pack； the common Square Hitch holds well enough and
is quickly made。 For a load of small articles and heavy alforjas there is
nothing like the Lone Packer。 It too is a bit hard to learn。 Chiefly is it
valuable because the last pulls draw the alforjas away from the horse's
sides； thus preventing their chafing him。 Of the many hitches that remain；
you need learn； to complete your list for all practical purposes； only the
Bucking Hitch。 It is complicated； and takes time and patience to throw；
but it is warranted to hold your deck…load through the most violent storms
bronco ingenuity can stir up。
These four will be enough。 Learn to throw them； and take pains
always to throw them good and tight。 A loose pack is the best expedient
the enemy of your soul could possibly devise。 It always turns or comes
to pieces on the edge of things； and then you will spend the rest of the
morning trailing a wildly buck… ing horse by the burst and scattered
articles of camp duffle。 It is furthermore your exhilarating task； after you
have caught him； to take stock； and spend most of the afternoon looking
for what your first search passed by。 Wes and I once hunted two hours
for as large an object as a Dutch oven。 After which you can repack。
This time you will snug things down。 You should have done so in the
beginning。
Next； the lead…ropes are made fast to the top of the packs。 There is
here to be learned a certain knot。 In case of trouble you can reach from
your saddle and jerk the whole thing free by a single pull on a loose end。
All is now ready。 You take a last look around to see that nothing has
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been left。 One of the horsemen starts on ahead。 The pack…horses swing
in behind。 We soon accustomed ours to recognize the whistling of
〃Boots and Saddles〃 as a signal for the advance。 Another horseman
brings up the rear。 The day's journey has begun。
To one used to pleasure…riding the affair seems almost too deliberate。
The leader plods steadily； stopping from time to time to rest on the steep
slopes。 The others string out in a leisurely procession。 It does no good
to hurry。 The horses will of their own accord stay in sight of one another；
and constant nagging to keep the rear closed up only worries them without
accomplishing any valuable result。 In going uphill especially； let the
train take its time。 Each animal is likely to have his own ideas about
when and where to rest。 If he does； respect them。 See to it merely that
there is no prolonged yielding to the temptation of meadow feed； and no
careless or malicious straying off the trail。 A minute's difference in the
time of arrival does not count。 Remember that the horses are doing hard
and continuous work on a grass diet。
The day's distance will not seem to amount to much in actual miles；
especially if； like most Californians； you are accustomed on a fresh horse
to make an occasional sixty or seventy between suns； but it ought to
suffice。 There is a lot to be seen and enjoyed in a mountain mile。
Through the high country two miles an hour is a fair average rate of speed；
so you can readily calculate that fifteen make a pretty long day。 You will
be afoot a good share of the time。 If you were out from home for only a
few hours' jaunt； undoubtedly you would ride your horse over places
where in an extended trip you will prefer to lead him。 It is always a
question of saving your animals。
About ten o'clock you must begin to figure on water。 No horse will
drink in the cool of the morning； and so； when the sun gets well up； he will
be thirsty。 Arrange it。
As to the method of travel； you can either stop at noon or push straight
on through。 We usually arose about half past four； got under way by
seven； and then rode continuously until ready to make the next camp。 In
the high country this meant until two or three in the afternoon； by which
time both we and the horses were pretty hungry。 But when we did make
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camp； the horses had until the following morning to get rested and to graze；
while we had all the remainder of the afternoon to fish； hunt； or loaf。
Sometimes； however； it was more expedient to make a lunch…camp at noon。
Then we allowed an hour for grazing； and about half an hour to pack and
unpack。 It meant steady work for ourselves。 To unpack； turn out the
horses； cook； wash dishes； saddle up seven animals； and repack； kept us
very busy。 There remained not much leisure to enjoy the scenery。 It
freshened the horses； however； which was the main point。 I should say
the first method was the better for ordinary journeys； and the latter for
those times when； to reach good feed； a forced march becomes necessary。
On reaching the night's stopping…place； the cook for the day unpacks
the cook…horse and at once sets about the preparation of dinner。 The
other two attend to the animals。 And no matter how tired you are； or how
hungry you may be； you must take time to bathe their backs with cold
water； to stake the picket…animal where it will at once get good feed and
not tangle its rope in bushes； roots； or stumps； to hobble the others； and to
bell those inclined to wander。 After this is done； it is well； for the peace
and well…being of the party； to take food。
A smoke establishes you in the