e things you need.

For example, in our own case, Lily was known as the cook-horse. She
carried all the kitchen utensils, the fire-irons, the axe, and matches.
In addition her alforjas contained a number of little bags in which
were small quantities for immediate use of all the different sorts of
provisions we had with us. When we made camp we unpacked her near the
best place for a fire, and everything was ready for the cook. Jenny was
a sort of supply store, for she transported the main stock of the
provisions of which Lily's little bags contained samples. Dinkey
helped out Jenny, and in addition--since she took such good care of her
pack--was intrusted with the fishing-rods, the shot-gun, the
medicine-bag, small miscellaneous duffle, and whatever deer or bear
meat we happened to have. Buckshot's pack consisted of things not
often used, such as all the ammunition, the horse-shoeing outfit,
repair-kit, and the like. It was rarely disturbed at all.

These various things were all stowed away in the kyacks or alforjas
which hung on either side. They had to be very accurately balanced.
The least difference in weight caused one side to sag, and that in turn
chafed the saddle-tree against the animal's withers.

So far, so good. Next comes the affair of the top packs. Lay your
duffle-bags across the middle of the saddle. Spread the blankets and
quilts as evenly as possible. Cover all with the canvas tarpaulin
suitably folded. Everything is now ready for the pack-rope.

The first thing anybody asks you when it is discovered that you know a
little something of pack-trains is, "Do you throw the Diamond Hitch?"
Now the Diamond is a pretty hitch and a firm one, but it is by no means
the fetish some people make of it. They would have you believe that it
represents the height of the packer's art; and once having mastered it,
they use it religiously for every weight, shape, and size of pack. The
truth of the matter is that the style of hitch should be varied
according to the use to 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