the mountains(山脉)-第9节
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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 final and normal attitude of good
humor。 Each man spreads his tarpaulin where he has claimed his bed。
Said claim is indicated by his hat thrown down where he wishes to sleep。
It is a mark of pre…emption which every one is bound to respect。 Lay out
your saddle…blankets； cover them with your quilt； place the sleeping…
blanket on top； and fold over the tarpaulin to cover the whole。 At the
head deposit your duffle…bag。 Thus are you assured of a pleasant night。
About dusk you straggle in with trout or game。 The camp…keeper
lays aside his mending or his repairing or his note…book； and stirs up the
cooking… fire。 The smell of broiling and frying and boiling arises in the
air。 By the dancing flame of the campfire you eat your third dinner for
the dayin the mountains all meals are dinners； and formidable ones at
that。 The curtain of blackness draws down close。 Through it shine stars；
loom mountains cold and mist…like in the moon。 You tell stories。 You
smoke pipes。 After a time the pleasant chill creeps down from the eternal
snows。 Some one throws another handful of pine…cones on the fire。
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Sleepily you prepare for bed。 The pine…cones flare up； throwing their
light in your eyes。 You turn over and wrap the soft woolen blanket close
about your chin。 You wink drowsily and at once you are asleep。 Along
late in the night you awaken to find your nose as cold as a dog's。 You
open one eye。 A few coals mark where the fire has been。 The mist
mountains have drawn nearer； they seem to bend over you in silent
contemplation。 The moon is sailing high in the heavens。
With a sigh you draw the canvas tarpaulin over your head。 Instantly
it is morning。
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V
THE COAST RANGES
At last； on the day appointed； we； with five horses； climbed the Cold
Spring Trail to the ridge； and then； instead of turning to the left； we
plunged down the zigzag lacets of the other side。 That night we camped
at Mono Canon； feeling ourselves strangely an integral part of the relief
map we had looked upon so many times that almost we had come to
consider its features as in miniature； not capacious for the accommodation
of life…sized men。 Here we remained a day while we rode the hills in
search of Dinkey and Jenny； there pastured。
We found Jenny peaceful and inclined to be corralled。 But Dinkey；
followed by a slavishly adoring brindle mule； declined to be rounded up。
We chased her up hill and down； along creek…beds and through the spiky
chaparral。 Always she dodged craftily； warily； with forethought。
Always the brindled mule； wrapt in admiration at his companion's
cleverness； crashed along after。 Finally we teased her into a narrow
canon。 Wes and the Tenderfoot closed the upper end。 I attempted to
slip by to the lower； but was discovered。 Dinkey tore a frantic mile down
the side hill。 Bullet； his nostrils wide； his ears back； raced parallel in the
boulder…strewn stream…bed； wonderful in his avoidance of bad footing；
precious in his selection of
