sent out
against the Apaches, but it returned unsuccessful.

We have used this word "organizing," when speaking of the fitting out
of various expeditions against the Indians, and it seems proper that
here we should give the reader an idea of what kind of preparation is
necessary to put one of these commands in proper trim. The company, or
companies, of soldiers will be first detailed for the arduous
duties of the field to castigate the Indians. This matter is easy to
accomplish; but the next thing to be thought of is to take care of
these troops, which is not quite so puerile a task. The quartermaster
estimates from the number of the soldiers how many mules will be
required to transport their luggage, equipments and provisions. This
having been determined upon, he collects the animals and has them
provided with pack-saddles. The task of shoeing the horses and mules
is also no easy matter, for they cannot go until after they have been
properly shod. A certain weight of freight is assigned to each pack
mule, and a suitable number of men are employed to take care of, load
and unload these animals when in camp. When on the march, these
men perform duty as drivers, and otherwise look after their charge.
Notwithstanding their proverbial obstinacy, these pack mules quickly
learn the labor which they have to perform. After finishing their
usual day's work, they often exhibit impatience to be relieved of
their burdens. In the morning they are correspondingly reluctant about
being loaded, and by their hostile demonstrations, they plainly show
their unwillingness to engage in further labor. Especially is this
true, when, by careless management, their backs have become injured;
or when, from the steadiness of pressure from the "_dead_ weight" of
their cargoes, the same result has been brought about. The Mexicans
understand the art of packing animals to perfection, hence they are
preferred before other men to serve in this capacity. It is often a
laughable scene to witness a mule who is used to the business, having
his load strapped on and otherwise arranged in proper place. The
packer, with the lashing rope in hand, and with his foot braced
against the side of the animal, by the assistance of a kind of pulley
arrangement in the saddle gearing, uses his utmost endeavors to make
things as firm as possible. Every effort which he thus put forth, is
strenuously and obstinately resisted by a trick which we will call a
straining process