quite a pack train, at home on the Gallatin, but your uncle
said this was all I was to bring. Can we take all your stuff?"

Uncle Dick smiled at that and showed him the four rolls, neat and
compact. "The robes make most of the bulk," said he.

"Yes. Well, I hope they can keep warm in July," said Billy.

"But we like 'em," said Jesse. "It's more like the old times."

"Yes. Well, I hope you've got some mosquito bar. We've still got a few
old-time mosquitoes in the valley; but in a week or two now they'll all
be gone."

"Trust these boys to have what they need, and no more," said Uncle Dick.
"Now fall to and get on the loads while I take back my borrowed skiff."

Billy looked at the boys dubiously. "Well, I'll make it the 'lone
packer' hitch," said he.

"Oh, they'll help you," said Uncle Dick. "They can throw almost any
diamond, from the 'government' hitch down to the 'squaw' hitch. You see,
we've lived up North a good deal, and learned to pack anything--man,
dog, or mule."

"So? Well, all right." He turned to Rob. "Better take off side," he
said; "the mules are more used to me for near side. I never blindfold
them."

They began with Sleepy, and soon had two packs in the sling ropes, a
third on top, with all ready to lash. Rob asked no questions, but went
on, taking slack and cinching at the word. Billy laughed.

"Tried you on the old U. S. hitch," said he. "None better. Set?"

"All set!"

"Cinch!" Rob put his foot against Sleepy's far side and drew hard. In a
jiffy the ropes flew into the tight diamond and Billy tied off. "She's a
good one!" intoned Rob. Billy laughed again.

"I guess you've been there before," said he.

"How about you boys--can you all ride? My saddle stock's all quiet, far
as I know, but----"

"I think we can get by," said Rob. "We're not fancy, but we can ride all
day."

"Well, you try out the lengths of the stirrup leathers for yourselves,
and I'll lace them for you. First let's get your loose stuff in the
panniers on Nigger--I brought along one pair of kyacks, for it's easier
to carry the cooking stuff and the loose grub that way than it is to
make up packs in the mantas every day."

John, who was cook for that week, now began to open and rearrange his
kitchen pack; and Rob was standing off side, ready to handle the lash
rope, when all at once they heard a snort and the trampling of hoofs.

They turned, to see Jesse just manage to get his seat on one of the
horses, which plunge