ee 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 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 ti
|