Every ox had a cloth halter on his head, so he might be led, or tied up at night when we had a dry camp, and they would most assuredly wander off if not secured.

Old Crump was chosen to lead the train, and Rogers was to lead him.

We had made an extra halter for this old fellow, and quite a long strip of bed ticking sewed into a strap to lead him by.
This packing business was a new idea, and a hard matter to get anything firmly fixed on their backs.
We had made shoulder straps, hip straps, breast straps and breeching as the correct idea for a harness.

The only way we could fasten the band around the animals was for one to get on each side and pull it as tight as possible then tie a knot, as we had no buckles or ring in our harness.
The loads of the oxen consisted of blankets and bedding and a small, light tent of their sheeting about four by six feet in size.

We rose early and worked hard till about the middle of the forenoon getting all things ready.