Camp and Trail by neil bigelow

CAMP AND TRAIL

From a

painting by Fernancl Lunjjren

THE HOME OF THE "RED GODS"

CAMP AND TRAIL BY

STEWART EDWARD WHITE Author of "The Blazed Trail,"

The Pass," etc.

Frontispiece in color by Fernand Lungren and many other illustrations

from photographs,

etc.

NEW YORK PAGE & COMPANY DOUBLEDAY, GARDEN CITY

1911

THE OUTING PUBLISHING COMPANY Entered at Stationers' Hall, London, England.

PREFACE

weighing of the pros and cons I have decided to include the names of firms where cerconsiderable

be bought. I realize that sort of free advertisement is eminently

tain supplies this

may

unjust to other w orthy houses handling the same lines of goods, but the case is one of r

self-defense.

In The Forest I rashly

of-

name of

the

of tent.

fered to send to inquirers the

firm this

over

making a

certain kind

writing I have received and answered eleven

hundred

inquiries.

publication of these papers in

Since

the

The Outing

Magazine^ I have received hundreds of requests for information as to where this, that, or the other thing

tried to

answer them

may

all,

be had.

I have

but to do so has

been a tax on time I would not care to repeat.

Therefore I

shall try in the followvii

256995

PREFACE ing pages to give the reader all the practical information I possess, even though, as stated, I

certain

may seem unduly

few

to advertise the

business houses with which I have

had satisfactory dealings. It is needless to remark that I am interested in none of these firms,

and have received no

from them.

Vlll

especial favors

CONTENTS CHAPTER I

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER COMMON SENSE

THE WILDERNESS

III

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

V CAMP VI

...

.35

(Continued)

PAGE

OUTFIT

THE COOK OUTFIT

GRUB

115

VIII

CAMP COOKERY

135

HORSE OUTFITS

149

VII

X XI XII

HORSE PACKS

HORSES, MULES, BURROS

.169

....

203

CANOES

221

INDEX

233

ILLUSTRATIONS The home

of the

Red Gods

(Frontispiece) OPPOSITE

PAGE

the trail (from a painting

by N. C. Wyeth)

The Author doing a little washing on his own account "

Mountain on mountain towering high, and a valley in

One "

between

...

of the mishaps to be expected

Bed

in the

"We may

bush with

live

stars to see

without friends,

books, but civilized

man

" .

When you

live

without

.120

.144

.160

quit the trail for a day's rest

crest

104

In the heat of the day's struggle

Nearing a

we may live without cannot

cooks"

and

in sight of

game

downward journey

In midday the shade of the pines Getting ready for another day of

176 is

inviting .

208

224

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER

CHAPTER

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER

ANY

eler

all

people have asked

things considered,

what,

the most

valuable quality a wilderness trav-

can possess.

Always

I have replied

unhesitatingly; for no matter

how

useful or

desirable such attributes as patience, cour-

age, strength, endurance,

good nature, and

prove to be, undoubtedly a with them but without the sense of

ingenuity,

man

direction,

may

practically helpless in the wilds.

sense of direction, therefore, I should

name

as the

prime requisite for him who

would become a true woodsman, depending on himself rather than on guides. The faculty

much Some men

largely developed, of course, by

practice; but

possess

it;

must be inborn.

others do not

just as

some men

have a mathematical bent while to others 3

Q ua ufic a-

CAMP AND TRAIL figures are always a despair.

a sort of

having nothing to do with criterions of intelligence or mental development, like extra,

the

repeater

movement

watch.

highly educated or cultured man may lack the roughest possess it. Some who it;

have never been in the woods or mountains acquire in the space of a vacation a fair facility at

picking a way; and I have met

who have spent their lives on the prospect trail, and who were still, and always a few

The Sense

would

tion

dweller. its

be,

as helpless

as the newest city

a gift, a talent. If you have germ, you can become a traveler of the It

wide and lonely places.

If you have

not,

you may as well resign yourself to guides. The sense of direction in its simplest and most elementary phase, of course, leads a man back to camp, or over a half -for gotten trail.

The tenderfoot

finds his

way by

little

landmarks, and an attempt to remember woodsman adds to this the gendetails.

eral "lay" of the country, the direction its

streams ought to flow, the course the 4

hills

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER must

take, the dip of strata, the

growth of

tenderfoot forgets whether he turns to right or left at a certain half-

trees.

if the

remembered burnt at the fails

stub, he

lost.

But

same point the woodsman's memory

him, he turns unhesitatingly to the

because he knows by

all

left,

the logic of nature's

signboards that the way must be to the left. good mountaineer follows the half-oblit-

erated trails as

where a

trail

much by

must go,

his

knowledge of

the sparse indi-

men

have passed that way. I have traveled all day in the Sierras over cations that

apparently virgin country. Yet every few hours we would come on the traces of an old

trail.

were running in and out of

day; and at night we camped by it. That is, as I have said, elementary.

it all

has to do with a country over which your woodsman has already traveled, or about

which he knows something. analysis, however,

The

In the

last

means something more.

sense of direction will take a

man

through a country of which he knows noth5

The Sense of Direction

CAMP AND TRAIL ing whatever. He travels by the feel of it, he will tell you. This means that his experience subconsciously arranges certain factors

from which the

sixth sense

draws certain deductions.

are discussing

mountaineer,

for example, recognizes the altitude by the vegetation. Knowing the altitude he knows also the country formation, tell at

and

so he can

once whether the canon before him

narrow to an impassable gorge, or remain open enough to admit of passage. will

This in turn determines whether he shall choose the ravines or ridges in crossing a certain divide, and exactly how he can

descend on the other

side.

The example

one of the simpler. good man thus noses his way through a difficult country with considerable accuracy

become speedily Thorough-

But

nesi

where a tenderfoot would

lost.

f a sense of Direction

the prime J -

thoroughness presses it close. It sometimes very difficult to command the

requisite, is

necessary patience.

the end of a hard

day, with the almost moral certainty that the 6

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER objective

point

fatally easy,

just ahead,

when the next dim

easy,

blaze does not

immediately appear, to say to oneself -"Oh, it's near enough" and to plunge ahead.

And

then, nine times out of ten,

trouble.

"I guess

many

man; and

sure

and then again sure If

fatal results.

tain

you see Should they

you are

this is all right"

has lost

the haste too great to be

has had

trail,

many

then be cer-

indications before proceeding.

then go back to the last indication and start over again. If it is new fail,

country, then pick

up every

consideration

your power, and balance them carefully

before all

making

the smallest decision.

the time keep figuring.

decided on a route, do not there

rest.

And

Once having let

the matter

As you

proceed keep your eyes and mind busy, weighing each bit of evidence. And if you become suspicious

you are on the wrong tack, turn back unhesitatingly, no matter how time presses. that

A recent expedition with a fatal termination illustrates this point 7

completely.

CAMP AND TRAIL first

sight

tion to the

down it

may seem invidious to call attenmistakes of a man who has laid

his life in

seems to

payment for them.

But

that the chief value of such

beyond the lessons of courage, endurance, comradeship, devotion, and beautiful faith lies in the lesson and warnsad accidents

ing to those likely to fall into the same blunders. I knew Hubbard, both at college and later, and admire and like him.

sure he would be the

from repeating his

warn

others

error.

The

expedition of which I speak started out with the purpose of exploring Labrador.

Fatal Result |

Being Sure

first

As the

season

sary.

The party proceeded

short

some haste was necesto the head of a

certain lake into which they

had been told

They they would find a river flowing. found a river, ascended it, were conquered by the extreme difficulties of the stream, one of the party perished, and the others came near to i

it.

for the facts so far:

to occur to a

man

The

first

thought to accustomed entirely 8

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER wilderness travel would be,

there perhaps

another stream? another river flowing into

Encountering difficulties he would become more and more uneasy as to that

lake?

that

point,

until

detached a scout to

But mark

last

make

he would have

sure.

The party's inHubbard that he would

this further:

formants had told

find the river easily navigable for eighteen

a matter of fact the expedition ran into shallows and rapids within a half miles.

mile of the lake.

woodsman

the answer would have

stood out as plain as print.

would have

retraced his way, explored farther, found the right river,

Hubbard was

and continued.

in a hurry,

sessed that optimistic

endeared him to

all

and moreover pos-

temperament that so

who knew

must have made a mistake I guess this

on against

is all

But poor

him.

right," said he,

difficulties that

"They

in the distance.

and pushed

eventually killed

him.

man

accustomed to exploration such 9

CAMP AND TRAIL a mistake

inconceivable.

Labrador

not

more dangerous than other wooded northern countries not so dangerous as the big moun;

safer than the desert.

A wrong

turn in any of these wildernesses

may mean

tains

;

much

Forty men succumbed to the desert summer. Do not make that wrong turn.

death. last

sure.

either that

Take nothing for granted "they made a mistake in the dis"

tance," or that

One of

it's

probably

knew

right."

American wilderness

the greatest of

travelers

all

as all wilderness trav-

this

and phrased it in an epigram that has become classic. "Be sure you are right, and then go ahead," advised Daniel elers

must

Boone.

So you do not get

lost

barring acci-

you are safe enough. But to travel well you must add to your minor affairs the dents

same

quality, slightly diluted, perhaps, that

I have endeavored to describe above. this application

smartness.

becomes thoroughness and

great

many

people object

while camping to keeping things in trim,^to 10

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER getting up in the morning, to moving with expedition and precision. "Oh, what's the

use in being so particular!" they grumble, "this is supposed to be a pleasure trip."

Outside the fact that a certain amount

of discipline brings efficiency, there is no doubt that a slack camp means trouble sooner

or later.

Where

things

are not

picked up, something important will sooner or later be lost or left behind. Where the

beginning of the day's journey hangs

fire,

sooner or later night will catch you in a very

bad place indeed.

Where men

get in the

and mentally, they become in emergencies unable to summon presence of mind, and incapable of habit of slouching, physically

swift, effective

movements.

The morale

low; and exclusive of the fact that such things are an annoyance to the

may

spirit,

some exceptional occasion give

to serious trouble.

Algernon

they rise

ten minutes

slow in packing his horse; and Algernon gets well cursed. He is hurt as to the soul,

and demands of himself aggrievedly how ten 11

Discipline

CAMP AND TRAIL minutes can be valued so high. It is not the ten minutes as a space of time, but as This pack train ten minutes short of what a pack train

a measure of incompetence. is

should

be;

and

the

mind

leader's

properly constructed, he

proportionately

annoyed.

Although not

Horrible

strictly

germane

to a dis-

cussion of equipments, I

am tempted to hold

up a horrible example. One evening we were

all sitting

big after-dinner

fire at

summer camp

around a

the Forest Super-

when an outfit drifted in and made camp a few hundred yards down stream. After an

visor's

in the mountains,

interval the leader of the party

came over

and introduced himself. i

proved to be a youngish man, with

curly hair, regular features, a good physique,

and eyes handsome, but

together.

set too close

blue flannel shirt whose top

button was unfastened, rolled back to show his neck; a

handkerchief was knotted below

that in all his external appearance he leaned ;

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER toward the foppish-picturesque.

This was

Shortly he began confided that his chief

in itself harmless enough.

to tell us things.

ambition was to rope a bear; he related adventures in the more southern mountains;

he stated that he intended to travel up through the Minarets and over Agnew's Pass, and by J to

of Tuolumne.

way J

This was

consume two weeks!

personal.

Finally he became told us how President

Roosevelt when on his Pacific Coast tour

had spoken to him personally.

"When after

the train started," said he, "I ran

hard as I could with a

others, but I

ran a

lot faster

to the crowd, but to left

lot

and got ahead,

so the President spoke directly to

not

me!"

us suitably impressed.

morning his camp was astir at five o'clock as was proper considering the strenuous pro-

gramme friend

he had outlined.

came over

Horrible

Example

About seven our

to get his animals, which

he had turned out in the Supervisor's pasture over night ten animals in another 13

CAMP AND TRAIL man's mountain pasture! We had

a shoot-

ing match, and talked Reserve matters for Then just one hour and twenty minutes.

somebody waked up. "I wonder what's become of Jones;

see."

We 'the

let's

Jones was standing dusty in middle of the corral. In his hand he went.

held a short loop not over three feet across.

This he whirled forward and overhand. Occasionally he would cast

at a horse.

course the outraged and astounded ani-

mal was

stricken about the knees, wherecirculated the confines of the corral

upon he at speed.

And Jones and

arrival

the animals

the

moment of our

Jones was bestowing attention on

a dignified and gaunt mule some seventeen hands high. I never saw such a giraffe. Two about the size of jackasses hovered near.

One

wabbled ab-

horse's lower lip

jectly below a

Roman

nose.

We watched a few moments mildly to "help."

;

then offered

Jones, somewhat heated 14

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER and

cross, accepted.

The

I noticed was barefoot.

And the

first

horse I roped

So were the

others.

route was over a rough granite and

snow country.

Thus we formed a

proces-

each leading some sort of equine freak. It was by now nearly nine o'clock.

sion,

Camp we found

about half picked up. The other members of the party were nice,

well-meaning people, but absolutely inexperienced in the ways of the wilderness. They

had innocently intrusted themselves to Jones on the strength of his self-made reputation;

and now undoubtedly were taking all this fuss and discomfit quite as part of "roughing

it."

When we pity

saw them we were stricken with

and a kindly feeling which Jones had

failed to arouse, so

we turned

in to help

them saddle up. Jones was occupied with a small mule which he claimed was "bad."

mule to a

hitched

then proceeded to elevate one hind leg by means of a rope thrown over a limb. Why he did not simply blindfold said

tree,

Helping the

the

CAMP AND TRAIL We animal no one could tell.

looked

forward with some joy to the throwing of the pack-hitches.

Forest

But

at this

moment

Ranger dashed up fire over in the Rock a

with news of a forest

Creek country.

The Rangers present imme-

scattered for

diately

their

saddle horses,

while I took a pack and went in search of supplies.

Shortly after one o'clock I was organized,

and departed on the trail of the Rangers. They had struck over the ridge, and down the other side of the mountains.

Their

and once atop the flames and smoke

tracks were easy to follow,

the divide I could see

over the next mountain system. Desiring to arrive before dark, I pushed ahead as rapidly as possible. About half

of the

fire

way down

the mountain I

made out

dust

ahead.

messenger coming back for some-

thing," thought I.

In ten minutes I was stricken dumb to overtake the Jones party plodding trust16

the Trail

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER ingly along

the

tracks

made by

the

Rangers. "Well," I greeted them, "what are you little off your beat, doing over here?

aren't you?"

The members of

the

party glanced at each other, while Jones turned a dull red. eh?" said he easily; "where does this one go to?" "Why, this isn't a trail!" I cried. "Can't

"Wrong

you

see

trail,

it's

just fresh tracks

morning? This and that's about

will take all.

you

Your

made to the

since fire,

trail is miles to

the north of here."

For

now

the

moment he was

crushed.

was

too late to think of going back; a short

cut was impossible on account of the nature of the country. Finally I gave him a direction

which

would cut another

trail

not

where he had intended to go, but at least Then I bade him leading to horse feed. farewell,

Long

and rode on to the

when hunting for the boys had camped, I met that

after dark,

place the

fire.

Jones and

CAMP AND TRAIL deluded outfit moving supperless, homeless, lost, like ghosts in the glow of the fire line.

Jones was cross and snapped at me when I asked him if he wasn't seeing a good deal of country. But I looked at the tired faces of the other members of the party, and my

Put Rtght

heart relented, and I headed

them for a

meadow.

"How

far beyond is asked Jones as he started. "

Sixteen miles

Squaw Dome?"

about," said I.

"About eight hours the way you and I travel, then," said he.

"About eight weeks the way you amended a Ranger standing near.

travel,"

Two days later a shakemaker came to help us fight

"Oh,

fire.

yes, they passed

"I went out and tried to off'n the trail, but he

place," said he.

tell

him he was

waved me

aside.

'We

have our maps/ says he, very lofty." Twelve days subsequently I rode a day and a half to Jackass Meadow. They told us the Jones party just passed! 18

I wonder

THE WILDERNESS TRAVELER what became of them, and how soon

their

barefooted horses got tender. Now the tenderfoot one helps out, nor makes fun of, for he is merely inexperienced

and

But

will learn.

this

every summer.

tains

man

in the

moun-

likewise

wishes

to rope bears.

better

example could be instanced as

to the value of

camp

alertness, efficiency, the

use of one's head, and the willingness to take advice. I had with me at the time a younger brother first

whom

I was putting through his

paces; and Jones was to

an object

invaluable

lesson.

The purpose of this chapter is not to tell you how to do things, but how to go at them. If you can keep from getting lost, and if you can keep awake, you will at least reach

home

safe.

Other items of mental and

moral equipment you to

may need

you by natural development

vironment to which the wild

life

will

come

in the en-

brings you.

n Ob

J ^ Lesson

ect

COMMON

SENSE IN THE

WILDERNESS

CHAPTER COMMON

SENSE IN

THE WILDERNESS

more danger

THERE

much than

take too

the wilderness. his intentions

may

be,

that a

too

little

matter

man into

how good

how conscientiously or how carefully he

may follow advice, may examine and re-examine

his

equipfind he will that he is ment, surely carrya than his more ing great many pounds

companions, the professionals at the business. At first this may affect him but little.

argues that he

constructed

on a different pattern from these men, that his training and education are such as to have developed in him needs and habits such as they have never known. Preconceived notions, especially

when one is fairly brought

in their influence, are

shake lives,

off.

Since

we include

most

we have worn

a coat in our 23

difficult to

coats all our

list

of personal

Overbur-

CAMP AND TRAIL apparel just as unquestionably even as unthinkingly as we should include in our calculations air to breathe

The

coat

and water

to drink.

institution so absolutely one

of man's invariable garments that it never even occurs to him to examine into its use or

uselessness.

dweller brought

and on the firm be done

all

manner no

city

in proximity to laundries

belief that

at once

and

washing should

at stated intervals

can be convinced that he can keep clean and happy with but one shirt or that more than ;

one handkerchief

Yet

Elimination

a superfluity.

in time, if he

a woodsman, and

really thinks about such affairs instead of

taking them for granted, he will inevitably gravitate toward the correct view of these things.

fact that

Some day he

wake up to the he never wears a coat when workwill

ing or traveling that about camp his sweater ;

more comfortable; and that

in sober fact

he uses that rather bulky garment as little as any article in his outfit. So he leaves it

home, and

much disencumbered. In 24:

COMMON SENSE a similar

manner he

will realize that with the

aid of cold-water soap the shirt he wears

may

be washed in one half hour and dried in the next.

Meanwhile he dons

handkerchief

his sweater.

laundered complete in a

quarter of an hour.

Why carry extras, then,

merely from a recollection of full bureau drawers ?

Essentials

this

matter

exceedingly

The

to be honest with oneself. is

that of experience.

difficult

best test

What I have found may measure the dif-

no use to me, ference between comfort and unhappiness to another man. Carry only essentials but to be of

the definition of the

word

essential is that which,

not so easy.

by each man's

An indi-

vidual experience, he has found he cannot

do without.

How to determine that?

I have elsewhere

a practical expedient, which will however, bear repetition here. When you

indicated

have reached home after your duffle

trip,

bag upside down on the 1

The

Forest.

turn your

floor.

Sepa-

How

Determine Essentials

CAMP AND TRAIL Let

rate the contents into three piles.

No.

1 include those articles

pile

you have used

every day or nearly that often let pile No. 2 comprise those you have used but once; ;

and all.

No. 3 those you have not used at Now, no matter how your heart may

pile

yearn over the Patent Dingbat in No.

shut your eyes and resolutely discard the

two

latter piles.

Naturally,

you are strong-minded,

pile

No. synonym for your equipment. As a matter of fact you will probably not 1 will be a

be as strong-minded as that. to yourself !

somewhat

You will argue

in this fashion:

very well; but it was only a matter of sheer chance that the Patent "Yes, that

Dingbat

did not use

is all

not in pile No. it

g o y OU ak e j-

losophy of Duffle

ft,

but in

this particular trip;

other conditions I might need The PW-

be sure, I

every day."

and keep on taking .

once in a great while you use

it.

day you wake up to two more

it,

and

Then some bits

camp

philosophy which you formulate to yourself about as follows: An article must pay in 26

COMMON SENSE convenience or comfort for the trouble of its transportation; and Substitution, even imperfect,

better than the carrying of special

conveniences.

Then he

hurls said Patent

Dingbat into the nearest pool. That hits directly at the weak point of the sporting catalogues.

an enthusiast writes

Every once in a while me of some new and

handy kink he is ready to swear by. It is indeed handy; and if one could pluck it from the nearest bush

when

occasion for

its

use

would be a joy and a delight. But carrying it four hundred miles to that occaarose,

sion for

its

use

a very different matter.

The sporting catalogues are full of very handy kinks. They are good to fool with and think about, and plan over season; but

in the off

when you pack your

you'd better put

them on a

duffle

bag

shelf.

Occasionally, but mighty seldom, you will find that something you need very much has

gone into pile No. 3. Make a note of it. But do not be too hasty to write it down as part of

your permanent equipment. 27

Patent

CAMP AND TRAIL You Must Not Mind Getting

Wet

Sometimes

The

summer I spent

first

in the Sierras

I discovered that small noon showers needed

So next year I left them home, and was, off and on, plenty wet and cold. Immediately I jumped to the It conclusion that I had made a mistake. neither tent nor slicker.

has not rained since.

So I decided that

sporadic heavy rains

do not justify the

transportation of two cumbersome articles.

Now when getting a

mind soon over and

rains in daytime I don't

little

wet

for

it is

;

an adequate shelter can be built of the tarpaulin and a saddle blanket. In other at night

words the waterproofs could not pay, in the course of say three-days' rain in a summer, for the trouble of their transportation dur-

ing four months. As I have said, the average man, with the best intentions, will not go too light, and so I have laid especial emphasis

on the neces-

of discarding the unessential. But there exists a smaller class who rush to the oppo-

sity

site

extreme.

all

know

the type. 28

professes an

COMMON SENSE inordinate scorn for comfort of

all sorts.

Another Sort of

you are out with him you soon discover that he has a vast pride in being able to sleep on and does

cobblestones

so at the

Tenderfoot

edge of

yellow pines with their long needles. He or pereats badly cooked food. He stands haps I should say poses indifferent to a

downpour when every one

else

has sought

In a cold climate he brings a single thin blanket. His slogan seems to be "This shelter.

good enough for me!" with the unspoken

conclusion, "if

good enough for you

it isn't

fellows, you're pretty soft."

The queer part of to bully sensible

he usually manages The Tough into his point of view.

it is

men

camps and voluntary hardships because they are ashamed to be less tough than he is. And in town they are

They accept

his bleak

abashed before him when with a superior, good-natured, and tolerant laugh he tells the

company you a

in glee of

little

how you brought with

pillow-case to stuff with moss.

"Bootleg is good enough for me!" he cries; and every one marvels at his woodsmanship. 29

CAME AND TRAIL As

a plain matter of fact this

man

the

The worse of two types of tenderfoot. greenhorn does not know better; but this

man

has mistaken utterly the problem of the wilderness. The wild life is not to test how much the human frame can should.

endure

although that often enough hapbut to test how well the human wits,

pens backed by an enduring body, can answer the question of comfort. Comfort means mini-

mum equipment The The Logic

task

;

comfort means bodily

ease.

to balance, to reconcile these

apparently opposing ideas. man is skillful at woodcraft just in proportion as he approaches this balance.

Knowing the fortable when

wilderness

less

he can be com-

man would if a man en-

experienced

endure hardships. Conversely, dures hardships where a woodsman could be comfortable,

argues not his toughness, but his ignorance or foolishness, which is it

exactly the case with our blatant friend of the drawing-room reputation.

Probably no men endure more hardships 30

COMMON SENSE than do those whose professions call them out of doors. But they are unavoidable

The cowboy

hardships.

cup and a

travels with a tin

with a twentypound pack; the prospector with a half blanket and a sack of pilot bread when he has slicker; the cruiser

But on round-up, when the chuck wagon

to.

goes along, the cow-puncher has his "roll"; on drive with the wangan the cruiser sends

ample "turkey" and the prospector with a burro train takes plenty to keep him comforthis

;

Surely even the

able.

hardly accuse these

You must

men

Tough Youth

could

of being "soft."

in this matter consider -what

outfit

ho your means of transportation are to be. It ^ would be as foolish to confine your outfit for to Means

pack horses to the equipment you would carry on your own back in the forests, as it

would be

when

outfit

Pullman good

to limit yourself to a

pack horse

traveling across country in a

When

you have horses it is carry a few a very few canned car.

The corners of the kyacks will accommodate them; and once in a blue moon goods.

CAMP AND TRAIL a single item of luxury chirks you up wonderfully and gives you quite a new outlook

So you chuck them in, and are no more bothered by them until the psychologion

life.

cal

moment.

a walking trip, however, the affair

You

different.

can take canned goods,

But

you want to. would require

their

another

transportation

another

Indian;

Indian means more grub and more equip-

ment; and so at the

last

you

find yourself at

the head of an unwieldy caravan. it

much

and

>uid

Rule

pleasanter to cut the canned goods,

all, it is

common

kut even

affair of

sense

common

new problem, needs a certain The province of these articles is to

direction

;

I do not claim that

only way, nor

the best way.

one will follow

and

the

I rash enough to claim

But it,

going

directing.

offer that

my way

it is

my way, and if any

he will be as comfortable

as well suited as I am, which

better than

sense;

when confronted by

find

to strike out with a single companion.

After

Common

You

blind.

at least

The

author doing a

little

washing on

his

own

account

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

CHAPTER

III

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT discussion of the details of equip-

ment, I shall

first

all

take

in turn

each and every item you could possibly need, whether you intend to travel by horse,

by canoe, or on your own two course you will not carry

on any one

trip.

What

all is

feet.

of these things permissible for

horse traveling would be absurd for a walk-

ing trip; and some things such as a waterproof duffle bag which you would need on a foot tramp, would be useless where you have kyacks and a tarpaulin to protect your belongings.

Therefore I shall

first

enumer-

ate all articles of all three classes of equip-

ment and then ;

them

in a final

summary segregate

into their proper categories.

Long

experience by

men

practically con- Concerning TT A

cerned seems to prove that a rather heavy 35

CAMP AND TRAIL felt hat

in hot

Even

the best for all around use.

sun

seems to be the most satisfac-

tory, as, with proper ventilation, it turns the sun's rays better even than light straw. Wit-

ness

the

Arizona cowboy on

You

ranges.

want a good

will

in material that

money can

hat, the best

buy.

article sags in the brim, tears in the

and wets through first

time

rains.

desert

his

like blotting

cheap crown,

paper the

I have found the Stetson,

of the five to seven dollar grade, the most Stetson

Hat

the Best

satisfactory. J

travel

where you are

much

brush, get

intended for woods

likely to

medium

those circumstances I find

encounter

brim.

handy

buy a

than usual, and then to rip out The friction of the felt the sweat band. size smaller

directly against the forehead will hold

on in

plains,

hair

spite of pretty sharp tugs

by thorns and wind. on the

and the

In the mountains or

you can indulge

in a

wider and

Two

buckskin thongs sewn on either side and to tie under the "back hair"

stiffer

brim.

will hold

on, even against a 36

head wind.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT leather

and

show you how this can be. band and buckle or miniature cinch

will

test

gives added security.

latigos

ally cut

of too

ample holes for

many mosquitoes

I gener-

In case

ventilation.

I stuff

my handker-

chief in the crown.

About your neck you silk kerchief.

to prevent

This

soon,

and

want

wear a

to keep out dust,

and

your neck from becoming red-

dened and chapped. best quality.

will

It, too,

should be of the

The poorer grades go

to pieces

their colors are not fast.

Get

night you will make a cap of it to sleep in; and if ever you happen to be caught without extra clothes where it is big enough.

very cold, you will find that the kerchief tied around your middle, and next the skin, will help surprisingly.

A coat

useless absolutely.

better as far as

beats

much

rolled

warmth goes; a waistcoat

You

for pockets.

during the day;

A sweater

wear

wads up too much

use at night.

up make a

will not

Even your

better 37

to be

trousers

temporary pillow.

CAMP AND TRAIL Leave it

Sweaters

home; and you

nor miss

will neither regret

it.

For warmth,

as I have said,

your sweater.

you

will

have

I would

this case, too,

impress the desirability of purchasing the best you can buy. And let it be a heavy one, of gray or a neutral brown. Buckskim

But

Shirts

my mind

the best extra garment

a good ample buckskin bulky than the sweater, of is

much warmer,

shirt.

less

weight, and

especially in a wind, while

for getting through brush noiselessly

can-

not be improved upon. I do not know where you can buy one but in any case get it ample in length and breadth, and without the ;

The

fringe.

latter

beside

significance

used to possess some ornamentation,

for

case of need the wilderness hunter could cut

from them.

thongs and strings as he needed Nowadays a man in a fringed buck-

skin shirt

generally a fake built to deceive

hand a plain woodsmanlike garment, worn loose and belted at tourists.

the other

the waist, looks always at once comfortable 38

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT and appropriate. which

made

smoke tanned

sure that the skins of

are

smoke tanned.

article will

dry

The

soft, while the

ordinary skin is hardening to almost the conGood buckskins are sistency of rawhide. get hold of and it will take five you a good shirt but for this use

difficult to

make

they last practically forever. Of course such a garment

distinctly

You would

extra or outside garment.

warm

find

The outer shirt of your daily habit is best made of rather a light weight of gray flannel. Most new campers indulge in a very thick navy it

too

blue

shirt,

for ordinary wear.

mainly, I believe, because

Such a

shirt

almost always crocks,

sure to fade, shows dirt,

too hot.

A lighter

con-

bandana around

trasts picturesquely with a

the neck.

and

altogether

weight furnishes

all

the

protection you need to your underclothes

and turns sun quite as tral color, and seems

well. less

Gray

a neu-

often than any

other to shame you to the wash soap.

great

many wear an

ordinary cotton work 39

CAMP AND TRAIL shirt,

warmth on

relying for

There

clothes.

the under-

no great objection to

except that flannel

better should

this,

you get

rained on. Under-

clothes

The

true point of comfort

is,

however,

\ your underwear. It should be of wool. I know that a great deal has been printed against

and a great many hygienic

it,

princi-

ples are invoked to prove that linen, cotton,

or silk are better.

But experience with

all

of them merely leads back to the starting point. If one were certain never to sweat freely,

and never

might hold.

to get wet, the theories

But once

let linen

or cotton or

undergarments get thoroughly moistened, the first chilly little wind is your unsilk

doing.

You

will shiver

and shake before

and nothing short of a complete change and a rub-down will do you

the hottest

fire,

any good.

Now, of expect to

course

the

wilderness

you

undergo extremes of temperature,

and occasionally to pass unprotected through a rainstorm or a stream. 40

Then you

will dis-

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT cover that wool dries quickly; that even

when

damp it soon warms comfortably to the body. I have

waded

all

day

in early spring freshet

water with no positive discomfort except for the cold ring around my legs which marked the surface of the water.

And

you are

wise,

you J

will

wear

full

Wear Woolen

long-sleeved woolen undershirts even on a

under-

summer

trip.

going to sweat strip

it is

a real trip, you are

anyway, no matter how you

down to the work. And sooner

the sun will dip behind a cloud or a

or later hill;

a cool breezelet will wander to you resting on the slope; or the inevitable chill of even-

ing will come out from the thickets to greet you and you will be very glad of your woolen underwear.

great many people go to the opposite extreme. They seem to think that because

they are to live in the open air, they will probably freeze. As a consequence of this delusion, they purchase underclothes thick.

This

such a weight

an inch

foolishness, not only because is

unnecessary and unhealth41

CAMP AND TRAIL tion of

were merely a quesbecause one suit of thick

even

ful, but also

warmth

if it

not nearly so warm as two suits of thin. Whenever the weather turns very cold on you, just put on the extra undershirt

garments

over the one you are wearing, and you will be surprised to discover how much warmth

two gauze tissues with the minute air space between them can give. Therefore, though

you must not

get full length woolen underclothes, you need not buy them of great weight. The thinnest Jaeger is about fail to

right.

Two

undershirts and three pairs of draw-

ers are all

you ever

elaborate trip.

You

will

need on the most

perhaps cannot believe

you have gotten away from the idea that laundry must be done all at once. that until

The Problem

I n the woods little

it is

at a time.

much

handier to do

Soap your

outershirt at

morning dry it on top of your pack during the first two hours. In the meantime wear your sweater; or, if

night rinse ;

warm

in the

;

enough, appear in your under42

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT shirt.

When

you change your underclothes

which should be one garment at a time

do the same thing. Thus always you will be possessed of a clean outfit without the necessity of carrying a lot of extras.

The matter of

an important one; for unless you are possessed of abundant means of transportation, those you have on

will

all

trousers

you

I used to

will take.

include an extra pair, but got over it. Even when trout fishing I found that by the time I

had finished standing around the

ing, or yarning, I

fire

cook-

might have to change the

underdrawers, but the trousers themselves

And patches are not

had dried well enough. too difficult a maneuver.

The almost is

the

They

universal wear in the

copper-riveted blue are very

good

ing

in that they

overall.

wear

well.

and noisy in the excellent where much wad-

Otherwise they are brush.

canvas

West

stiff

Kersey is to be done or much rainy weather

encountered

in fact

ii>

the favorite "driv-

ing" trousers with rivermen 43

but like

all

Trousers

CAMP AND TRAIL woven woolen materials brush. gift.

"picks out" in bad

Corduroy I would not have as a It is very noisy, and each raindrop

that hits

spreads at once to the size of a

I verily believe an able pair of corduroys can, when feeling good, soak up ten pounds of water. Good moleskin dries silver dollar.

well,

and

until

begins to give out is soft it is like the one-hoss shay

and tough. But when it starts to go, it does the job up completely in a few days. The difficulty is to :

Moleskin

when

guess

that

moment

due to

arrive.

Anything but the best quality is worthless. Khaki has lately come into popularity. It wears remarkably well, dries quickly, and is excellent in all but one particular: it shows every spot of

dirt.

A pair of

khakis three

days along on the trail look as though they had been out a year. The new green khaki is a little better. Buckskin is all right until

you get rily

wet, then

you have

enough material

make

temporathree pairs

and one for the boy.

The

best trousers I

know

a combina-

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT two

tion of the latter

materials.

a pair of the ordinary khaki

breeches,

and had a fore, aft,

pletely

I bought

army riding them com-

tailor cover

and sideways

with some

good smoke-tanned buckskin I happened to have. It took a skin and a half. These I have worn

now

of country, in are to-day as

them.

for three seasons, in

all

kinds

kinds of weather, and they

good

when

I constructed

hunting they are noiseless; horseback they do not chafe in cold weather they are warm, and the hot sun they turn. still

;

The khaki holds the stretch of buckskin when wet as they have been for a week at a time. Up to date the smoke tan has dried them Altogether they are the most satisfactory garment of this kind I have experisoft.

mented

with.

There remains the equally important subject of footwear.

Get heavy woolen lumberman's socks, and wear them in and out of season. They are not one whit hotter on the feet than the thinnest

you can buy, for the impervious 45

Socks

CAMP AND TRAIL leather of the shoe

the animal heat

with

You

it.

really

what keeps

the sock has

little

to do

will find the soft thick

wool

an excellent cushion for a long tramp; and with proper care to avoid wrinkles, you will never become tender- footed nor chafed. At first it

seems ridiculous to draw on such thick

and apparently hot socks when the sun peeping over the rim of the desert promises you a scorching day. Nothing but actual experience will convince you; but I am sure that if you will give the matter a fair test, you will

The

Ideal

Footwear

come

If a

inevitably to

man were

my conclusion.

limited to a choice between

would be very

moccasins and shoes,

cult to decide wisely

which he should take.

Each has

diffi-

manifest advantages over the other, and neither can entirely take the place its

of the other.

The

ideal footwear should give security,

be easy on the lute

feet,

protection.

wear

well,

These

named approximately importance. 46

and give abso-

qualities

have

in the order of their

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT Security of footing depends on the nature of the ground over which you are traveling.

Hobnails only

will hold

security

you on a slope cov-

ered with pine needles, for instance; both leather and buckskin there become as slip-

pery as

glass.

In case of smooth rocks, how-

your hobnails are positively dangerous, as they slide from under you with all the

ever,

vicious

tomed

force and suddenness of unaccus-

Clean leather

skates.

and buckskin

the best of

much

all.

better,

Often

hunting deer along the ledges of the deep box canons I, with my moccasins, have

walked confidently up slants of smooth rock on w hich my hobnailed companion was actur

ally forced to his

Un-

man

carrying a pack through mixed forest is surer of his footing and less liable to turned ankles in moccasins

doubtedly also

than in boots.

hands and knees.

My experience has been that

with the single exception mentioned, I have felt securer in the buckskin.

for ease to the feet, that

a matter of opinion.

of course

Undoubtedly 47

at first

Eage

CAMP AND TRAIL the moccasin novice

But

a tenderfoot.

literally

after astonishingly

few days of practice

man no

longer notices the lack of a sole. I have always worn moccasins more or less

and now can walk over pebbles

in the woods,

or knife-edge stones without the slightest discomfort.

In fact the absence of rolling

and slipping

in that sort of shifting footing

turns the scale quite the other way.

The matter of wear

Weai It

would seem

thin

not so important. glance that the one

at first

layer of buckskin would wear out

before the several thick layers of a shoe's

Such

sole.

not always the case.

A good

deal depends on the sort of

ground you cover. If you wet moccasins, and then walk down hill with them over granite shale, you can get holes to order. in the

Boots wear rapidly

the other

moment

a pair of

same circumstances.

hand I have on

at this

mooseskin moccasins purchased three years

ago

at a

Hudson's Bay Company's

post,

which have seen two summers' off and on service

the

Sierras.

Barring extraor-

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT dinary conditions, I should say that each in its proper use, a pair of boots and a pair of

moccasins would

of time.

about the same length The moccasin, however, has this last

advantage: it can be readily patched, and even a half dozen extra pairs take up little

room

in the pack.

Absolute protection must remain a tentative term. No footwear I have succeeded in

discovering

Where

there

gives

absolute

much work

protection.

to be done in

the water, I think boots are the warmest

and

most comfortable, though no leather is perMoccasins then become fectly waterproof. slimpsy, stretched,

and loathsome.

wise moccasins are not

snow, though

much good

So in

like-

damp

dry snow they are unex-

celled.

my own

practice I

wear boots on a

and carry moccasins in my pack for general walking. In the woods I pack four pair of moccasins. In a canoe,

horseback

trip,

moccasins of course.

not

make

the 49

common

mistake of

CAMP AND TRAIL boiitBooti

gating tremendously heavy boots. They are clumsy to place, burdensome to carry, and

and unpliable to the chafing point. The average amateur woodsman seems to stiff

think a pair of elephantine brogans is the proper thing a sort of badge of identifica-

If he adds big hobnails to make tracks with, he is sure of himself. tion in the craft.

medium weight boot, of medium height, with medium heavy soles armed only with the Hungarian hobnail is about the proper thing. Get them eight inches high supplied small

;

with very large eyelets part way, then the heaviest hooks, finishing with two more eye-

The

lets at the top.

belt-lacing

you

latter will

prevent the

will use as shoestrings

from

coming unhooked.

You

will

see

many

advertisements

waterproof leather boots. No such thing is made. Some with good care will exclude water for a while,

you stay

but a few

minutes at a time, but sooner or later as the fibers trate.

become loosened the water

will

pene-

In the case of the show window 50

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT exhibit of the shoe standing in a

pan of

water, pressure of the foot and ground

against the leather is lacking, which of course makes all the difference. This porosity

really desirable.

shoe wholly

waterproof would retain and condense the perspiration to such an extent that the feet

would be is

wet

at the

end of the day.

the case with rubber boots.

Such

All you want

a leather that will permit you to splash through a marsh, a pool, or a little stream, is

and in

will not seek to

emulate blotting paper

its

haste to become saturated.

the boots I have tried,

and that means

Putman boot and the river driver's boot, made by A. A. Cutter of Eau Claire, Wis., are made of the most durable material. The Putman boot is the a good many, I think the

more expensive and ;

pairs I

been

know of

defective.

in the case of the three

personally, the sewing has

The

material,

however,

wears remarkably well, and remains waterproof somewhat longer than any of the others.

the other

hand the Cutter shoe

CAMP AND TRAIL is

rivermen and timber

built primarily for

cruisers of the northern forests,

and

once cheap and durable. It has a brace of sole leather about the heel which keeps the latter

upright and prevents it running c jr. an easier shoe on the foot than any of

the others, but does not remain waterproof quite so long as the

Putman.

Although,

other makes are as good,

undoubtedly, many you will not go astray in purchasing one of these two. Rubber

waterproof for even a short time in wet snow. Rubber is then the only shoe

solution, usually in the shape of a shoe rub-

Truth

ber with canvas tops.

snow be

little

tell,

generally so very cold that

melting

you

will

troubled with interior condensation.

Likewise

many

years' experience in grouse

hunting through the thickets and swamps of Michigan drove me finally to light hip rubber boots. the place

wet

The time was always the autumn

;

was always more or less muddy and spots of course and there was

always the greater or lesser possibility of 52

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT snow. My native town was a great grouse shooting center, and all hunters, old and young, came to the same conclusion. rBut wet snow,

such hunting,

and of

duck marsh, seem to me the only excuses for rubber. Trout fishing is more

coi rse the

The I have known

comfortable in woolen than in waders.

clumsy and hot. of two instances of drowning because the latter are

victims were weighted

much

I should

down by them.

And

prefer getting wet from

without than from within.

You

have your choice of three kinds of moccasin the oil-tanned shoe pac, the will

deerhide,

The

and the moosehide.

about as waterproof as the average waterproof shoe, and would be the best for all purposes were it not for the shoe pac

very imperviosity renders it too In addition continuous wear affects

fact that hot.

the

its

oil in

the tanning process to produce

rather an evil odor. useful, however,

The

shoe pacs are very

and where I carry but two

pairs of moccasins, one 53

of the

oil

tan.

Shoe Pacs

CAMP AND TRAIL Shoe pacs can be purchased of any sporting goods dealer.

The

deerhide moccasin, in spite of

its

thinner texture, wears about as well as the

bulky to carry, but stretches more when wet and is not as easy on the feet. I use either sort as I happen

moosehide,

less

Genuine buckskin or

to get hold of them.

moose

rather scarce.

Commercial mocca-

with the porcupine quills and "Souvenir of Mackinaw" on them are made by machinsins

ery out of sheepskin. They are absolutely useless, and last about long enough to get out of sight of the shop. great majority

of the moccasins sold as sportsman's supplies are likewise very bogus. own wear I

have always purchased of Hudson's posts.

Undoubtedly many

reliable

Bay firms

carry them; but I happen to know by personal experience that the

Putman Boot Com-

pany of Minneapolis have the real thing. Proceeding to more outer garments, a waistcoat is a handy affair. In warm weather you leave

open and hardly know 54

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT you have it on; in cold weather you button it up, and it affords excellent protection. Likewise

advantage of These you will have

possesses

numerous pockets. your

women

the

folk extend and deepen for

you, until your compass, notebook, pipe, matches, and so forth fit nicely in them. As it is

an outside garment, have If you have shot enough

to be used as

the back lined.

deer to get around to waistcoats, nothing could be better by way of material than the ever-useful buckskin.

am no

believer in waterproof garments.

Once I owned a pantasote outer I used to assume whenever narily

when

it is

warm enough

rained.

warm enough

to cause

coat which

Ordi-

to rain,

it is

you to perspire under

the exertion of walking in a pantasote coat.

Shortly I would get wet, and would be quite unable to decide whether

This I discovered.

had soaked through from the outor I had soaked through from the inside.

the rain side

After that I gave the coat away to a man who had not tried it, and was happy. If I 55

CAMP AND TRAIL put on a sweater the rough wool of which will turn water for some time and the texture of

must walk

in the rain I prefer to

which allows ventilation.

Then

the chances

are that even if I soak through I do not

get a reactionary

chill

from becoming

over-

heated.

In camp you

when

know enough

When you have to sally forth

rains.

will

your head through the hole in the middle of your rubber blanket.

you

will thrust

When known cause

thus equipped the rubber blanket is as a poncho, and is most useful be-

can be used for two purposes.

Horseback

in a rainy country

is,

however,

There transportation is not on your back, but another's; and sitting a different matter.

a horse like a

not violent exercise.

poncho.

Some people

I have always found

its

lower edge cold, clumsy, and wet, much inclined to blow about, and apt to soak your knees and the seat of your saddle. The cowboy slicker cannot be improved upon. It is

different in build

from 56

the ordinary

oil-

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT Call for a

skin.

"pommel

slicker,"

and be

apparently about two sizes too Thus you will cover your large for you. Should you be forced to walk, a belt legs. sure

around your waist tuck

always enable you to a comic opera king. It is will

sure ludicrous to view, but that does not matter.

Apropos of protecting your remains chaps.

still

legs, there

the question of chaparejos or

Unless you are likely to be called on

some speed through thorny brush, or unless you expect to ride very wet indeed,

to ride at

they are a useless affectation.

The cowboy

needs them because he does a great deal of riding of the two kinds just mentioned.

Probably you will not. I have had perhaps a dozen occasions to put them on. If you must have them, get either oil-tanned or hair chaps.

a tin roof.

Either of these sheds water like

The

hair chaps will not last long

in a

thorny country. will need furthermore a pair of gloves of some sort, not for constant wear,

You

CAMP AND TRAIL nor merely for warmth, but to protect you in the handling of pack ropes, lead ropes,

and cooking gauntlet

utensils.

good buckskin

serviceable, as the cuffs

keep the

from playing along your your shoulder, and exclude the

cold breezes

fore-

arm

dust.

When let,

you can get hold of the army gauntyou sometimes can

stores,

buy them.

in the military

Lacking genuine buck-

grades of "asbestos" yellow tan are the best. They cost about two dolskin, the lighter

lars.

To my

notion a better rig

ordi-

nary pair of short gloves, supplemented by the close-fitting leather cuffs of a cowboy's outfit.

The

latter hold the wrist snugly,

exclude absolutely chill and dirt, and in addition save wear and soiling of the shirt cuff.

They do not pick up

and rubbish funnel

twigs, leaves,

wise, as a gauntlet cuff

apt to do. That, I think, completes your wearing apparel. Let us now take up the contents of your pockets, and your other personal belongings. 58

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT SUMMARY Minimum

Maximum

for comfort

Felt hat

Silk kerchief

Waistcoat

Buckskin

shirt or

sweater

Gray

flannel shirt

Gray

2 undershirts and

and

flannel shirt

2 undershirts, 3 draw-

drawers Trousers

shirt

sweater

ers (includes

buckskin

suit

over khaki

one

you wear)

Trousers

3 pairs heavy socks 3 pairs mocca,sins

4 pairs socks 1 pair boots

Moccasins

pair bpots

Slicker

pair moccasins

Gloves and leather

cuffs

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)

CHAPTER

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (Continued)

knife,

and a compass are

the three MATCHES,

indispensables.

ignition

you

will take a decided step

backward from present-day that

By way of

civilization

will pin

your faith to the old sulphur "eight-day" matches of your fathers. This

you

for several reasons.

come

the first place they

in blocks, unseparated,

which are eas-

without danger of rubbing one In the second place, they against the other. ily carried

up about a third the room the same number of wooden matches would require. In

take

the third place, they are easier to light in a

wind, for they do not flash persist.

And

finally,

up and

out,

wet, they can be

spread out and dried in the sun, which

most important of all. So buy you a worth of sulphur matches. 63

but

the

nickel's

CAMP AND TRAIL Match

The main supply you

will

pack

sort of waterproof receptacle.

story recently in which a as a true

luck.

The

I read a

carried his

He must have had

bottle.

some

man was recognized

woodsman because he

matches in a

good

cardinal principle of packing

never to carry any glassware. Ninety and nine days it may pass safely, but the hundredth will smash

as sure as

some people's

And

then you have jam, or chili powder, or syrup, or whiskey, all over the place or else no matches. Any good screw shooting.

top can or better still, two telescoping tubes is infinitely better.

The pocket.

you

day's supply

will

put

your

A portion can go in a small water-

proof match safe; but as it is a tremendous nuisance to be opening such a contrivance every time you want a smoke, I should advise you to stick a block in your waistcoat pocket, where

you can get

them

easily.

If you are going a-wading, and pockets are precarious,

you

find

will

handy. 64

your hat band

One

of the mishaps to be expected

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT The waterproof pocket

safe

numerous

A ten-gauge brass shell will

on the market.

just chamber a twelve-gauge.

Put your

matches in the twelve-gauge, and telescope the ten over it. Abercrombie & Fitch, of

New York, make a screw top safe of rubber, which has the great advantage of floating if dropped, but it is too bulky and the edges

The Marble

are too sharp. the Marble

Axe Company,

certainly waterproof; but if

sider

made by

ingenious and it gets bent in

jams, and you can shut. Therefore I con-

the slightest degree,

no longer screw

safe,

useless for this reason.

A very con-

venient and cheap emergency contrivance

and

pocket cigar lighter to be had at most cigar stores. With it as a re-

the flint

serve

steel

you are sure of a

fire

no matter how

wet the catastrophe.

Y jur knife

should be a

medium

size

two-

bladed affair, of the best quality. Do not get it too large and heavy. You can skin and quarter a deer with an ordinary jackknife.

Avoid the "kit"

knives. 65

They

are

mighty

CAMP AND TRAIL handy contraptions.

I owned one with two

blades, a thoroughly practicable can opener,

an awl or punch, a combined reamer, pull and screwdriver, and a corkscrew.

nail

was a delight for

The

as long as

trouble with such knives

lasted.

that they are too

round, so that sooner or later they are absolutely certain to roll out of your pocket and

lost.

makes no difference how your

how careful you inevitable. Then you will

pockets are constructed, nor are, that result

feel badly

and go back to your old

flat

two-

bladed implement that you simply cannot lose.

Sheath Knives

butcher knife of good make is one of ^he fe^ and cheapest of sheath knives. The -A-

common

mistake

among amateur

hunters

that of buying too heavy a knife with too thick a blade. in

hand

Unless you expect to indulge hand conflicts, or cut brush, such

a weapon is excessive. I myself have carried for the last seven years a rather thin and

broad blade made by the Marble

pany on the butcher knife 66

Axe Com-

pattern.

This

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT company as used

advertises in

catalogue a knife are mistaken. The

its

by myself. They

mean

a longer bladed affair, called It is a most a "kitchen or camp knife."

knife I

an edge well, a camp and hunt-

excellent piece of steel, holds

and

useful alike as

ing knife.

The

fact that I have killed

thirty-four wild boars with is

some

shows that

not to be despised as a weapon. Your compass should be large enough for

accuracy, with a jewel movement. instrument can be purchased for

two

dollars.

Such an

from one

sheer extravagance to

anything more expensive unless you are a yachtsman or intend to run survey

in for

lines.

I have hesitated

much

before deciding to

say anything whatever of the sporting outThe subject has been so thoroughly disfit. cussed by men so much more competent than myself; there are so many theories with

which I confess myself not at all conversant, and my own experience has been so limited in the variety of

weapons and 67

tackle, that I

CAMP AND TRAIL hardly felt qualified to speak. However, I reflected that this whole series of articles does not pretend to be in any

way

authorita-

claim to present the only or the best equipment in any branch of wildertive,

nor does

ness travel, but only to set forth the results

my own

twenty years more or less of So likewise it pretty steady outdoor life. of

may

interest the reader to hear about the

my own

gunrack, even though he himself would have chosen much more contents of

wisely.

rifle is

chester, with

heard

a .30-.40 box magazine

Lyman

sights.

Win-

This I have

not a particularly accurate gun. is stated that after a few hundred

Also

shots

becomes

still

more inaccurate because

of a residue which only special process can remove from the rifling. This may be. I only know that my own rifle to-day, after ten years' service, will still shoot as closely as I

know how

to hold

sixty-four notches on

ably been fired

first

its

and 68

it,

although

has

stock and has problast

at big

game,

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT small game, and targets

sand times.

I use the

except in the

a thou-

Lyman aperture

sight

dusk of evening, when a fold-

ing bar sight takes

bought

upward of

its

place.

this rifle the .33

and

.35

the time I

had not been

and I thought, and still think, the .30-.30 too light for sure work on any animal issued,

larger than a deer.

I have never used the

but like the .33 very much. The old low-power guns I used to shoot a great deal, .35,

but have not for some years.

The

weapon for a woods trip where small game is plentiful is a single-shot Mine is a Smith & Wesson, blued, pistol. handiest

six-inch barrel, shooting the .22 caliber longrifle

cartridge.

monly

eight-inch barrel

com-

offered by the sporting dealers, but

the six-inch less

practically as accurate,

cumbersome to

compact and

and

The ammunition With this little pistol

carry.

light.

I have killed in plenty ducks, geese, grouse,

and

have gone two or three months without the necessity of squirrels, so that at times I

shooting a larger weapon. 69

Such a

pistol

Pistol

weapon

CAMP AND TRAIL takes practice, however, and a certain knack.

You must

keep at

until

you can get four

out of five bullets in a three-inch bull's-eye at twenty yards before you can even hope to accomplish

much

My six-shooter J

Experiences

model.

a .45 Colt,

with

fitted

Originally

sights.

in the field.

New

Lyman

was a

The

action to

file it

revolver

self-cocker, but

I took out the dog and converted gle action.

Service

to sin-

trigger pull on the double

too heavy for me, and

when I came

down, I found the double action

caused a double jerk disconcerting to steady holding.

Now

almost at a touch

goes off smoothly and the only conditions under

which I can do much with a revolver.

a very reliable weapon indeed, balances better than the single-action model, and possesses great

smashing power.

three deer in their tracks with

smaller game.

I have killed it,

and much

This summer, however, I

had the opportunity of shooting a good deal with two I like better. One is the Officer's

Model

Colt,

chambered to shoot 70

inter-

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT changeably either the .38 Colt long or short, or the .38 Smith & Wesson special. In finish

it is

hand,

a beautiful weapon,

its

action

its

smooth, and

grip it is

fits

the

wonder-

The other is the special tarRussian. The automatics I do not

fully accurate.

get .44 care for simply because I never learned to shoot with the heavier trigger pull necessary to their action.

I have two shotguns.

One I have

shot

twenty-one years. It has killed thousands of game birds, is a hard hitter, throws an excellent pattern, as the

day

and

as strong

was bought. I use

and good

to-day for

every sort of shooting except ducks, though often I have had it in the blinds lacking the heavier weapon.

doubtful

there are

in use to-day

counting

many guns with longer service, not so much the mere years of its

performance, as the actual amount of hunting it has done. The time of its construction

was before the days of the hammerless. It was made by W. & C. Scott & Sons, is 16 gauge, and cost $125. 71

My other

a heavily

CAMP AND TRAIL choked Parker twelve.

It I use for wild

fowl, and occasionally at the trap.

The main point with guns, no matter what the kind, is to keep them in good shape. After shooting, clean them, no matter how be. It is no great labor. In a the field string cleaner will do the business, but at once when you get to permanent camp use a rod and elbow grease. In a

tired

you may

damp

country,

oil

so they will give

them afresh every day; you good

The new. The

service.

16 are as bright as cleaning rods you can put in your leather

barrels of

fishing-rod case.

Now

we have made mention must be transported. The duffle

all

bag

these things of which

the usual receptacle for them.

It should be of

some heavy material, water-

proofed, and should not be too large. good one is of pantasote, with double top to tie. One of these went the length of a

and was

fished out without

having shipped a drop. On a horseback trip, however, such a contrivance is at once unneces-

rapids,

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT sary and difficult to pack. It is too long and stiff to go easily in the kyacks, and does not

agree well with the bedding on top. This is really no great matter. The heavy kyacks, and the tarpaulin over everything,

needed protection against wet and abrasion. bag of some thinner and furnish

all

material

Brown

good. unbleached or even a denim, cotton,

pliable

quite

You

clean flour sack, are entirely adequate. will find

handy

to have

them

built with

puckering strings. The strings so employed will not get lost, and can be used as a loop tb

hang the

outfit

from a branch when

camp.

A similar but

smaller

bag

useful to be Toaet Articles

reserved entirely as a toilet bag. Tar soap in a square not round celluloid case is the

most cleansing.

heavy rubber band

hold the square case together. brush should also have its case.

comes l

in glass,

which

The

will

tooth

Tooth wash

taboo tooth powder ;

Kephart, in his excellent book on Camping and Woodsuggests carrying soap in a rubber tobacco pouch. This

craft, is

a good

idea.

CAMP AND TRAIL is

sure sooner or later to leak out.

I like best

any tooth soap which is sold in handy flat tin boxes, and cannot spill. If you are sensible

you

will not be tenderfoot

for

the

discomfort of

enough

new

beard.

Razors can be kept from rusting by wrapping them in a square of surgeon's oiled silk.

Have your

towel of brown crash

never of

any white material. The latter is so closely woven that dirt gets into the very fiber of it, and cannot be washed

out.

Crash, however,

of looser texture, softens quickly, and does not show every speck of dust. If you have

the

room for

it,

a rough towel, while not

absolutely necessary,

nevertheless a great

luxury. Medicinei

By way form.

me dicines,

stick to the tablet

strong compact medicine case is not expensive. It should contain antiseptics,

permanganate for snake bites, a laxative, cholera remedy, quinine, and morphine. In addition antiseptic bandages and rubber or

surgeon's plaster should be wrapped in oiled silk

v*^ *l

and included

in the duffle outfit, 74

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT The

problem is serious in some sections of the country and at some times of year. fly

head net

sometimes useful about camp or riding in the open never when walking in the woods. The ordinary mosquito bar is is

too fragile.

One

of bobbinet that

fits in-

geniously is very effective. This and gloves will hold you immune but you cannot smoke, nor spit on the bait.

The two

best fly dopes of the

many

I have

tried are a commercial mixture called "lolla-

The lolla-

capop," and Nessmuk's formula.

capop comes

in tin boxes,

carry, but does not

most

handy

as well as the

is:

..... ... .1

2 parts

Oil pennyroyal is

3 parts

Oil pine tar Castor oil

wear quite

Nessmuk's dope

other.

and

effective.

part

A dab on each cheek

and one behind each ear

will repel the fly

of average voracity, while a full coating will save you in the worst circumstances.

single dose will last until next

wash

time.

best carried in the tiny "one drink" 75

piy Dopes

CAMP AND TRAIL Fly Dopes

whiskey

flasks, holding, I

One flask summer. At first the

three ounces. all

suppose, two or

full will last

you

pine tar smell will

bother you, but in a short time you will get to like

It will call

it.

the reaches of trout streams, aisles

your memory and the tall still

of the forests.

SUMMARY Minimum

Maximum

for comfort

Matches and

safe

Pocket knife

Pocket knife (2 blade) Sheath knife

Sheath knife

Compass

Compass 1 bandana

2 bandanas

Sporting outfit Duffle bag

Soap and case Crash towel

Tooth brush

Bath towel

Tooth soap

Tooth brush

Shaving set in oiled silk Medicines and bandages

Tooth soap Shaving set in oiled silk Medicines and bandages

Fly dope (sometimes)

Fly dope and head net

CAMP OUTFIT

CHAPTER V CAMP OUTFIT

N many sections of the country you will need a

tent,

even when traveling afoot.

Formerly a man had between canvas, which

make

a choice

heavy but fairly which is light but

waterproof, and drill, seven by seven duck tent weighs flimsy. fully twenty-five pounds when dry, and a

great

many more when

rain as long as

wet.

you do not

It will shed

hit against

it.

touch on the inside, however, will often start a trickle at the point of contact. Altogether it is

unsatisfactory,

than

many men

bark

shelters.

and one does not wonder

prefer to knock together

Nowadays, however, another and better material are

made

to be had. of,

and

the stuff balloons

called balloon silk.

believe, for shelter purposes, it undergoes a further waterproofing process, but of this 79

Tent

CAMP AND TRAIL not certain. A tent of the size

tioned,

instead

weighing

pounds, pulls the scales

Furthermore, is

down

men-

twenty-five

at about eight.

does not absorb moisture, and

One

no heavier when wet than when dry.

"-4" Tent Pitched as

can touch the inside dering

all

he wishes without ren-

The

pervious.

Shelter.

material

tough

and enduring. I have one which I have used hard for not only as a tent, but as a canoe lining, a sod cloth, a tarpaulin, and a pack five years,

canvas.

To-day

it is

and excepting for

as serviceable as ever,

inevitable

small patches represents tear.

its

soiling,

entire

two

wear and

CAMP OUTFIT &

who make this tent, persuade you, if you demand pro-

Abercrombie will try to

Fitch,

tection against mosquitoes, to let

them sew

on a sod-cloth of bobbinet and a loose long curtain of the same material to cover the

"A" entrance.

Tent Pitched Between

not allow

Two

it.

Trees.

The

rig

right as long as there are plenty of

But suppose you want flyless

land?

There

all

flies.

to use the tent in a

still

blocks your

way

that confounded curtain of bobbinet, fitting

tightly

enough

crawl when you enter, it is

impossible to

The

tent itself

is all

you have almost to and so arranged that

so that

hang

is all

up out of

right,

wrong. 81

but

the way.

its fly

rigging

D.on t usea Tent

CAMP AND TRAIL I have f ound that a second tent built of

Best Tent

from

and without any whatr J opening the best scheme. Tapes are sewn

cheesecloth, Flies

ever,

These you tie to the ridge pole or rope of the tent on the inside of along

its

course.

ridge.

The

"A"

cheesecloth

structure

thus

Tent Pitched on Treeless Ground.

hangs straight down. When not in use it is thrust to one side or the other. If flies get thick, you simply go inside and spread it out.

It should be

made somewhat

the wall than the tent so that

larger in

you can weight

lower edge with fishing rods, rifles, boots, sticks, or rocks. Nothing can touch you.

its

The proper shape

for a tent 82

a matter

CAMP OUTFIT of some discussion. to

Undoubtedly the lean-

the ideal shelter so far as

You

goes.

build your fire in front, the slanting

wall reflects the heat

warm

warmth

down and you

even in winter weather.

however, the lean-to

Method

luted joy.

sleep

practice,

not always an undi-

of Tightening Rope.

Flies can get in for one thing,

and a heavy rainstorm can suck around the corner for another. In these circumstances four walls are highly desirable.

hand a cold snap makes a a cold storage vault. Tent

the other

wall tent into stoves are

They are either red and even when doing their

little devils.

hot or stone cold,

Shape of Tent

CAMP AND TRAIL always a northwest corner that declines to be thawed out. man feels the

best, there

need of a camp

"A"

Tent

the Best

properly constructed. jr or three seasons I have come gradually J fire,

to thinking that an

the proper thing.

storm or those ous.

When

A or wedge tent

about

In event of that

rain-

advantages are obvia cold snap comes along, you flies its

simply pull up the stakes along one side, tie the loops of that wall to the same stakes that hold

down

your lean-to

When

all

the other wall

ready for the

and there

fire.

you get your tent made, have them

grommets in each peak. these you will run a light line.

insert

Through

By tying each end of the line to a tree or sapling, staking out the four corners of your tent, and then tightening the line by wedging under it (and outside the tent, of course) a forked

your tent is up in a jiffy. Where you cannot find two trees handily placed, poles pole,

make good supports front and rear. The line passes over them and to a stake in

crossed

the ground.

These are quick pitches for a 84

CAMP OUTFIT brief stop.

such methods an

A tent

erected as quickly as a "pyramid," a miner's,

In permanent camp, a shipshape job. and do you Often, however, you will not need to burden yourself with even as light a tent as I or any of the others. will cut poles

Tarpaulin, Folded.

Open and

have described.

This

horseback trips

you

the

especially true

mountains.

will carry a tarpaulin.

of canvas or pantasote

During

the daytime

it is

protect the top packs 85

This

6x16

There a strip

or 17 feet.

folded and used to

from

dust, wet,

and

Tarpaulins

CAMP AND TRAIL abrasion.

At night you spread

bed on one half of

it,

make your

and fold the other half

This arrangement will f en(j q u ft e a shower. In case of continued

over the outside. Uses of the Tarpaulin

or heavy rain,

tween two

trees

the tarp over

stretch a

pack rope beor crossed poles, and suspend

you it

tent wise, tying

by means of lead make a commodious tent. corners

down

Two

ropes.

the

tarps

If you happen to

be alone, a saddle blanket will supplement the tarp to give some sort of protection to

your

feet,

and,

provided

tightly, will shed quite a

stretched

downpour.

The tarp, as I have said, should measure 6x16. If of canvas, do not get it too heavy, as then

and hard

will be stiff

About 10-ounce duck

After you have bought floor folded once, as

the proper thing.

it,

vas,

lay

will

have made your bed in it. half and on both edges, as it half dozen snap hooks.

to handle.

out on the

be when you To the lower

lies there,

sew a

the upper can-

but about six inches in from the edge,

sew corresponding rings for the snap hooks. 86

CAMP OUTFIT Thus on a cold night you can bundle yourself in without leaving cracks

admit the

along the edges

chilly air.

In the woods you

This

a rubber blanket. the tarpaulin

will

used.

want furthermore

unnecessary when Buy a good poncho. is

Poor quality sticks badly should to become overheated by the sun.

chance

pound blanket of the best heavy enough. The gray army

six or seven

quality

blanket, to be purchased sometimes at the

military stores,

good, as

point" blanket issued

Company.

The

You

enough.

of underwear ket,

and much

cost

will find that another suit

warm

difficult to

you can hug

an extra blan-

easier to carry.

closely to the body,

air space

also the "three-

by the Hudson's Bay is from $6 to $8. One

bags I do not care for.

drawn

Sleeping They cannot be

and the resulting

warm

up.

A blanket

close to you, thus retaining all

the animal heat. is

Beside which a sleeping bag heavier and more of a bother to keep

well aired.

If you like the thing occasion87

CAMP AND TRAIL ally,

a few horse blanket pins will

make one

of your blanket. TO

Sleep

the purpose of this book to deal

with equipments rather than with methods. There are a great many very competent

you how pitch your tent, and

treatises fire, it.

telling

to all

build

your

the rest of

I have never seen described the woods-

men's method of using a blanket, howLie flat on your back. Spread the ever. blanket over you.

from

Now raise your legs rigid

the hip, the blanket of course draping

over them.

In two swift motions tuck

first

one edge under your legs from right to left, then the second edge under from left to

and over the

right, legs, sleep.

first

edge.

Lower your

wrap up your shoulders, and go to If you roll over, one edge will un-

wind but the other

In the

will tighten.

forest your rubber

and woolen

You will balsam. On a

blankets will comprise your bed.

with pine needles or horseback trip, however, it is desirable to soften

carry also an ordinary comforter, or quilt, 88

CAMP OUTFIT You use

or "sogun."

once, so as to afford

two

under you.

Folded it

goes

far toward softening granite country.

thicknesses,

way of a gentle hint, if you will spread your saddle blankets beneath your tarp, they will help a

lot,

and you

horsey aroma. pillow can be

will get

none of the

made out of

of muslin or cotton or denim. stuff

an extra

shirt,

such matter.

may

pillow

little

bag

you or your sweater, or some it

very small "goose hair" be thrust between the folds of

your blanket when you have a pack horse. It will not be large enough all by itself, but with a sweater or a pair of trousers beneath it

and easy to a tired head. cover of brown denim.

will be soft

Have

its

a pack trip a pail

a necessity which

not recognized in the forest, where you can dip your cup or kettle direct into the is

Most packers carry a galvanized which they turn upside down on top of

stream. affair,

the pack.

There

and bangs against every overhead obstruction on the trail, and it

rattles

Pai l s

CAMP AND TRAIL

ends by being battered to leakiness. bucket made of heavy brown duck, with a

wire hoop hemmed in by way of rim, and a light rope for handle carries just as much water, holds

Wash Basins

and

as well,

and has the great

advantage of collapsing flat. wash basin built on the same principle is often a veritable godsend, and a man can

Wash Tubs

Canvas Bucket and Wash Basin.

Collapsible

even carry a similar contrivance big enough for a washtub without adding appreciably to the bulk or weight of his animal's pack.

Crushed

flat all

three take

in thickness

about the space of one layer of blanket, and 90

CAMP OUTFIT the weight of the lot

just a

pound and a

half.

The Stonebridge folding candle lantern the best I know of. It folds quite flat,

has four mica windows, and

The measurements,

together.

6x4

only

inches

by 1-2 inch

easily

put

folded,

are

thick,

and

its

weight but 13 ounces.

The manufacturers

make

the

found

same lantern

aluminum, but I

too easily bent to stand the rough

handling incidental to a horse 1 steel lantern costs one dollar. If you carry an axe at

trip.

The

do not try to I never use such

all,

compromise on a light one. an implement in the woods.

A light hatchet

every bit as good for the purpose of firewood, and better when it is a question of tent is

Read Nessmuk's Woodcraft The Marble Safety Axe subject.

poles or pegs.

this

the best, both because of the excellent

steel

used in

the ease of :

One

Lanterns

its

manufacture, and because of

its

transportation.

now made

brass

slightly higher price.

fold

I generally automatically, at a

Hatchets

CAMP AND TRAIL carry mine in

hip pocket.

Get the metal

handle and heaviest weight. I have traveled a considerable part of the Canadian forests with no other implement of the

sort.

Axes

a horseback trip in the mountains, however, this will not suffice. Often and often you will be called on to clear trail, to cut timber for trail construction or to

make

a footing over some ultra-tempestuous

streamlet.

You

might peck away

until

further orders with your little hatchet without much luck. Then you need an axe not a "half axe," nor a "three-quarter axe"

but

a full five-pound weapon with an edge you could shave with. And you should know

how

to use

it.

"Chewing a log

two"

slow and unsatisfactory business.

To keep

this

edge you

will carry a file

Use your hatchet as take care of how and what

and a water whetstone.

much

as possible,

you chop, and do not wait

until the axe gets

really dull before having recourse to

and

stone.

your

file

a long distance to a grind-

Wes Thompson 92

expressed the situ-

CAMP OUTFIT ation well.

for a

moment

watched the Kid's efforts

in silence.

"Kid," said he sorrowfully at last, "you'll have to make your choice. Either you do all

the chopping or none of it."

Needle, thread, a waxed end, and a piece of buckskin for strings and patches completes the ordinary

camp

pair kit needs additions

mountain

trips,

but that

outfit.

Your

re-

when applied to question will come

up under another heading.

SUMMARY Minimum for Silk tent

Maximum

comfort

(sometimes)

Tarpaulin Blanket

Rubber blanket Blanket

Comforter

Pillow case of denim

Small pillow Canvas bucket

Pocket axe File

and whetstone

Canvas wash basin Canvas wash tub

Needle and thread

Waxed end

Candle lantern and candles

Piece of buckskin

Pocket axe 5 pound axe File and whetstone

Needle and thread

Waxed end Piece of buckskin

Repairs

THE COOK OUTFIT

CHAPTER

THE COOK OUTFIT people take into the woods too many utensils and of too heavy

Materials

MOST

The result is a disprobetween the amount of food transmaterial.

portion

ported and the means of cooking it. I have experimented with about every material going, and used all sorts of dishes.

Once I

traveled ten days, and did

all

cooking in a tip cup and on a willow switch nor did I live badly. An ample outfit, however, judiciously selected,

need take up

little

bulk or weight.

Tin

the lightest material, but breaks

too easily under rough usage.

by no means care I have

to be despised.

made

With

tin coffee pots

little

and

tin

When through, I And my cups and plates

pails last out a season.

discarded them.

Still,

are of tin to this day. 97

xin

CAMP AND TRAIL Shett Iron

Sheet iron had

its trial

a brief one.

The

but in practice I soon found that for a long time whatever is boiled in sheet iron pails takes on a dark purplish-

theory was

all right,

This black tinge disagreeable to behold. modifies, but never entirely disappears, with use.

But

also sheet iron soon

burns out and

develops pin holes in the bottom. Agate or enamel ware is pleasing to the Agate Ware eye and easily kept clean. But a hard blow

means a crack or chip in the enameled face, and hard blows are frequent. enamel ware

sur-

even cup or plate, soon opens seams and chasms. Then it may as well be thrown away, for you can never

keep i ron

kettle, or

clean.

A very light iron pot well.

durable and cooks

Two of these of a size to nest together,

with the coffee pot inside, make not a bad combination for a pack trip. Most people are satisfied with them; but for a perfect

and

balanced equipment even light-gauge iron is still

too heavy.

For a long time I had no use for alumi98

THE COOK OUTFIT num.

was too

soft,

went

to pieces,

and

got out of shape too easily. Then by good fortune I chanced to buy a pail or kettle of an aluminum alloy. That one pail I have

used constantly for five years on all sorts of It shows not a single dent or bend, trips.

and

inside

as bright as a dollar.

The ideal

material was found.

Short experience taught me, however, that even this aluminum alloy was not best for every item of the culinary outfit.

The

coffee pot, kettles,

and

plates

may be

of the alloy, for it has the property of holding heat, but by that very same token an

aluminum cup

an abomination.

The

you can get your For the same reason

coffee or tea cools before lips

next the metal.

spoons and forks are better of steel and of course it stands to reason that the cutting ;

edge of a knife must be of that material. The aluminum frying pans I have found unsatisfactory

metal

for

several

reasons.

The

not porous enough to take grease,

as does the steel pan, so that unless 99

watched

Utensils

CAMP AND TRAIL very closely flapjacks, mush, and the like are In the second too apt to stick and burn. place they get too hot, unless favored with more than their share of attention. In the third place, in the case of the

two I have

owned, I have been unable to keep the patent handle on for more than three weeks after purchase.

Premising, then, the above considerations, as regards material, let us examine now the

kind and variety necessary to the most elaborate trip you will take, at the same time

keeping in mind the fact that you can travel with merely a tin cup if you have to.

Made-up

not be led astray into buying a madeup outfit. The two-man set consists of a coffee pot, two kettles, a fry pan, two each

of plates, cups, soup bowls, knives, forks, teaspoons,

and

of aluminum. plates

All

fit

and fry pan on

pounds. able to 1

dessert

The

modify

Abercrombie

idea it

spoons

everything

into the largest kettle, top,

and weigh but

five

good, but you will be

to advantage. Fitch handle the

100

aluminum

alloy.

THE COOK OUTFIT Get for a two-man

outfit

two

tin

with the handles riveted, not soldered. will

drop

Omit

aluminum

into the

the soup bowls.

cups

They

coffee pot.

Buy good steel knives

and forks with blackwood or horn handles. A Good 8

Let the forks be four-tined, if possible. Omit the teaspoons. Do not make the mistake of tin dessert spoons. Purchase a half dozen of white metal. All these things will

aluminum coffee pot, which the two aluminum kettles. Over

inside the

will nest in

the top you invert four

aluminum

plates

and a small

tin

a size to

accurately over the top of the

milk pan for bread mixing and dish washing. The latter should be of fit

larger kettle.

away

This combination will tuck

in a canvas case about nine inches in

diameter and nine high. You will want a medium-size steel fry pan, with handle of

same piece of metal not riveted. The latter comes off. The outfit as modified will the

weigh but a pound more than the is

other,

and

infinitely handier.

There are several methods of cooking 101

^ tfit

CAMP AND TRAIL The

bread.

and the one you

simplest

will

adopt on a foot trip is to use your frying pan. The bread is mixed, set in the warmth a few moments to stiffen, then the frying pan is propped up in front of the blaze.

When

one side of the bread

turn

over.

Dutch Ovens

The second method, and employed

in the

of the Dutch oven.

The

versally

done, you

that almost uni-

West, latter

by means

instrument

huge and heavy iron kettle and provided with a massive

in shape like a

on short

legs,

iron cover.

hole

dug, a

the hole, the oven containing in

on the resultant

coals,

in with hot earth

and

good bread, but

fire built in its

bread

and the hole

ashes.

set

filled

makes very

a tremendous nuisance.

You

have the weight of the machine to transport, the hole to dig, and an extra fire to make.

It also necessitates a shovel.

That the Westerner wieldy

affair

carries such

about with

an un-

him has been

mainly, I think, because of his inability to

get a good reflector.

The 102

perfect baker of

THE COOK OUTFIT should be constructed at such angles of top and bottom that the heat is reflected equally front and back, above and below.

this sort

This requires some mathematics. The average reflector is built of light tin by the vilIt throws the heat almost

lage tinsmith.

Folding

anywhere.

Aluminum

The

Reflector

pestered

Oven.

woodsman

shifts

bread pan, shifts the loaf trying to "get an even scald on the pesky thing." The bread is scorched at two corit,

shifts the

ners and

raw

at the other two,

brown on

top,

but pasty at the bottom. He burns his hands. If he persists, he finds that a dozen

bakings tarnish the tin beyond polish, so that at last the heat hardly reflects at

all.

probably ends by shooting it full of holes. And next trip, being unwilling to bake in 103

CAMP AND TRAIL pan while he has a horse to carry for him, he takes along the same old piece of ordnance the Dutch oven.

the frying

This

Aluminum

I have been

no exaggeration. Until

there myself.

a Dutch oven on

made one more

this

Then I purchased an aluminum

try,

haker of Abercrombie

good bread

very year I carried

pack

trips.

& Fitch, and have had

minimum

trouble.

I realize that I seem to be recommending this firm rather extensively,

helped.

not because I

but

cannot be

know no

others,

for naturally I have been purchasing sport-

ing goods and supplies in a great many places and for a good many years. Nor do

recommend everything they make. Only along some lines they have carried practical ideas to their logical conclusion. The AberI

crombie

Fitch balloon

bags, pack harness,

they cannot be

tents,

aluminum

reflector ovens completely

silk

fill

the

food

and

alloys, bill.

And

procured elsewhere,

must perhaps seem unduly to advertise one firm. 104

this

THE COOK OUTFIT Their aluminum baker, then, I found to I put the bread in the pan, stuck

be a joy.

the reflector in front of

regular cooking

and went ahead with dinner.

fire,

It re-

quired absolutely no more attention. the time I was ready to dish

bread was done.

The angles

it.

num it

easily

That was

all

grub, the

there was to

are correct, and the alumi-

When

kept bright.

folds to an inch thick,

not in use

and about a foot

by a foot and a half. It weighs only about two pounds. heavy canvas case protects it and the bread pan. I pack it between

blankets,

the

and never know

it is

Dutch oven was always

cost

was three

Food drill,

there whereas ;

a problem.

The

dollars.

best transported in bags.

or even

empty

Cotton

flour sacks are pretty

good on a pack horse; but in canoe and forest traveling you will want something waterproof.

bag

Again Fitch.

Even horseback

better,

for

a waterproof

keeps out the dust.

I must refer you to Abercrombie

Their food bags are of 105

light,

water-

Food Bags

CAMP AND TRAIL proof, and durable material, .and cost only from a dollar to a dollar and a half a dozen,

according to size. Of course on a tramp you will carry no extra conveniences in the way of fire irons,

but will use as cooking range two green logs

Use

of Parallel Logs.

laid nearly parallel, or rocks placed side side.

reason

But with a pack

why you

horse, there

by no

should not relieve yourself

this bother.

Usually two pieces of strap iron about thirty inches long and an inch wide are

employed for this purpose. The ends are rested on two stones and the fire built beneath them. trench

In case stones

lack, a small

dug, and the irons laid across that. 106

THE COOK OUTFIT Mr. Ernest

Britten,

a Forest Ranger,

has however invented a contrivance that

The

Britten

Fire Irons

Use

Ordinary Fire Irons.

much better. The made of strap iron, the inside of the

The Ernest

irons, instead

of being

are of angle iron.

and

at each

end sharp-

Britten Fire Irons.

ened legs are swung on a rivet. squared outer corner next the angle iron prevents 107;

CAMP AND TRAIL their spreading, but a their

permits

rounded inner corner folded

being

used, the legs are opened

flat.

When

and stuck upright

in the ground, the irons being arranged parallel at

an appropriate distance from each

other.

Mark

these advantages:

The

irons

can be driven to any height from the ground according as fuel is plenty or scarce. They can be leveled absolutely, a thing difficult to accomplish with stones and strap irons.

In case the ground inspirator

insertion of the legs in

too hard to admit the it,

they can be folded

back, and the irons used across stones in the

manner of the old

strap irons.

Moreover, no more. important, they weigh I have had presented me by Mr. Robert

and

this is

Logan

and

New

York, so simple, transport-

a device for kindling fires that I have included it in my regular outfit. able

efficient

It consists of a piece of small rubber tube

two

feet or so in length, into one

which

end of

forced a brass cylinder three or The extremity of this four inches long. is

brass cylinder

then beaten out so that 108

its

THE COOK OUTFIT calls this in-

opening is flattened. Logan " strument an Inspirator."

you apply the brass HOW the struggling blaze, and blow

encourage a

nozzle to

fire

The

steadily through the rubber tube.

re-

an effect midway between a pair of bellows and a Bunsen burner. sult

Until you have tried

how

difficulty in realizing

will ignite tor.

will

have

quickly wet

wood

you

when persuaded by

I have used

the Inspira-

over five months of

camping, and never have failed to blow up a brisk blaze in the foulest conditions of

more heavy chopping for dry heart-wood, no more ashes in the face empurpled by stooping, no more weather and

frantic

fuel.

waving of the hat that

scatters ashes.

Furthermore, the Inspirator's use is not confined to wet days alone. If ever you particularly desire in a hurry,

any individual

and that

kettle to boil

utensil sullenly declines

to do so, just direct the Inspirator beneath it,

and

in a jiffy

it Ys

on the bubble.

When

out of use you wrap the rubber tube around 109

CAMP AND TRAIL the brass nozzle and tuck

away

your

waistcoat pocket.

There remains only the necessity of cleaning up. Get three yards or so of toweling

and cut off Soap,

etc.

pieces as

you need them.

Keep

them washed and they will last a long time. Borax soap and a cake of Sapolio help; but you can clean up dishes without soap. Long tough grass bent double makes an excellent

swab.

For washing

clothes

have found nothing to equal either Fels-

Naphtha

Frank

Siddal's Soap.

You soap

your garments at night, rinse them in the morning and the job is done. No hot water, no boiling, little rubbing. And the

garments are really

clean.

110

THE COOK OUTFIT SUMMARY Minimum 1 tin

Tin cup

cup with riveted

Aluminum

handle 1 1

aluminum aluminum aluminum

coffee pot

aluminum

coffee pot

pail

Knife, fork, 3 spoons 2 plates

1 knife, fork, 1

Maximum

for comfort

spoon

pails

Milk pan

plate

2 fry pans to nest Reflector oven

Fry pan

Food bags Dish towel

Food bags

Fels-Naphtha or Frank Siddal's soap.

Fire irons

Dish towel

Borax soap Sapolio

Fels-Naphtha or Frank Siddal's soap.

Ill

GRUB

CHAPTER

VII

GRUB

no department of outdoor

life

does

the mistaken notion of "roughing it"

work more harm. able to determine

why

I have never been

man

should be con-

tent with soggy, heavy, coarse ble food

trouble,

and

indigesti-

when, with the same amount of the same utensils,

and the same

materials he can enjoy variety and palataTo eat a well-cooked dinner it is not bility.

necessary to carry an elaborate commissary. In a later chapter I shall try to show you how to combine the simple and limited in-

command into the greatest dishes. At present we will con-

gredients at your

number of

cern ourselves strictly with the kind and quantity of food you will wish to carry with you. Necessarily bulk and weight

are

such

important considerations that they will at 115

CAMP AND TRAIL once cut out

much you would

enjoy.

condensed and desiccated foods

few

cases,

sion

are,

Also in a

toothsome enough to earn inclu-

and many are

certain other sorts.

not.

Perishability bars

But when

all is

and done there remains an adequate from which to choose.

However

Luxuries

closely

said list

you confine yourself to

the bare necessities, be sure to include one

luxury.

This

not so

much

the purpose of moral support.

to eat as for

remember

one trip in the Black Hills on which our

commissary consisted quite simply of oatmeal, tea, salt, and sugar, and a single can of peaches.

Now

course there was game.

we had found

ourselves confined to

meat, mush, oatmeal pones, and tea, we should, after a little, have felt ourselves

reduced to dull monotony, and after a little more we should have begun to long mightily for the fleshpots of Deadwood.

But

that

can of peaches lurked in the back of our minds. By its presence we were not reduced to

meat, mush,

oatmeal pones, and 116

tea.

GRUB Occasionally

we would

advisibility of

opening

discuss gravely the it,

but I do not be-

any one of us down deep in his heart meant it in sober earnest. What was the lieve

mere

tickling of the palate

compared with

the destruction of a symbol.

Somewhat

similarly I

was once on a

with an Englishman who, fitted, insisted

when we

on marmalade.

trip

out-

In vain

pointed out the fact that glass always broke. Finally

we compromised on one

we wrapped

jar,

which

and packed weeks that un-

in the dish towel

For five opened jar of marmalade traveled with us, and the Englishman was content. Then it

in the coffee pot.

got broken as they always do. From that time on our friend uttered his daily growl or lament over the lack of marmalade. And,

mind you, he had already gone

five

weeks

without tasting a spoonful!

So include

in the list

Tell yourself that

your pet luxury.

you will eat it just at the psychological moment. It is a great comfort.

But

to our

list:

Take Your

CAMP AND TRAIL Get the very best you can buy, and the leanest. In a walking

Bacon

the stand-by.

trip cut off the rind in order to reduce the

weight.

Ham

room for

a pleasant variety

you have

it.

Personally I like the whole wheat It bakes easier than the white, has

Flour. best.

and mixes with other things well. It comes in 10-pound sacks,

taste,

quite as

which makes

Pancake makes

handy

buckwheat or

Flour., either

not,

flapjacks, of course, but also bakes

into excellent loaves,

camp

to carry.

and

a fine base for

cake.

Boston Brown Bread Flour

self -rising,

on the principle of the flapjack flour. It makes genuine brown bread, toothsome quick biscuits with shortening, and a glorious boiled or steamed pudding. outfitter does not

made

San

know of

it,

tell

If your

him

it is

Jose, California.

Cornmeal.

good Johnny

Get the

yellow.

cake, puddings, fried 118

makes mush,

GRUB and unleavened corn pone, all of which are palatable, nourishing, and easy to make. If

you have a dog with you,

ration for between-meat seasons. ter

the easiest

quar-

cup swells up into an abundant meal for

the average-sized canine.

The

Hominy.

coarse sort

makes a good

variety.

Utterly unsatisfactory over an Don't take it.

Tapioca.

open

fire.

Rice.

think

stand-by of

all.

rice

In the

about the best f^{

first place,

ten pounds stand-by

of rice will go farther than ten pounds of any other food; a half cup, which weighs small for

bulk, boils

its

into a half kettle-

quantity ample for four people. In the second place, it contains a great percentage of nutriment, and is good stuff to ful, a

travel on.

In the third

sort of palatability of tire.

of that

place', it is

which one does not

In the fourth place

can be served

in a variety of

with raisins then

fried'

;

ways: boiled plain; boiled boiled with rolled oats boiled, ;

made

into 119

baked puddings;

CAMP AND TRAIL baked jacks.

Buy Only

gems or loaves; mixed with Never omit it from your list.

Baking Powder.

known brand

flap-

not buy an un-

at a country store;

you

will

bad for your insides after a very short use. Royal and Price's are both good. find

Tea and

Even confirmed

Coffee.

drinkers drop

away from

their allegiance

Tea seems

after being out a short time.

wear better

in the woods.

never take coffee at

of some other

coffee

Personally, I

unless for the benefit

all,

member of the party.

Potatoes are generally out of the question, although you can often stick a small sack in your kyacks. ful

when you can

ted article

They

are very grate-

carry them.

on the market.

desicca-

Soaked up

takes on somewhat the consistency of rather

watery mashed potatoes. It is not bad. Onions are a luxury; but, like the potatoes, can sometimes be taken, and add largely to flavor.

Sugar.

experience

is,

that one eats

a great deal more sweets out of doors than 120

When

you

quit

the

trail

for a day's rest

GRUB I suppose one uses up more fuel. In any case I have many a time run out of

home.

and only rarely brought any home. Saxin, crystallose and saccharine are all ex-

sugar,

cellent to relieve the

weight in this respect. They come as tablets, each a little larger than the head of a pin. tablet represents

the sweetening power of a

Dropped quite

in the

well

lump of sugar. tea, two of them will sweeten as two heaping spoonfuls

and you could never

man

tell

the difference.

could carry in his waistcoat pocket vials

containing the equivalent of twenty-five pounds of sugar. Their advantage in light-

ening a back load Fats.

Lard

wholesome. is

best.

top

tin.

others.

obvious.

the

Cottolene

poorest is

The latter can be Less of

better.

and

least

Olive

oil

carried in a screw-

need be used than of the

It gives a delicious flavor to any-

thing fried in

it.

Mush.

Rolled oats are good, but do not agree with some people. Cream of Wheat and Germea are more digestible. Person121

Saccharine

CAMP AND TRAIL ally I prefer to take

of biscuits.

form

cereal in the

It "sticks to the ribs" better.

Three-quarters of a cup of cereal will make a full supply of mush for three people, leav-

ing room for mighty little else. On the other hand, a full cup of the same cereal will

make

two apiece for our three

six biscuits

In other words, the biscuits allow one to eat a third more cereal in half the

people.

bulk.

Dried Fruit.

This

another class of

food almost to be classed as condensed. is

Fruits

easily carried,

swells considerably.

light,

and when cooked

Raisins lead the

list,

they cook in well with any of the flour stuffs

and

rice,

Dried

lunch.

mean like

and are excellent to eat raw figs

come

next.

as a

I do not

the layer figs, but those dried round

prunes.

They can be

stewed,

eaten

raw, or cooked in puddings. Dried apples are good stewed, or soaked and fried in a little

sugar.

cooked. for,

Prunes are

available,

raw or

Peaches and apricots I do not care

but they complete the 122

list.

GRUB Salt and Pepper. A little cayenne in hot water

better than whiskey J for a chiU.

Cinnamon. rice,

apples, to

Excellent

One

a !?^? Chill

sprinkle

and puddings.

cake.

camp

flavoring

small box will last a

season.

Some

Milk.

sweetened

people

B or den

milk.

the

I think

sticky it

very

and should much prefer to go without. The different brands of evaporated creams are palatable, but too bulky and sickish

heavy for ordinary methods of transportacan or so may sometimes be intion.

however.

cluded,

Abercrombie

offer a milk powder.

They

Fitch

claim that a

spoonful in water "produces a sweet wholesome milk." It may be wholesome; it certainly

sweet

but as for being milk!

should like to see the cow that would ac-

knowledge

it.

Mighty good on flapjacks and bread, and sometimes to be carried when animals are many. The easiest to get that Syrup.

tastes

anything

123

the

^ Good R y

"Log Cabin"

f or

CAMP AND TRAIL It comes in a can of a

maple syrup.

handy

shape.

Another

Beans.

rich

stand-by;

rich

sustenance, light in weight, and compressed Altitude's

Useless to carry in the mountains, where, as a friend expressed it, "all does not

in bulk.

Unless you have all day and unlimited firewood they will not cook

boil that bubbles."

Lima beans

in a high altitude.

A few chilis are nice to add to the

cooked.

pot by

way

of variety.

Bread or Hardtack. If you use it which of course must be in small

Pilot at all

quantities for emergencies

and the

be sure to get

It comes in several grades,

the coarsest.

ever,

are easier

finer crumble.

The

coarse,

how-

breaks no finer than the size of a

dollar,

and so

smashed.

With

edible

no matter how badly

raisins

makes a good

lunch.

Butter, like milk,

on a long

trip.

a day or two.

The

a luxury I do without lack

never felt after

I believe you can get

air-tight cans.

124

GRUB Macaroni

bulky, but a single package

goes a long way, and

Break

nutritious.

so long

That

and stow

in a

grub bag.

finishes the list of the

Canned goods, home.

both palatable and into pieces an inch or is

You

bulk groceries, canned

in general, are better left at

are carrying the weight not

only of the vegetable, but also of the juice and the tin. One can of tomatoes merely helps out on one meal,

and occupies enough

space to accommodate eight meals of rice; or enough weight to balance two dozen meals

of the same vegetable. the kyacks

Both the space of

and the carrying power of your

horse are better utilized in other directions.

I assume you never will be fool enough to

own back with such things. So much for common sense and theory. As a matter of practice, and if you have weight your

enough animals will generally

to avoid overloading,

you

tuck in a can here and there.

These are to be used only on great occasions, but grace mightily holidays and very tired times. 125

(

CAMP AND TRAIL Now

some canned goods make you feel you are really getting something worth while; and others do not.

Corn all.

ters,

probably the most satisfactory of

good warmed up, made into fritbaked into a pudding, or mixed with It

lima beans as succotash. Good and Bad Canned

Peas on the other hand are no to good. Too much water, and too little pea is the main trouble, which combines discouragingly with

the fact that a mouthful of peas

not nearly as hearty or satisfying as a mouthful of is

corn.

Tomatoes are carried

extensively, but are

very bulky and heavy for what you get out of them.

Canned Fruit

sheer

handful of the dried

mad

article

luxury.

would equal a

half dozen cans.

Salmon.

A pleasant

and compact

varia-

on ordinary fare. It can be eaten cold, it comes from the can; or can be fried or

tion as

baked. Picnic

Stuff y such 126

potted

chicken,

GRUB devilled

ham and

the rest of

are abomi-

nations.

Corned Beef

To sum

fair.

up, I think that

I were to

canned goods, I should concentrate on corn and salmon, with one or two corned in for

beef on the

side.

I mentioned at the beginning of this

chapter modern

desiccation

of foods has

helped the wilderness traveler to some extent. I think I have tried about everything

In the following list I shall mention those I think good, and also those in this line.

particularly

bad.

Any

not mentioned

be implied that I do not care for myself, but am willing to admit that you

may

may.

Canned Eggs. The very best thing of this kind is made by the National Bakers' Sioux City. It is a coarse yellow granulation and comes in one-pound screw-top tin cans. Each can contains the

Egg

Co., of

equivalent of five dozen eggs, and costs, I think, only $1.25.

A tablespoon of the pow127

Desiccate<j

Foods

CAMP AND TRAIL With

der and two of water equals an egg. that

egg you can make omelets and scram-

bled eggs, which you could not possibly

Two

from the new-laid. two pounds,

will last

you

cans,

tell

weighing

summer; and

all

think of the delight of an occasional egg for breakfast!

The German canned eggs

Hoffmeir's

sold

this

country

rather evil tasting, do not beat

light,

are

and

generally decline sullenly to cook.

Some of the compressed soups The main difficulty is that excellent.

Soups. are

they are put up in flimsy paper packages, Also I difficult to carry without breaking.

have found that when you take but two ket-

you are generally hungry enough to begrudge one of them to anything as thin tles,

as even the best soup. ally a hot cupful

However, occasiona good thing; and I

should always include a few packages. The most filling and nourishing is the German Erbswurst

army

ration called Erbswurst.

It comes in

a sausage-shaped package, which ception to the rule in that 128

an ex-

strongly

GRUB You

constructed.

The

it.

taste

soup.

cut off an inch and boil

like that of a thick

bean

said to contain all the elements

of nutrition.

Knorr's packages make good soup when have you get hold of the right sort.

and have decided that they can be divided into two classes those that

tried

them

all,

taste like soup,

and the dishwater brand.

The former comprise pea, bean, and onion the latter, all others.

lentil, rice,

;

Maggi's tablets are smaller than Knorr's and rather better packed. The green pea and lentil make really delicious scup. Bouillon capsules of for.

that

I have

no use

serve to flavor hot water,

They is

all sorts

about

and

all.

Vegetables come in tablets about four inches square and a quarter of an Desiccated

inch thick.

A quarter of one of these tablets

two people. You soak it In general the several hours, then boil it. results are all alike, and equally tasteless and

makes a

dish for

loathsome.

The most 129

notable exception

Soup

CAMP AND TRAIL They come out

the string beans.

the

original

ance and

Enough

vegetable,

both

quite like

appear-

I always take some along.

taste.

for twenty meals could be carried

in the inside pocket of

your waistcoat. French Julienne, made by Prevet. mixture of carrots and other vegetables cut

into strips

boiled

and

dried.

swells to

its

When

original

soaked and

size.

A half

cupful makes a meal for two. It ranks with the string beans in being thoroughly palatable. These two preparations are better than canned goods, and are

much more

easily

carried.

Potatoes, saxin, saccharine, and crystallose

I have already mentioned. Quantit?

That completes the most elaborate grub list I should care to recommend. As to a quantitative

list,

that

a matter of consider-

ably more elasticity. I have kept track of the exact quantity of food consumed on a great

many

trips,

and have come

to the con-

clusion that anything but the most tentative

statements must spring from lack of experi130

GRUB

A man paddling a canoe, or carrying

ence.

a pack all day, will eat a great deal more than would the same man sitting a horse.

trip in the clear, bracing air of the

mountains

arouses keener appetites than a desert journey near the borders of Mexico, and a list of supplies

ample for the one would be woefully

The

insufficient for the other.

variation

really astonishing.

Therefore the following figures must be experimented with rather cautiously. They represent an average of many of my own trips.

ONE MONTH

S SUPPLIES

FOR ONE MAN ON A FOREST TRIP

Ibs.

flour

150 saccharine tablets

(includes

pancake flour, cornmeal in properflour,

tion to suit)

meat (bacon or boned ham) Ibs.

Ibs. rice

Ib.

Ibs. cereal

1 Ib. raisins

Salt

and pepper

Ibs.

beans

Ibs.

or J doz. Erbswurst

Ibs.

or J doz. dried veg-

etables

baking powder

1 Ib. tea

Ibs.

2 Ibs. sugar

can Bakers' eggs.

dried potatoes

131

CAMP AND TRAIL ONE MONTH

S SUPPLIES

FOR ONE MAN ON PACK HORSE TRIP

15 Ibs.

flour

supplies

Ibs.

cream of wheat

(flour, flapjack flour,

5 Ibs. mixed dried fruit

cornmeal)

Salt, pepper, cinnamon 3 cans evaporated cream

Ibs.

ham and bacon

Ibs.

Ibs. rice

Ib.

gal. syrup or honey 5 Ibs. beans

hominy

Chilis

baking powder

1 Ib. coffee

Pilot bread (in flour sack)

J Ib. tea 20 Ibs. potatoes

6 cans corn

2 cans corned beef

6 cans salmon

few onions

2 Ibs. sugar 150 saccharine tablets

Ib. pail cottolene,

can Bakers' eggs

\ doz. Maggi's soups i doz. dried vegetables

or can

beans and Julienne.

olive oil

/x /

These

are not supposed to be "eaten

down to the bone."

Don't Figure

Grub

lists

List

too Closely

A man cannot figure that

If you buy just what is included in them you will be well fed, but will probably closely.

have a

little

you did

left at the

not,

end of the month.

you would probably begin

worry about the twenty-fifth day. does not pay. fish,

And

this

Of course if you get game and

you can stay out over 132

the month.

CAMP COOKERY

CHAPTER

VIII

CAMP COOKERY secret of successful

THE

camp cookery Secret

experimentation and boldness. If c you have not an ingredient, substiis

tute the nearest thing to in the

same general

class

logic of

what

you get the

it;

or something

of foods.

After

constitutes a

pud-

ding, or bread, or cake, or anything else, cut loose from cook-books and invent with

contained in your grub bags. Do not be content until, by shifting trials, you get your proportions just right for the best

what

results. if

Even though

a dish

the possibility of improving

quite edible, it

exists,

not be satisfied with repeating it. \ This chapter will not attempt to be a

camp

cook-book.

be bought.

found

Plenty of the

latter

can

It will try to explain dishes not

camp

cook-books, but perhaps bet135

CAMP AND TRAIL adapted to the free and easy culinary conditions that obtain over an open fire and ter

an the

open air. After bacon gets a

little old,

parboil the

before frying them. Bread. The secret of frying-pan bread a medium stiff batter in the proportion

slices

HOW

of one cup of flour, one teaspoon of salt, one tablespoon of sugar, and a heaping teaspoon

This

of baking powder.

poured into the well-greased and hot pan, and set flat near the fire. In a very few moments it will rise

and

stiffen.

Prop

the

pan nearly perpen-

dicular before the blaze.

one

side,

turn over.

When

done on

A clean sliver or a fork

stuck through the center of the loaf will

you when

it is

clean, without

ing

done:

dough

tell

the sliver comes out

sticking to

it,

the bak-

finished.

In an oven the batter must be somewhat

makes close-grained heavy bread; thin batter makes light and thinner.

Stiff batter

crisp bread.

The problem

happy medium, for

to strike the

if too stiff the loaf

136

CAMP COOKERY soggy, and if too thin it sticks to the pan. Dough should be wet only at the last moment, after the pan is ready, and should be lightly stirred, never

made

Biscuits are

kneaded or beaten. in the

same way, with

the addition of a dessert-spoonful of cotto-

spoonful of olive oil. Cornbread is a mixture of half cornmeal

lene, or a half

and half

flour,

with

salt,

baking powder, and

shortening.

Unleavened bread properly made

bet-

ter as a steady diet than

powder products.

any of the baking The amateur cook is

usually disgusted with either

soggy or

leathery.

because

The

turns out

right method,

however, results in crisp, cracker-like bread,

both satisfying and nourishing.

made

as follows:

Take

three-quarters of a cup of either

cornmeal,

oatmeal,

Germea, and mix

Cream of Wheat,

thoroughly with an equal Add a teaspoonful of

quantity of flour. salt, a tablespoonful of sugar, and a teaspoonful of olive oil or shortening. Be 137

Unleavened Bread

CAMP AND TRAIL sure not to exceed the

Mix

ingredient.

amount of the

in just

latter

enough water

wet thoroughly, and beat briskly; the

result

should be almost crumbly. Mold biscuits three inches across and a quarter of an inch

greased pan, and bake

thick, place in a hot

before a hot

The

fire.

result

a thoroughly

cooked, close-grained, crisp biscuit.

Corn pone

made

in the

same manner

with cornmeal as the basis.

Flapjack flour is mixed with water simply; but you will find that a tablespoonful of sugar not only adds to the flavor, but

Fiapjohn

brown

causes

baked

in loaves.

crisper.

The

equally good

addition of an extra

spoonful of sugar, two eggs

(from your canned desiccated eggs), raisins and cinnamon makes a delicious camp cake. This is

known

a sort of sublimated

as "flapjohn"

flapjack.

Puddings. The general logic of a campbaked pudding is this:

You

have

generally of

first

rice,

all

your base, which

cornmeal, or breakfast 138

CAMP COOKERY food previously boiled; second, your filling, which may be raisins, prunes, figs, or any other dried

which

fruit;

your sweetening, but may be syrup, generally sugar,

third,

honey, or saccharine tablets; fourth, your HOW seasoning, which must be what you have

cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon, etc., and last, your coagulating material, which must be a small portion of your egg powder. this general notion you can elaborate.

The

portions

other chance

With

of materials, inclusive of

possessions,

the

arrangement

of the ingredients determines the naming of the product. Thus you can mix your fruit all

place

through the pudding, or you can in layers between strata of the

mixture.

As an example rice

with

raisins,

Boil one-half cupful of

until soft,

add one-half

cupful of sugar, a half spoonful of cinna-

mon, and a tablespoonful of egg powder. Add water (water mixed with condensed milk, if in

you have

moderate

it)

heat.

until quite thin.

Another: Into 139

Bake two

CAMP AND TRAIL cups of boiling water pour a half cup of cornmeal. Sprinkle it in slowly, and stir in order to prevent lumps.

soon as

thickens, which will be in half a minute, re-

move from

the

fire.

Mix

in a quarter

cup of

syrup, some figs which have been soaked, a

spoonful of egg powder, milk it,

and the flavoring

you have

you happen

to have

tucked in a can of ginger, that is the best. The mixture should be thin. Bake before

moderate

fire.

not going on to elaborate a number of puddings by name that is where the cookI

;

books make their mistake. logical basis,

you

But with

this

will soon invent all sorts of

delicious combinations.

Some

will

fail-

no doubt; but after you get the knack you will be able to improvise on the least ures,

promising materials. Experiment

not forget that mixing ingredients is combination of always worth trying.

and oatmeal boiled together does not sound very good, but it is delicious, and quite

rice

unlike either of

its

component

140

parts.

CAMP COOKERY instance

merely as an example of a dozen

similar.

Tea.

The usual way of cooking

pour the hot water on the

leaves.

tea

If used

immediately this is the proper way. When, however, as almost invariably happens about camp, the water is left standing on the leaves for some time, the tannin

makes a

extracted.

This How

sort of tea soup, at once bitter

A simple and easy way

unwholesome.

and is

provide yourself with a piece of cheesecloth about six inches square. On the center drop

your dose of dry tea leaves. Gather up the corners, and tie into a sort of loose bag.

Pour

the hot water over

of five minutes

fish

this,

and

out the bag.

at the

end

Untie

it,

shake loose the tea leaves, and tuck away The tea in the pot can until next time.

then be saved for the late fisherman without fear of lining his

Also

it is

stomach with leather.

no trouble.

more often bad than good The usual method is to put a

Coffee, too, in the field.

couple of handfuls in cold water, bring 141

CAMP AND TRAIL and then

to a boil,

Sometimes times

Coffee

aside to settle.

isn't.

good that way, and somemethod that will always

set

succeed, however,

Bend an

as follows:

ordinary piece of hay wire into the shape of a hoop, slightly larger than the mouth of

your pot.

sew a shallow cheesecloth

Put your ground

bag.

coffee in the bag,

suspend in the coffee pot, and pour the hot water through. If you like it extra strong,

pour

The

through twice.

result

drip

and without grounds. To clean the bag turn it inside out and pour coffee, delicious,

water through.

hoop

slightly

Then

and tuck

flatten the it

away

hay wire

inside the pot

with the cups.

Mush.

The

method of cooking of course a double boiler and just ideal

mush is the amount of water

the cereal will take up.

Over an open fire, that would result in a burned product and a caked kettle. The best

way

to boil

Beans

make it very thin at first, and down to the proper consistency.

will boil

more quickly 142

you add

CAMP COOKERY An

a pinch of soda.

however, causes

them

exaggerated pinch,

to taste soapy, so be-

If the water boils too low, add more

ware.

hot water, never cold; the latter toughens

When

them.

soft

smash them with a fork,

add water, and cook with fat

in the frying

pan.

Hardtack.

most

eaten immediately

soaked

soft,

delicious dish to be

made of

and then

cracker fried in olive

oil,

butter

fried.

pilot

bread

The same

without being previously soaked, comes out crisp and brown, but without impaired transportability. When

them

scarce this

a fine

way

to treat

in preparation for a cold lunch

by the

way.

Macaroni should be plunged water, otherwise

gets tough.

in boiling

What

re-

mains should be baked in mixture with whatever

else is left

whether meal,

cereal,

or vegetable.

After you have eaten what you want of the warmed-up, mix what is left Corn.

with a spoonful or so of sugar, some diluted 143

Quick Meal

CAMP AND TRAIL milk,

Bake

and a spoonful of egg powder.

it.

Salmon may be eaten

but

cold,

better

hashed up with bread crumbs, well moistened, and baked before a hot fire.

These are but a few general hints which

you Cook-Books

will elaborate on.

The Price Baking gratis a "Mine and

Powder Co. publish Ranch Cookery" which

Also

practical.

read Nessmuk's Woodcraft. A LIST OF SOME OF THE DISHES POSSIBLE WITHOUT TOO MUCH TROUBLE FROM THE GRUB LIST GIVEN IN THE LAST CHAPTER 1.

Fried bacon

14.

Fried

15.

16.

ham Broiled ham Boiled ham

Plain bread

18. Fried

Biscuits

19.

Johnny cake

20. Indian

Oatmeal or

Pancakes or flapjacks Buckwheat bread

11.

12.

cereal

Corn pone Unleavened bread

13. Spice cakes

Brown bread gems

17. Boiled

muf-

fins

10.

Dumplings Boston brown bread

hominy hominy

Hominy pudding puddings (three

or four sorts) 21. Cereal puddings (three

or four sorts) 22.

Oatmeal mush

23.

Oatmeal and

24. Fried

mush.

25. Boiled rice

144

rice

mush

CAMP COOKERY 26. Rice

and

raisins

41.

Baked beans

42. Fried hardtack

27. Rice cakes 28. Rice biscuits

43. Boiled

29. Rice

44.

30.

pudding

Tea

45. 46.

31. Coffee 32.

Baked potatoes

33. Boiled potatoes 34.

Mashed

potatoes

47.

macaroni

Baked macaroni Corn Corn fritters Corn pudding Grub

48. Succotash

49.

Baked salmon Baked corned beef

35. Fried potatoes

50.

36. Boiled onions

51. Fried corned beef

37. Fried onions. 38.

Stewed

39. Boiled

52.

Omelet

fruits

53.

Scrambled eggs

beans

54.

Soup (several kinds) Beans

40. Fried beans

55.

56. Julienne, foiled or fried.

This leaves out of account the various hybrid mixtures of "what

meal and country. erally

fish

dishes in a

left,"

and the

good sporting

a matter of fact mixtures gen-

bake better than they

145

boil.

List

HORSE OUTFITS

CHAPTER IX HORSE OUTFITS

have

now

finished the detailing Riding

of your wear and food. There still the remains problem of how

you and

are to be transported.

You may

by land or by In the former case you will either go afoot or on horseback; in the latter you will use a canoe. Let us now consider in

travel through the wilderness

water.

detail the

equipments necessary for these

different sorts of travel.

You

will find the

dle the only really

handy riding

saddle.

fully aware of the merits of the McClel-

lan and

army

seems to

Mexican or cowboy sad-

the

saddles, but they lack

one absolute

pommel

or horn.

essential,

what

and that

By wrapping

your

rope about the latter you can lead reluctant horses, pull firewood to camp, extract

bogged animals, and rope shy 149

stock.

With-

CAMP AND TRAIL out

you are

practically helpless in such

circumstances. The only advantage claimed for the army saddle is its lightness. The difference in weight between

and the cow-

boy saddle need not be so marked as narily the case. in

A stock

ordi-

saddle, used daily

roping heavy cows, weighs quite properly

from

thirty-five to fifty

Sawbuck

pounds.

Saddle.

The same

Riding Saddle.

saddle, of lighter leather throughout,

made

by a conscientious man, need weigh but twenty-five or thirty, and will still be strong and durable enough for

all

ordinary use.

My own weighs but twenty-five pounds, and has seen some very hard service.

The

stirrup leathers are best double,

should be laced, never buckled.

and

In fact the

logic of a wilderness saddle should be that

can be mended in any part with thongs. 150

The

HORSE OUTFITS stirrups themselves should have light

tapaderos, or coverings.

They

hood

will help in

tearing through brush, will protect your

and

keep your feet dry in case of I prefer the round rather than the

toes,

rain.

will

square skirts. In a cow country you will hear many and heated discussions over the relative merits

of the single broad cinch crossing rather far back; and the double cinches, one just behind the shoulder and the other on the curve of the belly.

The double

cinch

universally

Wyoming and

used by

and the "center

fire"

Arizona cowmen; by Californians and

and both with equally heated Certainly as it would be difpartisanship. Mexicans

say which are the better horsemen, would be unwise to attempt here a dog-

ficult to

matic settlement of the controversy.

For ordinary mountain

travel,

however,

I think there can be no doubt that the double cinch

the better.

is less

forward or back on steep

likely to slip

hills; it

be so tightly cinched as the "center 151

need not fire,"

and

CAMP AND TRAIL can be adjusted, according to which you

draw the

up or down hill. The should be made of hair. I have

tighter, for

front cinch

found that the usual cord cinches are apt to wear sores just back of the shoulder. Web-

Proper

Way

Ar-

Saddle Holster

ranging Straps on Holster and Saddle.

How

Attach tho

Cinch

rangement

bing makes a good back cinch. est rig for attaching

the

them

Usual Ar-

of Straps.

The

handi-

that used

Texan and Wyoming cowmen.

by is

heavy oiled latigo strap, punched with buckle through a cinch ring supplied with a large buckle tongue. You can reach over and pull it up a hole or so without disholes, passing

mounting.

differs

from an ordinary

buckle only in that, in case the rig breaks, 152

HORSE OUTFITS the strap can

nary

still

lafcigo in the

be fastened like an ordi-

diamond knot.

the right-hand side of your

will be a strap

and buckle for your

pommel

riata.

Saddle

Bags and Saddle

pair of detachable leather saddle bags are handy. The saddle blanket should be thick

and of

first

and should be

quality;

sur-

mounted by a "corona" to prevent wrinkling under the slight movement of the saddle.

heavy quirt

indispensable, both for

your own mount,

he prove refractory, but

also for the persuasion of the

When ways it

with a large

outfit,

pack

horse.

however, I

carry a pea shooter or sling shot.

man

Quirts

al-

With

can spot a straying animal at con-

siderable distance, generally

much

to the

After a

little it will

rarely be necessary to shoot; a

mere snap-

truant's astonishment.

ping of the rubbers

will bring every horse

into line.

The

handiest and best rig for a riding

made out of an ordinary halter. Have your harness maker fasten a snap

bridle can be

hook to

either side

and just above the 153

cor-

Bridies

CAMP AND TRAIL ners of the horse's mouth. in the

When you

start

and

reins

morning you snap your

When

to the hooks.

you

bit

arrive in the eve-

ning you simply unsnap the

and leave

bit,

the halter on. Rlatas and

Rope and

Spurs

fer the

spurs will be necessary.

Mexican grass rope with a brass

honda to the rawhide used to

I pre-

it.

riata,

because I

I once used a linen rope with

weighted honda that was soft and threw well. The spurs will be of good steel, of the

cowboy pattern, with blunt

rowels.

The

smaller spurs are not so easy to reach a small

horse with, and are apt to overdo the matter

when they

do.

to protect the

The wide spur leathers are boot from chafing on the

stirrups.

There remains only your

Scabbards to.

The

usual scabbard

invariably slung

too far forward.

I always

strap as near the

mouth of

will go.

The

to attend

rifle

move

the sling

the scabbard as

other sling strap I detach

from the scabbard and hang loopwise from the back latigo-ring. 154

Then I

thrust the

HORSE OUTFITS muzzle of the scabbarded stirrup leathers

between the

rifle

and through

this loop,

the forward sling strap over the

The advantage

and there I am! can remove

rifle

hang pommel is

that I

and scabbard without un-

buckling any straps. The gun should hang on the left side of the horse so that after

dismounting you need not walk around him

experiment will show you how near the horizontal you can sling it withto get

it.

little

out danger of

its

jarring out.

So much for your own riding pack

outfit consists of the

the apparatus to keep

padding;

sacks to sling on

invariable type of

the sawbuck.

on,

its

;

The almost cial

pack saddle

bought with espereference to the animal it is to be used

it is

p ac k

and the lash rope and cinch with throw the hitches.

either side

The

pack saddle, with

firm;

the kyacks, or alforjas

which to

horse.

it is

undoubtedly the

best.

But nothing

more quickly gouge a hole in a horse's back than a saddle too narrow or too wide

will

for his especial anatomy. 155

saddle of this

p ac k

CAMP AND TRAIL sort bolted together can be taken apart for

by baggage or express.

easier transportation

Another and very good type of pack rig that made from an old riding saddle. The

stirrup rigging

removed, and an upright

The

spike bolted strongly to the cantle.

loops of the kyacks are to be

Under Side

Pack

Shape

Saddles.

horn and to be easy

for

of Collar

Pack Saddles.

Such a saddle

this spike.

on a

hung over the

horse's back, but

apt

after all

merely a make-shift for a properly constructed sawbuck. I shall only mention the aparejos. This rig is used for freighting boxes and odd~-

shaped bundles. It but a heavy pad, and

You

practically nothing

used without kyacks. will probably never be called upon to is

156

HORSE OUTFITS but in another chapter I will describe one "sling" in order that you may be fore-

use

;

armed against contingencies.

We will

assume that you are possessed of a good sawbuck saddle of the right size for your pack animal. It will have the double cinch rig.

the under surfaces tack firmly

two ordinary collar-pads by way of softenBeneath them you will use two blanking. each as heavy as the one you place under your riding saddle. This abundance is necets,

essary because a pack "rides dead"

that

is,

does not favor the horse as does a living rider. By way of warning, however, too

much is almost as bad as too little. The almost universal saddle rigging in use the West over is a breast strap of webbing fastened at the forward points of the saddle,

and a breech strap fastened

points of the saddle, with

guy

from down

its

cinch, is

the top to prevent the horse's legs.

works fairly

to the back

lines

running

falling too far

This, with the double Its

well.

that the breech strap 157

main trouble

apt to work up

Breeching

CAMP AND TRAIL under the horse's is

The Britten Pack Rig

tail,

likely to shut off his

Mr. Ernest

and the breast strap wind at the throat.

Britten, a mountaineer in the

Sierras, has, however, invented a rig

compensations, and the

in the nicety of

its

accuracy; of

adjustments

its

r . Ernest Britten's

Every one becames a alter his

own

which

perfection.

Pack Rig.

convert,

and hastens

outfit.

The breasting

a strap (a) running

from

the point of the saddle to a padded ring in

the middle of the chest.

Thence another

strap (6) runs to the point of the saddle on

the other side, where strap

(c)

buckles.

third

in the shape of a loop goes be158

HORSE OUTFITS tween the fore legs and around the front cinch.

somewhat more complihowever, with a few rivets,

The breeching cated. straps,

I think,

and buckles you

will

be able to alter

your own saddle in half an hour. The back cinch you remove.

short

strap (d), riveted to the middle of the front

Ordinary and Inferior Pack Rig Usually Employed.

back six inches to a ring (e). This ring will rest on the middle of the belly.

cinch, passes

From

the ring

two other straps

(ff) ascend

diagonally to the buckles (g) in the ends of the breeching. From the ends of the breech-

ing other straps (h) attach to what would be the back cinch ring

(ft).

159

That

constitutes

The Britten Pack Ris

CAMP AND TRAIL the breeching rig.

strap

held

up by a long

(m) passing from one

other over the horse's

The ring

on top.

side to the

rump through

a ring

attached to the saddle

by a short strap (n) Such a rig prevents the breeching from riding up or dropping down; it gives the horse all his wind going up hill, but holds .

down; when one part loosens, the other tightens; and the saddle cinch, exfirmly going

cept to keep the saddle practically useless tively loose.

and can be

compara-

for your horse's comfort and

your own, to adopt

The

left

I cannot too strongly recom-

mend you, both Kyacks

from turning,

this rigging.

kyacks, as I have said, are two sacks

to be slung one

on each

side of the horse.

They are provided with loops by which to hang them over the sawbucks of the saddle, and a long strap passes from the outside of one across the saddle to a buckle on the outside of the other.

Undoubtedly the best are those made of rawhide.

They weigh very 160

little,

will stand

HORSE OUTFITS of hard usage, hold the pack rope

all sorts

well, are so stiff that they well protect the

contents,

and are so hard that miscellaneous

may

sharp-cornered utensils

them without fear of injury or the animal.

They

be packed in either to

made by

are

them

lacing

and squarely over one of the wooden boxes built to pack two wet

hides, hair out, neatly

five

gallon

stick this

oil

cans.

round hardwood

sewn along the top on one

the sling straps

are to be

side

attached.

After the hide has dried hard, the wooden box is removed.

Only one

possible objection can be

against rawhide kyacks;

urged

you are travel-

much by railroad, they are exceedingly awkward to ship. For that purpose they are better made of canvas. ing

canvas kyacks are on the market, and most of them are worthless. It is aston-

Many

how many knocks they are called on receive and how soon the abrasion of

ishing to

rocks and trees will begin to wear

through.

Avoid those made of 161

light

them ma-

Canvas

CAMP AND TRAIL terial.

Avoid

also those

made

in imitation

of the rawhide with a stick along the top of one side to take the sling straps. In no time the through.

ends of that stick will punch The best sort are constructed of

canvas.

The top

rope sewn firmly to

The sling The ends

made of a half -inch the hem all around.

and riveted

firmly.

are reinforced with leather.

Such

straps are long,

kyacks will give you good service and last you a long time. When you wish to express them, you pack your saddle and saddle blankets in one, telescope the other over it,

and Lash Ropes

The

tie

the bundle with the lash rope.

lash rope

important, for you will

much, and a three months' with a poor one would lose you your

have to handle trip

immortal

soul.

Most

articles

ject advise thirty-three feet.

enough for the diamond

hitch

on the sub-

That

long

and for other

hitches with a very small top pack, but will not

do for

bulky pack.

The

best

many

valuable hitches on a

Forty feet

nearer the ticket.

a manila half inch or five-eighth 162

HORSE OUTFITS If you boil

inch.

will find

not impair

before starting out, you

The

soft to handle. its

boiling does

Parenthetically: do

strength.

not become over-enthusiastic and boil your or

will

you

make

aggravatingly all is Cotton right, but apt to be rope kinky. I once used a linen rope; it proved to stiff. be soft, strong, and held well, but I have

riata,

never been able to find another.

The

cinch hook sold with the outfit

sawn

Cinch Hooks

and strengthened with a bolt. If go out into the nearest oak grove,

into shape

you

will

however, you can cut yourself a natural hook which will last longer and hold much better.

The

illustration

shows the method

of attaching such a hook.

So you have your horses ready for burdens.

their

Picket ropes should be of half -inch

rope and about 50 feet long. The bell for the bell horse should be a loud one, with distinctive note not easily

blended with natural

sounds, and attached to a broad strap with

safety buckle.

Hobbles are of two patterns. 163

Both con-

CAMP AND TRAIL Hobbles

of heavy leather straps to buckle around either front leg and connected by two links

sist

and a

In one the strap passes first through the ring to which the links are swivel.

Natural Cinch Hook

attached,

buckles

Oak.

and then to the buckle.

first,

and then the end

The is

other

carried

through the ring. You will find the first mentioned a decided nuisance, especially on a wet or frosty morning, for the leather tends to atrophy in a certain position from

which numbed fingers have more than a 164

lit-

HORSE OUTFITS tie

difficulty in dislodging

it.

The

latter,

however, are comparatively easy to undo. Hobbles should be lined. I have experi-

mented with various

materials,

including

much lauded sheepskin with the wool on. The latter when wet chafes as much as raw leather, and when frozen is about as valuable as a wood rasp. The best lining is a the

A Wash

Steel Ring.

Buckle.

Swivel.

Wrong (Upper) and Right

Hobbles

piece of soft

Leather.

B Heavy Leather. E

wash leather

Sort.

at least

two inches

wider than the hobble straps.

With most

horses

it is

sufficient to strap

a pair of these around the forelegs and

above the fetlocks. trusted with

But many

A gentle animal can be

them fastened below. horses

by dint of

plain native cussedness can

practice or

hop along with

hobbles nearly as fast as they could foot165

HOW

CAMP AND TRAIL free,

and a

lot too fast for

you

to catch

Such an animal

single handed.

mitigated bother.

Of course

there

them

an unis

good

staking you can picket him out; but quite likely he is unused to the picket rope, or the

feed

scant.

In that case

may

be that side lines

which are simply hobbles by which a hind foot and a fore foot are shackled may I have had pretty good success by fastening a short heavy chain to one fore leg.

work.

long as the animal fed quietly, he was all right, but an attempt at galloping or trotting

swung

the chain sufficiently to rap

him

sharply across the shins.

Very good hobbles can be made from a single strand unraveled from a large rope, doubled once to make a loop for one leg, twisted strongly, the two ends brought around the other leg and then thrust through the fibers.

by cowboys. ried,

the sort used generally

They

are soft and easily car-

This

but soon wear out.

166

HORSE PACKS

CHAPTER X HORSE PACKS

LMOST

/-\

any one can put together a comparatively well made back pack,

and very

slight practice will enable a

beginner to load a canoe. But the packing of a horse or mule is another matter. The

burden must be properly weighted, properly

and properly That means practice and consid-

balanced, properly adjusted^ tied on.

erable knowledge.

the average wilderness traveler the

possession

of a pack saddle and canvas

kyacks simplifies the problem considerably. If you were to engage in packing as a busiwherein probably you would be called on to handle packages of all shapes and sizes, however, you would be compelled to ness,

discard your kyacks in favor of a sling

of rope.

And

again

169

made

might very well hap-

Generalities

CAMP AND TRAIL pen that some time or another you might be called on to transport your plunder without appliances on an animal caught up from the

For

pasture.

know how

reason you must further to hitch a pack securely to a naked this

horse.

this brief

can see

it is

resume of

necessary that

possibilities

you know

you

at least

three methods of throwing a lash rope

and kyacks, a sling to support your boxes on the aparejos, and a hitch for the naked horse. But in

hitch to hold your top pack

addition

will

be desirable to understand

other hitches adapted to different exigencies

of bulky top packs, knobby kyacks and the like. One hitch might hold these all well Pack Models

enough, but the especial hitch is better. The detailment of processes by diagram

must necessarily be rather

dull reading.

can be made interesting by an attempt to follow out in actual practice the hitches described.

For

a full-size

this

outfit.

purpose you do not need

pair of towels folded

compactly, tied together, and thrown one 170

HORSE PACKS each side over a bit of stove

wood

to repre-

makes a good pack, while a with a bent nail for cinch hook will

sent the horse string

do as lash rope.

With

these

you can follow

out each detail.

you must be very careful to get your saddle blankets on smooth and First of

all

without wrinkles. place, then lift

saddling the

Hoist the saddle into slightly

and loosen the

blanket along the length of the backbone, so that the weight of the pack will not bind the blanket tight across the horse's back.

cinching up, be sure you

know your

some puff themselves out

so that in five min-

utes the cinch will

hang

loose.

animal;

Fasten your

latigo or cinch straps to the lower ring.

Thus you can get is

even when the pack

in place.

Distribute the weight carefully between pac ki ng the kyacks. "Heft" them again and again. the K ya cks

The

least

preponderance on one side will

cause a saddle to sag in that direction; that in turn will bring pressure to bear on the opposite side of the withers, and that will 171

CAMP AND TRAIL Then you

surely chafe to a sore.

are in

trouble.

When

you are quite sure the kyacks

weigh alike, get your companion to hang one on the pack saddle, at the same time you

hook the straps of the other. If you try to do it by yourself you must leave one hanging while you pick up the other, thus running a good risk of twisting the saddle. Top Packs

Your top pack you

will build as the occa-

In general, try to make it as low as possible and to get your blankets on top where the pack rope "bites." The strap sion demands.

connecting the kyacks

then buckled.

Over

throw the canvas tarpaulin that you use to sleep on. Tuck it in back and all

you

will

front to exclude dust.

now ready

for

the pack rope.

jam

Hitch

one

The Jam Hitch. thing

All hitches possess

common

the

rope

passes

around the horse and through the cinch hook.

The

first

pull

to tighten that cinch.

Afterward other maneuvers are attempted.

Now

ordinarily the packer pulls tight his 172

HORSE PACKS cinch,

and then

in the further

throwing of jam

the hitch he depends on holding his slack. is

a very difficult thing to do.

hitch,

With the jam

however, the necessity

The

The beauty of freely one way

Jam is

the

obviated.

Hitch.

that the rope renders

way you

are pulling

but will not give a hair the other the direcSo you may heave up tion of loosening. the cinch as tightly as you please, then drop 173

Hitch

CAMP AND TRAIL the rope

and go on about your packing per-

fectly sure that nothing

going to

slip

back

on you.

The rope

passes once around the shank

of the hook, and then through the jaw (see Be sure to get it around the diagram) .

shank and not the curve.

Simplicity itself;

and yet I have seen very few packers who

know 2.

Diamond

it.

The Diamond Hitch.

diamond

one form or another

used than any other. tability to

package

I suppose the

Its merit

different in fact

shapes is

for aparejo packing

is its

adapof

and

sizes

the only hitch its

power, and the fact that

good

great flattening it

rivets the

pack

If you are to learn but will be the best for you, al-

to the horse's sides.

one

hitch, this

though certain others, as I shall explain under their proper captions, are better adapted to certain circumstances.

The diamond

hitch

also

much

discussed.

more arguments over it than over the Japanese war or original sin. I have heard

174

HORSE PACKS "That thing a diamond hitch!"

shrieks a

son of the foothills to a son of the

"Go

Looks more

to!

Now

cradle.

like a

this is the real

alkali.

game of cat's way to throw

a diamond."

Certain

inclined

pacifically

individuals

have attempted to quell the trouble by a differentiation of nomenclature. Thus one can throw a number of diamond hitches, provided one is catholically minded such as the "Colorado diamond," the "Arizona

The attempt

diamond," and others.

at peace

has failed.

"Oh, yes," says the son of the alkali as he watches the attempts of the son of the foothills.

as one

"That's the Colorado diamond,"

would say that

a paste jewel.

The joke of it is that the results are about the same. Most of the variation consists in the manner of throwing. It is as though the

discussion

were whether the trigger

should be pulled with the fore, middle, or both fingers. After all, the bullet would

go anyway. 175

Colorado Versus

CAMP AND TRAIL I describe here the single diamond, as thrown in the Sierra Nevadas, and the double

diamond

packers in

many

by government freight

parts of the Rockies.

The

handy one-man hitch. The latcan be used by one man, but is easier

former ter

as used

with two. The

single

Throw

the pack cinch (a)

over the top

of the pack, retaining the loose end of the rope. If your horse is bad, reach under him with a stick to draw the cinch within reach

of your hand until you hold it and the loose end both on the same side of the animal.

Hook

through the hook

Fig. II) and bring up along the pack. Thrust the bight (a, Fig. Ill) of the loose rope under the rope (b) the back over and again under to it

(a,

;

form a

loop.

The

loose rope goes

around the pack rope can be

made wide apart to the size of the

With the

points (c-c) at which the

or close together, according

diamond required (Fig. V)

a soft top-pack requiring flattening,

diamond should be large with heavy

pack, smaller.

;

side

THE SINGLE DIAMOND.

CAMP AND TRAIL Now

go around

Pass the loose end

animal.

under

back,

to the other side of the

the

alforjas,

Fig. Ill)

(d,

and

forward

through the loop from helow as shown by the arrows of direction in Fig. IV.

You

are

now ready

to begin tightening.

First pull your cinch tight

what was the

loose

end

by means of in Fig.

(b)

II.

Place one foot against the animal and heave,

Take up the

good and plenty.

slack

running over both ends of the loop

(c-c,

When

you have done this, go Fig. III). around the other side. There take up the slack

b-b, Fig.

you pull the

loose

IV. end

With (c,

all

Fig.

direction of the horse's body,

head.

there

IV)

in the

toward

his

Brace your foot against the kyacks.

It will sag the whole hitch

toward the front

of the pack, but don't mind that the defect will be remedied in a moment. :

holding the slack (Fig. V), carry the loose end around the bottom of the

Next,

alforjas

still

and under the

rope (c).

Now

original

main pack

pull again along the direc178

HORSE PACKS tion of the horse's body, but this time

The

toward

bend the pack rope (c), heretofore straight across, back to form It will likewise drag back to the diamond. his tail.

strain will

original position amidships in the

its

the entire hitch, which,

will

pack remember,

you was drawn too far forward by your previous pull toward the horse's head. Thus the last the

entire

clamps it down, secures it immovably, which is the main recommendation and beautiful feapull

tightens

ture of the

diamond

pack,

hitch.

The double diamond

much more com-

Begin by throwing the cinch under, not over the horse. Let it lie there. Lay the end of the rope (a) lengthplicated

affair.

wise of the horse across one side the top of the pack (Fig. 1). Experience will teach

you just how big

to leave loop (6)

Throw

loop (6) over top of pack (Fig. 2). Reverse loop a (Fig. 2) by turning it from left

right

(Fig.

3).

Pass

loop

(a)

around front and back of kyack, and end of rope d ever rope c3 and under rope d. 179

THE DOUBLE DIAMOND.

fig-.

THE DOUBLE DIAMOND.

CAMP AND TRAIL Pass around the horse and hook the cinch

hook

in loop (e).

This forms another loop (a. Fig. 4), which must be extended to the proper size

and passed around the kyack on the other

Now

side (Fig. 5).

tighten the cinch, pull

the slack, giving strong heaves where

the hitch pulls forward or back along the left of the horse,

ending with a

last tight-

The end

ener at the end (b, Fig. 5).

then carried back under the kyack and fastened. 1

The Square Hitch

thrown, and

easily

a very good fair-weather lash.

In conjunction with half explained, it makes a good ing horse.

thrown

Throw

hitch for a buck-

binds in so

many

it is

ex-

places.

as follows:

the cinch hook over the pack, and

cinch tight with the scribed.

hitches, as later

For a very bulky pack

cellent in that

and quickly

Lead

jam

hitch before de-

the end across the horse,

around the back of kyack on the other side, underneath it, and up over at a. The end 182

HORSE PACKS here passes beneath at that

you

can,

when you

You

cinch

will find

first,

The Square Hitch.

throw a Joose loop over the pack comprising the bight bed, so as to leave your loose 183

CAMP AND TRAIL end at

the kyack.

gram

Then

will

place the loop bed around

moment's study of the show you what I mean, and

also convince

you that much

not having to pass rope at b.

Now

(a)

diawill

gained by underneath

pull hard on loose end at

taking care to exert your power lengthwise of the horse. Pass the line under the alforjas

toward the

rear,

up over

the original rope at

the pack and under

Pull on the loose

end, this time exerting the rear.

You

power toward the

cannot put too

much

into the three tightening pulls

ing through the cinch hook;

(

strength

1 ) in cinch-

(2)

the pull

forward; (3) the pull back. On them depends the stability of your pack. Double back the loose end and fasten it. This is a very quick hitch. The Hitch

The Bucking Hitch is good things down on a bad horse, but it is wise useless to take so much trouble. 4.

tie

other-

Pass the pack rope around the kyacks on one side, and over itself. This forms a half hitch,

below which hangs the cinch. 184

Lead

HORSE PACKS the pack rope over the top of the pack, around the other kyack, and through to form

another half hitch.

Cinch up, and throw

The Bucking Hitch.

either the single

diamond or the square hitch.

The combination

will

clamp the kyacks as

firmly as anything can. 5.

The Miner's Hitch.

much on the same when you happen

This hitch

principle,

but

very *

to be provided with only

a short rope, or a cinch with two rings, instead of a ring and a hook.

Take your rope tached

with the cinch unat-

by the middle and throw 185

Miner'

valuable Hitch

across

CAMP AND TRAIL The

the pack.

Hitch

kyack.

Make

a half hitch over either

These half

ning around the

hitches, instead of rti"-

sides of the kyacks, as in

The Miner's Hitch.

186

HORSE PACKS the last hitch, should run around the top,

bottom, and ends

Thrust

diagram).

(see

bight (b) through cinch ring, and end (a)

through the bight.

Make

the other side.

end d

at e}

cinching

the same thing on c,

and

up strongly on

the

fast

end a at

come through the cinch rings. The Lone Packer or Basco Hitch.

bights that 6.

This

a valuable hitch

when

The Lone

the kyacks are

heavy or knobby, because the them away from the horse's

last pull lifts sides.

quires at least forty feet of rope.

It re-

I use

a great deal.

Cinch up with the jam hitch as usual. Throw the end of the rope across the horse, under the forward end of the kyack on the far side, beneath

of the kyack.

and up over the rear end

The rope

in all other hitches

binds against the bottom of the kyacks but ;

should pass between the kyack and the horse's side (Fig. 1). Now bring a in this

forward over rope through under rope (c)

bight in loose end (a) (c),

and thrust

from front

back (Fig. 2). 187

sure to

THE LONE PACKER HITCH.

HORSE PACKS get this right.

hand where end

(a)

Hold is,

bight

(6)

with left

and with the other

down along rope

slide

beneath

The Lone Packer Hitch

The Lone Packer Hitch.

kyacks (Fig. 3). Seize rope at d and pull hard directly back; then pull cinchwise on a. The first pull tightens the the

189

CAMP AND TRAIL pack; the second

lifts

the kyacks.

Carry end (a) across the pack and repeat on the Fasten finally anywhere on top. other side. Fig. 4 shows one side completed, with rope thrown across ready for the other side.

Modifi

view

from above of the

Fig.

hitch,

completed except for the fastening

of end (a). ^ n case y u ^ ave e SS s or glassware to pack, spread your tarp on the horse twice

Cinch up with the jam

as long as usual.

atop the rope; fold back the canvas to cover the whole, and then hitch, lay

your eggs,

etc.,

throw the lone packer, placing one rope each side the package (Figs. 6 and 7). The Sauaw

mtch

happen

^ 2 uaw (

that

you

Hitch.

Often

may

find yourself possessed of

a rope and a horse, but nothing

else.

quite possible to pack your equipment with

only these simple auxiliaries.

Lay your tarp on

half of

the

ground fully spread.

pack your effects, striving always to keep them as flat and smooth as Fold the other half of the canvas possible. it

190

HORSE PACKS to cover the pack.

Lay

this thick mattress-

like affair across the horse's

bare back, and

proceed to throw the squaw hitch as follows Throw a double bight across the top of The :

Sq uaw Hitch

The Squaw Hitch.

the

pack (Fig. 1).

Pass end a under the

horse and through loop c; and end b under the horse and through loop (d). Take both a and 6 directly back under the horse again, in the opposite direction, 191

of course, and pass

CAMP AND TRAIL Now

both through loop (e). the two ends and fasten. Sling

cinch

up on

Sling No. 1. When you possess no kyacks, but have some sort of pack saddle, 8.

it is

necessary to improvise a sling.

Fasten the middle of your rope by means of two half hitches to the front of the pack

Sling

saddle

shown

Throw

(Fig. 1).

crossed as

No.

the ends

in Fig. 2.

(6,

Place the box

or sack in bight (a) passing the rope around ,

the outside and the ends, as in Fig.

The

end of the sack should be just even with the If you bring it too far forward the front of the sling will front of the pack saddle.

sag.

Pass the end

or burden, across

its

(fe)

underneath the sack

middle, and over the top 192

HORSE PACKS of the saddle. ilarly laden, the

When ends

the other side

(b, 6)

may

sim-

be tied to-

gether at the top or if they are long enough, may be fastened at c (Fig. 4) ;

times

Sling No.

Another

sling

handy for long bundles, and

some-

made

follows :

Sling

No.

Fasten the rope by the middle as explained in the last. Fasten ends (b, b) to the rear horn or to each other

gram) of

(see

Leave the bights of the rope

dia-

(a, a)

length so they can be looped around the burden and over the horns. This sufficient

193

Another 5

CAMP AND TRAIL sling

useful only on a regular pack saddle,

while the other really does not need the rear

pommel without The Saddle

10.

all,

as the ropes can be crossed

it.

The Saddle Hitch.

There remains

now

the possibility, or let us hope probability, that you may some day wish to pack a

deer on your riding saddle, or perhaps bring in a sack of grain or some such matter.

Throw

the rope across the seat of the

leaving long ends on both sides. your deer aboard, crosswise. Thrust

saddle,

Lay

a bight (a) of one end through your cinch

and pass the loop thus formed around the deer's neck (Fig. 1). Repeat on the ring,

other side, bringing the loop there about his

haunch.

and

tie

Cinch up the two ends of the rope,

them on

The great

top.

point in throwing any hitch

to keep the rope taut.

To do

this,

pay no

attention to your free end, but clamp

down

firmly the fast end with your left

hand

until the right has

made

Remember

important.

this; it is

194

the next turn.

The

least

HORSE PACKS slip

back of the slack you have gained

going to loosen that pack by ever so

little;

The Saddle Hitch.

and then you can

on the swing and knocks of the day's journey to do the rest. The horse rubs under a limb or against a rely

195

CAMP AND TRAIL Fragile Stuff

big rock; the loosened rope scrapes off the top of the pack something flops or rattles ;

or falls (back,

immediately that cayuse arches

his

lowers his head, and begins to buck.

Illustrating

How

Pack Eggs

or Glassware.

marvelous to what height the bowed back will send small articles catapult-wise

into

the

air.

First

go the tarpaulin and

blankets; then the duffle bags; then one by

one the contents of the alforjas; finally, after they have been sufficiently lightened, the alforjas themselves in an abandoned 196

THE RESULT OF NOT GETTING THE HITCH ON SNUG.

CAMP AND TRAIL parabola

debauched

meantime that

horse,

and

been running frantically

delight. all all

In the

the others, has

over the rough

mountains, through the rocks, ravines, brush and forest trees. You have ridden recklessly trying to

round them up, sweating,

swearing, praying to the Red Gods that none of those indispensable animals is going

get lame

insane

this

hippodrome. between have succeeded you, you Finally

and tying

in collecting prits.

Then you have

to trees all the culto trail inch

by inch

along the track of the cyclone, picking

from where they have

fallen, rolled, or been

trampled, the contents of that pack down to the smallest. It will take you the rest of the day; and then you'll miss some.

pays to get your hitch on snug The Tie Hitch

T/^,

scribed are all I have ever

and

The

Hitch.

Oh,

hitches

de-

had occasion to

will

probably carry you through any emergencies that may be likely to arise.

use,

But perhaps many

times during the day you

want

to stop the train for the 198

are likely to

HORSE PACKS purpose of some adjustments.

you

your lead ropes in a manner to be thrown loose. Thrust the bight

will attach

easily (a)

Therefore

of the lead rope beneath any part of

The Tie Hitch.

the pack rope

(b,

b).

Double back the

bight (d) of the loose end (c) through the loop (a) thus formed. Tighten the knot

by pulling tight on loop d. sharp pull on c will free the entire lead rope.

199

Hitch

HORSES, MULES, BURROS

CHAPTER XI HORSES, MULES, BURROS

GOOD riding mule, when you can get

l\ him, and provided you intend to use ^him only for trail travel in the mounis

about the best proposition. mule more sure-footed than a horse, and can sub-

tains,

sist

where a horse would

other hand he

not

starve.

much good

the

off a walk;

never acquires the horse's interest in getting around stubborn stock, and is apt to be

mean.

None

of these objections, however

much they may to

influence your decision as

saddle animals, will have any weight

For

the latter pur-

unexcelled.

But probably

against a pack beast.

pose the mule in the long

run you

will prefer to ride a

horse.

Burros are an aggravation; and yet in some circumstances they are hard to beat. 203

Burros

CAMP AND TRAIL They Burros

are unbelievably slow, and unbeliev-

ably stubborn.

think they do

When

they get tired or they stop, and urging mere-

You

ly confirms their decision to rest.

can-

not hurry them. They hate water, and it is sometimes next to impossible to force them into

camp

a deep or swift

and

thieves,

will

within their reach. sage-bush, drinking,

make

impassible to

stream.

Still,

some

they can periods

live

without

way through country

any other hoofed animals ex-

cepting goats and sheep. desert travel

are

eat anything left

incredible their

They

Certain kinds of

impossible without them, and

sorts of

high rough mountaineering practicable only with their aid. At times you will be driven to the use of them. In

such an emergency gird your soul with patience, Pack Mules

and try to buy big

Pack mules

ones.

are almost impossible to get,

and are generally very high priced. good does not mean that mule old mule any pack comes along.

The animal should be

rather

small, chunkily built, gentle as to the heels 204

HORSES, MULES, BURROS and

teeth,

accustomed to carrying and tak-

ing care of a pack, trained to follow the saddle horses, and not inclined to stray from

Such perfection costs anywhere from seventy-five to one hundred and fifty

camp.

worth the price to one who does much packing; but as perfectly adeIt

dollars.

quate pack horses can be had for from

twenty to forty

you

dollars,

and are easy to

will in all likelihood choose

Now

know

find,

them.

perfectly well that I can Choosing a Horse

tell

you nothing about choosing a

you are a

New

Englander you

horse. will

know

you are a New Yorker, you could give me points on every horse in the ring if you are Middle West, you probably have read or worked or traded or raised all

about the trade

;

more horses than I selecting a

will ever ride.

mountain

horse, his

But

mere points

as a physical specimen are often little in his

favor, while glaring defects

usefulness hardly at

Never mind

may concern his

all.

at first

how

for your inspection looks. 205

the horse offered

Examine him for

CAMP AND TRAIL You must

blemishes later.

first

discover if

sure-footed and courageous.

east-

ern horse would not last five minutes on a

w estern

western

trail.

western horse, no matter

how accustomed

than useless

subject to ordinary horse-

mountain work,

worse

panics at suddenly rustling leaves, unex-

pected black stubs, and the like. He must attend to his footing, keep his eyes for the Next you must inquire trail, and be wise. if

this

steadiness

things.

hitching,

you

will

carries

over into other

must stand when

and must be easy

left

to catch.

without

Often

have to dismount for the purpose

of clearing

trail,

helping the pack train,

At tightening ropes, or reconnoitering. such junctures iron hitching posts are not always at hand. Nothing is more aggravating than the necessity of searching everywhere for a place to tie, or worse, to be forced to chase down and coax quiet a horse that has promptly

decamped when

a moment to himself.

Nor

does

left for

add to

your joy to get up at four for the purpose 206

HORSES, MULES, BURROS of making an early start, only to spend the extra hour filched from sleep in an attempt to catch

The

some snorting fool

horse.

picture I have sketched looks to

somewhat

cow," doesn't

what

known

you an "old

But in reality good horses named are not difficult to find.

it?

of the quality

of a higher grade West than East, mainly because a western

Equine

intelligence

horse

all his life

sources.

thrown on

own

his

re-

perfectly possible to find a

horse both handsome and spirited, which will nevertheless permit himself to be directly

approached in pasture, and further orders on the trail.

But

the point

that

oh, infinitely! to get

will stand until

much

better,

an "old cow" than a

without these qualities. The "old cow" will carry you, and will be there when

horse

wanted.

That

mountains.

the

While

main thing

well gaited,

pealing in every

the

as for the other horse,

no matter how well bred he

how

is,

how

spirited,

how handsome, how

ap-

way to a horseman's eye 207

Cow"ofa

CAMP AND TRAIL he will be worse than no horse to keep

your hands on him,

you have he must be

picketed at night, if he is likely to shy on a bad trail, if he may refuse to tackle a rough place or to

A Handsome Necessary

swim a

course

it is

river.

nice to ride a good-looking

horse; but in the mountains most emphatically

"handsome

The

horses I

what handsome does."

now own

are fine animals

and

mountain ponies; but some of the best I have ever ridden, a horseman would not

fine

look at twice.

a time, being under the

absolute necessity of getting a pack quickly,

I purchased a bay that I promptly

named

was some sixteen years old, badly stove forward by hard riding, and not much of a horse anyway. For three Methuselah.

months he carried a pack. Then one day I threw a saddle on him to go a short distance on some

little

errand.

joyed, did his best.

The

Methuselah, overold horse was one

of the best mountain saddlers in the

He climbed surely and well in negotiating

;

outfit.

he used his head

bad places; would stay where 208

HORSES, MULES, BURROS he was put.

The

fact that he

was not sound

was utterly unimportant, for not once in a week was he required to go faster than a walk.

the other

horse,

hand I once owned a

mountain-bred and raised.

Bill-

was

a beautiful beast, proud, high-stepping one you would be glad to be seen on. He

would have been worth considerable money, and would have afforded much solid satisfaction if I had

wanted him fojk cow work,

or pleasure riding in the lower country.

But

was absolutely impossible to catch

him, even hobbled, without a corral.

One

day I saw him leap from a stand and with hobbles over a fence and feed trough. So I traded him for another, not near so much

of a horse, as a horse, but worth two dozen Bill-horses.

One that

other thing

you must

whether or not the beast

notice,

and Gun 5

gun

shy.

A great many stampede wildly at the report of firearms.

I once

owned

named Sam Fat, on which 209

a pack horse

for some time

CAMP AND TRAIL I congratulated myself. He was a heavy animal, and could carry a tremendous load;

What One

and yet he was sure-footed and handled himse ^ we ^ on rou gh country. He was gentle

"Sam Fat" and friendly.

took excellent care of his

Did

pack, and he followed perfectly.

one

needed to ride behind him to keep Sam Fat coming. I used to turn him loose when I started,

and pay no more attention

until I stopped.

matter

how

him

rich the

we passed, Sam Fat was always on hand when the halt was called. And, very important point, he was a good feed through which

rustler

he kept fat and sleek on poor food

where other horses gaunted. Altogether Sam Fat was a find. Then one day one of the party shot off a harmless

two

caliber

little

twenty-

popgun. Sam Fat went

squatted

flat,

crazy.

uttered a terrified squeal,

and departed through the woods, banging his pack against trees and hanging limbs.

chased him a mile, and finally brought him back, but all the rest of the day he was

panicky.

I tried to get him accustomed to 210

HORSES, MULES, BURROS shooting by tying him near our target prac-

but

tice,

was no

use.

Finally, though

reluctantly, I sold him.

So when the natives bring

in their horses

for your selection blind your eyes to the question of looks and points until you have divided the offering into two parts are

that

sure-footed,

tractable, easy to catch,

and

pack

those

courageous,

gentle,

good grub

rustlers,

horses, those that will follow

and

will take care of their packs,

and those that

more of these

qualifications.

lack one or

Discard the second group.

Then

the

first

group contains nothing but blemished or homely

horses,

make

the best of

fectly sure that the others

it,

per-

might as well not

exist.

In general, a horse just from pasture

should have a big belly. small-bellied horse will prove to be a poor feeder, and will

probably weaken

down on

The

best horse stands

from fourteen hands

to fourteen two,

and

chunkily

a long hike.

built.

There

are exceptions, both ways, to this rule. 211

CAMP AND TRAIL pack horse

better with

low withers on

account of the possibility of sore backs. Avoid a horse whose ears hang sidewise

from

his

apt to be stubborn. horse sense is the same

head; he

for the rest,

everywhere. What a Horse Should

pack horse can carry two hundred

pounds not more. Of course more can be piled on him, and he will stand up under it, but on a long trip he will deteriorate. Greater weights are carried only in text books, in camp-fire

lies,

and where a regular

pack route permits of grain feeding. good animal, with care, will take two hun-

dred successfully enough, but I personally always pack much lighter. Feed costs nothevery bit as cheap to take three The only expense is the horses as two. slight bother of packing an extra animal. ing, so

it is

In return you can

travel farther

and more

steadily, the chances of sore backs are mini-

mized, your animals keep fat and strong, and in case one meets with an accident, you can still

save

all

your effects on the other. 212

For

HORSES, MULES, BURROS the last three years I have

made

a practice to pack only about a hundred to a it

Sore Backs

hundred and twenty-five pounds when off for a very long trip. My animals have al-

ways come out fat and hearty, sometimes in marked contrast to those of my companions, and I have not had a

The

single case of sore back.

latter are best treated

Gall Cure.

by Bickmore's

Its use does not interfere in the

packing; and I have never seen a case it did not cure inside ten days or two weeks if applied at the beginning of the least with

trouble.

In the mountains

and on grass-feed How

twenty miles a day is big travel. If you push more than that you are living beyond

your income.

much

better, if

Fftr

should

you are

moving every day, to confine yourself to jaunts of from twelve to fifteen miles on an average. Then if necessity arises, you have something to

fall

back on, and are able to

make a forced march. The distance may seem very if

you have never traveled 213

short to

in the

you

mountains

;

Mountain

CAMP AND TRAIL but as a matter of fact you will probably find it quite sufficient, both in length of time

and

in variety of scenery.

will travel steadily for

from

cover

you

six to eight

hours; and in the diversity of country will

be interested every step of the way. Indeed so varied will be the details that it will

probably be

difficult to believe

you have made

so small a mileage, until

you stop to reflect that, climbing and resting, no horse can go faster than two or two and one-half miles an hour. Travel

the desert or the plains the length of

your journey must depend entirely on the sort of feed you can get. Thirty miles a day for a long period is all a fed-horse can do, while

twenty

plenty enough for an

animal depending on his own foraging. Longer rides are not to be considered in the I once did one

course of regular travel.

hundred and eighty miles then took a Travel

two days

and

rest.

mountains you must keep in mind that a horse must both eat and rest; and I*1 the

214

HORSES, MULES, BURROS when

that he will not graze

meadows.

Many

on the

otherwise skillful

moun-

frost

and are up They wonder

taineers ride until nearly dark,

and off soon after daylight.

why The

and strength. the poor beasts must compress

their horses

truth

lose flesh

their twenty- four hours

the short noon stop,

before the frost

of sustenance into

and the shorter evening It

falls.

often

much

wiser to get a very early start, to travel until

and then to go Whatever inconvenience and

the middle of the afternoon, into

camp.

discomfort you may suffer is more than made up for by the opportunities to hunt, fish, or cook afforded by the early stop and ;

the time you imagine in the long

you

lose

regained

run by the regularity of your

days' journeys.

On the

desert or the plains where

it is

hot,

have better luck by you traveling early and late. Desert journeying is uncomfortable anyway, but has its to the contrary,

compensations.

way by

will

ordinarily get under

three in the morning; keep going 215

CAMP AND TRAIL until nine ; start about six again

and travel

per

after sup-

until nine of the evening.

Thus we take advantage of whatever coolness is possible, and see the rising and the falling of the day, which

ful

and beautiful of the

the most wonder-

desert's gifts.

Going up steep hills in high altitudes you must breathe your horse every fifty feet or so.

It need not be a long rest.

him

in for eight or ten seconds.

Merely rein

the

same thing always before entering the negotiation of a bad place in the trail. Do this, no matter how fresh and eager your animal may seem. Often it spells the difference between a stumble and a good clean climb.

experienced pack horse will take these

own

stopping and also starting again with the regularity of clockwork. > * -

rests

his

initiative,

It does not hurt a horse to sweat, but if

ever he begins to drip heavily, and to tremble in the legs, it is getting time to hunt the

shade for a

rest.

points as these

I realize that such minor

may

be perfectly well 216

known

HORSES, MULES, BURROS to every one likely to read this book,

I have seen so

them on the

and yet

cases of ignorance of

many

trail that

I risk their inclusion

here.

Every hour or

so loosen the cinches of

Unsaddling

your saddle horse and raise the saddle and blankets an inch or so to permit a current of air to pass through. the back tender.

When

Steaming makes you unsaddle him

or the pack animals, if they are very hot, leave the blankets across

moments.

them for a few

hot sun shining on a sweaty

back causes small pimples, which velop into sores.

may

de-

better to bathe with

cold water the backs of green horses; but

such a trouble

not necessary after they

are hardened.

Two more

Pick U P a Horse's

To things I will mention, though

strictly speaking,

they do not

fall in the

province of equipment. When you pick up a horse's hind foot, face to the rear, put the

hand nearest the horse firmly against his flank, and use the other to raise the hoof.

Then

tries to kick,

217

you can hold him

Feet

CAMP AND TRAIL off sufficiently to get out of the way.

In-

movement toward against the hand on his flank

Horse

deed the very force of

his

you will thrust and tend to throw you

to one side.

If you are called upon to mount a bad horse, seize the check piece of his bridle in

your left hand and twist his head sharply toward you. At the same time grasp the

pommel

your right hand, thrust your foot

and swing aboard. Never get on any western horse as an easterner mounts left hand on pommel and right in the stirrup

hand on

ward you

will

cantle.

If a horse plunges for-

buck while you are in this position, inevitably land back of the saddle.

Then he has a

fine leverage to

throw you

about forty feet. bad pack horse you can handle by blindfolding. Anchor things for a storm, take off the bandage, and stand

one

side.

218

CANOES

CHAPTER XII CANOES

SUPPOSE I have paddled about every

sort of craft in use, qualities in

good called it

upon

all.

and have found

Now

to pick out one of

as the best,

even for a

that I

them and

label

specific purpose, I

must confess myself puzzled as to a choice. Perhaps the best way would be to describe the different sorts of canoe in detail their

advantages,

the best of each kind,

tell

common

use,

what I consider

and leave the

choice to

your own taste or the circumstances in which

you may find yourself. Practicable canoes are

made of

birch bark Kinds

stretched over light frames; of cedar; of

basswood; of canvas, and of canvas cover over

stiff

The

frames.

birch bark canoe has several unassail- The Birch

able advantages.

light;

greater weight in proportion to 221

carries a its

length

]

CAMP AND TRAIL than any other;

the other

hand

very easily mended. not nearly so fast as

it is

a wooden canoe of sweeter lines; does not bear transportation so well; is more easily punctured; and does not handle so readily in a Advantages and Disad-

heavy wind.

disadvantages,

These advantages and you can see, balance

against one another.

tends to veer in

a heavy wind more than the wooden canoe,

on portage. If more fragile, it is very easily mended. If it is not quite so fast, it carries more duffle. Altogether, it is is

lighter

a very satisfactory all-around craft in which I have paddled many hundreds of miles, and

with which I have never been seriously dissatisfied. If I were to repeat some long explorations in the absolute wilds of

I should choose a birch canoe, reason that no matter

smash

it,

Canada

only for the

how badly

I might

the materials are always at hand

for repairs.

A strip of bark from the near-

est birch tree; a

wad

gum from

spruce; some spruce roots; a

a knife will

mend

little

the next lard

and

a canoe stove in utterly. 222

CANOES In selecting a birch bark canoe the most important thing to look after is to see that the bottom is all one piece without projecting knots or mended cracks. Many canoes

have bottoms made of two pieces. These when grounded almost invariably spring aleak at the seam, for the simple reason that it

takes very

little

to scrape off the slightly

projecting gum. On the other hand, a bottom of one good piece of bark will stand an extraordinary amount of raking and bump-

ing without being any the worse. If in addition you can get hold of one made of the winter cut of bark, the outside shell will

be as good as possible.

new

Should

Try

to purchase a

be impossible, look well to the tvatap, or roots, used in the sewing, that they are not frayed or burst. The frames should lie so close together as

canoe.

fairly

fathoms," will

this

Such a canoe, "two carry two men and four hun-

touch.

dred pounds besides. fifty to

from

It will

weigh about

seventy pounds, and should cost

six to eight dollars.

223

new

Selection

of a Birch

Bark

CAMP AND TRAIL Cedar and

Basswood

wooden canoe, of some sort, is perhaps better for all smooth and open-water sail^-

ing,

and

all

short trips nearer home.

It will

jamming about, but is mend if ever you do punch

stand a great deal of

very difficult to a hole in it. You will need to buy a longer The latter craft than when getting a birch. will

run from twelve to fourteen

wood canoe of

that length

would

feet.

float

gunwhale awash at half you would wish to carry. Seventeen or eighteen feet is small enough for two men, although I have cruised in

Cedar

smaller.

the lighter material

and the more expensive but splits too readBasswood is heavier, but is cheaper and ily. tougher. The Foiding

The folding canvas boat

an abomina-

to fish

usef ul only as a craft from which Sooner or in an inaccessible spot.

later

sags and gives, and so becomes logy.

tion.

A canoe

Covered

made, however, and much used by the Hudson's Bay Company, exactly on the frame of a birch bark, but covered with is

tightly stretched

and painted canvas. 224:

CANOES a first-rate craft, combining an approach to the lightness of the birch bark with the sweeter lines of the wooden canoe.

nary small tears in patched by the

its

gum

All ordi-

bottom are

method.

easily

Its only in-

feriority to the birch rests in the facts that is

easily torn; that a

major

accident,

such as the smashing of an entire bow, cannot be as readily mended; and that it will not carry quite so great a weight. All in all,

however,

a good and serviceable

canoe.

In portaging, I have always had pretty

good luck with the primitive Indian fashion

the two paddles lengthwise across the

thwarts and resting on the shoulders, with perhaps a sweater or other padding to relieve the pressure.

possible, however,

buy cushions which just

fit,

and on which

you can kneel while paddling, and

also a

regular harness to distribute the weight.

should think they might be very good, and would certainly be no trouble to carry. Only that

makes one more thing 225

to look after,

Portaging

CAMP AND TRAIL and the job can perfectly well be done without. Paddies

I n dian paddle

a very long and

very narrow blade, just as long as the height of its wielder. For use in swift and some-

what shallow water, where often the paddle must be thrust violently against the bottom

form

undoubtedly the best. In more open, or smoother water, however, the broader and shorter blade is better, or a rock, this

though even in the

latter case

it is

well to

one of medium length.

Otherwise you will find yourself, in a heavy sea, sometimes select

reaching rather frantically water.

Whatever

its

down toward

length, attach

the

to the

thwart nearest you by a light strong line. Then if you should go overboard you will retain control of your craft.

I once

swam

over a mile before I was able to overtake a

forward by a lively wind. wherein you may have to work

light canoe carried

On any trip Poles

your way back against the current, you must carry an iron "shoe" to fit on a setting pole.

Any

blacksmith can

make you 226

one.

Have

CANOES it

constructed with nail holes.

you want a setting the woods, and nail

The

Then when

pole,

you can cut one

your iron shoe.

harness for packs

varied enough,

but the principle remains simple.

pack ders,

Knapsacks

light

hang well enough from the shoulbut when any weight is to be negotiated will

you must cles

call into

play the powerful mus-

lying along the neck.

Therefore, in

general, an ordinary knapsack will answer

very well for packs up to say thirty pounds. Get the straps broad and soft see that they ;

are both sewed and riveted.

When, however, your pack mounts

above thirty pounds you will need some sort of strap to pass across the top of your head. This

known

as a tumpline,

and

consists

of a band of leather to cross the head, and

two long thongs

to secure the pack.

blanket or similar cloth laid lengthwise

The

spread, the thongs

about a foot from either

edge, and the blanket folded inward and across the thongs.

The things

to be carried

are laid on the end of the blanket toward the 227

Tumplines

CAMP AND TRAIL head

piece.

from the How

The

other end of the blanket,

folds of which the ends of the

thongs are protruding, is then laid up over The ends of the thongs are then the pile. pulled

tight,

tied

together,

and

around the middle of the pack.

passed

carry

Tumplines.

with any degree of comfort, be sure to get it low, fairly in the small of the

this outfit

back or even just above the hips. compact and heavy article, such as a sack of

much

simpler matter. The thongs are tied together at a suitable distance. One

flour, is

side of the loop thus formed goes 228

around

CANOES your head, and the other around the sack of It will not

flour.

By pack

slip.

far the best and most comfortable Pack Harnesses

outfit I

have used

a combination of the

shoulder and the head methods.

It consists

of shoulder harness like that used on knapsacks, with two long straps and buckles to pass around and secure any load.

A tump-

line is attached to the

top of the knapsack I have carried in this contrivance

straps.

over a hundred pounds without discomfort. Suitable adjustment of the headstrap will

permit you to relieve alternately your neck

and shoulders. articles

Heavy

or rather compact

can be included in the straps, while

the bulkier affairs will rest very well on top of the pack. It is made by Abercrombie & Fitch,

and

costs

two

dollars

cents.

229

and

seventy-five

INDEX

INDEX Agate Ware, 98

INDEX The The The The The The The The The The

Cornbread, 137 Corn Pone, How to Make, 138 Cottoleue, 121

Diamond

Hitch, 174 Dingbats, Patent, 27 Direction, Sense of, 3 Discipline, 11

Horrible Example of Lack 12 Dried Fruits, 122 Duffle Bags, 72 Dutch Oven, 102

Eggs, Canned, 127 How to Pack, 196 Elimination, 24 Erbswurst, 128 Essentials, 25

Continued

Hitches

Corn Beef, Canned, 126

of,

Diamond, 174 Double Diamond, 180

Single

Square, 182 Bucking, 184 Miner's, 185

Lone Packer, 187 Squaw, 190 Sling, 192

Saddle, 194 Tie, 198

Hobbles, 164 Should be Lined, 165 Side Lines, 166 How to Make, 166 Hobnails, 47-50 Horses, How to Choose, 205

Gun Shyness Qualifications

of,

209

of,

211

What They Should

Carry, 212 Far to Travel, 214 When Hill Climbing, 216 Unsaddling of, 217 How to Pick up Feet of, 217 How to Mount Bad, 218 Horse Outfits, 149 Horse Packs, 169 The Philosophy of, 170 The Top, 172

How

Fire Arms, 106 Fire Inspirator, 108 How to Use, 109 Flapjohn, How to Make, 138 Flour, 118

Pancake, 118

Boston Brown Bread, 118 Fly Dopes, 75

Food Bags, 105 Food, Necessity of Variety, 115 Footwear, The Ideal, 46 Fruit, Dried, 122 Canned, 126

Inspirator, Logan Fire, 108 to Use, 109

How

Iron Cooking Materials, 98 Irons, Fire, 106 The Britten Fire, 107

Gauntlets, 58 Gloves, 57

Jam Hitch,

Ham, 118

Kerchiefs, 37

Hardtack, 124 How to Cook, 143 Harness Pack, 229

Khaki, 44

Hatchets, 91 Hats, 35

Knapsacks 227 Kyacks, 160 Rawhide, 161 Canvas, 161

How to Pack,

The Stetson, 36 Hitches, 172 The Jam, 172 The Diamond, 174

172

Lanterns, 91 Lard, 121

234

171

INDEX Lash Ropes, 162 Logan Fire Inspirator, 108 Lone Packer Hitch, 187

Ponchos, 56 Potatoes, 120 Puddings,

How to Make,

138

Luxuries, 116, 117 Quilts,

Macaroni, 125 How to Cook, 143 Matches, 63 Match Safes, 64 Medicines, 74 Milk, 123 Powder, 123 Miner's Hitch, 185 Moccasins, 47 Deerhide, 54 Moosehide, 54 Shoe Pac, 54 Mules, Riding, 203 Pack, 204 Mush, How to Make, 142 Olive Oil, 121 Onions, 120 Outfits, Horse, 149 Pack, 155 Outfits,

Made-up, 100

Two-man, 101 Overalls, 43 Oven, Dutch, 102 Overburdening, 23

Pack Harness, 229 Packs, Horse, 169 Top Horse, 172 Pack Outfits, 155 Saddles, 155 Pack-rig Saddle, 159 Paddles, 226 Pads, Saddle, 156

89 Pantasote Coats, 55 Patent Dingbats, 27 Peas, Canned, 126 Picket Ropes, 163 Picnic Stuff, Canned, 126

Pails,

Pillows, Pistols,

89 69

Poles, Canoe, 226

Quirts, 153

Razors, 74

To Keep from

Rusting, 74

Reflectors, 103

Repair Kit, 92 Revolvers, 70 Riata, Rawhide, 154 Rice, 119 Rifles, 68 Rigging, Saddle, 157 Ropes, Lash, 162 Picket, 163 Mexican Grass, 154 Rubber Blankets, 52 Sacks, 45

Saddle Bags, 153 Blankets, 153 Saddle Hitch, 194 Bags, 153 Pads, 157 Rigging, 157 Rigging Britten, 158 Pack Rig, 159 Saddles, Pack, 155 Riding, 149 Sawbuck, 150 Salmon, Canned, 126 Scabbards, 154 Sheet Iron Cooking Materials, 98 Shirts, 39 Buckskin, 38 Shoe Pac, 53 Shot Guns, 71 Sleeping Bags, 87 Slickers, 56 Slings, 192 Sling Shot, 153 Soap, Towels, etc., 110 Soups, Compressed, 128-130 Erbswurst, 128 Spurs, 154

235

INDEX Tin Cooking Materials, 97

Square Hitch, 182 Squaw Hitch, 190

Toilet Articles, 73

Stirrups, 151

Tomatoes, 126

Stirrup Leathers, 150

Towels, Soap, Trousers, 43

Sugar, 120 Tablets, 121 Syrup, 123

Tump

etc.,

110

Lines, 227

Underclothes, 40

Sweaters, 38

Jaeger, 42

Table Utensils, 99 Tapioca, 119 Tarpaulins, 85 Tea, 120 Tents, 79 Proper Shape

"A"

Should be Wool, 41 Utensils for Table, 99

Waistcoats, 54

Washing, for,

Wash

Wedge, 84

Thoroughness, Importance Tie Hitch, 198

of,

How to Do,

Tubs, 90 Waterproofs, 55 Woodcraft, Logic

236

Basins, 90

of,

14 DAY USE RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH^ORHOWED

below, or ject to

21A-607n-4,'64

immediate

recall

General Library University of California

LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

;