WoodcraftandCamping1

Foreword
"WoodcraftandCamping"isaclassicalofUSAmericanliteratureontheoutdoors. Evenifitdatesfrommorethanacentury,itisstillterriblyaccuratetoourtimes. Nessmukhadthesameconcernsaboutpollution,weight,nature,cookingandsurvival thanwedo.Hewasadvocatingverylightandwellprovedgearwellbeforethemodern ultralighthikers. AllmyresearchonthisbookfromGeorgeWashingtonSears,whichwroteunderthe penname"Nessmuk"showthat"WoodcraftandCamping"isnotcopyrighted.Atleast, ifitis,theUSgovernmenthasnotraceofit: www.copyright.gov (searchfor"sears, george"or"nessmuk"). Ifsomeonecanshowusacopyright,wewillremoveitfromthesite,butforthemoment allourinvestigationsleadustoconsiderthisbookhasfallenintopublicdomain. Itisthereforeourpleasuretoprovideourreadersthisgreatbookinanpdfformat. Thereare10chapters. Goodreading! OMeditor.

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Preface:WoodcraftisdedicatedtotheGrandArmyof"Outers,"asapocketvolumeofreferenceon woodcraft. Forbrickandmortarbreedfilthandcrime, Withapulseofevilthatthrobsandbeats; Andmenarewitheredbeforetheirprime Bythecursepavedinwiththelanesandstreets. Andlungsarepoisonedandshouldersbowed, Inthesmotheringreekofmillandmine; Anddeathstalksinonthestrugglingcrowd Butheshunstheshadowofoakandpine. NESSMUK.

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TableofContents
.............................................................................................................................................................. ..2 CHAPTERI.................................................................................................................................. ..........4 OVERWORKANDRECREATIONOUTINGANDOUTERSHOWTODOIT,ANDWHYTHEY MISSIT................................................................................................................................... ...............4 CHAPTERII........................................................................................................................................ ...7 KNAPSACK,HATCHET,KNIVES,TINWARE,FISHINGTACKLE,DITTYBAG,RODS..................7 CHAPTERIII....................................................................................................................................... .12 GETTINGLOSTCAMPINGOUTROUGHINGITORSMOOTHINGITINSECTSCAMPS, ANDHOWTOMAKETHEM.................................................................................. ...........................12 CHAPTERIV..................................................................................................................... ..................22 CAMPFIRESANDTHEIRIMPORTANCETHEWASTEFULWRONGWAYTHEYARE USUALLYMADE,ANDTHERIGHTWAYTOMAKETHEM................................... ......................22 CHAPTERV.............................................................................................................. ..........................26 FISHING,WITHANDWlTHOUTFLIESSOMETACKLEANDLURESDISCURSIVEREMARKS ONTHEGENTLEARTTHEHEADLIGHTFROGGING......................................... .........................26 CHAPTERVI..................................................................................................................... ..................35 CAMPCOOKERYHOWITISUSUALLYDONE,WITHAFEWSIMPLEHINTSONPLAIN COOKINGCOOKINGFIREANDOUTDOORRANGE............................................. ....................35 CHAPTERVII........................................................................................................................... ...........43 MOREHINTSONCOOKING,WITHSOMESIMPLERECEIPTSBREAD,POTATOES,SOUPS, STEWS,BEANS............................................................................................................................. ......43 CHAPTERVIII.................................................................................................................................. ...52 ATENDAYSTRIPINTHEWILDERNESSGOINGITALONE................................................ ....52 CHAPTERIXCanoeing.............................................................................................. ........................58 THELIGHTCANOEANDDOUBLEBLADEVARIOUSCANOESFORVARIOUSCANOEISTS REASONSFORPREFERRINGTHECLINKERBUILTCEDAR.................................................... ....58 CHAPTERX.............................................................................................................. ..........................63 ODDSANDENDSWHERETOGOFORANOUTINGWHYACLINKER?BOUGHSAND BROWSE........................................................................................................................... ...................63

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CHAPTERI OVERWORKANDRECREATIONOUTINGANDOUTERSHOWTODOIT, ANDWHYTHEYMISSIT

TDOESnotneedthatHerbertSpencershouldcrosstheoceantotellusthatweare an overworked nation; that our hair turns gray ten years earlier than the Englishmans;or,"thatwehavehadsomewhattoomuchofthegospelofwork," and,"itistimetopreachthegospelofrelaxation."Itisalltrue.Butwework harder,accomplishmoreinagiventime,andlastquiteaslongasslowerraces.As tothegrayhairperhapsgrayhairisbetterthannone;anditisafactthatthe average Briton becomes bald as early as the American turns gray. There is, however,asadsignificanceinhiswordswhenhesays:"IneverycircleIhavemetmenwho hadthemselvessufferedfromnervouscollapseduetostressofbusiness,ornamedfriends whohadeitherkilledthemselvesbyoverwork,orhadbeenpermanentlyincapacitated,or hadwastedlongperiodsinendeavorstorecoverhealth."Tootrue.Anditistheconstant strain,withoutletuporrelaxation,that,inninecasesoutoften,snapsthecordandendsin whatthedoctorscall"nervousprostration"somethingakintoparalysisfromwhichthe suffererseldomwhollyrecovers. Mr.Spencerquotesthatquaintoldchronicler,Froissart,assaying,"TheEnglishtaketheir pleasuressadly,aftertheirfashion";andthinksifhelivednow,hewouldsayofAmericans, "theytaketheirpleasureshurriedly,aftertheirfashion."Perhaps. Itisanageofhurryandworry.Anythingslowerthansteamisaptto"getleft."Fortunesare quicklymadeandfreelyspent.Nearlyallbusy,hardworkedAmericanshaveanintuitive senseoftheneedthatexistsforatleastoneperiodofrestandrelaxationduringeachyear, andallornearlyallarewillingtopayliberally,tooliberallyinfact,foranythingthat conducestorest,recreationandsport.Iamsorrytosaythatwemostlygetswindled.Asan average,thesummerouterwhogoestoforest,lakeorstreamforhealthandsport,getsabout tencentsworthforadollarofoutlay.Amajoritywilladmittothemselvesatleastthat after a months vacation, they return to work with an inward consciousness of being somewhatdisappointedandbeaten.Wearefreewithourmoneywhenwehaveit.Weare knownthroughoutthecivilizedworldforourlavishnessinpayingforourpleasures;butit humiliatesustoknowwehavebeenbeaten,andthisiswhatthemostofusknowattheend ofasummervacation.Tothemanofmillionsitmakeslittledifference.Heisabletopay liberallyforboats,buckboardsand"bodyservice,"ifhechoosestospendasummerinthe NorthWoods.Hehasnoneedtostudythequestionsoflightnessandeconomyinaforestand streamouting.Lethisguidestakecareofhim;anduntothemandthelandlordshewillgive freelyofhissubstance. Idonotwriteforhim,andcandohimlittlegood.Buttherearehundredsofthousandsof practical, useful men, many of them far from being rich; mechanics, artists, writers, merchants,clerks,businessmenworkers,sotospeakwhosorelyneedandwelldeservea seasonofrestandrelaxationatleastonceayear.Tothese,andforthese,Iwrite. 4

WoodcraftandCamping5 Perhapsmorethanfiftyyearsofdevotionto"woodcraft"mayenablemetogiveafewuseful hintsandsuggestionstothosewhosedreams,duringthecloseseasonofwork,areofcamp lifebyflood,fieldandforest. Ihavefoundthatnearlyallwhohavearealloveofnatureandoutofdoorcamplife,spenda gooddealoftimeandtalkinplanningfuturetrips,ordiscussingthetripsandpleasuresgone by,butstilldeartomemory. WhenthemountainstreamsarefrozenandtheNorlandwindsareout; whenthewinterwindsaredriftingthebittersleetandsnow;whenwinterrainsaremaking outofdoorlifeunendurable;whenseason,weatherandlawcombinetomakeit"closetime" forbeast,birdandman,itiswellthatafewcongenialspiritsshould,atsomefavoritetrysting place, gather around the glowing stove and exchange yarns, opinions and experiences. Perhapsnotwowillexactlyagreeonthebestgroundforanouting,...orhalfadozenother pointsthatmaybediscussed.Butonethingalladmit.Eachandeveryonehasgonetohis chosengroundwithtoomuchimpedimenta,toomuchduffle;andnearlyallhaveusedboats atleasttwiceasheavyastheyneedtohavebeen.Thetemptationtobuythisorthatbitof indispensable campkit has been too strong, and we have gone to the blessed woods, handicappedwithaloadfitforapackmule.Thisisnothowtodoit. Golight;thelighterthebetter,sothatyouhavethesimplestmaterialforhealth,comfortand enjoyment. Ofcourse,ifyouintendtohaveapermanentcamp,andcanreachitbyboatorwagon, lightnessisnotsoimportant,thougheveninthatcaseitiswelltoguardagainsttakingalot ofstuffthatislikelytoproveofmoreweightthanworthonlytoleaveitbehindwhenyou comeout. Astoclothingforthewoods,agooddealofnonsensehasbeenwrittenabout"strong,coarse woolenclothes."Youdonotwantcoarsewoolenclothes.Finewoolencassimereofmedium thicknessforcoat,vestandpantaloons,withnocottonlining.Color,slategrayordeadleaf (eitherisgood).Twosoft,thickwoolenshirts;twopairsoffine,butsubstantial,woolen drawers;twopairsofstrongwoolensocksorstockings;thesearewhatyouneed,andallyou needinthewayofclothingforthewoods,exceptinghatandboots,orgaiters.Bootsarebest providingyoudonotletyourselfbeinveigledintowearingapairoflongleggedheavy bootswiththicksoles,ashasbeenoftenadvisedbywriterswhoknewnobetter.Heavy,long leggedbootsareaweary,tiresomeincumbranceonahardtrampthroughroughwoods.Even moccasins are better. Gaiters, all sorts of high shoes, in fact, are too bothersome about fasteningandunfastening.Lightbootsarebest.Notthin,unserviceableaffairs,butlightasto actualweight.Thefollowinghintswillgiveanideaforthebestfootgearforthewoods;let thembesinglesoled,singlebacksandsinglefronts,exceptlight,shortfootlinings.Backof solid"countrykip";frontsofsubstantialFrenchcalf;heeloneinchhigh,withsteelnails; counteredoutside;strapsnarrow,offineFrenchcalfputon"astraddle,"andsetdowntothe topoftheback.Theoutsolestout,Spanishoak,andpeggedratherthansewed,although eitherisgood.Theywillweighconsiderablylessthanhalfasmuchastheclumsy,costlyboots usually recommended for the woods; and the added comfort must be tested to be understood. Thehatshouldbefine,softfeltwithmoderatelylowcrownandwidebrim;colortomatch 5

WoodcraftandCamping6 theclothing. Thepropercoveringforheadandfeetisnoslightaffair,andwillbefoundworthsome attention.Becarefulthatthebootsarenottootight,orthehattooloose.Theaboverigwill givethetouristoneshirt,onepairofdrawersandapairofsockstocarryasextraclothing.A soft,warmblanketbag,openattheends,andjustlongenoughtocoverthesleeper,withan oblongsquareofwaterproofedcottoncloth6x8feet,willgivewarmthandshelterbynight andwillweightogetherfiveorsixpounds.This,withtheextraclothing,willmakeabout eightpoundsofdrygoodstopackovercarries,whichisenough.Probably,also,itwillbe foundlittleenoughforcomfort. DuringacanoecruiseacrosstheNorthernWildernessinthelatesummer,Imetmanyparties atdifferentpointsinthe woods,andtheamountof unnecessarydufflewithwhichthey encumbered themselves was simply appalling. Why a shrewd business man, who goes throughwithaguideandmakesaforesthotelhiscampinggroundnearlyeverynight,should handicaphimselfwithafivepeckpackbasketfullofgraywoolenandgumblankets,extra clothing,pots,pans,andkettles,witha9pound10bore,andtworodsyes,andanextra pairofheavybootshangingastrideofthegunwell,itisoneofthethingsIshallnever understand.Myownload,includingcanoe,extraclothing,blanketbag,twodaysrations, pocketaxe,rodandknapsack,neverexceeded26pounds;andIwentpreparedtocampout anyandeverynight. Peoplewhocontemplateanoutinginthewoodsareprettyapttocommencepreparationsa longwayahead,andtopickupmanytriflingarticlesthatsuggestthemselvesasusefuland handyincamp;allwellenoughintheirway,butmakingatleastatooheavyload.Itisbetter tocommencebystudyingtoascertainjusthowlightonecangothroughwithoutespecial discomfort.Agoodplanistothinkoverthetripduringleisurehours,andmakeoutalistof indispensablearticles,securingthembeforehand,andhavethemstowedinhandyfashion,so thatnothingneedfulmaybemissingjustwhenandwhereitcannotbeprocured.Thelistwill belongerthanonewouldthink,butneednotbecumbersomeorheavy.AsIamusually creditedwithmakingacruiseoralongwoodstrampwithexceptionallylightduffle,Iwill givealistofthearticlesItakealonggoingonfootovercarriesorthroughthewoods.

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CHAPTERII KNAPSACK,HATCHET,KNIVES,TINWARE,FISHINGTACKLE,DITTYBAG, RODS

HEclothing,blanketbagandshelterclothareallthatneedbedescribedinthat lineThenextarticlesthatIlookafterareknapsack(orpackbasket),rodwithreel, lines,flies,hooks,andallmyfishinggear,pocketaxe,knivesandtinware.Firstly, theknapsack;asyouareapttocarryitagreatmanymiles,itiswelltohaveit right,andeasyfittingatthestart.Dontbeinducedtocarryapackbasket.Iam awarethatitisinhighfavorallthroughtheNorthernWilderness,andisalsomuch usedinotherlocalitieswhereguidesandsportsmenmostdocongregate.ButIdo notlikeit.Iadmitthatitwillcarryaloafofbread,withtea,sugar,etc.,withoutjamming; thatbottles,crockery,andotherfragileduffleissaferfrombreakagethaninanoilcloth knapsack.Butitisbynomeanswaterproofinarainorasplashingheadsea,ismorethan twiceasheavyalwaysgrowingheavierasitgetswetterandIhadratherhavebread,tea, sugar, etc., a little jammed than watersoaked. Also, it may be remarkd that man is a vertebrateanimalandoughttorespecthisbackbone.Theloadedpackbasketonaheavy carryneverfailstogetinonthemostvulnerableknobofthehumanvertebrae.Theknapsack sitseasy,anddoesnotchafe.Theoneshownintheengravingisofgoodform;andthe originalwhichIhavecarriedforyearsissatisfactoryineveryrespect.Itholdsoverhalfa bushel,carriesblanketbag,sheltertent,hatchet,dittybag,tinware,fishingtackle,clothes andtwodaysrations.Itweighs,empty,justtwelveounces.

Thehatchetandknivesshownintheengravingwillbefoundtofillthebillsatisfactorilyso farascutlerymayberequired.Eachisgoodandusefulofitskind,thehatchetespecially, beingthebestmodelIhaveeverfoundfora"doublebarreled"pocketaxe.Andjustherelet medigressforalittlechatontheindispensablehatchet;foritisthemostdifficultpieceof campkittoobtaininperfectionofwhichIhaveanyknowledge.BeforeIwasadozenyears 7

WoodcraftandCamping8 oldIcametorealizethatalighthatchetwasasinequanoninwoodcraft,andIalsofoundit a most difficult thing to get. I tried shingling hatchets, lathing hatchets, and the small hatchetstobefoundincountryhardwarestores,butnoneofthemweresatisfactory.Ihad quiteanumbermadebyblacksmithswhoprofessedskillinmakingedgedtools,andthese weretheworstofall,beinglikenothingontheearthorunderitmurderouslooking, clumsy,andalltooheavy,withnobalanceorproportion.IhadhuntedtwelveyearsbeforeI caughtupwiththepocketaxeIwaslookingfor.ItwasmadeinRochester,byasurgical instrumentmakernamedBushnell.Itcosttimeandmoneytogetit.Iworkedonerainy Saturdayfashioningthepatterninwood.SpoiledadaygoingtoRochester,waitedadayfor theblade,paid[$3.00forit,andlostadaycominghome.Boatfare$1.00,andexpenses $2.00,besidesthreedayslosttime,withanotherrainySundayformakingleathersheathand hickoryhandle.

Mywittyfriends,alwayswillingtohelpmeoutinfiguringthecostofmyhuntingandfishing gear,madethefollowingbusinesslikeestimate,whichtheyplacedwhereIwouldbecertain toseeitthefirstthinginthemorning.Premisingthatofthefivewhoassistedinthatlittle joke,allstronger,biggerfellowsthanmyself,fourhavegone"wheretheyneverseethesun,"I willcopythestatementasitstandstoday,onpaperyellowwithage.ForIhavekeptitover fortyyears.

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Thentheyraisedahorselaugh,andthecostofthathatchetbecameastandingjokeanda sluronmy"businessability."Whataggravatedmemostwas,thattherascalswerenotsofar outintheircalculation.AndwasIsofarwrong?Thathatchetwasmyfavoritefornearly thirtyyears.Ithasbeen"upset"twicebyskilledworkmen;and,ifmyfriend"Bero"hasnot lostit,isstillinservice. WouldIhavegonewithoutitanyyearforoneortwodollars?ButIpreferthedoubleblade.I wantonethick,stuntedgeforknots,deersbones,etc.,andafine,keenedgeforcuttingclear timber. Awordastoknife,orknives.Theseareofprimenecessity,andshouldbeofthebest,bothas to shape and temper. The "bowies" and "hunting knives" usually kept on sale, are thick, clumsyaffairs,withasortofridgealongthemiddleoftheblade,murderouslooking,butof littleuse;ratherfittedtoadornadimenovelorthebeltof"BillytheKid,"thantheoutfitof thehunter.Theoneshowninthecutisthinintheblade,andhandyforskinning,cutting meat,oreatingwith.ThestrongdoublebladedpocketknifeisthebestmodelIhaveyet found, and, in connection with the sheath knife, is all sufficient for camp use. It is not necessarytotaketablecutleryintothewoods.Agoodforkmaybeimprovisedfromabeech orbirchstick;andthehalfofafreshwatermusselshell,withasplitstickbywayofhandle, makesanexcellentspoon. Myentireoutfitforcookingandeatingdishescomprisesfivepiecesoftinware.Thisiswhen stoppinginapermanentcamp.Whencruisingandtramping,Itakejusttwopiecesinthe knapsack. Igetaskillfultinsmithtomakeonedishasfollows:Sixinchesonbottom,63/4incheson top,side2incheshigh.Thebottomisoftheheaviesttinprocurable,thesidesoflightertin, and seamed to be watertight without solder. The top simply turned, without wire. The seconddishtobemadethesame,butsmallenoughtonestinthefirst,andalsotofitintoit wheninvertedasacover.Twootherdishesmadefromcommonpressedtinware,withthe topscutoffandturned,alsowithoutwire.Theyarefittedsothattheyallnest,takingno moreroomthanthelargestdishalone,andeachofthethreesmallerdishesmakesaperfect coverforthenextlarger.Theotherpieceisatincampkettle,alsooftheheaviesttin,and seamedwatertight.Itholdstwoquarts,andtheotherdishesnestinitperfectly,sothatwhen packedthewholetakesjustasmuchroomasthekettlealone.Ishouldmentionthatthe strongearsaresetbelowtherimofthekettle,andthebalefallsoutside,so,asnoneofthe disheshaveanyhandle,therearenoaggravating"stickouts"towearandabrade.Thesnug affairweighs,alltold,twopounds.IhavemetpartiesintheNorthWoodswhoseonefrying 9

WoodcraftandCamping10 panweighedmorewithitshandlethreefeetlong.Howeverdidtheygetthroughthebrush withsuchaculinaryterror? ItisonlywhenIgointoaveryaccessiblecampthatItakesomuchasfivepiecesoftinware along.Ioncemadeatendaystrampthroughanunbrokenwildernessonfoot,andallthe dishItookwasatencenttin;itwasenough.IbelieveIwilltellthestoryofthattrampbefore 1.getthrough.ForIsawmoregameinthetendaysthanIeversawbeforeorsinceina season;andIamtoldthatthewholeregionisnowathriftyfarmingcountry,withthedeer nearlyallgone.Theywereplentyenoughthirtynineyearsagothisverymonth. Ifeelmorediffidenceinspeakingofrodsthanofanyothermatterconnectedwithoutdoor sports.Thenumberandvarietyofrodsandmakers;theenthusiasmoftroutandfly"cranks"; the fact that angling does not take precedence of all other sports with me, with the humiliatingconfessionthatIamnotabovebucktailspinners,wormsandsinkers,minnow tailsandwhitegrubsthisandtheseconstrainmetobebrief. But,asIhavebeenafisherallmylife,frommypinhookdaystothepresenttime;asIhave runthelistprettywellup,frombrookminnowsto100poundalbacores,Imaybepardoned forafewremarksontherodandtheusethereof. Arodmaybeaveryhightoned,highpricedaestheticplaything,costing$50to$75,orit maybearod.Aserviceableandsplendidlybalancedrodcanbeobtainedfromfirstclass makersforlessmoney.Byallmeansletthemanofmoneyindulgehisfancyforthemost costlyrodthatcanbeprocured.Hemightdoworse.Apracticaleverydaysportsmanwhose incomeislimitedwillfindthatamoremodestproductwilldrophisfliesonthewaterquite asattractivelytoSalmofontinalis.Mylittle81/2foot,41/2ouncesplitbamboowhichthe editorofForestandStreamhadmadeformecost$10.00.Ihavegivenithardusageandat timeslargetrouthavetesteditseverely,butithasneverfailedme.Thedimensionsofmy secondrodare91;2feetlongand5%ouncesinweight.Thisrodwillhandlethebucktail spinnerswhichIusefortroutandbass,whenotherthingshavefailed.)usedarodofthis descriptionforseveralsummersbothinAdirondackandwesternwaters.Ithadahandmade reelseat,agatefirstguide,wassatisfactoryineveryrespect,andIcouldseeinbalance, action,and appearancenosuperiorityina rodcosting $25.00,whichone ofmyfriends sported.CharlesDudleyWarner,whowritescharminglyofwoodslife,hasthefollowingin regardtotroutfishing,whichissoneatlyhumorousthatitwillbearrepeating: "It is well known that no person who regards his reputation will ever kill a trout with anythingbutafly.Itrequiressometrainingonthepartofthetrouttotaketothismethod. Theuncultivatedtroutinunfrequentedwatersprefersthebait;andtheruralpeople,whose saleobjectingoingafishingappearstobetocatchfish,indulgethemintheirprimitivestate fortheworm.Nosportsman,however,willuseanythingbutaflyexcepthehappenstobe alone."Speakingofrods,hesays: "Therodisabambooweighingsevenounces,whichhastobesplicedwithawindingofsilk threadeverytimeitisused.Thisisatediousprocess;but,byfasteningthejointsinthisway, auniformspringissecuredintherod.Noonedevotedtohighartwouldthinkofusinga socketjoint." OnesummerduringasevenweekstourintheNorthernWilderness,myonlyrodwasa71/2 footHenshalI.Itcametohandwithtwobaittipsonly;butIaddedaflytip,anditmadean 10

WoodcraftandCamping11 excellent"generalfishingrod."WithitIcouldhandlealargebassorpickerel;itwasacapital baitrodforbrooktrout;asflyrodithaspleasedmewellenough.Itislikelytogowithme again.Forreelcasting,the51/2footrodishandier.Butitisnotyetdecidedwhichisbest, andIleaveeverymanhisownopinion.Only,Ithinkonerodenough,buthavealwayshad more. Anddontneglecttotakewhatsailorscalla"dittybag." Thismaybealittlesackofchamoisleatherabout4incheswideby6inchesinlength.Mineis beforemeasIwrite.Emptyingthecontents,Ifinditinventoriesasfollows:Adozenhooks, runninginsizefromsmallminnowhookstolargeLimericks;fourlinesofsixyardseach, varyingfromthefinesttoasizesufficientforatenpoundfish;threedarningneedlesanda fewcommonsewingneedles;adozenbuttons;sewingsilk;thread,andasmallballofstrong yarnfordarningsocks;stickingsalve;abitofshoemakerswax;beeswax;sinkers,andavery finefileforsharpeninghooks.Thedittybagweighs,withcontents,21/2ounces;anditgoes inasmallbuckskinbulletpouch,whichIwearalmostasconstantlyasmyhat.Thepouchhas asheathstronglysewedonthebacksideofit,wherethelighthuntingknifeisalwaysat hand,anditalsocarriesatwoouncevialofflymedicine,avialof"painkiller,"andtwoor threegangsofhooksonbrasswiresnellsofwhich,moreinanotherplace.Icanalwaysgo downintothatpouchforawaterproofmatchsafe,strings,compass,bitsoflinenandscarlet flannel(forfrogging),coppertacks,andotherlightduffle,Itisaboutashandyapieceof woodskitasIcarry. IhopenoaestheticdevoteeoftheflyrodwilllaydownthebookindisgustwhenIconfessto aweaknessforfrogging.Iadmitthatitisnothightonedsport;andyetIhavegotagooddeal ofamusementoutofit.Thepersistencewithwhichalargebatrachianwillsnapatabitofred flannelafterbeingseveraltimeshookedonthesamelure,andthecomicalwayinwhichhe willscuttleoftwithaquicksuccessionofshortjumpsaftereachrelease;thecheerfulmanner inwhich.aftereachbout,hewilltuneuphisdeep,basspipereadyforanothergreedysnap atanibisflyorredragisratherfunny.Andhishindlegs,rolledinmealandnicelybrowned, arepreferabletotroutorvenison.

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CHAPTERIII GETTINGLOSTCAMPINGOUTROUGHINGITORSMOOTHINGIT INSECTSCAMPS,ANDHOWTOMAKETHEM

ITHalargemajorityofprospectivetouristsandouters,"campingout"isaleading factorinthesummervacation.Andduringthelongwintermonthstheyareprone tocollectinlittleknotsandtalkmuchofcamps,fishing,hunting,androughingit." Thelastphraseisverypopularandalwayscroppingoutinthetalksonmatters pertainingtoavacationinthewoods.Idislikethephrase.Wedonotgotothe greenwoodsandcrystalwaterstoroughit,wegotosmoothit.Wegetitrough enoughathome;intownsandcities;inshops,offices,stores,banksanywherethat wemaybeplacedwiththenecessityalwayspresentofbeingontimeanduptoourwork;of providingforthedependentones;ofkeepingup,catchingup,orgettingleft.."Alasforthe lifelongbattle,whosebravestsloganisbread." As(orthefewfortunateoneswhohavenocalltotakeahandinanystrifeorstruggle,who notonlyhaveallthetimethereis,butagreatdealthattheycannotdisposeofwithany satisfactiontothemselvesoranybodyelseIamnotwritingforthem;butonlytothoseofthe worldsworkerswhogo,orwouldliketogo,everysummertothewoods.AndtotheseI wouldsay,dontroughit;makeitassmooth,asrestfulandpleasurableasyoucan. Tothisendyouneedpleasantdaysandpeacefulnights.Youcannotaffordtobetormented andpoisonedbyinsects,norkeptawakeatnightbycoldanddamp,nortoexhaustyour strengthbyhardtrampsandheavyloads.Takeiteasy,andalwayskeepcool.Ninemenoutof ten,onfindingthemselveslostinthewoods,flyintoapanic,andquarrelwiththecompass. Neverdothat.Thecompassisalwaysright,ornearlyso.Itisnotmanyyearssinceanable bodiedmansportsmanofcourselosthiswayintheNorthWoods,andtookfright,as mightbeexpected.Hewaswellarmedandwellfoundforaweekinthewoods.Whatought tohavebeenonlyaninterestingadventure,becameatragedy.Hetorethroughthicketsand swamps in his senseless panic, until he dropped and died through fright, hunger and exhaustion. AwellauthenticatedstoryistoldofaguideintheOswegatchieregion,whoperishedinthe sameway.Guidesarenotinfallible;Ihaveknownmorethanonetogetlost.Wherefore, should you be tramping through a pathless forest on a cloudy day, and should the sun suddenlybreakfromunderacloudinthenorthwestaboutnoon,dontbescared.Thelast dayisnotathand,andtheplanetshavenotbecomemixed;only,youareturned.Youhave graduallyswungaround,untilyouarefacingnorthwestwhenyoumeanttotravelsouth.It hasamuddlingeffectonthemindthisgettinglostinthewoods.But,ifyoucancollectand arrangeyourgraybrainmatter,andsuppressallpanickyfeeling,itiseasilygotalongwith. Forinstance;itismorallycertainthatyoucommencedswingingtosouthwest,thenwest,to northwest.Hadyoukeptonuntilyouwereheadingdirectlynorth,youcouldrectifyyour coursesimplybyfollowingatruesouthcourse.But,asyouhavevariedthreeeighthsofthe circle,setyourcompassandtravelbyittothesoutheast,until,inyourjudgment,youhave aboutmadeupthedeviation;thengostraightsouth,andyouwillnotbefarwrong.Carrythe 12

WoodcraftandCamping13 compassinyourhandandlookatiteveryfewminutes;forthetendencytoswervefroma straight course when a man is once lostand nearly always to the rightis a thing past understanding. Asregardspoisonousinsects,itmaybesaidthat,tothemanwithclean,bleached,tender skin,theyare,atthestart,anunendurabletorment.Noonecanenjoylifewithasmarting, burning,swollenface,whiletheattacksoneveryexposedinchofskinarepersistentand constant.Ihaveseenayoungmanaftertwodaysexposuretothesepestscomeoutofthe woodswithoneeyeentirelyclosedandthebrowhangingoveritlikeaclamshell,whileface and hands were almost hideous from inflammation and puffiness. The St. Regis and St. FrancisIndians,althoughbornandrearedinthewoods,bynomeansmakelightoftheblack fly. IttookthemanwhocouldshootPhantomFallstofindout,"Itsbiteisnotsevere,norisit ordinarilypoisonous.Theremaybeanoccasionalexceptiontothisrule;butbesidethebiteof the mosquito, it is comparatively mild and harmless." And again: "Gnats...in my way of thinking,aremuchworsethantheblackflyormosquito."SosaysMurray.Ourobservations differ.Athousandmosquitoesandasmanygnatscanbitemewithoutleavingamark,or havinganyeffectsavethepainofthebitewhiletheyareatwork.Buteachbiteoftheblack flymakesaseparateanddistinctboil,thatwillnothealandbewellintwomonths. WhilefishingforbrooktroutinJulylast,IranintoaswarmofthemonMooseRiver,andgot badlybitten.Ihadcarelesslyleftmymedicinebehind.OnthefirstofOctoberthebiteshad notceasedtobepainful,anditwasthreemonthsbeforetheydisappearedentirely.Frank Forestersays,inhisFishandFishing,page371,thathehasneverfishedfortheredfleshed troutofHamiltoncounty,"beingdeterredtherefrombydreadofthatcurseofthesummer angler,theblackfly,whichistomeespeciallyvenomous." "AdirondackMurray"givesextendeddirectionsforbeatingtheselittlepestsbytheuseof buckskin gloves with chamois gauntlets, Swiss mull, fine muslin, etc. Then he advises a mixtureofsweetoilandtar,whichistobeappliedtofaceandhands;andheaddsthatitis easilywashedoff,leavingtheskinsoftandsmoothasaninfants;allofwhichistrue.But, morethanfortyyearsexperienceinthewoodshastaughtmethatthefollowingrecipeis infallibleanywherethatsancudos,moquims,orourownpoisonousinsectsdomostabound. ItwaspublishedinForestandStreaminthesummerof1880,andagainin83.Ithasbeen prettywidelyquotedandadopted,andIhaveneverknownittofail:Threeouncespinetar, twoouncescastoroil,oneouncepennyroyaloil.Simmeralltogetheroveraslowfire,and bottleforuse.Youwillhardlyneedmorethanatwoouncevialfullinaseason.Oneounce haslastedmesixweeksinthewoods.Rubitinthoroughlyandliberallyatfirst,andafteryou haveestablishedagoodglaze,alittlereplenishingfromdaytodaywillbesufficient.And dontfoolwithsoapandtowelswhereinsectsareplenty.Agoodsafecoatofthisvarnish growsbetterthelongeritiskeptonanditiscleanlyandwholesome.Ifyougetyourface andhandscrockyorsmuttyaboutthecampfire,wetthecornerofyourhandkerchiefandrub itoff,notforgettingtoapplythevarnishatonce,whereveryouhavecleaneditoff.Last summerIcarriedacakeofsoapandatowelinmyknapsackthroughtheNorthWoodsfora sevenweekstour,andneverusedeitherasingletime.WhenIhadestablishedagoodglaze ontheskin,itwastoovaluabletobesacrificedforanyweakwhimconnectedwithsoapand water.WhenIstruckawoodlandhotel,Ifoundsoapandtowelsplentyenough.Ifoundthe 13

WoodcraftandCamping14 mixturegaveonesfacetheruddytannedlooksupposedtobeindicativeofhealthandhard muscle.Athoroughablutioninthepublicwashbasinreducedthecolor,butlefttheskinvery softandsmooth;infact,asalotionfortheskinitisexcellent.Itisasoothingandhealing applicationforpoisonousbitesalreadyreceived. Ihavegivensomespacetotheinsectquestion,butnomorethanitdeservesorrequires.The venomouslittlewretchesarequiteimportantenoughtospoilmanyawellplannedtriptothe woods,anditisbesttobeatthemfromthestart.Youwillfindthatimmunityfrominsects andacomfortablecamparethetwofirstandmostindispensablerequisitesofanoutingin thewoods.AndjusthereIwillbrieflytellhowayoungfriendofminewenttothewoods, sometwentyfiveyearsago.Hewasabankclerk,andagoodfellowwithal,withaleaning towardcamplife. Formonths,wheneverwemet,hewouldintroducehisfavoritetopics,fishing,campingout, etc.Atlastinthehottestofthehotmonths,thetimecame.Heputinanappearancewitha fightingcutonhishair,alittlestiffstrawhat,andasoftskin,bleachedbylongconfinement inacloseoffice.Ithoughthelookedalittletender;buthewassanguine.Hecouldroughit, couldsleeponthebaregroundwiththerootofatreeforapillow;asformosquitoesand punkies,henevermindedthem. Wewentinapartyoffivetwooldhuntersandthreeyoungsters,thelatterallenthusiasm andpluckatfirst.Towardthelastendofaheavyeightmiletramp,theygrewsilent,and slappedandscratchednervously.Arrivingatthecampingspot,theyworkedfairlywell,but wereevidentlyweakeningalittle.Bythetimewewerereadytoturnintheywerereduced prettywelltosilenceandsufferingespeciallythebankclerk,JeanL.Thepunkieswereeager forhistenderskin,andtheywererankpoisontohim.Hemuffledhisheadinablanketand triedtosleep,butitwasonlyapartialsuccess.When,bysuffocatinghimself,heobtaineda littlerelieffrominsectbites,therewerestubsandknottyrootscontinuallypokingthemselves amonghisribs,ordiggingintohisbackbone. Ihaveoftenhadoccasiontoobservethatstubs,rootsandsmallstones,etc.,haveaperverse tendencytoabradetheanatomyofpeopleunusedtothewoods.Mr.C.D.Warnerhasnoticed thesamething,Ibelieve. Onthewhole,Jeanandtheotheryoungstersbehavedverywell.Althoughtheyturnedoutin themorningwithred,swollenfacesandhalfclosedeyes,theyallwenttroutingandcaught about150smalltroutbetweenthem.Theydidtheirlevelbravesttomakeajollythingofit; butJeansattempttowatchadeerlick,resultedinawettingthroughthesuddenadventofa shower;andtheshowerdroveaboutallthepunkiesandmosquitoesintheneighborhood under our roof for shelter.I never saw themmore plentiful or worse.Jeangave inand varnishedhispeltthoroughlywithmy"punkiedope,"ashecalledit;but,toolate:the mischiefwasdone.Andthesecondtrialwasworsetothoseyoungstersthanthefirst.More insects.Morestubsandknots.Owingtotheselittleannoyances,theyarrivedathomeseveral daysbeforetheirfriendsexpectedthemleavingenoughrations.incamptolastOldSileand thewriterafullweek.Andthemoralofitis,iftheyhadfittedthemselvesforthethewoods beforegoingthere,thetripwouldhavebeenapleasureinsteadofamisery. OneotherlittleannoyanceIwillmention,asacommonoccurrenceamongthosewhocamp out;thisisthelackofapillow.IsupposeIhavecampedfiftytimeswithpeople,who,on turningin,weresquirmingaroundforalongtime,tryingtogetarestforthehead.Bootsare 14

WoodcraftandCamping15 themostcommonresort.But,whenyouplaceabootlegortwoofthemunderyourhead, theycollapse,andmakeaheadrestlessthanhalfaninchthick.Justwhyitneveroccursto peoplethatastuffingofmoss,leaves,orhemlockbrowse,wouldfilloutthebootlegand makeapassablepillow,isanotherconundrumIcannotanswer.Butthereisanotherand betterwayofmakingapillowforcampuse,whichIwilldescribefurtheron. AndnowIwishtodevotesomespacetooneofthemostimportantadjunctsofwoodcraft, i.e.,camps;howtomakethem,andhowtomakethemcomfortable.Therearecamps,and camps.TherearecampsintheNorthWoodsthatarereallyfinevillas,costingthousandsof dollars,andthereareloghouses,andshanties,andbarkcamps,andAtents,andwalled tents,sheltertentsandshantytents.But,Iassumethatthecampbestfittedtothewantsof theaverageouteristheonethatcombinestheessentialsofdryness,lightness,portability, cheapness,andiseasilyandquicklyputup.Anotheressentialis,thatitmustadmitofa brightfireinfrontbynightorday.Iwillgiveshortdescriptionsoftheforestshelters(camps) Ihavefoundhandiestandmostuseful. Firstly,Iwillmentionasortofcampthatwasdescribedinasportsmanspaper,andhassince been largely quoted and used. It is made by fastening a horizontal pole to a couple of contiguoustrees,andthenputtingonaheavycoveringofhemlockboughs,shinglingthewith thetipsdownward,ofcourse.Afireistobemadeattherootsofoneofthetrees.This,with plentyofboughs,maybemadetostandaprettystiffrain;butitisonlyadamparbor,andno camp,properlyspeaking.Aforestcampshouldalwaysadmitofabrightfireinfront,witha leantoorshedroofoverhead,toreflectthefireheatonthebeddingbelow.Anycampthat fallsshortofthis,lackstherequirementsofwarmth,brightnessandhealthfulness.Thisis whyIdiscardallclose,canvastents. Thesimplestandmostprimitiveofallcampsisthe"Indiancamp."Itiseasilyandquickly made,iswarmandcomfortable,andstandsaprettyheavyrainwhenproperlyputup.Thisis howitismade:Letussayyouareoutandhaveslightlymissedyourway.Thecominggloom warnsyouthatnightisshuttingdown.Youarenotenderfoot.Youknowthataplaceofrestis essentialtohealthandcomfortthroughthelong,coldNovembernight.Youdivedownthe firstlittlehollowuntilyoustrikearillofwater,forwaterisaprimenecessity.Asyoudraw your hatchet you take in the whole situation at a glance. The little stream is gurgling downwardinahalfchokedfrozenway.Thereisahugesoddenhemlocklyingacrossit.One clipofthehatchetshowsitwillpeel.Thereisplentyofsmallertimberstandingaround;long, slimpoles,withatuftoffoliageon

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top.Fiveminutessufficetodroponeofthese,cutatwelvefootpolefromit,sharpenthepole ateachend,jamoneendintothegroundandtheotherintotheroughbackofascraggy hemlock,andthereisyourridgepole.Nowgowithyourhatchetforthebushiestand mostpromisingyounghemlockswithinreach.Dropthemanddrawthemtocamprapidly. Next, you need a fire. There are fifty hard, resinous limbs sticking up from the prone hemlock;lopoffafewofthese,andsplitthelargestintomatchtimber;reducethesplinters toshavings,scrapethewetleavesfromyourprospectivefireplace,andstrikeamatchonthe balloonpartofyourtrousers.Ifyouareawoodsmanyouwillstrikebutone.Feedthefire slowlyatfirst;itwillgainfast.Whenyouhaveablazetenfeethigh,lookatyourwatch.Itis 6P .M.Youdontwanttoturninbefore10oclock,andyouhavefourhourstokillbefore bedtime.Now,tackletheoldhemlock;takeoffeverydrylimb,andthenpeelthebarkand bringittocamp.Youwillfindthistakesanhourormore. Next,stripeverylimbfromyouryounghemlocks,andshinglethemontoyourridgepole. Thiswillmakeasortofbearden,verywellcalculatedtogiveyouacomfortablenightsrest. Thebrightfirewillsoondrythegroundthatistobeyourbed,andyouwillhaveplentyof timetodropanothersmallhemlockandmakeabedofbrowseafootthick.Youdoit.Then youmakeyourpillow.Now,thispillowisessentialtocomfortandverysimple.Itishalfa yardofmuslin,sewedupasabag,andfilledwithmossorhemlockbrowse.Youcanemptyit andputitinyourpocket,whereittakesupaboutasmuchroomasahandkerchief.Youhave otherlittlemuslinbagsanyoubewise.Oneholdsacoupleofouncesofgoodtea;another, sugar;anotheriskepttoputyourloosedufflein:money,matchsafe,pocketknife.... Tenoclockcomes.Thetimehasnotpassedtediously.Youarewarm,dryandwellfed.Your oldfriends,theowls,comenearthefirelightandsaluteyouwiththeirstrangewildnotes;a distantfoxsetsupforhimselfwithhisodd,barkingcryandyouturnin.Notreadytosleep justyet. Butyoudropoff;anditistwobellsinthemorningwatchwhenyouwakenwithasenseof chillanddarkness.Thefirehasburnedlow,andsnowisfalling.Theowlshaveleft,anda deepsilencebroodsoverthecold,stillforest.Yourousethefire....Thesmokecurlslazily 16

WoodcraftandCamping17 upward;thefiremakesyouwarmanddrowsy,andagainyouliedowntoagainawakenwith asenseofchillinesstofindthefireburnedlow,anddaylightbreaking.Youhavesleptbetter thanyouwouldinyourownroomathome.Youhavesleptinan"Indiancamp." Youhavealsolearnedthedifferencebetweensuchasimpleshelterandanopenairbivouac underatreeorbesideanoldlog. Anothereasilymadeandverycomfortablecampisthe"brushshanty,"asitisusuallycalledin NorthernPennsylvania.Theframeforsuchashantyisacrosspolerestingontwocrotches aboutsixfeethigh,andenoughstraightpolestomakeafoundationforthethatch.Thepoles arelaidaboutsixinchesapart,oneendoftheground,theotheronthecrosspole,andata prettysharpangle.Thethatchismadeofthefanlikeboughscutfromthethriftyyoung hemlock,andaretobelaidbottomupwardandfeatherenddown.Commencetolaythem fromtheground,andworkuptothecrosspole,shinglingthemcarefullyasyougo.Ifthe thatchbelaidafootinthickness,andwelldone,theshantywillstandaprettyheavyrain betterthantheaveragebarkroof,whichisonlyrainproofindryweather. Abarkcamp,however,maybeaveryneatsylvanaffair,providedyouarecampingwhere spruceorbalsamfirmaybeeasilyreached,andinthehotmonthswhenbarkwill"peel";and youhaveadayinwhichtoworkatacamp.ThebestbarkcampsIhaveeverseenareinthe Adirondacks.Someofthemareratherelaborateinconstruction,requiringtwoormoredays hardlaborbyacoupleofguides.Whenthestayistobealongone,andthecamppermanent, perhapsitwillpay. AsgoodacampasIhaveevertriedperhapsthebestisthe"shantytentshowninthe illustration.Itiseasilyputup,iscomfortable,neat,andabsolutelyrainproof.Ofcourse,it maybeofanyrequiredsize;but,forapartyoftwo,thefollowingdimensionsanddirections willbefoundallsufficient: Firstly,theroof.Thisismerelyasheetofstrongcottoncloth9feetlongby4or41/2feetin width.Thesides,ofthesamematerial,tobe41/2feetdeepatfront,and2feetdeepatthe back.Thisgives7feetalongtheedgeoftheroof,leaving2feetforturningdownattheback endoftheshanty.Itwillbeseenthatthesidesmustbe"cutbias,tocompensateforthe angleof theroof,otherwisetheshantywillnotbesquareandshipshapewhenputup. Allowingforwasteincutting,ittakesnearly3yardsofclothforeachside.Theonlylabor requiredinmaking,istocutthesidestothepropershape,andstitchthemtotheroof.No buttons,strings,orloops.Theclothdoesnotevenrequirehemming.Itdoes,however,needa littlewaterproofing;forwhichthefollowingreceiptwillanswerverywell,andaddlittleor nothingtotheweight:To10quartsofwateradd10ouncesoflime,and4ouncesofalum;let itstanduntilclear;foldtheclothsnuglyandputitinanothervessel,pourthesolutiononit, letitsoakfor12hours;thenrinseinlukewarmrainwater,stretchanddryinthesun,and theshantytentisreadyforuse. Toputitupproperly,makeaneatframeasfollows:Twostrongstakesorpostsforthefront, drivenfirmlyintheground4feetapart;atadistanceof6feet10inchesfromthese,drive twootherpoststhesetobe4feetapartforbackendofshanty.Thefrontpoststobe41/2 feethigh,thebackrestsonlytwofeet.Theformeralsotoinclinealittletowardeachother above,soastomeasurefromoutsideofposts,just4feetattop.Thisgivesalittlemorewidth atfrontendofshanty,addingspaceandwarmth.Nocrotchesareusedinputtingupthe shantytent.Eachofthefourpostsisfittedonthetoptoreceiveaflatendedcrosspole,and 17

WoodcraftandCamping18 admit of nailing. When the posts are squarely ranged and driven, select two straight, hardwoodrods,2inchesindiameter,and7feetinlengthoralittlemore.Flattentheends carefullyandtruly,laythemalongsideontopfromposttopost,andfastenthemwithalight nailateachend.Now,selecttwomorestraightrodsofthesamesize,butalittleover4feet inlength;flattentheendsoftheseasyoudidtheothers,laythemcrosswisefromsidetoside, andlappingtheendsoftheotherrods;fastenthemsolidlybydrivingasixpennynailthrough theendsandintotheposts,andyouhaveasquareframe7x4feet.Butitisnotyetcomplete. Threelightrodsareneededforrafters.Thesearetobeplacedlengthwiseoftheroofatequal distancesapart,andnailedortiedtokeeptheminplace.Thentaketwostraightpolesalittle over7feetlong,andsome3inchesindiameter.Thesearetobeaccuratelyflattenedatthe ends,andnailedtothebottomoftheposts,snugtotheground,onoutsideofposts.Afoot logandheadlogareindispensable.Theseshouldbeabout5inchesindiameter,andofa lengthtojustreachfromoutsidetooutsideofposts.Theyshouldbesquaredatends,andthe footlogplacedagainstthefrontpost,outside,andheldfirmlyinplacebytwowoodenpins. Theheadlogisfastenedthesameway,exceptthatitgoesagainsttheinsideoftheback posts; and the frame is complete. Round off all sharp angles or corners with knife and hatchet,andproceedtospreadandfastenthecloth.Laytheroofonevenly,andtackittruly tothefrontcrossrod,usingaboutadozensixouncetacks.Stretchtheclothtoitsbearings, andtackitatthebackendinthesamemanner.Stretchitsidewiseandtackthesidestothe sidepoles,foreandaft.Tackfrontandbackendsofsidestothefrontandbackposts.Bring downthe2footflapofroofatbackendofshanty;stretch,andtackitsnuglytotheback postsandyoursylvanhouseisdone.Itisrainproof,windproof,warmandcomfortable.The footandhead logsdefinethelimitsofyourforestdwelling;withinwhichyoumay pile fragranthemlockbrowseasthickasyouplease,andrenewitfromdaytoday.Itistheperfect camp. Youmayputitupwithlesscareandlabor,andmakeitdoverywell.ButIhavetriedto explainhowtodoitinthebestmanner;tomakeitallsufficientforanentireseason.Andit takeslongertotellitonpaperthantodoit. WhenIgotothewoodswithapartner,andwearriveatourcampingground,Ilikehimto gethisfishingrigtogether,andstartoutforahalfdaysexercisewithhisfavoriteflies, leavingmetomakethecampaccordingtomyownnotionsofwoodcraft.Ifhewillcomeback aboutduskwithafewpoundsoftrout,Iwillhaveapleasantcampandabrightfireforhim. AndifhehasenjoyedwadinganicystreammorethanIhavemakingthecamphehashad agoodday. Perhapsitmaynotbeoutofplacetosaythatthecamp,madeasabove,callsforfifteenbits oftimber,posts,rods,etc.,afewshinglenails,andsomesixpennywroughtnails,witha paperofsixouncetacks.Nailsandtackswillweighaboutfiveounces,andarealwaysuseful. In tacking the cloth, turn the raw edge in until you have four thicknesses, as a single thicknessisapttotear.Ifyoudesiretostrikecamp,ittakesabouttenminutestodrawand saveallthenailsandtacks,foldtheclothsmoothly,anddepositthewholeinyourknapsack. Ifyouwishtogetupasheltertentonfifteenminutesnotice,cutandsharpenatwelvefoot poleasfortheIndiancamp,stickoneendintheground,theotherintheroughbarkofa largetreehemlockisbesthangtheclothonthepole,fastenthesidestorods,andtherods tothegroundwithinvertedcrotches,andyoursheltertentisreadyforyoutocreepunder.

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WoodcraftandCamping19 Theabovedescriptionoftheshantytentmayseematrifleelaborate,butIhopeitisplain. Theaffairweighsjustthreepounds,andittakesaskillfulwoodsmanaboutthreehoursof easyworktoputitintheshapedescribed.Leavingoutsomeofthework,andonlyaimingto getitupinsquareshapeasquicklyaspossible,Icanputitupinanhour.Theshantyasit shouldbe,isshownintheillustrationveryfairly.Andtheshapeoftheclothwhenspreadout, isshowninthediagram.Onthewhole,itisthebestformofclosesidetentIhavefound.It admitsofabrightfireinfront,withoutwhichaforestcampisjustnocampatalltome.I havesufferedenoughinclose,dark,cheerless,damptents.

MorethanthirtyyearsagoIbecamedisgustedwiththeclumsy,awkward,comfortlessaffairs that,undermanydifferentforms,wentunderthenameofcamps.GraduallyIcametomake astudyof"campingout."Itwouldtaketoomuchtimeandspace,shouldIundertaketo describeallthedifferentstylesandformsIhavetried.ButIwillmentionafewofthebest andworst. TheoldDownEast"coalcabin"embodiedtheprincipleoftheIndiancamp.Theframewas simplytwostrongcrotchessetfirmlyinthegroundatadistanceofeightfeetapart,and interlocking at top. These supported a stiff ridgepole fifteen feet long, the small end sharpenedandsetintheground.Refuseboards,shooks,stakes,etc.,wereplacedthickly fromtheridgepoletotheground;athicklayerofstrawwaslaidoverthese,andthewhole wascoveredafootthickwithearthandsods,wellbeatendown.Astonewallfivefeethighat backandsidesmadeamostexcellentfireplace;andthesecabinswereweatherproofand warm,eveninzeroweather.Buttheyweretoocumbersome,andincludedtoomuchlaborfor the ordinary hunter and angler. Also, they were open to the objection, that while wide enoughinfront,theyrandowntoadismal,coldpeakatthefarend.Remembering,however, themanypleasantwinternightsIhadpassedwiththecoalburners,Iboughtasupplyofoil clothandriggeditonthesameprinciple.Itwasapartialsuccess,andIuseditforone season.Butthatcold,peaked,darkspacewasalwaysbackofmyhead,anditseemedlikean iceberg.ItwasinvainthatItiedahandkerchiefaboutmyhead,ordrewastockinglegover it.Thatmiserable,icyanglewasalwaysthere.Anditwouldonlyshelteronemananyhow. WhenwinterdrovemeoutofthewoodsIgaveittoanenthusiasticyoungfriend,bought somemoreoilcloth,andcommencedashantytentthatwasmeanttobeperfect.Agood 19

WoodcraftandCamping20 manyleisurehourswerespentincuttingandsewingthatshanty,whichprovedrathera success.Itaffordedaperfectshelterforaspace7x4feet,butwasatrifleheavytopack,and theglazingbegantocrackandpeeloffinashorttime.Imadeanotherandlargeroneof stoutdrilling,soakedinlimewaterandalum;andthiswasallthatcouldbe.askedwhenput upproperlyonaframe.But,thesidesandendsbeingsewedtotheroofmadeitunhandyto useasashelter,whenshelterwasneededonshortnotice.SoIrippedthebackendsofthe sidesloosefromtheflap,leavingit,whenspreadout,asshowninthediagram.Thiswas better;whenitwasnecessarytomakesomesortofshelterinshortorder,itcouldbedone withasinglepoleasusedintheIndiancamp,layingthetentacrossthepole,andusingafew tackstokeepitinplaceatsidesandcenter.Thiscanbedoneintenminutes,andmakesa sheltertentthatwillturnaheavyrainforhours.

Onthewhole,forallkindsofweather,theshantytentisperhapsthebeststyleofcamptobe hadatequalexpenseandtrouble. Forasummercamp,however,Ihavefinallycometopreferthesimpleleantoorshedroof.It isthelightest,simplestandcheapestofallclothdevicesforcampingout,andIhavefoundit sufficientforallweathersfromJuneuntilthefalloftheleaves.Itisonlyasheetofstrong cottoncloth9x7feet,andsoakedinlimeandalumwaterastheother.Theonlylaborin makingitissewingtwobreadthsofsheetingtogether.Itneedsnohemming,binding,loops orbuttons,butistobestretchedonaframeasdescribedforthebrushshanty,andheldin placewithtacks.TheoneIhaveusedfortwoseasonscostsixtycents,andweighs21/4 pounds.Itmakesagoodshelterforapartyofthree;andifitbefoundalittletoobreezyfor coolnights, asufficientwindbreakcanbemade bydrivinglightstakesatthe sides and weavinginasidingofhemlockboughs.Lastly,whateverclothstructureyoumayelecttouse foracamp,donotfailtocovertheroofwithascreenofgreenboughsbeforebuildingyour campfire.Becausetherewillusuallybeonefellowincampwhohasapenchantforfeeding thefirewitholdmulchydeadwoodandbrush,forthefunofwatchingtheblaze,andthe 20

WoodcraftandCamping21 sparksthatarepronetoflyupward;forgettingthattheblazingcindersarealsopronetodrop downwardontheroofofthetent,burningholesinit.Ihavespokenofsomeofthebest campsIknow.TheworstonesaretheAandwalltents,withallclosedcampsinwhichoneis requiredtosecludehimselfthroughthehoursofsleepindampanddarkness,utterlycutoff fromthecheerful,healthfullightandwarmthofthecampfire.

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WoodcraftandCamping22

CHAPTERIV CAMPFIRESANDTHEIRIMPORTANCETHEWASTEFULWRONGWAY THEYAREUSUALLYMADE,ANDTHERIGHTWAYTOMAKETHEM

ARDLYsecondinimportancetoawarm,drycamp,isthecampfire.Inpointof fact,thewarmth,dryness,andhealthfulnessofaforestcamparemainly dependentonthewaythefireismanagedandkeptup.Noasthmaticor consumptivepatienteverregainedhealthbydwellinginaclose,damptent.Ionce campedforaweekinawalltent,withaPhiladelphiaparty,andincoldweather. Wehadalittlesheetironfiend,calledacampstove.Whenwellfedwithbark, knotsandchips,itwouldgetredhot,and,heavenknows,giveoutheatenough. Bythetimeweweresoundasleep,itwouldsubside;andwewouldpresentlyawakewith chatteringteethtokindleherupagain,takeasmokeandanip,turninforanothernapto awakenagainhalffrozen.Itwasapoorsubstitutefortheopencampandbrightfire.An experienceoffiftyyearsconvincesmethatalargepercentageofthebenefitobtainedby invalidsfromcamplifeisattributabletotheopencampandwellmanagedcampfire.Andthe latterisusuallyhandledinawaythatistoosad,toowasteful;inshort,badlybotched.For instance. Ithappenedinthesummerof81thatIwasmakingacanoetripintheNorthernWilderness, andasRaquetteLakeisthelargestandaboutthemostinterestinglakeintheNorthWoods,I spentaboutaweekpaddling,fishing,etc.ImademyheadquartersatEd.Bennettswoodland hostelry,"UndertheHemlocks."Asthehotelwasfilledwithmen,womenandcryingchildren, bittentoagonybypunkiesandmosquitoes,Ichosetospreadmyblanketinawellmadebark shanty,whichasignboardinblackandwhitesaidwasthe"GuidesCamp." Andthiscampwasaverypopularinstitution.Hereitwasthateveryevening,whennighthad settleddownonforestandlake,theguestsofthehotelwouldgathertoloungeonthebedof freshbalsambrowse,chat,singandenjoythehugecampfire. Nowoodlandhotelwilllongremainpopularthatdoesnotkeepupabright,cheery,out odoorfire.Andthefunofittoanoldwoodsmanisinnotinghowlikealotofschool childrentheyallactaboutthefire.Ed.Bennetthadaman,aNorthWoodstrapper,inhis employ,whosechiefbusinesswastofurnishplentyofwoodfortheguidescamp,andstarta goodfireeveryeveningbysundown.Asitgrewdarkandtheblazeshonehighandbright,the guestswouldbegintostragglein;andeveryman,womanandchildseemedtoviewitasa religiousdutytopausebythefire,andaddastickortwo,beforepassingintocamp.The woodwasthrownonendwise,crosswise,oranyway,sothatitwouldburn,preciselyasa crowdofboysmakeabonfireonthevillagegreen.Theobjectbeing,apparently,togetridof thewoodintheshortestpossibletime. Whenthefireburntlow,towardmidnight,theguestswouldsaunterofftothehotel;andthe guides,whohadbeenwaitingimpatiently,wouldorganizewhatwasleftofthefire,roll themselvesintheirblankets,andturnin.IsuggestedtothetrapperthatheandImakeone fireasitshouldbe,andmaybetheywouldfollowsuitwhichwouldsavehalfthefuel,with 22

WoodcraftandCamping23 abetterfire.Buthesaid,"No;theyliketobuildbonfires,andEd.canstandthewood, becauseitisbesttoletthemhavetheirownway.Timeseemstohangheavyontheirhands andtheypaywell."Summerboarders,touristsandsportsmen,arenottheonlymenwho knowhowtobuildacampfireallwrong. When I first came to Northern Pennsylvania, thirtyfive years ago, I found game fairly abundant;and,asIwantedtolearnthecountrywheredeermostabounded,Inaturally cottonedtothelocalhunters.Goodfellowsenough,andconceited,asalllocalhuntersand anglersareapttobe.Strong,goodhuntersandaxemen,tothemannerborn,andproneto lookon any outsider as a tenderfoot.Their mode of building campfires was aconstant vexationtome.Theymadeitapointtoalwayshaveaheavysharpaxeincamp,andtoward nightsomesturdychopperwouldcuteightortenlogsasheavyasthewholepartycouldlug tocampwithhandspikes.Thesizeofthelogswasproportionedtothemuscularforcein camp.Iftherewasapartyofsixoreight,thelogswouldbetwiceasheavyaswhenwewere threeorfour.Justatdark,therewouldbealogheapbuiltinfrontofthecamp,wellchinked withbark,knotsandsmallsticks;and,forthenexttwohours,onecouldhardlygetatthefire tolightapipe.Butthefirewassurethoughslow.By10or11P .M.itwouldworkitswayto thefront,andthecampwouldbewarmandlight.Thepartywouldturnin,anddeepsleep wouldfallonalotoftiredhuntersfortwoorthreehours.Bywhichtimesomefellownear themiddlewassuretothrowhisblanketoffwithaspitefuljerk,anddashoutofcampwith, "...Icantstandthis;itsanoven." Another Snorer (partially waking)."Nrrrm, gurr, ugh. Cant you deadenfirea little?" FirstSpeaker."Deadenh.Ifyouwantthefiredeadened,getupandhelpthrowoffsome oftheselogs." Another(incoldestcornerofshanty)"Whatsermatterwithayoufellows?Betterdigout ancooloffinthesnow.Shantyscomforbleenough." Hisminorityreportgoesunheeded.Thecampisroastedout.Stronghandsandhandspikes pryacoupleofglowinglogsfromthefrontandreplacethemwithtwocold,greenlogs;the campcoolsoff,andthepartytakestoblanketsoncemoretoturnoutagainat5A.M.,and inauguratebreakfast. Thefireisnotinfavorableshapeforculinaryoperations,theheatismainlyonthebackside, justwhereitisntwanted.Thefewplaceslevelenoughtosetapotorpanaretoohot;and,in short,wherethereisanyfire,thereistoomuch.Onemansees,withintensedisgust,the nozzleofhiscoffeepotdropintothefire.Hemakesarashgrabtosavehiscoffee,andgets awaywiththehandle,whichhangsonjustenoughtoupsetthepot. "OldAl.,"whoisfryingasliceofporkoverabedofcoalsthatwouldmeltagunbarrel,starts ahoarselaugh,thatiscutshortbyablueflashandanexplosionofporkfat,whichnearly blindshim.Andthewriter,takinginthesemishapsintheveryspiritoffunandfrolic,is suddenlysoberedandsilencedbyseeinghisvenisonsteakdropfromtheendofthe"frizzling stick,"anddisappearbetweentwoglowinglogs.Thepartymanages,however,togetoffon thehuntatdaylight,withfullstomachs;andperhapstheheartyfunandlaughtermorethan compensatefortheselittlemishaps. Thisisadigression.ButIamledtoitbytherecollectionofmanynightsspentincampsand 23

WoodcraftandCamping24 aroundcampfires,prettymuchasdescribedabove.Icansmiletodayattheremembranceof thecalm,superiorwayinwhichtheoldhuntersofthatdaywouldlookdownonme,asfrom theupperbranchesofatallhemlock,whenIventuredtosuggestthatabetterfirecouldbe madewithhalfthefuelandlessthanhalfthelabor.Theywouldkindlyremark,"Oh,youare aBostonboy.Youareusedtopaying$8.00acordforwood.Wehavenocalltosavewood here.Wecanaffordtoburnitbytheacre."Whichwasmoretruethanlogical.Mostofthese menhadcommencedlifewithasterndeclarationofwaragainsttheforest;and,althoughthe menusuallywonatlast,thebattlewasalongandhardone.Smallwonderthattheycameto lookuponaforesttreeasanaturalenemy.Thecampfirequestioncametoacrisis,however, withtwoorthreeoftheseoldsettlers.And,asthestorywellillustratesmypoint,Iwill venturetotellit. Itwasinthe"darkdaysbeforeChristmas"thatapartyoffourstartedfromW.,boundfora camponSecondFork,inthedeepestpartofthewildernessthatliesbetweenWellsboroand theBlockHouse.ThepartyconsistedofSileJ.,OldAl.,EliJ.andthewriter.Thetwofirst weregrayhairedmen,theotherspastthirty;allthesame,theycalledus"theboys."The weatherwasnotinviting,andtherewassmalldangerofourcampbeinginvadedbysummer outersortenderfeet.Itcosttwelvemilesofhardtraveltoreachthatcamp;and,thoughwe startedatdaylight,itwaspastnoonwhenwearrived.Thefirstsevenmilescouldbemadeon wheels,thebalancebyhardtramping.Theroadwasexecrable;noonecaredtoride;butit was necessary to have our loads carried as far as possible. The clearings looked dreary enough, and the woods forbidding to a degree, but our old camp was the picture of desolation.Therewassixinchesofdampsnowontheleaflessbrushroof,theblackened brandsofourlastfirewerestickingtheircharredendsoutofthesnow,thehemlockswere bending sadly under their loads of wet snow, and the entire surroundings had a cold, cheerless,slushylook,verylittleliketheidealhunterscamp.Weplacedourknapsacksinthe shanty,Eligotouthisnailhatchet,Idrewmylittlepocketaxe,andweproceededtostarta fire,whilethetwooldermenwentupstreamafewrodstounearthafullgrownaxeanda bottleofoldrye,whichtheyhadcachedunderalogthreemonthsbefore.Theyneverfooled withpocketaxes.Theyweregonesolongthatwesauntereduptheband,thinkingitmight betheryethatdetainedthem.Wefoundthemwiththeircoatsoff,workinglikebeavers,each withastout,sharpenedstick.TherehadbeenanOctoberfreshet,andafloodjamatthebend hadsentthemadstreamoveritsbanks,washingthelogoutofpositionandpilingagravel bartwofeetdeepoverthespotwheretheaxeandflaskshouldhavebeen.Abouttheonly thinglefttodowastocutacoupleofstoutsticks,organizeaminingcompany,limited,and goin;whichtheydid.Silewasdriftingintothesideofthesandbarsavagely,tryingtostrike theaxehelve,andOldAl.wassinkingnumberlessminiatureshaftsfromthesurfaceinavain attempttostrikewhisky.Thecompanyfailedinabouthalfanhour.Sileresumedhiscoat,and satdownonalogwhichwasoneofhisbestholds,bytheway.HelookedatAl.;Al.looked athim;thenbothlookedatus,andSileremarkedthat,ifoneoftheboyswantedtogooutto theclearingsandborry"anaxe,andcomebackinthemorning,hethoughttheotherscould pickupwoodenoughtotoughitoutonenight.Ofcoursenobodycouldstayinanopen wintercampwithoutanaxe. Itwasmytimetocometothefront.Isaid:Youtwojustgoatthecamp;cleanthesnowoff andslickuptheinside.PutmyshelterclothwithElis,andcovertheroofwiththem;andif youdonthavejustasgoodafiretonightasyoueverhad,youcantiemetoabeechand 24

WoodcraftandCamping25 leavemehere.Comeon,Eli."AndElididcomeon.Andthisishowwedidit:Wefirstfelleda thrifty butternut tree ten inches in diameter,cut off three lengthsatfive feet each, and carriedthemtocamp.Thesewerethebacklogs.Twostoutstakesweredrivenatthebackof thefire,andthelogs,ontopofeachother,werelaidfirmlyagainstthestakes.Thelatter were slanted alittle back,andthelargestlog placed atbottom,thesmallestontop,to preventtippingforward.Acoupleofshort,thickstickswerelaidwiththeendsagainstthe bottomlogbywayoffiredogs;aforestick,fivefeetlongandfiveinchesindiameter;awell builtpyramidofbark,knotsandsmalllogscompletedthecampfire,whichsentapleasant glowofwarmthandheattothefurthestcorneroftheshanty.For"nightwood,"wecuta dozenbirchandashpolesfromfourtosixinchesacross,trimmedthemtothetips,and draggedthemtocamp.Thenwedenudedadryhemlockofitsbark;and,bytheaidoften footpoles,flattenedatoneend,andpackedthebarktocamp.Wehadabright,cheeryfire fromtheearlyeveninguntilmorning,andfourtiredhuntersneversleptmoresoundly.

Westayedinthatcampaweek;and,thoughtheweatherwasroughandcold,thelittle pocketaxeskeptuswell infirewood.Weselected butternutfor backlogs,because,when green,itburnsveryslowlyandlastsalongtime.Andwedraggedoursmallerwoodtocamp inlengthsoftwentytothirtyfeet,becauseitwaseasiertolaythemonthefireandburnthem intwothantocutthemshorterwithlighthatchets.Withaheavyaxe,weshouldhavecut themtolengthsoffiveorsixfeet. Ourluck,Imaymention,wasgoodasgoodaswedesired.Notthatfoursmallishdeerare anything to brag about for a weeks hunt by four men and two dogs. I have known a pothuntertokillnineinasingleday.ButWehadenough.Asitwas,wewereobligedto "doubletripit"inordertogetourdeerandduffledownto"Babbs."Andwegaveawaymore thanhalfourvenison.Fortherest,theillustrationsshowthecampfireallbutthefireasit shouldbemade.

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WoodcraftandCamping26

CHAPTERV FISHING,WITHANDWlTHOUTFLIESSOMETACKLEANDLURES DISCURSIVEREMARKSONTHEGENTLEARTTHEHEADLIGHTFROGGING

HEREisprobablynosubjectconnectedwithoutdoorsponsothoroughlyand exhaustivelywrittenupasFlyfishing,andallthatpertainsthereto.Flyfishingfor speckledtroutalways,anddeservedly,takesthelead.Bassfishingusuallycomes next,thoughsomewritersaccordsecondplacetothelaketrout,salmontroutor landlockedsalmon.Themascalonge,asagamefish,isscarcely behindthesmallmouthedbass,andiscertainlymoregamythanthelaketrout. Thelargemouthedbassandpickerelareusuallyrankedaboutwiththeyellowperch,Idont knowwhy:theyarecertainlygamyenough.Perhapsitisbecausetheydonotleapoutof waterwhenhooked.Botharegoodonthetable. Adozenableand.interestingauthorshavewrittenbookswhereintrout,fliesandflyfishing aretreatedinamannerthatleavesanoldbackwoodsmanlittletosay.Rods,reels,casting lines,fliesandfisharedescribedanddescantedoninaway,andinalanguage,thereading whereofreducesmetotemporaryinsanity.Andyet1seemtorecollectsomebygoneincidents concerningfishandfishing.IhaveawelldefinednotionthatIoncestoodonFlatRock,in BigPineCreek,andcaughtover350finetroutinashortdaysfishing.AlsothatmanytimesI lefthomeonabrightMayorJunemorning,walkedeightmiles,caughtatwelvepoundcreel oftrout,andwalkedhomebeforebedtime. Irememberthatonce,inMichigan,ontheadviceoflocalfishermen,Idraggedaspoon aroundHighBankLaketwodays,withlittleresultsavehalfadozenblistersonmyhands; andthatonthenextmorning,takingalongtamarackpoleammyownwayoffishing,I caught,before10A.M,fiftypoundsofbassandpickerel,weighingfromtwototenpounds each. Gibson,"whosespoon,lineandskiffIhadbeenusingandwhowasthefishingoracleofthat region,couldhardlybelievehiseyes.Ikeptthatcountryinn,andtheneighborhoodaswell, suppliedwithfishforthenexttwoweeks. ItistruthtosaythatIhaveneverstrucksaltorfreshwaters,whereediblefishwereatall plentiful,withoutbeingabletotake.insomeway,allthatIneeded.Notablyandpreferably withtheflyifthatmightbe.1not,thenwithworms,grubs,minnows,grasshoppers, crickets,oranysortofdoodlebugtheirhighnessesmightaffect.Whenaplump,twopound troutrefusestoeatatinseled,featheredfraud,Iamnotthemantorefusehimsomething moreedible. ThatImaynotbemisunderstood,letmesaythatIrecognizedthespeckledbrooktroutasthe very emperor of all game fish, and angling for him with the fly as the neatest, most fascinatingsportattainablebytheangler.Buttherearethousandsofouterswho,fromchoice ornecessity,taketheirsummervacationswhereSalmofontinalisfontinalisisnottobehad. Theywouldpreferhim,eitherontheleaderorthetable;butheisnotthere;"Andamanhas 26

WoodcraftandCamping27 gotastomach,andwelivebywhatweeat," Wherefore,theygoafishingforotherfish.Sothattheyaresuccessfulandsufficientlyfed, thedifferenceisnotsomaterial.Ihaveenjoyedmyselfhugelycatchingcarriesonadark nightfromaskiffwithahandline. Icanaddnothinginascientificwaytotheliteratureofflyfishing;butIcangiveafewhints thatmaybeconducivetopracticalsuccess,aswellwithtroutaswithlessnoblefish,Infly fishing,oneserviceablefourouncerodisenough;andaplainclickreel,ofsmallsize,isjust assatisfactoryasamorecostlyaffair.Twentyyardsoftapered,waterproofline,withasix footleader,andacostoftwoflies,completetherig,andwillbefoundsufficient.Incommon withmostflyfishers,Ihavemostlythrownacastofthreeflies,buthavefoundtwojustas effective,andhandier. Weallcarrytoomanyflies,Someofmyfriendshavemorethansixtydozen,andwillnever useatenthofthem.Inthesummerof88,findingIhadmorethanseemedneedful,Ileftall butfourdozenbehindme.Iwetonlyfifteenoftheminasevenweeksouting.Andtheyfilled thebill.Ihavenotimeorspaceforitdissertationonthehundredsofdifferentfliesmadeand soldatthepresentday.Ablerpenshavedonethat.Iwill,however,nameafewthatIhave foundgoodinwidelydifferentlocalities,i.e.,theNorthernWildernessofNewYorkandthe upperwatersofNorthernPennsylvania.FortheNorthernWilderness:Scarletibis,splitibis, Rorneyn,whitewingedcoachman,royalcoachman,redhackle,redbodiedashyandgray bodiedashy.Theashiesweregoodforblackbassalso.ForNorthernPennsylvania:Queenof thewaters,professor,redfox,coachman,blackmay,whitewingedcoachman,wasp,brown hackle,SethGreen.Ibisfliesareworthlesshere.Usingthedarkfliesinbrightwaterandclear weather,andthebrightercolorsforevening,thelist"waslongenough. Atthecommencementoftheopenseason,anduntiltheyoungmapleleavesarehalfgrown, baitwillbefoundfarmoresuccessfulthanthefly.Atthistimethetroutareprettyevenly distributedalonglakeshoresandstreams,choosingtoliequietlyinratherdeeppools,and avoidingswiftwater.Afewmayrisetotheflyinalogy,indifferentway;butthebestwayto takethemisbaitfishingwithwellcleansedanglewormsorwhitegrubs,thelatterbeingthe bestbait1haveevertried.Theytakethebaitsluggishlyatthisseason,but,Onfeelingthe hook,wakeliptotheirnormalactivityandfightgamelytothelast.Whenyoung,newborn insectsbegintodropfreelyonthewateraboutthe20thofMay,troutleavethepoolsand taketotherimes.AndfromthistimeuntilthelatterpartofJunetheflyfisherrnanisinhis glory.Itmaybetruethattheskillfulbaitfishermanwillratherbeathiscreel.Hecaresnotfor that.Hecantakeenough;andhehadrathertaketentroutwiththefly,thanaScorewith bait.Asforthemanwhogoesafishingsimplytocatchfish,theflyfisherdoesnotrecognize himasanangleratall. Whenthesunishotandtheweathergrowswarm,troutleavetheripplesandtaketocold springsandspringholes;thelargestfish,ofcourse,monopolizingthedeepestandcoolest places,whilethesmalleroneshoveraround,orcontentthemselveswithshallowerwater.As theweathergetshotter,theflyfishingfallsoffbadly.Afewtroutoffourtoeightouncesin weightmaystillberaised,butthelargeronesarelyingonthebottom,andarenottobe fooledwithfeathers.Theywilltakeatemptingbaitwhenheldbeforetheirnosessometimes; atothertimes,not.AstoraisingthemwithaflyaswellattempttoraiseasickIndianwith thetemperancepledge.Andyet,theymaybetakeninbrightdaylightbyarusethatIlearned 27

WoodcraftandCamping28 longago,ofayoungsterlessthanhalfmyage,alittle,freckled,thinvisagedyoungman, whose health was evidently affected by a daily struggle with a pair of towcolored side whiskersandalightmustache.Therewashardlyenoughofthewholeaffairtomakeadoor matforabeehive.Butheseemedsoproudoftheplant,thatIforeboretorighim.Hewas betterthanhelookedasoftenhappens.Thelandlordsaid,"Hebringsinlargetrouteveryday, whenourbestflyfishermenfail."Onenight,aroundanoutdoorfire,wegotacquainted,and Ifoundhimawitty,pleasantcompanion.BeforeturninginIventuredtoaskhimhowhe succeededintakinglargetrout,whiletheexpertsonlycaughtsmallones,orfailedaltogether. "Gowithmetomorrowmorningtoaspringholethreemilesuptheriver,andIllshowyou," hesaid. Ofcourse,wewent.He,rowingalightskiff,andIpaddlingastilllightercanoe.Thespring holewasinanarrowbaythatsetbackfromtheriver,andatthemouthofacold,clear brook;itwastentotwelvefeetdeep,andatthelowerendalargebalsamhadfalleninwith thetopinjusttherightplaceforgettingawaywithlargefish,ortanglinglinesandleaders. We moored some twenty feet above the springhole, and commenced fishing, I with my favoritecastofflies,myfriendwiththetailofaminnow,Hecaughta1I2poundtrout almostattheout.set,butIgotnorise;didnotexpectit.ThenIwentabove,wherethewater wasshallower,andraisedacoupleofhalf.pounders,butcouldgetnomore,Ithoughthehad bettergotothehotelwithwhathehad,butmyfriendsaid"wait";hewentashoreandpicked upalongpolewithabushytip;ithadevidentlybeenusedbefore.Droppingdowntothe springhole,hethrustthetiptothebottomandslasheditaroundinawayLOscareand scattereverytroutwithinahundredfeet. "Andwhatdoesallthatmean?"Jasked. "Well,"hesaid,"everytroutwillbebackinlessthananhour;andwhentheyfirstcomeback, theytakethebaitgreedily.Bettertakeoffyourleaderandtrybait."WhichIdid.Dropping ourhookstothebottom,wewaitedsometwentyminutes,whenhehad Ididasdirected,and,makingatelescopeofmyhand,lookedintentlyforthebottomofthe springhole.AtfirstIcouldseenothingbutwater;thenImadeoutsomedeadsticks,and finallybegantodimlytracetheoutlinesoflargefish.Theretheywere,morethanfortyof them,lyingquietlyonthebottomlikesuckers,butgenuinebrooktrout,everyoneofthem. "This,"saidhe,"makesthefifthtimeIhavebrushedthemoutofhere,and1havenever missedtakingfromtwotofivelargetrout.IhavetwootherplaceswhereIalwaysgetoneor two,butthisisthebest." Atthehotelwefoundtwoflyfisherswhohadbeenoutallthemorning.Theyeachhadthree orfoursmalltrout,Duringthenextweekweworkedthespringholesdailyinthesameway, andalwayswithsuccess.Ihavealsohadgoodsuccessbybuildingabrightfireonthebank, andfishingaspringholebythelightamodeoffishingespeciallysuccessfulwithcattiesand perch. Abright,bullseyeheadlight,strappedonastiffhat,sothatthelightcanbethrownwhereit iswanted,isanexcellentdevicefornightfishing.Andduringtheheatedterm,whenfishare slowandsluggish,Ihavefoundthefollowingplanworkswell:Bakeahard,wellsalted, water"johnnycake,"breakitintopiecesthesizeatahensegg,anddropthepiecesintoa springhole.Thiscallsahost01minnows,andthelargerfishfollowtheminnows.Itwill 28

WoodcraftandCamping29 provemoresuccessfulonperch,carries,chubs,etc.,thanontrout,however.Bythisplan,I havekeptacampoffivemenwellsuppliedwithfishwhentheirbestfliesfailedasthey mostlydoinveryhotweather. Fishingformascalonge,pickerel,andbass,isquiteanotherthing,thoughbymanyvaluedas asportscarcelyinferiortoflyfishingfortrout.Iclaimnoespecialskillwiththeflyrod.Itis agooddaywhenIgetmytailIlymorethanfifteenyardsbeyondthereel,withanydegreeof accuracy. MysuccessliesmainlywiththetribesofEsoxandMicropterus.Amongthese,Ihaveseldom orneverfailedduringthelastthirtysixyears,whenthewaterwasfreeofice;andIhavehad justasgoodluckwhenbigmouthedbassandpickerelwereinthe"offseason,"asatany time.ForinmanywaterstherecomesatimeinlateAugustandSeptemberwhenneitherbass norpickerelwillnoticethespoon,beithandledneversowisely.Eventhemascalongelooks ontheflashingcheatwithindifference;thoughaveryhungryspecimenmayoccasionally immolatehimself.ItwasatsuchaseasonthatIfishedHighBankLakeasbeforementioned catchingfrom[anytofiftypoundsoffinefisheverymorningfornearlytwoweeks,afterthe bestlocalfishermenhadassuredmethatnotadecentsizedfishcouldbetakenatthat season.Perhapsabriefdescriptionofthe modesandmeansthat haveprovedinvariably successfulformanyyearsmayaffordafewusefulhints,eventooldanglers. To begin with, I utterly discard all modern "gangs" and "trains," carrying from seven to thirteenhookseach.Theyarealltoosmall,andalltoomany;bettercalculatedtoscratchand tear,thantocatchandhold,Threehooksareenoughattheendofanyline,andbetterthan more.Theseshouldbefinedorbonedtoaperfectpoint,andtheabruptpartofthebarbfiled downonehalf.Allhooks,asusuallymade.havetwiceasmuchbarbastheyshouldhave;and the sharp bend of the barb prevents the entering of the hook in hard bony structures, whereforethefishonlystayshookedsolongasthereisatautpullontheline.Alittle looseningofthelineandshakeoftheheadsetshimfree.Butnofishcanshakeoutahook wellsunkeninmouthorgills,thoughtwothirdsofthebarbbefiledaway. FormascalongeorpickerelIinvariablyusewiresnellsmadeasfollows:Layofffourormore strandsoffinebrasswire13incheslong;turnoneendofthewiressmoothlyoveraNo.Iiron wire,andworktheendsinbetweenthestrandsbelow.Now,withapairofpincersholdthe ends,and,usingNo.Iasahandle,twisttheendsandbodyofthesnellfirmlytogether;this givestheloop;next,twistthesnellevenlyandstronglyfromendtoend.Waxtheendofthe snell thoroughly lor two or three inches, and wax the tapers of two strong Sproat or OShaughnessyhooks,andwindthelowerhookonwithstrong.waxedsilk,totheendofthe taper;thenlaythesecondhookatrightangleswiththefirst,andoneinchaboveit;windthis astheother,andthenfastenathirdandsmallerbookabovethatforaliphook.Thisgivesthe snellaboutonefootinlength,withthetwolowerhooksstandingatrightangles,oneabove theother,andathirdandsmallerhookinlinewiththesecond.

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WoodcraftandCamping30

Thebaitistheelementofsuccess;itismadeasfollows:Sliceoffaclean,whiteporkrind, fourorfiveinches,longbyaninchandahalfwide;layitonaboard,and,withasharpknife cutitasnearlytotheshapeofafrogasyouringenuitypermits.Prickaslightgashinthe headtoadmittheliphook,whichshouldbeaninchandahalfabovethesecondone,andsee thatthe[arkofthebaitrestssecurelyinthebarbofthemiddlehook. Useastoutbaitrodandastrongline.Fishfromaboat,withasecondmantohandlethe oars,ifconvenient.Lettheoarsmanlaytheboattenfeetinsidetheedgeofthelilypads,and makeyourcast,say,withthirtyfeetofline;landthebaitneatlytotheright,attheedgeof thelilypads,letitsinkafewinches,andthenwiththetipwelllowered,bringthebait aroundonaslightcurvebyaquicksuccessionofdraws,withamomentarypausebetween each;theobjectbeingtoimitateasnearlyaspossibleaswimmingfrog.ifthisbeneatlydone, andifthebaitbemadeasitshouldbe,ateveryshorthaltthelegswillspreadnaturally,and theimitationisperfectenoughtodeceivethemostexperiencedbassorpickerel.Whenhalfa dozencaststorightandlefthavebeenmadewithoutsuccess,itisbesttomoveon,still keepinginsideandcastingoutsidethelilypads. Apickerelofthreepoundsormorewilltakeinallthreehooksatthefirstsnap;and,ashe closeshismouthtightlyandstartsforthebottom,strikequickly,butnottoohard,andletthe boatmanputyoualitintodeepwateratonce,whereyouaresafefromthestrongrootsofthe yellowlily. It is logically certain your fish is well hooked. You cannot pull two strong, sharp hooks throughthattightlyclosedmouthwithoutfasteningatleastoneofthemwhereitwilldo mostgood.Oftenerbothwillcatch,anditfrequentlyhappensthatonehookwillcatcheach lip, holding the mouth nearly closed, and shortening the struggles of a large fish very materially.Ontakingoffafish,andbeforecastingagain,seethatthetwolowerhooksstand atrightangles.Htheyhavegotturnedinthesnuggleyoucanturnthematanyangleyou like;thetwistedwireisstiffenoughtoholdtheminplace.Everyanglerknowsthebold, determinedmannerinwhichthemascalongestrikeshisprey.Hewilltakeinbaitandhooks atthefirstdash,andiftherodbeheldstifflyusuallyhookshimself.Barringlargetrout,heis thekingofgamefish.Thebigmouthedbassislesssavageinhisattacks,butisafreebiter. Heisapttocomeupbehindandseizethebaitabouttwothirdsofitslength,turn,andbore downforthebottom.Hewillmostlytakeinthelowerhooks,however,andiscertaintoget fastened.Hislargemouthisexcellentforretainingthehook.Asforthesmallmouthed( Microplerllsdolomieu,ifyouwanttobescientific),Ihavefoundhimmorecapriciousthan anygamefishonthelist.Onedayhewilltakeonlydobsons,orcrawfish;thenext,hemay preferminnows,andagain,hewillrisetotheflyorabucktailspinner. 30

WoodcraftandCamping31 Onthewhole,Ihavefoundtheporkfrogthemostsuccessfullureinhiscase;butthehooks andbaitmustbearrangeddifferently.Threestrandsof,finewirewillmakeasnellstrong enough,andthehooksshouldbestrong,sharpandrathersmall,thelowerhooksplacedonly halfaninchapart,andasmallliphooktwoandaquarterinchesabovethemiddleone.As theforkofthebaitwillnotreachthebendofthemiddlehook,itmustbefastenedtothe snellbyafewstitchestakenwithstoutthread,andthelowerendofthebaitshouldnotreach morethanaquarterofaninchbeyondthebottomofthehook,becausethesmallmouthhas avillainoustrickofgivinghispreyasternchase,nippingconstantlyandviciouslyatthetail, andtheabovearrangementwillbeapttohookhimatthefirstsnap_Owingtothistrait, someartificialminnowswithoneortwohooksatthecaudalend,areverykillingwhenhe willtakethem. Lake,orsalmontrout,maybetrolledforsuccessfullywiththeabovelure;butIdonotmuch affectfishingforthem.Excellentsportmaybehadwiththem,however,earlyintheseason, whentheyareworkingneartheshore,buttheysoonretiretowaterfromfiftytoseventyfeet deep,andcanonlybecaughtbydeeptrollingorbuoyfishing.Ihavenofancyforsittingina slowmovingboatforhours,draggingthreeorfourhundredfeetoflineindeepwater,afour poundsinkertiedbysixfeetoflighterlinesometwentyfeetabovethehooks.Thesinkeris supposedtogobumpingalongthebottom,whilethebaitfollowsthreeorFourfeelaboveit. Thedragofthelineandtheconstantjogglingofthesinkeronrocksandsnags,makeit difficulttotellwhenonehasastrikeanditisalwaystoolongbetweenbites. Sittingforhoursatabaitedbuoywithahandline,andwithouttakingafish,isstillworse, asmorethanonce1havebeencompelledtoacknowledgeinverywearinessofsoul.There areenthusiasticanglers,however,whosespecialtyistrollingforlaketrout.Agentlemanby thenameofThatcher,whohasafineresidenceonRaquetteLakewhichhecallsacamp makesthishisleadingsport,andkeepsalogofhisfishing,puttingnothingonrecordofless thantenpoundsweight.Hislargestfishwasbookedattwentyeightpounds,andheadded thatawellconditionedsalmontroutwassuperiortoabrooktroutOilthetable;inwhichI quiteagreewithhim.ButheseemedquitedisgustedwhenIventuredtosuggestthatawell conditionedcattieorbullhead,caughtinthesamewaterswasbetterthaneither. "Doyoucallthecattieagamefish?"heasked. Yes;Icallanyfishagamefish"thatistakenforsportwithhookandline.1cannomore explainthecommonprejudiceagainstthecatfishandeelthanIcantellwhyanexperienced anglershoulddragagangofthirteenhooksthroughthewatertenofthembeingwanethan superfluous."FrankForester"givesfivehooksasthenumberforatrollinggang.wemostly usehookstoosmall,anddonotlookafterpointsandbarbscloselyenough.ApairofNo.1 OShaughnessy,or1Sproat,orfivetaperedblackfishhooks,willmakeakillingrigfor smallmouthedbassusingNo.4Sproatforliphook.Largerhooksarebetterforthebig mouthed, a fourpound specimen of which will easily take in ones fist. A pair of 50 OShaughnessys,orSproatswillbefoundnonetoolarge;andasforthernascalongeand pickerel,ifImusterr,letitbeonthesideoflargehooksandstronglines. Itisidletotalkofplayingthefishinwaterwherethegivingofafewyardsinsuresahopeless tangleamongroots,treetops,etc.IwasoncefishinginWesternwaterswherethepickerel ranverylarge,and1usedapairofthelargestsalmonhookswithtacklestrongenoughto holdafishoffifteenpounds,"withoutanyplaying;notwithstandingwhich.Ihadfivetrains 31

WoodcraftandCamping32 ofthreehookseachtakenoffinasmanydaysbymonsterpickerel.Anexpertmascalonge fishermanDavisbynameshappenedtotakeboardatthefarmhousewhereIwasstaying, andhehadanotionthathecould"beatsomeofthembigfellows;"andhedidit;withthree large cod hooks, a bit of fine, strong chain, twelve yards of codline, an eighteenfoot tamarackpole,andatwelveinchsuckerforbail.]thoughtitthemostoutlandishrigIhad everseen,butwentwithhimintheearlygrayofthemorningtoseeittried,justwhere1 hadlostmyhooksandfish. Raisingtheheavybaitintheair,hewouldgiveitawhirltogatherheadway,andlaunchit fortyfeetawaywithasplashthatmighthavebeenheardthirtyrods.Itlookedmorelikelyto scarethancatch,butwasasuccess.Atthethirdorfourthcastweplainlysawahugepickerel rise,shuthisimmensemouthoverbait,hooks,andafewinchesofchain,turnlazily,and headforthebottom,whereMr.D.lethimrestaminute,andthenstrucksteadilybutstrongly. Thesubsequentstruggledependedlargelyonmainstrength,thoughtherewasagooddealof skillandcooljudgmentshowninthehandlingandlandingofthefish.Apickerelofforty poundsormoreisnottobesnatchedoutofthewateronhisfirstmadrush:somethingmust be yieldedand with no reel there is little chance of giving line. It struck me my friend managedhisfishremarkablywell,towinghimbackandforthwithastrongpull,nevergiving himarestandfinallyslidinghimoutonalowmuddybank,asthoughhewereasmoothlog. Wetookhimuptothehouseandtestedthesizeofhismouthbyputtingaquartcupinit, whichwentineasily.Thenweweighedhim,andheturnedthescalesatfortyfourpounds.It wassomeconsolationtofindthreeofmyhooksstickinginhismouth.Lastly,wehadalarge sectionofhimstuffedandbaked.Itwasgood;butatenpoundfishwouldhavebeenbetter, Themoralofallthisifithas;mymoralis,usehooksaccordingtothesizeoffishyouexpect tocatch. And,whenyouareinapermanentcamp,andfishingisverypoor,tryfrogging.Itisnota sportofahighorder,thoughitmaybecalledanglinganditcanbemadeamusing,withhook and.line.Ihaveseeneducatedladiesinthewilderness,fishingforfrogswithalleagerness andenthusiasmnotsurpassedbythemostdevotedanglerwithhisfavoritecastofflies, Thereareseveralmodesoftakingthefestivebatrachian,Heisspearedwithafrogspear; caughtunderthechinwithsnatchhooks;takenwithhookandline,orpickedupfroma canoewiththeaidofaheadlight,orjacklamp.Thetwolattermodesarebest. Totakehimwithhookandline:alightrod,sixtoeightfeetofline,asnellofsinglegutwith a10SproatorOShaughnessyhook,andabitofbrightscarletflannelforbait;thisistherig. Touseit,paddleupbehindhimsilently,anddroptheragjustinfrontofhisnose.Heispretty certaintotakeitontheinstant.Knockhimontheheadbeforecuttingoffhislegs.Itis unpleasanttoseehimsquirm,andhearhimcrylikeachildwhileyouaresawingathis thighjoints. Byfarthemosteffectivemanneroffroggingisbytheheadlightondarknights.Todothis mostsuccessfully,onemaninalightcanoe,agoodheadlightandalight,onehandedpaddle. aretherequirements.Thefrogiseasilylocated,eitherbyhiscroaking,orbyhispeculiar shape.Paddleuptohimsilentlyandthrowthelightinhiseyes;youmaythenpickhimupas youwouldapotato.IhaveknownaNorthWoodsguidetopickupafivequartpailoffrogsin anhour,onadarkevening.Onthetable,frogslegsareusuallyconcededfirstplacefor delicacyandflavor,Foranappetizingbreakfastincamp,theyhavenoequal,inmyjudgment. 32

WoodcraftandCamping33 Thehighprice"theybringatthebesthotels,andtheirgrowingscarcity,attestthevalue placedonthembymenwhoknowhowandwhattoeat.And,notmanyyearsago,anold porkgobblingbackwoodsmanthrewhis fryingpan intotheriverbecauseI hadcooked frogslegsinit.Whileanother,equallyintelligent,refusedtousemyfryingpan,becauseI hadcookedeelsinit;remarkingsententiously,"Eelsissnakes,anIknowit."Itmaybewell, justhereandnow,tosayawordontheimportanceoftheheadlight.Iknowofnomore pleasantandsatisfactoryadjunctofacampthanagoodlightthatcanbeadjustedtothe head,usedasajackinfloating,carriedinthehand,orfastenedupinsidetheshanty,Once fairlytried,itwillneverbeignoredorforgotten.Notthatitwillshowadeersheadseventeen rodsdistantwithsufficientclearnessforashotoryoursightswithdistinctnessenoughto makeit.(SeeMurraysAdirondacks,page174.) Aheadlightthatwillshowadeerplainlyatsixrods,whilelightingthesightsofariflewith clearness,isanexceptionallygoodlight,Moredeerarekilledinfloatingunderthanoverfour rods.Therearevariousstylesofheadlights,jacklamps,etc"inuse.Theyarebright,easily adjusted,andwillshowriflesights,oradeer,upto100feelwhichisenough.Theyarealso convenientincamp,andbetterthanalanternonadimforestpath.Beforeleavingthe subjectofbaitfishing,IhaveapointortwoIwishtomake.1haveattemptedtoexplainthe frogbait,andthemannerofusingit,andIshallprobablyneverhaveoccasiontochangemy beliefthatitis,allthewhole,themostkillinglurefortheentiretribesofbassandpickerel. Thereishowever,another,which,ifproperlyhandled,isalmostasgood.Itisasfollows:I Takeabass,pickerel,oryellowperch,ofonepoundorless;scrapethescalescleanonthe undersidefromthecaudalfintoapointjustforwardofthevent. Next,withasharpknife,cutuptowardthebackbone,commencingjustbehindtheventwith a slant toward the tail. Runthe knife smoothlyalong justunder the backbone,and out throughthecaudalfin,takingaboutonethirdofthelatter,andmakingadean,whitebait, withtheanalandpartofthecaudalbywayoffins.Itlooksverylikeawhiteminnowinthe water;butisbetter,inthatitismoreshowy,andinfinitelytougher.Aminnowsoondragsto pieces,Touseit,twostronghooksaretiedonawiresnellatrightangles,theupperonean inchabovethelower,andtheupperhookispassedthroughthebait,leavingittodraw withoutturningorspinning.Thecastingandhandlingisthesameaswiththefrogbait,and isverykillingforbass,pickerel,andmascalonge,Itisagoodlureforsalmontroutalso;but, forhimitwasfoundbettertofastenthebaitwiththelowerhookinawaytogiveita spinningmotion;andthisnecessitatestheuseofaswivel,whichIdonotlike;because,"a ropeisasstrongasitsweakestpart";andIhavemorethanoncefoundthatweakestpartthe swivel.If,however,aswivelhasbeentestedbyadeadliftoftwentytotwentyfivepounds,it willdototrust. Ihavespokenonlyofbrassorcopperwireforsnells,andforpicken;1ormascalongeoflarge sizenothingelseistobedependedon,Butfortroutandbass;stronggutorgimpissafe enough.ThepossibilitiesastosizeofthemascalongeandNorthernpickerelnomanknows. FrankForesterthinksitprobablethattheformerattainstotheweightofsixtytoeighty pounds,whileheonlyaccordsthepickerelaweightofseventeentoeighteenpounds.1have Seenseveralpickerelofoverfortypounds,andonethatturnedthescaleatfiftythree.AndI sawarnascalongeonGeorgianBaythatwaslongerthantheCanuckguidewhowastoting thefishoverhisshoulderbyastickthrustinthemouthandgins.Thesnoutreachedtothe 33

WoodcraftandCamping34 topoftheguideshead,whilethecaudalfindraggedontheground.Therewasnochancefor weighingthefish,but1heftedhimseveraltimes,carefully,andamcertainheweighedmore thanabushelofwheat.Justwhattacklewouldbeproperforsuchapowerfulfellow1amnot prepared to say, having lost the largest specimens I ever hooked. My best mascalonge weighedlessthantwentypounds.Mylargestpickerelstillless. Iwillclosethisdiscursivechapterbyofferingabitofadvice. Donotgointothewoodsonafishingtourwithoutastockofwellcleansedangleworms. Keeptheminatincanpartlyfilledwithdampmoss,andinacoolmoistplace.Thereisno onevarietyofbaitthattheanglerfindssoconstantlyusefulastheworm,IzaakWaltonbyno meansdespisedwormorbaitfishing.

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WoodcraftandCamping35

CHAPTERVI CAMPCOOKERYHOWITISUSUALLYDONE,WITHAFEWSIMPLEHINTS ONPLAINCOOKINGCOOKINGFIREANDOUTDOORRANGE

HEwayinwhichanaveragepartyofsummerouterswillcontrivetomanageormis managethecampandcampfiresoastogetthegreatestamountofsmokeanddiscontent attheleastoutlayoftimeandforce,issomethingpastallunderstanding,andsomewhat aggravatingtoanoldwoodsmanwhoknowssomebetter.Butitisjustasgoodfunasthe cynicalO.W.canask,toseeapartyofthreeorfourenthusiasticyoungstersorganizethe camponthefirstdayin,andproceedtocookthefirstmeal.Ofcourse,everymanisboss, andeveryoneisboundtobuildthefire,whicheveryoneproceedstodo.Thereareno backlogs,noforesticks,andnoarrangementforlevelsolidbasesonwhichtoplacefryingpans, coffeepots,etc.But,thereisasufficiencyofknots,drysticks,barkandchunks,withsomekindlingat the bottom, and a heavy volume of smoke working its way through the awkwardlooking pile. Presentlythintonguesofblueflamebegintoshootupthroughtheinterstices,andfourbrandnew coffeepotsarewriggledintolevelpositionsatasmanydifferentpointsonthebonfire.Fourhungry youngsterscommenceslicinghamandpork,fourfryingpansarebroughtoutfromasmanyhinged andliddedsoapboxeswhenonemanyellsouthurriedly,"Lookout,Joe,theresyourcoffeepot handlecomingoff."Andhedropshisfryingpantosavehiscoffeepot,whichhedoes,minusthe spoutandhandle.Thenitisseenthattheflameshaveincreasedrapidly,andallthepotsareindanger. Ashort,sharpskirmishrescuesthem,attheexpenseofsomeburnedfingers,andculinaryoperations aretheorderofthehour. Coffeeandteaarebrewedwiththelossofahandleortwo,andthefryingpanssucceedin scorchingtheporkandhamtoanunwholesomeblackmess.Thepotatokettledoesbetter.It isnoteasytospoilpotatoesbycookingtheminplentyofboilingwater;and,asthereis plenty of bread with fresh butter, not to mention canned goods, the hungry party feed sufficiently, but not satisfactorily. Everything seems pervaded with smoke. The meat is scorched bitter, and the tea is of the sort described by Charles Dudley Warner, in his humorousdescriptionof"campingout":"Thesortofteathattakeshold,liftsthehair,and disposesthedrinkertohilariousness.Thereisnodeceptionaboutit,ittastesoftannin,and spruce,andcreosote."Ofthecookinghesays:"Everythinghasbeencookedinatinpailanda skilletpotatoes,tea,pork,mutton,slapjacks.Youwonderhoweverythingwouldhavebeen preparedinsofewutensils.Whenyoueat,thewonderceases,everythingmighthavebeen cookedinonepail.Itisanoblemeal....Theslapjacksareasolidjobofwork,madetolast, andnotgotopiecesinapersonsstomachlikeatrivialbun." IhavebeforemeacopyofForestandStream,inwhichthecanoeeditor,undertheheading of"TheGalleyFire,"hassomeremarkswellworthquoting.Hesays:"Thequestionofcamp cookeryisoneofthegreatestimportancetoallreadersofForestandStream,butmostofall 35

WoodcraftandCamping36 tothecanoeists.Fromignoranceofwhattocarrythecanoeistfallsbackoncannedgoods, neverhealthyasasteadydiet,Brunswicksoupandeggs....Themiseryofthatfirstcampfire, whohasforgottenit?Tired,hungry,perhapscoldandwet,thesmokeeverywhere,thecoffee potmelteddown,thecanofsoupupsetinthefire,thefiendishconductoffryingpanand kettle,thefinalsurrenderoftheexhaustedvictim,slidingofftosleepwithapieceofhardtack inonehandandasliceofcannedbeefintheother,onlytodreamofmothershotbiscuits, juicysteaks,etc.,etc.Itisverywellput,andsotruetothelife.Andagain:"Frying,baking, making...stews,plainbiscuits,theneatandspeedypreparationofahealthysquaremealcan beeasilylearned.Aye,andshouldbelearnedbyeverymanwhogoestothewoodswithor withoutacanoe. ButIwasdescribingafirstdayscampingout,thepartybeingfouryoungmenandoneold woodsman,thelattergoingalonginadoublecharacterofinvitedguestandamateurguide. Whentheboysarethroughwiththeirlatedinner,theyhustlethegreasyfryingpansand demoralizedtinwareintoacorneroftheshanty,andgetouttheirrodsforanevenings fishing.Theydoithurriedly,almostfeverishly,asyoungstersareapttodoatthestart.TheO. W.hastakennopartinthedinner,andhassaidnothingsaveinresponsetodirectquestions, norhashedoneanythingtokeepuphisreputationasawoodsman,excepttoseethatthe shelterroofisproperlyputupandfastened.Havingseentothis,herevertstohisfavorite pastime,sittingonalogandsmokingnavyplug.Longexperiencehastaughthimthatitis besttolettheboyseffervescealittle.Theywillslopoveratrifleatfirst,buttwentyfour hourswillsettlethem.Whentheyarefairlyoutofhearing,hetakestheoldknapsackfrom theclippedlimbwhereithasbeenhung,cutsasliceofham,buttersasliceofbread,spreads thelivecoalsandembers,makesapotofstronggreentea,broilsthehamonathreepronged birchfork,andhasaclean,wellcookedplaindinner.Thenhetakesthesharpthreepound campaxe,andfellsadozensmallbirchandashtrees,cuttingthemintoproperlengthsand leavingthemfortheboystototeintocamp.Next,abushy,heavytoppedhemlockisfelled, andtheO.W.proceedsleisurelytopickaheapoffinehemlockbrowse.Afewhandfuls sufficetostuffthemuslinpillowbag,andtherestiscarefullyspreadontheportsideofthe shantyforabed.Thepillowisplacedatthehead,andtheoldMackinacblanketbagis spreadneatlyoverall,asatokenofownershipandpossession.Iftheyoungsterswantbedsof fine,elasticbrowse,letemmaketheirownbeds. Nocampfireshouldbewithoutpokerandtongs.Thepokerisabeechstickfourfeetlongby twoinchesthick,flattenedatoneend,withanotchcutinitforliftingkettles,etc.Tomake thetongs,takeatoughbeechorhickorystick,oneinchthickbytwofeetinlength,shaveit downnearlyonehalfforafootinthecenter,thrustthispartintohotembersuntilitbends freely, bring the ends together and whittle them smoothly to a fit on the inside, cross checkingthemalsotogivethemagrip;finishoffbychamferingtheendsneatlyfromthe outside.Theywillbefoundexceedinglyhandyinrescuingabitoftinware...oranysmall articlethathappenstogetdroppedinahotfire. Anddontneglectthecampbroom.Itismadebylayingbushyhemlocktwigsaroundalight handle,windingthemfirmlywithstrongtwineormoosewoodbark,andchoppingoffthe endsofthetwigsevenly.Itcanbemadeintenminutes.Useittobrushanyleaves,sticks,and anylitterfromaboutthecamporfire.Neatnessisquiteaspleasantandwholesomearound theforestcampasinthehomekitchen.Theselittledetailsmayseemtrivialtothereader.But remember,ifthereisaspotonearthwheretriflesmakeupthesumofhumanenjoyment,itis 36

WoodcraftandCamping37 tobefoundinawoodlandcamp.AllofwhichtheO.W.fullyappreciates,ashefinishesthe abovelittlejobs;afterwhichheproceedstospreadthefiretoabroadlevelbedofglowing embers,nearlycoveringthesamewithsmallpiecesofhemlockbark,thattheboysmayhave adecentcookingfireontheirreturn. Aboutsundowntheycomestragglingin,notjubilantandhilarious,footsoreratheranda littlecross.Theeffervescenceissubsiding,andthenoiseisprettywellknockedoutofthem. Theyhavecaughtanddressedsomethreescoreofsmallbrooktrout,whichtheydeposit besidetheshanty,andproceedatoncetomoveonthefire,withevidentintentofraisinga conflagration,butarecheckedbytheO.W.,whocallstheirattentiontothefactthatforall culinarypurposes,thefireisaboutasneartherightthingastheyarelikelytogetit.Better deferthebonfireuntilaftersupper.Listeningtothevoiceofenlightenedwoodcraft,they managetofrytroutandmaketeawithoutscorchorcreosote,andthesupperisadecided improvementonthedinner.Butthedishesarepiledawayasbefore,withoutwashing. Thenfollowsanhourofbusywork,bringingwoodtocampandpackingbrowse.Thewoodis sufficient;butthebrowseispicked,orcut,alltoocoarse,andthereisonlyenoughofitto makethecamplookgreenandpleasantnotenoughtorestwearyshouldersandbacks.But, they are sound on the bonfire. They pile onthe wood inthe usual way,crisscross and haphazard.Itmakesagrandfire,andlightsuptheforestforfiftyyardsaround,andthetired youngstersturnin.Havingtheadvantageofdrivingateamtothecampingground,theyare wellsuppliedwithblanketsandrobes.Theyoughttosleepsoundly,buttheydont.Theusual drawbacksofafirstnightincamparesoonmanifestedinuneasytwistingsandturnings, grumblingatstubs,nots,andsticks,thatutterlyignoreconformitywiththeanglesofthe humanframe.But.atlast,tirednatureassertshersupremcy,andtheysleep.Sleepsoundly, foracoupleofhours;whenthebonfire,havingreachedthepointofdisintegration,suddenly collapseswithasputteringandcracklingthatbringsthemtotheirheadsantipodes,andfour dazed,sleepyfaceslookoutwithabewilderedair,toseewhathascausedtherumpus.All takeahandinputtingthebrandstogetherandrearrangingthefire,whichburnsbetterthan atfirst;somesleepytalk,oneortwofeebleattemptsatasmoke,andtheyturninagain.But, thereisnotanhourduringtheremainderofthenightinwhichsomeoneisnotpottering aboutthefire. TheO.W.,whohasabidedbyhisblanketbagallnightquietlytakinginthefunrousesout thepartyat4A.M.FortwoofthemaretofishAsaphRunwithbait,andtheothertwoareto trytherifflesofMarshCreekwiththefly.Asthewoodisallburnedtocindersandglowing coals,thereisnochanceforasmokyfire;and,substitutingcoffeefortea,thebreakfastisa repetitionofthesupper. Bysunrisetheboysareoff,andtheO.W.hasthecamptohimself.Hetakesitleisurely,gets upaneatbreakfastoftrout,bread,butter,andcoffee,cleansandputsawayhisdishes,hasa smoke,andpicksupthecampaxe.Selectingabushyhemlockfifteeninchesacross,heletsit downinasmanyminutes,trimsittotheverytip,pilesthelimbsinaheap,andcutsthree lengthsofsixfeeteachfromthebutt.Thisinsuresbrowseandbacklogsforsometimeahead. Twostrongstakesarecutandsharpened. Foursmalllogs,twoofeightandtwoofninefeetinlength,areprepared,plentyofnight woodismadeready,asupplyofbright,dryhemlockbarkiscarriedtocamp,andtheO.W. restsfromhislabors,resuminghisfavoritepastimeofsittingonalogandsmokingnavyplug. 37

WoodcraftandCamping38 Finallyitoccurstohimthatheistherepartlyasguideandmentortotheyoungermen,and thatthey need alessononcleanliness.Hebringsoutthefryingpansand findsafilthy lookingmessofgreaseineachone,whereinants,flies,andotherinsectshavecontrivedto getmixed.Doesheheatsomewater,andcleanandscourthepans?Notifheknowshimself. Ifhediditoncehemightkeepondoingit.Heiscautiousaboutestablishingprecedents,and hehasatasteforentomology.Heplacesthepansinthesunwherethegreasewillsoftenand goesskirmishingforantsanddoodlebugs.Theyarenotfartoseek,andhesoonhasascore oflargeblackants,withafewbugsandspiders,prettyequallydistributedamongthefrying pans.Togivethethingaplausiblelookafewfliesareadded,andthetwolargestpansare finishedoff,onewithalargeearwig,theotherwithathousandleggedworm.Thepansare replacedintheshanty,theembersareleveledandnearlycoveredwithbitsofdryhemlock bark,andtheO.W.resumeshispipeandlog WithsuchafaceofChristiansatisfaction, Asgoodmenwear,whohavedoneavirtuousaction. Beforenoontheboysareallin,andasthecatchistwiceasnumerousandtwiceaslargeas onthepreviousevening,andastheweatherisallthatcouldbeaskedofthelongestdaysin June,theyareinexcellentspirits.Theboxesarebroughtout,porkissliced,acanofIndian mealcomestothefront,andtheygoforthefryingpans. "...Lookhere.Justseetheantsandbugs." SecondMan."Well,Ishouldsay!Icanseeyourants and bugs,andgoyouan earwig better." ThirdMan(invertinghispanspitefullyoverthefire)."...Illroastthebeggars. BushD.(whoissomethingofacookandwoodsman)"Boys,Illtakethepot.Ivegota thousandleggedworm...,anditservesusright,foralotofslovens.Dishesshouldbecleaned asoftenastheyareused.Nowletsscourourpansandcommenceright." Hotwater,ashes,andsoapsoonrestorethepanstopristinebrightness;threefryingpansare filledwithtroutwellrolledinmeal;afourthisusedforcookingacanoftomatoes;...and everythingcomesoutwithoutbeingsmokedorscorched.Thetroutarebrownedtoaturn, andeventheO.W.admitsthatthedinnerisasuccess.Whenitisoverandthedishesare cleaned and put away, and the camp slicked up, there comes the usual two hours of lounging,...andstorytelling,sodeartotheheartsofthosewholovetogoafishingand camping.Atlengththereisalullintheconversation,andBushD.turnstotheoldwoodsman with,"Ithought,UncleMart,youweregoingtoshowusfellowssuchalotofkinksabout campingout,campfires,cooking,andallthatsortofthing,isntitabouttimetobegin? Strikesmeyouhavespentmostofthelasttwentyfourhoursholdingdownthatlog.""Except cuttingsomenightwoodandtendingthefire,"addsnumbertwo. Theoldwoodsman,whohasbeenrathersilentuptothistime,...getsonhisfeetforafew remarks.Hesays,"Boys,abumblebeeisbiggestwhenitsfirstborn.Youvelearnedmorethan youthinkinthelasttwentyfourhours." "Well,ashow?Explainyourself,"saysBushD. O. W."ln the first place, you have learned better than to stick your cookingkit into a 38

WoodcraftandCamping39 tumbleddownheapofknots,mulchandwetbark,onlytoupsetandmeltdownthepots,and scorchorsmokeeverythinginthepans,untilastarvinghoundwouldnteatthemess.And youhavefoundthatitdoesnttakealogheaptoboilapotofcoffeeorfryapanoftrout. Also,thatalevelbedoflivecoalsmakesanexcellentcookingfire,thoughIwillshowyoua better.YesterdayyoucookedtheworstmealIeversawinthewoods.Todayyougetupa reallygood,plaindinner;youhavelearnedthatmuchinoneday.Oh,youimprovesome. AndIthinkyouhavetakenalessonincleanlinesstoday." "Yes;butwelearnedthatoftheantandbug,"saysnumbertwo. O.W."Justso.Anddidyouthinkalltheantsanddoodlebugsblunderedintothatgreasein onemorning?Iputeminmyselftogiveyouakink." BushD.(disgusted)."Youblasted,dirtyoldsinner." Second Man."Oh, youmiserable old swamp savage; I shant getover that earwig in a month." ThirdMan(plaintively)."Thislifeinthewoodsisntwhatitscrackeduptobe;Idontrelish bugsandspiders.IwishIwerehome.Imallbittenupwithpunkies,and" FourthMan(savagely)."Dashedoldwoodsloafer;letstiehishandsandfirehiminthe creek." O.W.(placidly)."Exactly,boys.Yourremarksareterse,andtothepoint.Only,asIamgoing toshowyouatrickortwoonwoodcraftthisafternoon,youcanaffordtowaitalittle.Now, quitsmoking,andgetoutyourhatchets;wellgotowork." Threehatchetsarebroughttolight;oneofthematwopoundclumsyhandaxe,theothersof an old time, Mt. Vernon, G. W. pattern. "And now," says goodnatured Bush, "you give directionsandwelldothework."Underdirections,thecoarsebrowseofthepreviousnightis placedoutsidetheshanty;threeactiveyoungsters,onhandsandknees,feeloutandcutoff everyoffendingstubandrootinsidetheshanty,untilitissmoothasafloor.Thefoursmall logsarebroughttocamp;thetwolongestarelaidatthesidesandstakedinplace;theothers areplaced,oneatthehead,theotheratthefoot,alsostaked;andthecamphasacquired definiteoutlines,andameasurablesizeofeightbyninefeet.Threehemlocklogsandtwo sharpenedstakesaretotedtocamp;thestakesdrivenfirmly,andthelogslaidagainstthem, oneabovetheother.Firedogs,forestick,etc.,completethearrangement,andthecampfireis inshapeforthecomingnight,preciselyasshownintheengravingonpage33. "Andnow,"saystheO.W.,"ifthreeofyouwillgodowntotheflatandpickthebrowseclean fromthetwohemlocktops,BushandIwillfixacookingrange. "Awhat?"asksone. "Going to start a boardinghouse?" says another. "Notion of going into the hardware business?"suggestsathird."Nevermind,sonny;justtendtothatbrowse,andwhenyousee asmokeraisingontheflatbythespring,comeoverandseetherange."Andtheboys,taking acoupleofblanketsinwhichtocarrythebrowse,saunterawaytotheflatbelow. Averyleisurelyaesthetic,fragrantoccupationisthispickingbrowse.Itshouldneverbecut, butpulled,strippedorbroken.IhaveseenaSenator,exGovernor,andawealthybanker enjoyingthemselveshugelyatit,varyingtheoccupationbyhackingsmalltimberwiththeir 39

WoodcraftandCamping40 G. W. hatchets, like so many boys let loose from school. It may have looked a trifle undignified,butIdaresaytheyfoundtheiraccountinit.NewportorLongBranchwould havebeenmoreexpensive,andmuchlesshealthful. Foranhourandahalftonguesandfingersarebusyaroundthehemlocktops;thenathin, longvolumeofbluesmokerisesnearthespring,andtheboyswalkovertoinspecttherange. Theyfinditmadeasfollows:Twologssixfeetlongandeightinchesthickarelaidparallel, butseveninchesapartatoneendandonlyfourattheother.Theyarebeddedfirmlyand flattenedalittleontheinside.Ontheuppersidesthelogsarecarefullyhewedandleveled untilpots,pansandkettleswillsitfirmlyandevenlyonthem.Astrongforkedstakeisdriven ateachendofthespace,andacrosspole,twoorthreeinchesthick,laidon,forhanging kettles.Thiscompletestherange;simple,buteffective.(Seeillustration.)Thebroadendof the space is for fryingpans, and the potato kettle. The narrow end, for coffeepots and utensilsoflesserdiameter.Fromsixtoeightdishescanbecookedatthesametime.Soups, stews,andbeansaretobecookedincloselycoveredkettleshungfromthecrosspole,the bottomsofthekettlesreachingwithinsometwoinchesofthelogs.Withamoderatefirethey maybelefttosimmerforhourswithoutcareorattention. Thefireisofthefirstimportance.Startitwithfinekindlingandclean,dry,hemlockbark. Whenyouhaveabright,evenfirefromendtoendofthespace,keepitupwithsmallfagots ofthesweetestandmostwholesomewoodsintheforest.Theseare,intheordernamed, blackbirch,hickory,sugarmaple,yellowbirch,andredbeech.Thesticksshouldbeshort, andnotovertwoinchesacross.Splitwoodisbetterthanround.Theoutdoorrangecanbe madebyonemaninlittlemorethananhour,andthecamperout,whooncetriesit,will neverwishtoseea"portablecampstove"again. WhenthesunleavesthevalleyintheshadeofAsaphMountain,theboyshaveafragrantbed ofelasticbrowseafootdeepintheshanty,withpillowsimprovisedfromstuffedbootlegs, cotton handkerchiefs, etc. They cook their suppers on the range, and vote it perfect,no meltingorheatinghandlestoohotforuse,andnosmokingofdishes,orfaces. Justatdarkwhichmeans9P .M.inthelastweekofJunethefireiscarefullymadeand chinked.Anhourlateritisthrowingitsgratefulwarmthandlightdirectlyintocamp,and nowhereelse.Thecampturnsin.Nottowriggleandquarrelwithobduratestubs,butto sleep.Andsleeptheydo.Thesound,deep,restfulsleepofhealthyyoungmanhood,inhaling puremountainaironthehealthiestbedyetknowntoman. Whenitispastmidnight,andthefireburnslow,andthechillnightbreezedriftsintocamp, theystilldonotrouseup,butonlyspooncloser,andsleeprighton.OnlytheO.W.turnsout sleepily,attwobellsinthemiddlewatch,afterthemannerofhunters,trappers,andsailors, the world over. He quietly rebuilds the fire, reduces a bit of navy plug to its lowest denomination,andtakesasolitarysmokestillholdingdownhisfavoritelog.Quizzically andquietlyheregardsthesleepingyoungsters,andwondersifamongthemallthereisone whowilldoashehasdone,i.e.,relinquishallofwhattheworldreckonsassuccess,forthe loveofnatureandafreeforestlife.Hehopesnot.Andyet,asheglancesatthecalmyellow moonoverhead,andlistenstothelowmurmurofthelittlewaterfallbelowthespring,hehas afaintnotionthatitisnotalllossanddross. Knockingtheashesfromhispipehepreparestoturnin,murmuringtohimself,halfsadly, halfhumorously,"Ihavebeenyoung,andnowIamold;yethaveIneverseenthetrue 40

WoodcraftandCamping41 woodsmanforsaken,orhisseedbeggingbreadoranythingelse,soto speakunlessit mightbealittletobaccooranipofwhisky."Andhecreepsintohisblanketbag,backssoftly outtotheoutsideman,andjoinsthesnorers. Itisbroaddaylightwhenheagainturnsout,leavingthereststillsleepingsoundly.Hestartsa livelyfireintherange,treatstwocoffeepotstoadoublehandfulofcoffeeandthreepintsof watereach,setsonthepotatokettle,washesthepotatoes,thenstickshisheadintothecamp, androusesthepartywitharegularsecondmateshail."Staraarbolinsahoooy.Turnout, youbeggars.Comeondeckandseeitrain."Andtheboysdoturnout.Notwithwakeful alacrity,butinadazed,dreamy,sleepyway.Theyopenwideeyes,whentheyseethatthesun isturningthesombretopsofpinesandhemlockstoasoftorangeyellow. "Idhavesworn,"saysone,"thatIhadntsleptoverfifteenminutesbythewatch." "AndI,"saysanother,"wasjustwatchingthefire,whenIdroppedoffinadoze.Inaboutfive minutesIopenedmyeyes,andIllbeshotifitwasntsunrise." "Asforme,"saysathird,"IdontknowasIvesleptatall.Irememberseeingsomebody pokingthefirelastnight.NextthingIknew,somelunaticwasyellingaroundcampabout starbolins,andturningout.GuessIlllaydownandhavemynapout." "Yes,"saystheO.W.,"Iwould.IfIwasahealthyyoungster,andcouldntgetalongwithseven hoursandahalfofsolidsleep,Idtakethenextforenoonforit.Justatpresent,Iwantto remarkthatIvegotthecoffeeandpotatobusinessunderway,andIllattendtothem.Ifyou wantanythingelseforbreakfast,youllhavetocookit." And the boys, rising to the occasion, go about the breakfast with willing hands. It is noticeable,however,thatonlyonepanoftroutiscooked,twooftheyoungsterspreferringto fallbackonbroiledham,remarkingthatbrooktroutistoorichandcloyingforasteadydiet. Whichistrue.Theappetitefortrouthasverysensiblysubsided,andtheboyisheagernessfor troutfishinghasfallenoffimmensely.Onlytwoofthepartyshowanyinterestintheriffles. Theystrolldownstreamleisurely,totrytheirfliesforanhourortwo.Theotherselectto amusethemselvesaboutthecamp,cuttingsmalltimberwiththeirlittlehatchets,picking freshbrowse,orskirmishingthemountainsideforwintergreenberriesandsassafras.The fishermen return in a couple of hours, with a score of fairsized trout. They remark apologeticallythatitisblazinghotandthereareplentyoftroutahead.Thentheyleantheir rodsagainsttheshanty,andloungeontheblankets,andsmokeanddose. Itislessthanfortyeighthourssincethecrosspolewaslaid;and,usingalittlecommonsense woodcraft, the camp has already attained to asystematic nosystem of rest, freedomand idleness.Everymanisfreeto"loaf,andinvitehissoul."Thereisgoodtroutingwithinan hourswalkforthosewhochoose,andthereissomeinterest,withalittleexercise,incooking andcuttingnightwood,slickingup,etc.Butthewholepartyisstrickenwith"campfever," "Indianlaziness,"thedolcefarniente.Itisoverandaroundeveryman,envelopinghimas witharoseateblanketfromtheCastleofIndolence.Itistheperfectsummercamp. Anditisnomyth;butaliteralresumeofafivedaysoutingatPoplarSpring,onMarsh Creek,inPennsylvania.Alas,forthebeautifulvalley,thatonceaffordedthefinestcamping groundsIhaveeverknown.

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WoodcraftandCamping42 Neyeranymore Canitbe Untome(oranybodyelse) Asbefore. A huge tannery, six miles above Poplar Spring, poisons and blackens the stream with chemicals,barkandooze,Thelandhasbeenbroughtintomarket,andeveryacreeagerly bought upby actual settlers. The once fine covers and thickets are convened into fields thicklydottedwithblackenedstumps.And,tocrownthedesolation,heal ladentrainsof "ThePineCreekandJerseyShoreR.R."gothunderingalmosthourlyovertheveryspot wherestoodourcampbyPoplarSpring. Ofcourse,thisisprogress;but,whetherbackwardorforward,hadbetterbedecidedsixty yearshence.And,justwhathashappenedtotheobscurevalleyofMarshCreek,ishappening today,onalargerscale,allovertheland.Itisthesameoldstoryofgrabandgreed.Letusgo onthe"make"today,and"whacklip"tomorrow;cheatingeachotherasvillainouslyaswe may,andposteritybedd."Whatsallthewuurldtoamanwhenhiswifeisawieldy?" This is the moral: From Maine to Montana; from the Adironbacks to Alaska; from the YosemitetotheYellowstone,thetrouthog,thedeerwolf,thenetter,theskinhunter,each andallhaveittheirownway;andthelawisafarceonlytobeenforcedwherethegamehas vanishedforever.Perhapsthemanchildisbornwhowilllivetowritethemoralofallthis whenitistoolate.

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WoodcraftandCamping43

CHAPTERVII MOREHINTSONCOOKING,WITHSOMESIMPLERECEIPTSBREAD, POTATOES,SOUPS,STEWS,BEANS

Wemaylivewithoutfriends,wemaylivewithoutbooks, Butcivilizedmancannotlivewithoutcooks. Tisprobablytruethatnothingconnectedwithoutdoorlifeincampissobadly botchedasthecooking.Itisnotthroughanylackoftherawmaterial,whichmay behadofexcellentqualityinanycountryvillage.Itisnotfromlackofintelligence oreducation,forthemenyoumeetinthewoods,asoutersorsportsmen,are ratheroverthanundertheaverageintheserespects.Perhapsitisbecauseithas beendinnedintoourearsfromearlychildhood,thatanappetite,ahealthylonging forsomethinggoodtoeat,aticklingofthepalatewithwholesome,appetizingfood,is beneaththeattentionofanaesthetic,intellectualman.Forgettingthattheentireman,mental andphysical,dependsonproperalimentandthehealthyassimilationthereof;andthata thin,dyspepticmancannomorekeepupinthestruggleoflife,thanthelightningexpress canmakeconnections,drawnbyawornoutlocomotive. Ihaveneverbeenabletogetmuchhelpfromcookbooks,orthescoresofrecipespublished invariousworksonoutdoorspan.Take,forexample,FrankForesters"FishandFishing."He hasmorethanseventyrecipesforcookingfish,overfortyofwhichcontaintermsornamesin French. I dare say they are goodfor a firstclass hotel. I neither cook nor converse in French,andIhavecometoknowthattheplainestcookingisthebest,sothatitbewelldone andwholesome.Inmakinguptherationsforcampingout,thefirstthingusuallyattendedto isbread.Andifthisbelight,wellmadebread,enoughmaybetakenalongLOlastlouror fivedays,andthismaybeekedoutwithBostoncrackers,orthebesthardtack,[oracouple orthreedaysmore,withouttheleasthardship.Also,therearefewcampsinwhichsomeone isnotgoingouttotheclearingseveryfewdaysformail,smallstores,etc.,andasupplyof breadcanbearrangedfor,withlesstroublethan.itcall:bemade.Therearetimes;however, whenthisisnotfeasible,andtherearemenwhopreferwarmbreadallthetime.Inthiscase theusualresort,fromMainetoAlaska,istheuniversalflapjack.Idonotlikeit;Iseldom makeit;itisnotgood.Emitmaybeeaten,withmaplesyruporsugarandbutter.Iprefera plain water Johnnycake, made as follows (supposing your tins are something like those describedinChapterII):Putalittlemorethanapintofwaterinyourkettleandbringittoa sharpboil,addingasmallteaspoonfulofsalt,andtwoofsugar.Stirinslowlyenoughgood cornmealtomakearatherstillmush,letitcookafewminutes,andsetitoffthefire;then greaseyourlargesttindishandputthemushinit,smoothingitontop.Setthedishonthe outdoorrangedescribedinthepreviouschapter,withalivelybedofcoalbeneathbutno blaze.Invertthesecondsizedtinoverthecake,andcoverthedishwithbrightlivecolds,that bottomandtopmaybakeevenly,andgiveitfromthirtyfivetofortyminutesforbaking.It makeswholesome,palatablebread,whichgainsonthetastewithuse. Thosewhopreferwheatbreadcanmakeapassablearticlebyusingthebestwheatflourwith bakingpowders,mixingthreetablespoonfulsofthepowderstoaquartofflour.Mixand 43

WoodcraftandCamping44 kneadthoroughlywithwarmwatertoaratherthindough,andbakeasabove.Usethesame proportionsforpancakebatter.Whenstoppinginapermanentcampwithplentyoftimeto cook,excellentlightbreadmaybemadebyusingdryyeastcakes,thoughitisnotnecessary to"set"thespongeasdirectedonthepapers.Scrapeanddissolvehalfacakeoftheyeastilla gillofwarmwater,andmixitwiththeflour.Addwarmwaterenoughtomakeitpliable,and nottoostill:setinawarmplaceuntilitrisessufficiently,andbakeasdirectedabove,Itcakes severalhourstorise. IamafraidIshalldiscountmycreditoncampcookingwhen1admitthatifImustusefine flourIpreferunleavenedbread;whatmyfriendsirreverentlycall"dubbread."Notthatitwas evermadeorendorsedbyanyclubofmenthatIknowof,butbecauseitisbakedona veritableclub,sassafrasorblackbirch.Thisishowtomakeit:Cutaclubtwofeetlongand threeinchesthickatthebroadestend;peelorshaveoffthebarksmoothly,andsharpenthe smallerendneatly.Thenstickthesharpenedendinthegroundnearthefire,leaningthe broadendtowardabedoflivecoals,whereitwillgetscreechinghot.Whileitisheating, mixrathermorethanahalfpintofbestMinnesotaRaulwithenoughwarmwatertomakea dough.Addahalfteaspoonfulofsalt,andateaspoonfulofsugar,andmouldandpullthe doughuntilitbecomeslively.Now,workitintoaribbontwoincheswideandhalfaninch thick,windtheribbonspirallyaroundthebroadendoftheclub,stickthelatterinfrontof thefiresothatthebreadwillbakeevenlyandquicklytoalightbrown,andturnfrequently untilclone,whichwillbeinaboutthirtyminutes.Whendonetakeitfromthefire,standthe clubfirmlyupright,andpickthebreadoffinpiecesasyouwantittocat.Itwillkeephota longtime,andonesoonbecomesfondofit. Tomakeperfectcoffee,justtwoingredientsarenecessary,andonlytwo.Thesearewaterand coffee.Itisowingtothebadmanagementofthelatterthatwedrinkpoorcoffee. Mochaisgenerallyconsideredtobethebesttypeofcoffee,withJavaaclosesecond.Itisthe fashionatpresenttomixthetwoinproportionstosuit,sometakingtwopansJavatooneof Mocha,othersreversingtheseproportions.Eitherwayisgood,ortheMochaisquiteasgood alone.Butthereisabetterberrythaneitherforthegenuinecoffeetoper.Thisisthesmall, darkgreenberrythatcomestomarketunderthegenericnameofRio,thatnamecovering halfadozengradesofcoffeeraisedindifferentprovincesofBrazil,throughouta"country extendingnorthandsouthformorethan1,200miles.Theberryalludedtoisproducedalong therangeofhighhillstothewestwardofBahia,andextendingnorthtowardtheParnahiba. Ithasneverarrestedattentionasadistinctgradeofthearticle,butitcontainsmorecoffeeor caffeintothepoundthananyberryknowntocommerce,Itisthesmallest,heaviestand darkestgreenofanycoffeethatcomestoourmarketfromBrazil,andmaybeknownby thesetraits.Ihavetesteditinthelandwhereitisgrown,andalsoathome,forthepast sixteenyears,andIplaceitattheheadofthelist,withMochanext.Eitherwillmakeperfect coffee, if treated as follows: or the berry, browned and ground, take six heaping tablespoonfuls,andaddthreepintsofcoldwater;placethekettleoverthefireandbringtoa sharpboil;setitalittleasidewhereitwillbubbleandsimmeruntilwanted,andjustbefore pouring,dripinahalfgillofcoldwatertosettleit.Thatisallthereistoit.Thequantityof berryisabouttwiceasmuchasusuallygiveninrecipes:butifyouwantcoffee,youhad betteraddtwospoonfulsthancutoffone. In1867,andagainin1870,IbadoccasiontovisittheWestIndiaIslandsandBrazil.In 44

WoodcraftandCamping45 commonwithmostcoffeetopers,Ihadheardmuchofthesuperexcellenceascribedto"West Indiacoffee"and"Braziliancoffee." Iconcludedtoinvestigate,I badroomsattheHotel dEurope,Para,NorthBrazil.Thereweresixofus,EnglishandAmericanboarders.Every morning,beforewewereoutofourhammocks,abarefooted,halfnakedMinanegresscame aroundandservedeachofuswithasmallcupofstrong,blackcoffee,andsugaradlibitum. Therewasnotenoughofitforadrink;itwasratherinthenatureofamedicine,andso intended"Tokillthebiscos,"theysaid.Thecoffeewasabovecriticism. Iwent,inthedarkofatropicalmorningwithSenhorJoo,tothecoffeefactorywherethey brownedtheberry,andsawhimbuyapound,smokinghot,forwhichhepaidtwentyfive cents,orquiteasmuchasitwouldcostinNewYork.Intenminutesthecoffeewasatthe hotel,andground.Thisisthewaytheybrewedit:Aroundbottomedkettlewassittingonthe brickrange,withahalfgallonofboilingwaterinit.Overthekettleasquarepieceofwhite flannelwassuspended,caughtlipatthecornerslikeadipnet.Inthisthecoffeewasplaced, andasmalldarkyputinhistimesteadilywithasoupladle,dippingtheboilingwaterfrom thekettleandpouringitonthecoffee.Therewasaconstantstreampercolatingthrough coffeeandcloth,which,inthecourseofhalfanhour,becamealmostblack,andclearas brandy.Thiswas"Braziliancoffee."Asthecupsusedwereverysmall,andasnonebutthe Northernersdrankmorethanonecup,Ifoundthatthehoteldidnotuseovertwoquartsof coffeeeachmorning.ItstruckmethatapoundoffreshRiocoffeeberryoughttomakeahalf gallonofratherpowerfulcoffee. Onmyarrivalhomenothavinganysmalldarkyoranyconvenientarrangementforthedip netIhadasackmadeoflight,whiteflannel,holdingaboutonepint.Inthis1putone quarterpoundoffreshlygroundberry,withwaterenoughforfivelargecups.Itwasboiled thoroughly,andprovedjustasgoodastheBrazilianarticle,buttoostrongforanyofthe familyexceptthewriter.Thosewhohaveafancyforclear,strong"Braziliancoffee,"willsee howeasilyandsimplyitcanbemade. But,onaheavyknapsackandrifletrampamongthemountains,oralonecanoecruiseina strangewilderness,Idonotcarrycoffee.Iprefertea.Often,whentooutterlytiredand beaten for further navel, I have tried coffee, whisky or brandy, and a long experience convincesmethatthereisnothingsorestfulandrefreshingtoanexhaustedmanasadishof strong,greentea.Tomakeitasitshouldbemade,bringthewatertoahighboil,andletit continuetoboilforafullminute.Setitoffthefireanditwillceaseboiling;putinahandful oftea,anditwillinstantlyboilupagain;thensetitnearthefire,whereitwillsimmerfora fewminutes,whenitwillbereadyforuse.Buythebestgreenteayoucanfind,anduseit freelyonahardtramp.Black,orOolongtea,isexcellentincamp.Itshouldbeputinthepot withcoldwaterandbroughttotheboilingpoint. Almostanymancancookpotatoes,butfewcookthemwell.Mostpeoplethinkthembest boiledintheirjackets,andtocookthemperfectlyinthismannerissosimpleandeasy,that thewonderishowanyonecanfail.Akettleofscreechinghotwaterwithasmallhandfulof saltinit,goodpotatoesofnearlyequalsize,washedcleanandclippedattheends,theseare therequisites.Putthepotatoesintheboilingwater,coverclosely.andkeepthewaterathigh boilingpitchuntilyoucanthrustasharpsliverthroughthelargestpotato.Thendrainoffthe water,andsetthekettleinahotplacewiththelidpartlyoff,Takethemoutonlyastheyare wanted;lukewarmpotatoesarenotgood,Theywillbefoundaboutasgoodaspotatoescan 45

WoodcraftandCamping46 be,whencookedintheirjackets.Butthereisabetterway,asthus:Selectenoughforamess, ofsmooth,soundtubers;parethemcarefully,takingoffaslittleaspossible,becausethebest ofthepotatoliesnearesttheskin,andcookasabove.Whendone,pourthewaterofttothe lastdrop;sprinkleaspoonfulofsaltandfinecrackercrumbsoverthem;thenshake,roll,and rattletheminthekettleuntiltheoutsidesarewhiteandfloury.Keepthempipinghotuntil wanted,Itisthewaytohaveperfectboiledpotatoes. Manyoutersarefondofroastpotatoesincamp;andtheymostlyspoilthemintheroasting, althoughthereisnobetterplacethanthecampfireinwhichtodoit.Tocookthemaright, scoopoutabasinlikedepressionundertheforestick,threeorfourinchesdeep,andlarge enoughtoholdthetuberswhenlaidsidebyside;fillitwithbright,hardwoodcoals,and keepupastrongheatforhalfanhourormore.Next,cleanalitthehollow,placethepotatoes init,andcoverthemwithhotsandorashes,toppedwithaheapofglowingcoals,andkeep upalltheheatyoulike.InaboutIon.yminutescommencetotrythemwithasharpened hardwoodsliver;whenthiswillpassthroughthemtheyaredone,andshouldberakcdOut atonce.Runthesliverthroughthemfromendtoend,to.letthesteamescape,anduse immediately,asaroastpotatoquicklybecomessoggyandbitter.Iwilladdthat,inselectinga supplyofpotatoesforcamp,onlythefinestandsmoothestshouldbetaken. Amanmaybeatroutcrank,hemayhavebeenlookingforwardfortenwearymonthstothe timewhenheistostrikethemuchdreamedofmountainstream,wheretroutmaybetaken andeatenwithoutstint.Occasionallynotoftenhisdreamisrealized,Fortwoorthreedays herevelsinflyfishing,antieatingbrookrrout.Thenhisenthusiasmbeginstosubside,He talkslessofhisfavoriteflies,andhintsthatwadinghouralterhourinicewatergiveshim crampsinthecalvesofhislegs.Also,hefindsthatbrooktrout,eatenfordaysinsuccession, pallontheappetite.Hehankers[orthefleshpotsoftherestaurant,andhissoulyearnsfor thebeanpotofhome. Luckily,someonehasbroughtasackofwhitebeans,andtheexpertthereisalwaysanexpert incampisdeputedtocookthem.Heacceptsthetrust.andproceedstodoit.Heputsaquart ofdrybeansandaliberalchunkofporkinatwoquartkettle,coversthemesswithwater, andbringsittoarapidboil.Presentlythebeansbegintoswellandliftthelidofthekettle: theirconductissimplydemoniacal.Theyliftupthelidofthekettle,theytumbleoutoverthe riminawaytoprovokeasaint,andtheyhavescarcelybeguntocook.Theexpertisnottobe beaten.Astheyrise,hespoonsthemoutandthrowsthemaway,untilhalfofthebestbeans beingwasted,therestsettletobusiness.Hefillsthekettlewithwaterandwatchesitforan hour.Whenbeanskinsandscumariseheusesthespoon;andwhenaringofgreasysalt formsaroundtherimofthekettle,hecarefullyscrapesitoff,butmostofitdropsbackinto thepot,Whenthebeansseemcookedtothepointofdisintegration,heliftsoffthekettle,and announcesdinner.Itisnotasuccess.Thelargestbeansaregranulatedratherthancooked, whilethemealyportionofthemhasfallentothebottomofthekettle,andbecomescorched thereon, and the smaller beans are too hard to be eatable. The liquid, that should be palatablebeansoup,isgreasysaltwater,andtheporkishalfraw.Thepart)fallsback, hungryanddisgusted.Evenifthemesswerewellcooked,itistoosaltforeating.Andwhy shouldthisbeso?Whyshouldanysensiblemanspendyearsinacquiringaneducationthat shallfithimforthestruggleoflife,yetrefusetospendasingledayinlearninghowtocook thefoodthatmustsustainthelife?Itisoneoftheconundrumsnoonewilleverfindout.

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WoodcraftandCamping47 Thereisnoarticleoffoodmoreeasilycarried,andnonethatcontainsmorenourishmentto thepound,thanthebean.Limasareusuallypreferred,butthelargewhitemarrowisjustas good.Itwillpaytoselectthemcarefully.Keepaneyeongrocerystocks,andwhenyoustrike alotofextralarge,cleanbeans,buytwiceasmanyasyouneedforcampuse.Spreadthem onatable,aquartatatime,andseparatethelargestandbestfromtheothers.Fullyonehalf willgotothesideofthelargestandfinest,andthesemaybeputinamuslinbag,andkept tillwanted.Selecttheexpeditionaryporkwithequalcare,buyingnothingbutthick,solid, "clear,"withapinktinge.Rejectthatwhichiswhiteandlardy.Withsuchmaterial,ifyou cannotlayoverBostonbakedbeans,youhadbettersweepthecookoutofcamp. Thisishowtocookthem:Putapoundoralittlemoreofcleanporkinthekettle,withwater enoughtocoverit.Letitboilslowlyhalfanhour.Inthemeantime,washandparboilonepint ofbeans.Drainthewaterfromtheporkandplacethebeansaroundit;addtwoquartsof waterandhangthekettlewhereitwillboilsteadily,butnotrapidly,fortwohours.Pare neatlyandthinlyfiveorsixmediumsizedpotatoes,andallowthemfromthirtytoforty minutes(accordingtosizeandvariety),inwhichtocook.Theymustbepresseddownamong thebeanssoastobeentirelycovered.Ifthebeansbefreshandfinetheywillprobablyfallto piecesbeforetimeisup_This,iftheyarenotallowedtoscorch,makesthemallthebetter.If aportionofporkbeleftover,itisexcellentslicedverythinwhencold,antieatenwithbread. Theaboveisadinnerforthreeorfourhungrymen. Itisusuallythecasethatsomeofthepartypreferbakedbeans,Tohavetheseinperfection, add one gill of raw beans and a piece of pork three inches square to the foregoing proportions.Boilasabove,untilthebeansbegintocrackopen;thenforkoutthesmaller pieceofpork,placeitinthecenterofyourlargestcookingtin,takebeansenoughfromthe kettletonearlyfillthetin,setitoverabrightfireontherange,invertthesecondsizedtinfor acover,placelive,hardwoodcoalsontop,andbakepreciselyasdirectedforbreadonly, whenthecoalsontopbecomedullandblack,brushthemoff,raisethecover,andtakealook. Ifthebeansaregettingtoodry,addthreeorfourspoonfulsofliquorfromthekettle,replace coverandcoals,andletthembakeuntiltheyareofarichlightbrownontop.Thenserve.It isagooddish.IfBostoncanbeatit,Idontwanttolayupanythingforoldage. BrownbreadandbakedbeanshaveanaturalconnectionintheaverageAmericanmind,and rightly. They supplement each other, even as spring lamb and green peas with our transatlantic cousins.But there is a better recipe for brown bread than is known to the dwellersoftheHubonethathascapturedfirstprizesatcountryfairs,andwontheapproval ofepicuresfromMainetoMinnesota;theonethatbroughthonestoldGreeleydown,onhis stricturesanent"countrybread."Andhereistherecipe;takeitforwhatitisworth.andtryit fairlybeforecondemningit,Itisforhomeuse:Onequartofsweetmilk.onequartofsour. twoquartsofIndianmealandonequartofflour,andacupfulofdark.thinPortoRico molasses.Useoneteaspoonfulofsodaonly.Bakein asteady,moderateoven,forfour hours.Kneadthoroughlybeforebaking. Soupis,orshouldbe,aleadingfoodelementineverywoodlandcamp.Iamsorrytosay thatnothingis.asarule,morebadlybotched,whilenothingismoreeasilyorsimplycooked asitshouldbe.Souprequirestime.andasolidbasisoftherightmaterial.Venisonisthe basis,andthebestmaterialisthebloodypartofthedeer.wherethebulletwentthrough.We usedtothrowthisaway;wehavelearnedbetter.Cutaboutfourpoundsofthebloodymeat 47

WoodcraftandCamping48 intoconvenientpieces,andwipethemascleanaspossiblewithleavesoradampcloth.but dontwashthem.Putthemeatintoafivequartkettlenearlyfilledwithwater.andraiseitto alivelyboilingpitch.Letitboilfortwohours.Havereadyathreetinedforkmadefroma branchofbirchorbeech,andwiththistestthemeatfromtimetotime;whenitpartsreadily fromthebones,sliceinalargeonion.Paresixlarge,smoothpotatoes,cutfiveoftheminto quarters,anddropthemintothekettle;scrapethesixthoneintothesoupforthickening. Seasonwithsaltandwhitepeppertotaste. When,byskirmishingwiththewoodenfork,youcanfishupboneswithnomeatonthem, thesoupiscooked,andthekettlemaybeSetasidetocool.Anyhungrysportsmancanorder thenextmotion.Squirrelsred.black.grayorfoxmakenearlyasgoodasoupasvenison,and betterstew.Hares,rabbits,grouse,quail.oranyofthesmallergamebirds,maybeusedin makingsoup;butallsmallgameisbetterinastew. Tomakeastew.proceedforthefirsttwohourspreciselyasdirectedforsoup;thensliceina coupleofgoodsizedonionsandsixmediumpotatoes.Whenthemeatbeginstofallfromthe bones. make a thickening byrubbing three tablespoonfulsof flour and twospoonfuls of meltedbuttertogether;thintotheconsistencyofcreamwithliquorfromthekettle.anddrip slowlyintothestew.stirringbrisklymeanwhile.Allowallsoupsandstewstoboiltwohours before seasoning, and use only the best table salt and white (or black) pepper. Season sparingly;itiseasiertoputsaltinthantogetitout.Cayennepepperaddszesttoasoupor stew,but,assomedislikeit,leteachmanseasonhisplatetohisowncheek. Friedsquirrelsareexcellentforachange,butaremostlyspoiledbypoorcooks,whoput tougholdhesandtenderyoungsquirrelstogether,treatingallalike.Todressandcookthem properly.chopoffheads.tailsandfeetwiththehatchet;cuttheskinallthebackcrosswise; find,insertingthetwomiddlefingers,pulltheskinoffintwoparts.(headandtail).Clean andcuttheminhalves.leavingtworibsonthehindquarters.Puthindandforequartersinto thekettle,andparboiluntiltender.Thiswilltakeabouttwentyminutesforyoungones.and twiceaslongfortheold. Whenasharpenedsliverwillpasseasilythroughtheflesh,takethehindquartersfromthe kettle.drain.andplacetheminthefryingpanwithporkfathissinghot.Frytoalight,rich brown.Itistheonlyproperwaytocooksquirrels,Theforequartersaretobeleftinthekettle forastew. Itsometimeshappensthatpigeonsareveryplentiful.andthecampistemptedintoover shootingandovercooking.untileveryoneisthoroughlysickofpigeons.Thisisallwrong.No partyis,orcanbe,justifiedinwantonslaughter,justbecausebirdshappentobeplentiful; theywillsoonbescarceenough.Pigeonsarehardlygame,andtheyarenotafirstclassbird; butagooddealmaybegotaulofthembythefollowingmethod:Dressthem,attherateof twobirdstooneman;savethegiblets;placeinthekettle,andboiluntilthesliverwilleasily piercethebreast;forkthemout.cutthethick.meatfromeachsideofthebreastbone,roll slightlyinHour,andputthepiecesinthepan,fryingtheminthesamewayasdirectedfor squirrels.Puttheremainderofthebirdsinthekettleforastew. Quailaregoodcookedinthesamemanner.butarebetterroastedorbroiled.Toroastthem. parboilforfifteenminutes,andinthemeantimecutathinhardwoodstick,eighteeninches longforeachbird.Sharpenthesticksneatlyatbothends;impalethebirdsononeendand thrust the sticksduothe ground near the fire,leaningthem so thatthe heatwill strike 48

WoodcraftandCamping49 stronglyandevenly.Hangastripofporkbetweenthelegsofeachbird.andturnfrequently untiltheyarearichbrown.Whenthesharpenedsliverwillpasseasilythroughthebreast theyaredone. Woodcockaretobeplucked,butnotdrawn.Suspendthebirdinabright,clearheat,hanga ribbonoffatporkbetweenthelegs,androastuntilwelldone;donotparboilhim. Ruffed grouse are excellent roasted in the same manner, but should first be parboiled. Mallards,teal,butterballs,alledibleducks,aretobetreatedthesameasgrouse.Ifyouare everluckyenoughtofeastonacanvasbackroastedasabove,youwillbeapttoborrowaleaf fromOliverTwist. Venisonsteakshouldbepoundedtotenderness,pressedandworkedintoshapewiththe huntingknife,andbroiledoverabedofcleanhardwoodcoals.Athreeprongedbirchfork makesthebestbroiler.Forroastvenison,thebestportionistheforwardpartofthesaddle. Trimofftheflankypartsandendsoftheribs;splitthebackbonelengthwise,thattileinner surfacemaybewellexposed;hangitbyastrongcordorbarkstringinapowerful,evenheat; laythinstripsofporkalongtheupperedge,andturnfromtimetotimeuntildone.Ithad betterbeleftalittlerarethanoverdone.Nexttothesaddleforroasting,comestheshoulder. Peelthissmoothlyfromtheside,usingthehuntingknife;trimneatly,andcutoffthelegat theknee;gashthethickestpartoftheflesh,andpressshredsofporkintothegashes,with twoorthreethinslicesskeweredtotheupperpart.Treatitintheroastingasdescribed above,Itisnotequaltothesaddlewhenwarm,butslicedandeatencold,isquiteasgood. Anddonotdespisethefretfulporcupine;heisbetterthanhelooks.Ifyouhappenona healthyyoungspecimenwhenyouareneedingmeat,givehimashowbeforecondemning him.Shoothimhumanelyinthehead,anddresshim.Itiseasilydone;therearenoquillson thebelly,andtheskinpeelsasfreelyasarabbits.Takehimtocamp,parboilhimforthirty minutes,androastorbroilhimtoarichbrownoverabedofglowingcoals.Hewillneedno porktomakehimjuicy,andyouwillfindhimverylikespringlamb,onlybetter. Idonotacceptthedecisionthatranksthelittlegrayrabbitasahare,simplybecausehehasa slitinhislip;atalleventsIshallcallhimarabbitforconvenience,todistinguishhimfrom hislongleggedcousin,whoturnswhiteinwinter,nevertakestoahole,andcankeepahead ofhoundsnearlyallday,affordingagame,musicalchasethatisseldomoutofhearing.He neverby anychance has an ounce offaton him,and isnot verygoodeating.Hecan, however,beworkedintoagoo(lsteworapassablesoupproviderlhebasnotbeenfeeding onlaurel.Therabbitisananimalofdifferenthabits,anddifferentattributes.Whenjumped fromhisform,heisaptto"digout"foraholeortheneareststoneheap.Sometimesanold onewillpotteraroundathicket,aheadofaslowdog,buthistendencyisalwaystohole.But heaffordssomesport,andasanarticleoffood,beatsthelongleggedhareoutofsight.Heis excellentinstewsorsoups,whiletheafterhalfofhim,flateneddownwiththehatchet, parboiledandfriedbrowninbutterorporkfat,isequaltospringchicken. Inthecookingoffish,asoffleshandfowl,theplainestandsimplestmethodsarebest;and foranythingundertwopounds,itisnotnecessarytogobeyondthefryingpan.Troutofover apoundshouldbesplitdowntheback,thattheymayliewellinthepan,andcookevenly. Rollwellinmeal,oramixtureofmealandflour,andfrytoarichbrowninporkfat,piping hot.Largerfishmayjustaswellbefried,butarealsoadaptedtoothermethods,andthere arepeoplewholikefishbroiledandbuttered,orboiled.Tobroilafish,splithimontheback 49

WoodcraftandCamping50 andbroilhimfourminutes,fleshsidedown,turnandbroiltheothersideanequaltlme. Butterandseasontotaste.Tobroil,thefishshouldweighthreepoundsormore.Clean,and crimphimbygashingthesidesdeeplywithasharpknife.Puthiminakettleofboilingwater stronglysalted,andboiltwentyfiveminutes.Foreachadditionalpoundabovethree,acid fiveminutes.Forgravy,rubtogethertwotablespoonfulsofflourandoneofmeltedbutter, addoneheapingteaspoonfulofevaporatedmilk,andthinwithliquorfromthekettle.When done,itshouldhavetheconsistencyofcream.Takethefishfromthekettle,drain,pourthe gravyoverit,andeatonlywithwheatbreadorhardtack,withbutter.Thesimplestisbest, healthiest,andmostappetizing. Asarule,onamountainintramporacanoecruise,Idonottotecannedgoods.Icarrymy duffle in a light, pliable knapsack, and there is an aggravating antagonism between the uncompromisingrimsofafruitcan,andtheknobsofmyvertebrae,thattwentyyearsof practice have utterly failed to reconcile. And yet, I have found my account in a can of condensedmilk,notforteaorcoffee,butonbreadasasubstituteforbutter,And1have foundasmallcanofBostonbakedbeansamosthelpfullunch,withaninemilecarryahead. Itwasnotepicurean,buthadstayingqualities. Ioftenhaveacalltopilotsomemuscularyoungfriendintothedeepforest,andheusually carriesalargepackbasket,withafullsupplyofquartcansofsalmon,tomatoes,peaches,etc. As in duty bound, I admonish him kindly, but firmly, on the folly of loading his young shoulderswithsucheffeminateluxuries;often,Ifear,hurtinghisyoungfeelingsbybrusque advice.Butatnight,whenthecampfireburnsbrightly,andhebeginstofishouthistins,the heart of the Old Woodsman relents, and I make amends by allowing him to divide the groceries. Thereisamethodatcookingusuallycalled"muddingup,"whichIhavefoundtopreserve theflavorandjuicinessofducks,grouse,etc.,betterthananyothermethod,Idescribedthe methodinForestandStreammoreUlanayearago,butabriefrepetitionmaynotbeoutof placehere.Supposethebirdtobecookedisamallard,orbetterstill,acanvasback.Cutoff theheadandmostpartoftheneck;cutoffthepinionsandpulloutthetailfeathers,makea plasticcakeofclayortenaciousearthaninchthick,andlargeenoughtoenvelopthebird, andcoverhimwithitsnugly,Diganovalpitundertheforestick,largeenoughtoholdhim, andfillitwithhotcoals,keepingupastrongheat.Justbeforeturninginforthenight,clean outthepit,putinthebird,coverwithhotembersandcoals,keepingupabriskfireOveritall night.Whentakenoutinthemorningyouwillhaveanoval,oblongmassofbakedclay,with awellroastedbirdinside.Letthemasscooluntilitcanbehandled,breakofftheclay,and feathersandskillwillcomewithit,leavingthebirddeanandskinless.Seasonitasyoueat, withsalt,pepper,andasqueezeoflemonifyoulike,nothingelse. Inselectingsalt,choosethatwhichhasagrittyfeelwhenrubbedbetweenthethumband finger, and use white pepper rather than black, grinding the berry yourself. Procure a common tin pepperbox, and fill it with a mixture of fine salt and Cayenne pepperten spoonsfulsoftheformerandoneofthelatter.Haveitalwayswhereyoucanlayyourhandon it;youwillcometouseitdailyincamp,andifyouevergetlost,youwillfinditofvalue,Fish andgameLaveaflat,flashytasteeatenwithoutsalt,andarealsounwholesome. Donotcarryanyoftheonehundredandonecondiments,sauces,garnishes,etc.,laiddown inthebooks.Salt,pepper,andlemonsfillthebillinthatline.Lobstersauce,shrimpsauce, 50

WoodcraftandCamping51 marjoram,celery,parsley,thyme,anchovies,etc.,maybeleftatthehotels,: Itmaybeexpectedthatapocketvolumeonwoodcraftshouldcontainaliberalchapterof instructiononhunting.Itwouldbequiteuseless.Hunters,likepoets,areborn,notmade.The artcannotbetaughtonpaper.Afewsimplehints,however,maynotbemisplaced.Tostart aright, have your clothes fitted for hunting. Select good cassimere of asortof dull, no colored,neutraltint,likeadecayedstump,,andhavecoat,pants,andcapmadeofit.For footgear, two pairs of heavy yarn socks, with rubber shoes or buckskin moccasins. In hunting,"silenceisgold."Goquietly,slowly,andsilently.Rememberthatthebrighteyed, sharpcared woodfolk can see, hear and smell, with a keenness that throws JOur dull facultiesquiteintheshade.Asyougolumbering"andstickbreakingthroughthewoods,you willneverknowhowmanyofthesequietlyleaveyourpathtorightandleft,allowingyouto pass,whiletheyglideaway,unseen,unknown.Itiseasilyseenthatasharpsensed,light bodieddenizenofthewoodscandetecttheapproachofaheavy,bifurcated,bootedanimal,a longwayahead,andavoidhimaccordingly. Butthereisanart,littleknownandpracticed,thatinvariablysucceedsinourhankingmost wildanimals;anart,simpleinconceptionandexecution,butrequiringpatience:aspecies,so tospeak,ofllighartinIorestrytheartof"sittingonalog."Icouldenlargeonthis.Imight saythattheonlywriterofanynotewhohasrnenrionedthisphaseofwoodcraftisMr. CharlesD.Warner;andheonlyspeaksofitinpaintingthecharacterofthatlazyoldguide, "OldPhelps." Sittingonalogincludesadealofpatience,withoftentimescoldfeetandchatteringteeth; but,attendedtofaithfullyandpatiently,isquiteassuccessfulaschasingadeeralldayon trackingsnow,whileitcanbepracticedwhentheleavesaredry,andnoothermodeofstill hunting offers the ghost of a chance. When a man is moving through the woods, wary, watchfulanimalsareprett)certaintocatchsightofhim.Butlethimkeepperfectlyquietand theconditionsarereversed.Ihavehadmybestluck,andkilledmybestdeer,bypractically waitinghourafterhouronrunways.Butthetimewhenahuntercouldgetfourorfivelair shotsinadaybywatchingarunwayhaspassedawayforever.Neveranymorewillbuffalobe seeninsolidmassescoveringsquaremilesinonepack.Theimmensebandsofelkanddroves ofdeerarethingsofthepast,and"Thegamemustgo."

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WoodcraftandCamping52

CHAPTERVIII ATENDAYSTRIPINTHEWILDERNESSGOINGITALONE
BOUTtheonlyinducementsIcanthinkofformakingatendaysjourneythrough astrongwilderness,solitaryandalone,werealikingforadventure,intenseloveof natureinherwildestdress,andastrangefondnessforbeingindeepforestsby myself.Thechoiceofroutewasdeterminedbythefactthattwooldfriendsand schoolmateshadchosentocasttheirlotsinMichigan,onenearSaginawBay,the otheramongthepinesoftheMuskegon.Andbothwerealittlehomesick,andboth wrotefrequentletters,inwhich,knowingmyweakpoint,theyexhaustedtheir adjectivesandadverbsindescribingtheabundanceofgameandthemarvelousfishing.Now, theMuskegonfriendDaviswasprettywelloutofreach.ButPeteWilliams,onlyafew milesoutofSaginaw,waseasilyaccessible.Andsoithappened,onabrightOctobermorning, whentherecameafrostthatcutfromMainetoMissouri,thatasuddenfancytookmetouse mynewBillinghurstonsomethinglargerthansquirrels.Ittookaboutoneminutetodecide, andanhourtopacksuchduffleasIneededforafewweeksinthewoods. RememberingPetestwobrowneyed"kids,"andknowingthattheywereaguestrickenand homesick,Imadeplaceforafewapplesandpeaches,witharipemelon.ForPeteandIhad beenchumsinRochester,andIhadbunkedinhisatticonGalushaStreet,fortwoyears.Also, his babies thought as much of meas oftheir father. The tripto Saginaw waseasy and pleasant.A"Redbird"packettoBuffalo,theoldpropellerGlobetoLowerSaginaw,andaride ofhalfadayonabuckboard,broughtmetoPeteWilliamsclearing.Weretheygladtosee me?Well,Ithinkso.Peteandhiswifecriedlikechildren,whilethetwolittlehomesick"kids" laidtheirsilkenheadsonmykneesandsobbedfor,veryjoy.WhenIbroughtOuttheapples andpeaches,assuringthemthatthesecamefromthelittlegardenoftheiroldhomeliarthat Iwastheirdelightwasboundless.Andthebetthattheirfavoritetreewasa"sourbough," whiletheseweresweet,didnotshaketheirfaithintheleast. IstayedtendaysormorewiththeWilliamsfamily,andthefishingandhuntingwereallthat hehadsaidallthatcouldbeasked.Thewoodsswarmedwithpigeonsandsquirrels;grouse, quail,ducksandwildturkeysweretooplentiful,whileagoodhuntercouldscarcelyfailof gettingastandingshotatadeerinamorningshunt.But,whatusecouldbemadeoffishor gameinsuchaplace?Theywereallhalfsick,andhadlittleappetite.Mrs.Williamscouldnot endurethesmelloffish;theyhadbeencloyedonsmallgame,andweresurfeitedonvenison. Mysportingardorsanktozero.Ihadthedecencynottoslaughtergamefortheloveof killing,andleaveittorot,orhooklargefishthatcouldnotbeused.Isoongrewrestless,and begantothinkoftenaboutthelumbercampontheMuskegon.Bysurveyorslinesitwas hardlymore thansixtymiles fromPeteWilliamsclearingtothe JoeDaviscamp onthe Muskegon."Butpractically,saidPete,"JoeandIareathousandmilesapart.Whitemen,asa rule,dontundertaketocrossthiswilderness.TheonlyoneIknowwhohastrieditisoldBill Hance;hecantellyouallaboutit." 52

WoodcraftandCamping53 HancewasthehuntingandtrappinggeniusofSaginawBayamanwhodweltinthewoods summerandwinter,andnevertrimmedhishairorworeanyothercoveringonhishead.Not amisanthrope,ortaciturn,butfriendlyandtalkativerather;likingbesttolivealone,butfond oftrampingacrossthewoodstogossipwithneighbors;averytallmanwithal,andsothin that,ashewentrapidlywindingandturningamongfallenlogs,youlookedtoseehimtangle upandtumbleinaloosecoil,likeawetrope,buthewasbetterthanhelooked.Hehada highreputationastrailer,guide,ortrapper,andwasmentionedasa"badmaninaracket."I hadmethimseveraltimes,andashewasdecidedlyacharacter,hadratherlaidmyselfoutto cultivatehim.AndnowthatIbegantohaveastrongnotionofcrossingthewoodsalone,I tookcounselofBillHance.UnlikeWilliams,hethoughtitperfectlyfeasibleandratheraneat, gameythingforayoungstertodo.Hehadcrossedthewoodsseveraltimeswithsurveying parties,andoncealone.HeknewanIndiantrailwhichledtoanoldcampwithintenmilesof theMuskegon,andthoughtthetrailcouldbefollowed.Ittookhimalittlelessthanthree daystogothrough;"but,"headded,"Inatrallytravelalittlefasterinthewoodsthanmost men.Ifyoucanfollowthetrail,yououghttogetthroughinalittlemorenthreedaysifyou keepmoggin." OneafternoonIcarefullypackedtheknapsackandorganizedforalongwoodstramp.Itook littlestockinthattrail,orthethreedaysnotionastotime.Imadecalculationsonlosingthe trailthefirstday,andbeingoutafullweek.Theoutfitconsistedofrifle,hatchet,compass, blanketbag,knapsackandknife.Forrations,oneloafofbread,twoquartsofmeal,two poundsofpork,onepoundofsugar,withtea,salt,etc.,andasupplyofjerkedvenison.One tindish,twelveroundsofammunition,andthebulletmolds,filledthelist,anddidnotmake aheavyload. Earlyonacrisp,brightOctobermorningIkissedthelittlefellowsgoodbye,andstartedout withHance,whowastoputmeonthetrail.Ileftthechildrenwithsorrowandpityatheart. Iamgladnowthatmyvisitwasagoldenhiatusinthesickmonotonyoftheiryounglives, andthatIwasabletobrightenafewdaysoftheirdrearyexistence.Theyhadbeggedforthe privilegeofsleepingwithmeonashakedownfromthefirst;andwhen,asoftenhappened,a pairoflittlefeverishlipswouldmurmurtimidlyandpleadingly,"Imsodry;canIhaveer drink?"IamthankfulthatIdidnotputthepleaderoffwithasipoftepidwater,butalways broughtitfromthespring,sparklingandcold.For,atwelvemonthlater,thereweretwolittle gravesinacornerofthestumpblackenedgarden,andtwosoreheartsinPeteWilliams cabin. Hancefoundthetraileasily,buttheIndianshadbeengonealongtime,anditwasfilledwith leaves,dim,andnoteasytofollow.Itendedasnearlyalltrailsdo;itbranchedofftoright andleft,grewdimmerandslimmer,degeneratedtoadeerpath,peteredouttoasquirrel track,ranupatree,andendedinaknothole.Iwasnotsorry.Itleftmefreetofollowmy nose,myinclination,andthecompass. There are men who, on finding themselves alone in a pathless forest, become appalled, almostpanicstricken.Thevastnessofanunbrokenwildernesssubduesthem,andtheyquail beforetherelentless,untamedforcesofnature.Thesearethemenwhogrowenthusiasticat homeabout sylvan life, outdoor sports, but always strike camp and come home rather soonerthantheyintended.Andtherebesomewhoplungeintoanunbrokenforestwitha feelingoffresh,free,invigoratingdelight,astheymightdashintoacrispoceansurfonahot 53

WoodcraftandCamping54 day.Theseknowthatnatureisstern,hard,immovableandterribleinunrelentingcruelty. Whenwintrywindsareoutandthemercuryfarbelowzero,shewillallowhermostardent lovertofreezeonhersnowybreastwithoutwavingaleafinpity,orofferinghimamatch; andscoresofherdevoteesmaystarvetodeathinasmanydifferentlanguagesbeforeshewill offeraloafofbread.Shedoesnotdealinmatchesandloaves;ratherinthunderboltsand granitemountains.Andtheashesofhercampfiresburyproudcities.But,likealltyrants,she yieldstoforce,andgivesthemore,themoresheisbeaten.Shemaystarveorfreezethepoet, thescholar,thescientist;allthesame,shehasinstorefood,fuelandshelter,whichthe skillful,selfreliantwoodsmancanwringfromhersavagehandwithaxeandrifle. Onlytohimwhosecoatofrags Haspressedatnightherregalfeet, Shallcomethesecrets,strangeandsweet, Ofcenturypinesandbeetlingcrags. Forhimthegoddessshallunlock Thegoldensecretswhichhavelain Tenthousandyears,throughfrostandrain, Deepinthebosomoftherock. Thetripwasalongandtiresomeone,consideringthedistance.Therewerenohairbreadth escapes;Iwasnottackledbybears,treedbywolves,ornearlykilledbyahandtoclaw "racket"withapanther;andtherewerenoIndianstocomesneakhuntingaroundafterhair. Animallifewasabundant,exuberant,even.Butthebrighteyedwoodfolkseemedtame,nay, almostfriendly,andquiteintentonmindingtheirownbusiness.Itwasa"pigeonyear,"a squirrelyear,"andalsoamarvelousyearforshack,ormast.Everynutbearingtreewas loadedwithsweetwellfillednuts;andthis,coupledwiththefactthattheIndianshadleft, andthewhiteshadnotyetgotin,probablyaccountedfortheplentitudeofgame. I do not think there was an hour of daylight on the trip when squirrels were not too numeroustobecounted,whilepigeonswereaconstantquantityfromstarttofinish.Grouse inthethickets,andquailinthehighoakopenings,orsmallprairies,withdrovesofwild turkeysamongheavytimber,weremetwithalmosthourly,andtherewasscarcelyadayon whichIcouldnothavehadastandingshotatabear.Butthemostinterestingpointaboutthe gamewastome,atleastthemarvelousabundanceofdeer.Theywereeverywhere,onall sortsofgroundandamongallvarietiesoftimber;verytametheywere,too,oftenstoppingto lookatthestranger,offeringeasyshotsatshortrange,andfinallygoingoffquiteleisurely. Noardentloverofforestlifecouldbelonelyinsuchcompany,andinsuchweather.Theonly drawbackwastheharassingandvexatiousmannerinwhichlakes,streams,swampsand marshesconstantlypersistedingettingacrosstheway,compellinglongdetourstothenorth orsouth,whenthetruecoursewasnearlyduewest.Ithinkthereweredaysonwhichten hoursofprettyfaithfultrampingdidnotresultinmorethanthreeorfourmilesofdirect headway.TheheadwatersoftheSaltandChippewariverswereespeciallyobstructive;and, whenmorethanhalfthedistancewascovered,Iranintoatangleofsmalllakes,marshesand swamps,notmarkedonthemap,whichcostaharddaysworktoleavebehind. Whiletherewerenostartlingadventures,andnodangerconnectedwiththetrip,therewasa constantsuccessionofincidents,thatmadethelonelytrampfarfrommonotonous.Someof 54

WoodcraftandCamping55 theseoccurrenceswereintenselyinteresting,andalittleexciting.Perhapsthebriefrecitalof afewmaynotbeuninterestingatthepresentday,whengameissorapidlydisappearing. Myriflewasaneat,hairtriggeredBillinghurst,carryingsixtyroundballstothepound,a muzzleloader,ofcourse,andanaildriver.Imadejustthreeshotsintendays,andeachshot stoodforaplumpyoungdeerinthe"shortblue."Itseemedwickedtomurdersuchabright, gracefulanimal,whennomorethantheloinsandacoupleofslicesfromthehamcouldbe used,leavingthebalancetothewolves,whoneverfailedtotakepossessionbeforeIwasout ofearshot.ButIcondonedtheexcess,ifexcessitwere,bythemanychancesIallowedto pass,notonlyondeerbutbear,andonceonabigbruteofawildhog,thewickedestand mostformidablelookinganimalIevermetinthewoods.Themeetinghappenedinthiswise. Ihadbeenbotheredandweariedforhalfadaybyabadpieceoflow,marshyground,and hadatlengthstruckadry,rollingoakopeningwhereIsatdownatthefootofasmalloakto rest.Ihadscarcelybeenrestingtenminutes,whenIcaughtsightofalarge,dirtywhite animal,slowlyworkingitswayinmydirectionthroughthelowbushes,evidentlynosing aroundforacorns.Iwaspuzzledtosaywhatitwas.Itlookedlikeahog,butstoodtoohigh onitslegs;andhowwouldsuchabeastgetthereanyhow?Nearerandnearerhecame,and atlastwalkedoutintoanopenspotlessthantwentyyardsdistant.Itwasawildhogofthe ugliest and largest description; tall as a yearling, with an unnaturally large head, and dangerouslookingtusks,thatcurvedabovehissavagesnoutlikesmallhorns.Therewas promise of magnificent power in his immense shoulders, while flanks and hams were disproportionatelylight.Hecameouttotheopenleisurelymunchinghisacorns,oramusing himself byploughingdeepfurrows withhisnose,andnotuntilwithintenyards didhe appeartonotethepresenceofastranger.Suddenlyheraisedhisheadandbecamerigidas though frozen to stone; he was taking an observation. For a few seconds he remained immovable, then his bristles became erect, and with a deepguttural, grunting noise, he commenced hitching himself along in my direction, sidewise. My hair raised, and in an instantIwasonmyfeetwiththecockedrifletomyshouldermeaningtoshootbeforehis charge,andthenmakegoodtimeupthetree.Buttherewasnoneed.AsIsprangtomyfeet hesprangforthehazelbushes,andwenttearingthroughthemwiththespeedofadeer, keepingupasuccessionofsnortsandgruntsthatcouldbeheardlongafterhehadpassedout ofsight.Iamnotsubjecttobuckfever,andwasdisgustedtofindmyselfsobadly"rattled" thatIcouldscarcelyhandletherifle.AtfirstIwasprovokedatmyselffornotgettingagood readyandshootinghiminthehead,ashecameoutofthebushes;butitwasbettertolethim live.Hewasnotcarnivorous,orabeastofprey,anduglyashewas,certainlylookedbetter alivethanhewouldasaporcinecorpse.Nodoubtherelishedhisacornsaswellasthoughhe hadbeenlessugly,andhewasasavagepowerintheforest.Bearslovepork;andthefact thatthehogwaspickingupacomfortablelivinginthatwilderness,ispresumptiveevidence hathewasamatchforthelargestbear,orhewouldlavebeeneatenlongbefore. Anotherlittleincident,inwhichBruinplayedaleadingpart,risesvividlytomemory.Itwas hardlyanadventure;onlythemeetingofmanandbear,andtheypartedongoodterms,with nohardnessoneitherside. Themeetingoccurred,asusuallywasthecasewithlargegame,ondry,oaklands,wherethe undergrowthwashazel,sasafras,andwildgrapevine.Asbefore,Ihadpausedforarest, whenIbegantocatchglimpsesofaveryblackanimalworkingitswayamongthehazel bushes,underthescatteringoaks,andtowardme.Withnodefiniteintentionofshooting,but 55

WoodcraftandCamping56 justtoseehoweasyitmightbetokillhim,Igotagoodready,andwaited.Slowlyandlazily henuzzledhiswayamongthetrees,sittingupoccasionallytocrunchacorns,untilhewas withintwentyfiveyardsofme,withthebrightbeadneatlyshowingatthebuttofhisear,and he sitting on his haunches, calmly chewing his acorns, oblivious of danger. He was the shortestlegged,blackest,andglossiestbearIhadeverseen;andsuchafairshot.ButIcould notuseeitherskinormeat,andhewasasplendidpicturejustashesat.Shotdownandleft to taint the blessed air, he would not look as wholesome, let alone that it would be unwarrantablemurder.Andso,whenhecamenosingundertheverytreewhereIwassitting, Isuddenlyjumpedup,threwmyhatathim,andgaveaComancheyell.Hetumbledoverina limpheap,gruntingandwhiningforveryterror,gatheredhimselfup,gotupheadway,and disappearedwithwonderfulspeedconsideringthelengthofhislegs. On another occasionand this was in heavy timberI was resting on a log, partially concealedbyspicebushes,whenInoticedalargeflockofturkeyscominginmydirection.As theyrapidlyadvancedwiththeirquick,glidingwalk,theflockgrewtoadrove,thedrove becameaswarmanarmy.Torightandontheleft,asfarasIcouldseeinfront,alegionof turkeysweremarching,steadilymarchingtotheeastward.Amongthemweresomeofthe grandestgobblersIhadeverseen,andonemagnificentfellowcamestraighttowardme. NeverbeforeorsincehaveIseensuchasplendidwildbird.Histhick,glossyblackbeard nearlyreachedtheground,hisbronzeuniformwasoftherichest,andhewasdecidedlythe largestIhaveeverseen.WhenwithinfiftyfeetofthespotwhereIwasnearlyhidden,his waryeyecaughtsomethingsuspicious;andheraisedhissuperbheadforaninstantinan attitudeofmotionlessattention.Then,withloweredheadanddroopingtail,heturnedright about,gavethenoteofalarm,putthetrunkofalargetreequicklybetweenhimselfandthe enemy, and went away like the wind. With the speed of thought the warning note was sounded along the whole line, and in a moment the woods seemed alive with turkeys, runningfordearlife.Inlesstimethanittakestotellit,thatgallinaceousarmyhadpassed outofsight,forever.Andthelikeofitwillneveragainbepossibleonthiscontinent. Andagain,onthemorningofthesixthdayout,Iblunderedontosuchanaggregationof deerasamanseesbutonceinalifetime.Ihadcampedovernightonlowland,amongheavy timber,butsoonafterstrikingcamp,cametoaplacewherethetimberwasscattering,and thelandhadagentlerisetothewestward.ScarcelyhadIleftthelowlandbehind,whena fewdeergotoutoftheirbedsandcommencedlazilyboundingaway.Theyweresoonjoined byothers;ontherightflank,ontheleft,andahead,theycontinuedtoriseandcanteroff leisurely,stoppingatadistanceofoneortwohundredyardstolookback.Itstruckmefinally thatIhadstartedsomethingratherunusual,andIbegancountingthedeerinsight.Itwas uselesstoattemptit;theirwhiteflagswereflyinginfrontandonbothflanks,asfarasone couldsee,andnewonesseemedconstantlyjoiningtheprocession.Amongthemwereseveral verylargebuckswithsuperbantlers,andtheseseemedverylittleafraidofthesmall,quiet bipedinleafcoloredrig.Theyoftenpausedtogazebackwithbold,fearlessfront,asthough inclinedtocallahaltandfacethemusic;butwhenwithinahundredyards,wouldturnand canterleisurelyaway.Astheherdnearedthesummitofthelowlyingridge,Itriedtomakea reasonableguessattheirnumbers,bycountingapartandestimatingtherest,butcould cometonosatisfactoryconclusion.Astheypassedthesummitandlopeddownthegentle declinetowardheavytimber,theybegantoscatter,andsoonnotaflagwasinsight.Itwasa magnificentcervinearmywithwhitebanners,andIshallneverlookuponitslikeagain.The 56

WoodcraftandCamping57 largestdroveofdeerIhaveseenintwentyyearsconsistedofsevenonly. Andwithmuchofinterest,muchoftramping,andnotalittlevexatiousdelay,Icameat lengthtoastreamthatIknewmustbethesouthbranchoftheMuskegon.Themainriver couldscarcelybemorethantenmilestothewestward,andmightbeeasilyreachedinone day. Itwastime.Themealandporkwerenearlygone,sugarandteawereatlowebb,andIwas tiredofvenison;tiredanyhow;readyforhumanspeechandhumancompanionship. ItwasintheafternoonoftheninthdaythatIcrossedtheSouthMuskegonandlaidacourse westbynorth.Thetravelingwasnotbad;andinlessthananhourIranontotheruinsofa campthatIknewtobetheworkofIndians.Ithadevidentlybeenapermanentwintercamp, andwasalmostcertainlytheIndiancampspokenofbyBillHance.Pausingashorttimeto lookovertheruins,withthelonelyfeelingalwaysinducedbyadecayed,rottingcamp,I struckduewestandmadeseveralmilesbeforesundown. Icampedonalittlerill,nearahugedrystubthatwouldpeel,madethelastofthemealinto ajohnnycake,broiledthelastsliceofpork,andlaydownwiththenotionthatatendays tramp,whereittookanaverageoffifteenmilestomakesix,oughttoendonthemorrow.At sunriseIwasagainonfoot,andafterthreehoursofsteadytramping,sawasmokyopening ahead.InfiveminutesIwasstandingontheleftbankoftheMuskegon. AndtheJoeDaviscampwasitupstreamordown?Idecidedonthelatter,andstarted slowlydownstream,keepinganeyeoutforsigns.InlessthananhourIstruckadimlogroad whichledtotheriver,andtherewasa"landing,"withtheusualdebrisofskids,loosebark, chocks,andsomepiecesofbrokenboards.Itdidnottakelongtoconstructanefficientlog raftfromthedryskids,andasIdriftedplacidlydownthedeep,wildriver,munchingthelast bitofjohnnycake,Iinwardlysworethatmynextwildernesscruiseshouldbebywater. ItwasinlateafternoonthatIheardblessedsoundtheeagerclank,clank,clankoftheold fashionedsawmill.Itgrewnearerandmoredistinct;presentlyIcoulddistinguishtherumble ofmachineryasthecarriagegiggedback;thentheraftroundedagentlebend,andamill, withitslong,logboardinghouse,camefullinsight. As the raft swung into the landing the mill became silent; a brownbearded, redshirted fellowcamedowntowelcomeme,apairofstronghandsgraspedbothmyown,andthe voiceofJoeDavissaidearnestly,"Why,George!Ineverwassogladtoseeamaninmylife!" Thetendaystrampwasended.Ithadbeenwearisometoadegree,butinterestingand instructive.IhadseenmoregamebirdsandanimalsinthetimethanIeversawbeforeor sinceinawholeseason;and,thoughIcameoutwithclothesprettywellwornandtornoff mybackandlegs,Iwasalittledisposedtoplumemyselfontheachievement.Evenatthis dayIamalittleproudofthefactthat,withsomanytemptationstoslaughter,Ionlyfired threeshotsontheroute.Nothingbuttheexceptionallyfine,dryweatherrenderedsuchatrip possibleinawildernesssocutupwithswamps,lakes,marshesandstreams.Aweekofsteady rainoraprematuresnowstormeitherlikelyenoughatthatseasonwouldhavebeenmost disastrous;whileaforestfirelikethatof56,andlaterones,wouldsimplyhaveprovedfatal. Reader,ifeveryouaretemptedtomakeasimilarthoughtless,recklesstripdontdoit.

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WoodcraftandCamping58

CHAPTERIXCanoeing THELIGHTCANOEANDDOUBLEBLADEVARIOUSCANOESFORVARIOUS CANOEISTSREASONSFORPREFERRINGTHECLINKERBUILTCEDAR

HEcanoeiscomingtothefront,andcanoeingisgainingrapidlyinpopularfavor, inspiteofthedisparagingremarkthat"acanoeisapoormansyacht."Thecanoe editorofForestandStreampertinentlysays,"wemayasproperlycallabicycle"the poormansexpresstrain."But,supposeitisthepoormansyacht?Arewetobe debarredfromaquaticsportsbecausewearenotrich?Andarewesuchweak flunkiesastobeashamedofpoverty?Ortoattemptshamsandsubterfugestohide it?Formyself,Ifreelyaccepttheimputation.Incommonwithninetenthsofmy fellowcitizensIampoorandthecanoeismyyacht,asitwouldbewereIamillionaire.We areanationofmanymillions,andcomparativelyfewofusarerichenoughtosupporta yacht,letalonethefactthatnotonemaninfiftylivesnearenoughtoyachtingwatersto makesuchanacquisitiondesirableorfeasible,even.Itisdifferentwiththecanoe.Amanlike myselfrna)liveinthebackwoods,ahundredmilesfromadecentsizedinlandlake,and muchfurtherfromtheseacoast,andyetbeanenthusiasticcanoeist.Forinstance. LastJulyImademypreparationsforacanoecruise,andspunoutwithaslittledelayas possible.IhadpitchedontheAdirondacksascruisingground,andhadmorethan250miles ofrailroadsandbuckboardstotake,beforelaunchingthecanoeonMooseRiver.Shewas carriedthirteenmilesovertheBrownsTractroadontheheadofherskipper,cruisedhomthe westernsideoftheWildernesstotheLowerSt.Regisontheeastside,cruisedbackagainbya somewhatdifferentroute,wastakenhometoPennsylvaniaonthecars,250miles,sentback toherbuilder,St.LawrenceCounty,N.Y.,over300miles,thencebyrailtoNewYorkCity, where,thelastIheardofher,shewasonexhibitionattheForestandStreamoffice.Shetook herchancesinthebaggagecar,withnospecialcare,andistoday,sofaras1know,staunch andtight,withnotacheckinherfrailsiding. Suchcruisingcallonlybemadeinaverylightcanoe,andwithaverylightoutfit.Itwas sometimesnecessarytomakeseveralcarriesinoneday,aggregatingasmuchastenmiles, besidesfromfifteentotwentymilesunderpaddle.Noheavy,decked,paddlingorsailing canoewouldhavebeenavailableforsuchatripwithamanofordinarymuscle. Thedifferencebetweenalone,independentcruisethroughanalmostunbrokenwilderness, and cruising along civilized routes, where the canoeist can interview farm houses and villagegroceriesforsupplies,gettinggratuitousstoningsfromthesmallboy,andmuch revilingfromyeancientmarinerofthetowpathlsay,thedifferenceisjustimmense.Whence itcomesthatIalwayspreferaverylight,opencanoe;onethatIcanca.rryalmostaseasilyas myhat,andyetthatwillfloatmeeasily,buoyantly,andsafely.Andsuchacanoewasmylast cruiser.Sheonlyweighedtenandonehalfpoundswhenfirstlaunched,andafteranall summerrattlingbylandandwaterhadonlygainedhalfapound.Idonotthereforeadvise anyonetobuyatenandahalfpoundcanoe;althoughshewouldprovecompetentfora skilfullightweight.Shewasbuilttoorder,asatestoflightnessandwasthethirdexperiment inthatline. 58

WoodcraftandCamping59 Ihavenothingtosayagainstthereallyfinecanoesthatareinhighestfavortoday.WereI fondofsailing,andsatisfiedtocruiseonrouteswhereclearingsaremooreplentifulthan carries,IdaresayIshouldrunaShadow,orStellaMaris,atacostofconsiderablymorethan $1OOthoughIshouldhardlycallita"poormansyacht."Muchisbeingsaidandwrittenat thepresentdayastothe"perfectcanoe."OnewriterdecidesinfavorofaPearl15x311/2 inches.Inthesamecolumnanothersays,"theperfectcanoedoesnotexist."Ishouldrather saythereareseveraltypesofthemoderncanoe,eachnearlyperfectinitswayandfortheuse towhichitisbestadapted.Theperfectpaddlingcanoeisbynomeansperfectundercanvas, andviceversa.Thebestcruiserisnotaperfectracer,whileneitherofthemisatallperfectas apaddlingcruiserwheremuchcarryingistobedone.Andthemostperfectcanoeforfishing andgunningaroundshallow,marshywaters,wouldbeaveryimperfectcanoeEararough andreadycruiseofonehundredmilesthroughastrangewilderness,whereadayscruisewill sometimesincludeadozenmilesofcarrying. Believing,asIdo,thatthelight,singlecanoewithdoublebladedpaddleisboundtosoon becomealeadingifnottheleadingfeatureinsummerrecreation,andhavingbeenalight canoeistfornearlyfiftyyears,duringthelasttwentyofwhichIexperimentedmuchwiththe viewofreducingweight,perhapsIcangivesomehintsthatmayhelpayoungermaninthe selectionofacanoewhichshallbesafe,pleasanttoride,andnotburdensometocarry. Letmepromisethat,uptofouryearsago,Iwasneverabletogetacanoethatentirely satisfiedmeastoweightandmodel.IboughtthesmallestbirchesIcouldfind;procureda tinyChippewadugoutfromNorthMichigan,andonceownedakayak.Theywerealltoo heavy,andtheywerecrankytoadegree. AbouttwentyyearsagoIcommencedmakingmyowncanoes.Theconstructionwasofthe simplest;a22inchpineboardforthebottom,planedto3/4ofaninchthickness;twowide 1/2inchboardsforthesides,andtwolightoakstems;fivepiecesofwoodinall.Ifoundthat thebendofthesidinggavetoomuchshear;forinstance,ifthesidingwas12incheswide, shewouldhaveariseof12inchesatstemsandlessthan5inchesatcenter.Buttheflat bottommadeherverystiff,andforriverworkshewasbetterthananythingIhadyettried. Shewastooheavy,however.alwaysweighingfrom45to50pounds.andawkwardtocarry. MylastcanoeofthisstylewentdowntheSusquehannawithanicejaminthespringof79, andinthemeantimecanoeingbegantoloomup.Thebestpaperinthecountrywhichmakes outdoorsport::tspecially,devotedliberalspacetocanoeing,andskilledboatbuilderswere ad vcrtisi ng canoes of various models and widely different material. I commenced interviewingthebuildersbyletter,andstudyingcataloguescarefully.Therewasawide marginofchoice.Youcouldhavelapstreak,smoothskin,paper,veneer,orcanvas.Wha;1 wantedwaslightweight.andgoodmodel.IlikedthePeterborocanoes;theyweredecidedly canoey.Also,theveneeredRacines:butneitherofthem.talkedofa20poundcanoe.The "Osgoodfoldingcanvas"did.ButIhadsomeknowledgeofcanvasboats.Iknewtheycould makeherdownto20pounds.Howmuchwouldsheweighafterbeinginthewateraweek, andhowwouldshebehavewhenswampedinthemiddleofalake,werequestionstobe asked,for1alwaysgetswamped.Onebuilderofcedarcanoesthoughthecouldmakeme theboat1wanted,insideof20pounds,clinkerbuilt,andatmyownrisk,ashehardly believedinsolightaboat.1senthimtheorder,andheturnedoutwhatisprettywellknown inBrownsTractasthe"Nessmukcanoe."Sheweighedjust17pounds133/4ounces,and 59

WoodcraftandCamping60 wasthoughttobethelightestworkingcanoeinexistence.Herbuildergavemesomeadvice aboutstiffeningherwithbraces,etc.,ifIfoundhertoofrail,"andheneverexpectedanother likeher." "Hebuildedbetterthanheknew."Sheneedednobracing;andshewas,andis,astaunch, seaworthylittlemodel.Ifellinlovewithher[romthestan.1hadatlastfoundthecanoethat 1couldrideinroughwater,sleepinafloat,andcarrywitheaseformiles.Ipaddledherearly and late, mainly on the Fulton Chain; but I also cruised her on Raquette Lake, Eagle, Utowana,BlueMountain,andForkedLakes,Ipaddledheruntiltherewereblackandblue streaksalongthemusclesfromwristtoelbow,ThankHeaven,Ihadfoundsomethingthat mademea.boyagain.Herlogshowsacruise[or1880ofover550miles. As regards her capacity (she is now on Third Lake, Browns Tract), James P Fifield, a . muscularyoungForgeHouseguideof6feet2inchesand185poundsweight,tookher through the Fulton Chain to Raquette Lake last summer; and, happen iog on his camp, SeventhLake,lastJuly,Iaskedhimhowsheperformedunderhisweight.Hesaid,"Inever madethetriptoRaquettesolightlyandeasilyinmylife."Andastotileopinionofher builder,hewroteme,underdateofNov.18,83:"IthoughtwhenIbuilttheNessmuk,noone elsewouldeverwantone.ButInowbuildaboutadozenofthemayear.Greatbigmen, ladies,andtwo,aye,threeschoolboysrideinthem.hiswonderfulhowfewpoundsofcedar, rightlymodeledandproperlyputtogether,it.takestofloataman,"Justso,Mr.Builder. ThatswhatIsaidwhenIorderedher.Butfewseemedtoseeitthen. TheNessrnukwasbynomeanstheultimatumoflightness.andIorderedanothersixinches longer,twoincheswider,andtoweighabout.15pounds.Whenshecametohandshewasa beauty,finishedinoilandshellac.Butsheweighed16pounds,andwouldnotonlycarryme andmyduffle,butIcouldeasilycarryapassengerofmyweight.Icruisedherinthesummer of81overtheFultonChain,RaquetteLake,ForkedLake,downtheRaquetteRiver.andon LongLake.Butherlogonlyshowedarecordof206miles.Thecruisethathadbeenmapped for600mileswascutshortbysickness,andIwentintoquarantineatthehostelryofMitchell Sabattis,SlowlyandfeeblyIcreptbacktotheFyltonChain,hunglipattheForgeHouse,and thecruiseoftheSusanNipperwasended.Laterintheseason,Iscmforher,andshewas forwardedbyexpress,comingoutoverthefearfulBrownsTractroadtoBoonville(251/2 miles)bybuckboard,FromBoonvillehorne,shetookherchancesinthebaggagecarwithout protection,andreachedherdestinationwithoutacheckorscratch.Shehangsinherslings undertheporch,athingofbeautyand,likemanybeauties,atriflefrailbutstaunchasthe clay1tookher.Herproperloadingisabout200pounds.Shecanfloat300pounds. Ofmylastandlightestventure,theSairyCamp,littlemoteneedbesaid,Iwillonlyaddthat aMr.Dutton,ofPhiladelphia,gotintoherattheForgeHouse,andpaddledherlikeanold canoeist,thoughitwashisfirstexperiencewiththedoubleblade.Hegavehisageassixty four years, and weight, 140 pounds. Billy Cornell, a bright young guide, cruised her on RaquetteLakequiteaswellasherownercoulddoit,andIthoughtshetrimmedbetterwith him.Hepaddledat141/2pounds,whichisjustaboutherrightInding.Andshewasonlyan experiment,anyhow.Iwantedtofindouthowlightacanoeittooktodrownherskipper, and] do not yet know. I never shall. But, most of all, I desired to settle the question approximatelyatleast,ofweight,asregardscanoeandcanoeist. Manyyearsago,Ibecameconvincedthatwewereall,ascanoeists,carryingandpaddling 60

WoodcraftandCamping61 justtwiceasmuchwoodaswasatallneedful,andsomethingmorethanayearsince,I advancedtheopinionin ForestandStream,thattenpoundsofwellmadecedaroughtto carryonehundredpoundsofman.Thepastseasonhasmorethanprovedit;but,asImaybe alittleexceptional,Ileavemyselfoutofthequestion,andhaveorderedmynextcanoeon linesanddimensionsthat,inmyjudgment,will befoundnearlyperfectfortheaverage canoeistof150to160pounds.Shewillbemuchstrongerthaneitherofrnyothercanoes, becausefewmenwouldlikeacanoesoIrailandlimberthatshecanbesprunginwardby hand pressure on the gunwales, as easily as a hatbox, And many men are clumsy or carelesswithaboat,whileothersarelubberlybynature.Herdimensionsare:Length,101/2 feet;beam,26inches;riseatcenter,9inches:atseams,15inches;ovalredelmribs,1inch apart;aninchhometumble;stems,plumbandsharp;oakkeelandkeelson;clinkerbuilt,of whitecedar. Suchacanoewillweighabout22pounds,andwilldojustaswellforthemanof140orno pounds,whileevenalightweightof110poundsoughttotakeheroveraportagewitha light, elastic carrying frame, without distress. She will trim best, however, at about 160 pounds.Forawelter,sayofsome200pounds,add6inchestoherlength,2inchestoher beam,and1inchriseatcenter.Thelightweightcanoeistwillfindthateitherofthesetwo canoeswillprovesatisfactory,thatis10feetilllength,weight16pounds,orlO1/2feet length,weight18pounds.Eitheriscapableof160pounds,andtheyareverysteadyand buoyant,asIhappentoknow.Idaresayanyfirstclassmanufacturerswillbuildcanoesof thesedimensions. Provideyourcanoewithaflooringofoilcloth31/2.feetlongby15incheswide;punchholes initandtieitneatlytotheribbing,justwhereitwillbestprotectthebottomfromwearand danger.Useonlyacushionforaseat,anddonotbuyafancyonewithpermanentstuffing, butgetsixpenceworthofgood,unbleachedcottoncloth,andhaveitsewedintobagshape, Stuffthebagwithfinebrowse,drygrassorleaves,settleitwelltogether,andfastentheopen endbyturningitflatlybackandusingtwoorthreepins,Youcanemptyitifyoulikewhen goingoveracarry,ariditmakesagoodpillowatnight. Selectacanoethatfitsyou,justasyouwouldacoatorhat.A16poundcanoemayfitme exactly,butwouldbeabadmisfitforamanof180pounds.Anddontneglecttheauxiliary padfdie,or"puddingstick,"asmyfriendscallit.Thenotionmaybenewtomostcanoeists, but will be found exceedingly handy and useful. It is simply a little onehanded paddle weighing5to7ounces,20to22incheslong,withablade31/2incheswide.Workitoutof halfinchcherryormaple,andfinethebladedownthin.Tieittoaribwithaslipknot, havingthehandleineasyreach,andwhenyoucometoanarrow,tortuouschannel,where shrubsandweedscrowdyouallbothsides,takethedoublebladeinboard,usethepudding stick,andyoucangoalmostanywherethatamuskratcan.InfishingIortroutorfloating deer,rememberyouaredealingwiththewary,andthatthebroadbladesareveryshowyin motion. Therefore, on., approaching a springhole, lay the doubleblade on the lilypads whereyoucanpickitupwhenwanted,andhandleyourcanoewiththeauxiliary.Onhooking alargefish,handletherodwithonehandandwiththeotherlaythecanoealitintodeep water,awayfromallentanglingalliances.Youmaybesurprisedtofindhoweasily,witha littlepractice,youcanmakeatwopoundtroutorbasstowthecanoetheaayyouwantitto go.

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WoodcraftandCamping62 Infloatingfordeer,methedoublebladeonlyinmakingthepassagetotheground;thentake itapanandlayitinboard)usingonlythelittlepaddletofloatwith,tyingittoaribwitha yardlindahalfoflinenline.Onapproachingadeernearenoughtoshoot,letgothepaddle, leavingittodriftalongsidewhileyouattendtovenison. Beneathahemlockgrimanddark, ,Whereshrubandvineareintertwining, Ourshanystands,wellroofedwithbark, Onwhichthecheerfulblazeisshining. Thesmokeascendsinspiralwreath, Withupwardcurvethesparksaretrending; Thecoffeekettlesingsbeneath Wheresparksandsmokewithleavesareblending. Andonthestreamitlightcanoe Floatslikeafreshlyfallenfeather, Afairything.thatwillnotdo Forbroaderseasandstormyweather. Hersidesnothickerthantheshell OfOleBull'sCremonafiddle, Themallwhoridesherwilldowell Toparthisscalplockinthemiddle. "ForestRunes"Nessmuk.

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WoodcraftandCamping63

CHAPTERX ODDSANDENDSWHERETOGOFORANOUTINGWHYACLINKER? BOUGHSANDBROWSE

HEoftrecurringquestionastowheretogofortheouting,canhardlybeanswered atallsatisfactorily.Inageneralway,anyplacemay,andoughttobe,satisfactory, wheretherearefreshgreenwoods,pleasantscenery,andfishandgameplenty enoughtosupplythecampabundantly,withboatingfacilitiesandpurewater. "Itsmoreinthemanthanitisintheland,"andtherearethousandsofsuchplaces onthewatersoftheSusquehanna,theDelaware,theriversandlakesofMaine, Michigan,Wisconsin,andCanada. Among the lakes of Central NewYork one mayeasily select acamping ground, healthy, pleasant,easilyreached,andwiththeadvantageofcheapness.Alittletoomuchcivilization, perhaps;butthefarmersarefriendly,andkindlydisposedtoallsummerouterswhobehave likegentlemen. For fine forest scenery and unequaled canoeing facilities, it must be admitted that the Adirondackregionstandsatthehead.Thereisalsofinefishingandgoodhunting,forthose whoknowtherightplacesLagofordeerandtrout.Butitisatedious,expensivejobgetting intotheheanoftheWilderness,anditisthemostcostlywoodlandresortIknowofwhen youarethere,Youcankeepexpensesdown(andalsohaveamuchbettersport)byavoiding thehotelsandgoingintocampatonce.andstayingthere.Thebestwayisfortwomento hireaguide,liveincampaltogether,anddividetheexpense. All along the Allegheny range, from Maine to Michigan, and from Pennsylvania to the Provinces,numberlessresortsexistaspleasant,ashealthy,asprolificofsport,asthefamed Adironbacks,andathalfthecost.But,foranallsummercanoecruise,withmorethan600 accessiblelakesandpanels.theNorthernWildernessstandsalone.And,asawealthycockney onceremarkedtomeinBrownsTract,"Itsnoplaceforapoorman." AndnowIwillgivemyreasonsforpreferringtheclinkerbuiltcedarboat,orcanoe,toany other.First,astomaterial.Cedarisstronger,moreelastic,moreenduring,andshrinksless thanpineoranyotherlightwoodusedasboatsiding,Asoneofthebestbuildersinthe countrysays,"Ithasbeenthoroughlydemonstratedthatacedarcanoewillstandmorehard knocksthananoakone;forwhereitonlyreceivesbruises,theoakstreakswillsplit."Andhe mightadd,thepinewillbreak.ButIsupposeitissettledbeyonddisputethatwhitecedar standsattheheadforboatstreaks.Ipreferit,then,becauseitisthebest.AndIpreferthe clinker,becauseitisthestrongest,simplest,mostenduring,andmosteasilyrepairedincase ofaccident.Toprovethestrengththeory,takeacedar(orpine)stripeightfeetlongandsix incheswide.Bendittoacertainpointbyanequalstrainoneachend,andcarefullynotethe result.Nextstripitlengthwisewiththeripsaw,lapthetwohalvesaninch,andnailthelap asinboatbuilding.Testitagain,andyouwillfindithasgainedinstrengthabouttwentyper cent.Thatistheclinkerofit.

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WoodcraftandCamping64 Nowworkthelapsdownuntilthestripisofuniformthicknessitsentirelength,andtestit once more; you will find it much weaker than on first trial. That is the smooth skin, sometimescalledlapstreak.They,theclinkercanoes,areeasilytightenedwhentheyspringa leakthroughbeingrattledoverstonesinrapids.Itisonlytohuntasmoothpebblefora clinchhead,andsettlethenailsthathavestartedwiththehatchet,puttinginafewnewones ifneeded.Andtheyareputtogether,atleastbythebestbuilders,withoutanycementor whitelead,nakedwoodtowood,anddependingonlyoncloseworkforwaterproofing.And eachpairofstripsiscuttofitandlieinitsproperplacewithoutstrain,notwopairsbeing alike,buteachpair,fromgarboardstoupperstreak,havingeasy,naturalformforitsdestined position. Theveneeredcanoesareveryfine,fordeepwater;butafewcutsonsharpstoneswillbe found ruinous; and if exposed much to weather they are liable to warp. The builders understandthis,andplainlysaythattheyprefernottobuildfineboatsforthosewhowill neglectthepropercareofthem. Thepaperboat,also,willnotstandmuchcuttingonsharpstones,anditisnotbuoyantwhen swamped,unlessfittedwithwatertightcompartments,which1abhor. Thecanvasisratheralogy,limpsonofcraft,tomythinking,andliabletodrownhercrewif swamped. Buteachandallhavetheiradmirers,andpurchasersaswell,whileeachisgoodinitsway, andIonlymentionafewreasonsformypreferenceofthecedar. Whenrunninganuglyrapidorcrossingastormylake,1liketofeelthatIhaveenoughlight, seasonedwoodundermetokeepmymouthandnoseabovewaterallclay,besidessavingthe rifleandknapsack,which,whenrunningintodanger,Ialwaystietotheribbingwithstrong linenline,asIdothepaddlealso,givingitaboutlineenoughtojustallowfreeplay. Iamnottousealittlemodernslanggoingto"givemyselfaway"oncanoeing,ortalkof startlingadventure.But,[orthepossibleadvantageofsomefuturecanoeist,Iwillbriefly relatewhathappenedtomeonacertainwindymorningonesummer.Itwasononeofthe largerlakesnomatterwhichbetweenPaulSmiths"and(heFultonChain.Ihadcampedover nightinaspotthatdidnotsuitmeintheleast,butitseemedthebestIcoulddothenand there.Thenightwasrough,andtheearlymorningthreatening.However,Imanagedacupof coffee."tiedin,"andmadeaslipperycarryoftwomilesalittleaftersunrise.Arrivedonthe shoreofthelake,thingsdidnotlookpromising.Thewhirling,twirlingcloudswereblackand dangerouslooking,thecrisp,darkwaveswerecrestedwithspume,andIhadanotionofjust makingacomfortablecampandwaitingforbetterweather.Butthecommissarydepartment wasreducedtosixBostoncrackers,withasinglesliceofpork,anditwastwelvemilesof wildernesstothenearestpointofsupplies,fourmilesofitcarries,included.Suchweather mightlastaweek,andIdecidedtogo.ForhalfanhourIsatonthebeach,takingweather notes.Thewindwasnortheast;mycoursewasduewest,givingmefourpointsfree.Taking fivefeetofstrongline,Itiedoneendunderaribnextthekeelson,andtheotheraroundthe paddle.Strippingtoshirtanddrawers,Istowedeverythingintheknapsack,andtiedthat safelyintheforepeak.ThenIswungout.Before1wasahalfmileout,Iferventlywished myselfback.Butitwastoolate.Howthatlittle,corky,lightcanoedie!boundandsnap.with aconstanttendencytocomeupinthewindeeye.thatkeptmeonthequiviveeveryinstant. Sheshippednomater;shewastoobuoyantForthat.Butshewasallthetimeindangerof 64

WoodcraftandCamping65 pitchinghercrewoverboard.Itsooncametoacrisis.Aboutthemiddleofthelake,onthe northside,thereisasharp.lowgulchthatrunsawaybackthroughthehills,lookinglikea levelcutthrougharailroadembankment.Anddownthisgulchcameafiercethundergust thatwasLikeasmallcyclone.Itknockeddowntrees.sweptoverthelake,andcaughtthe littlecanoeonthecrestofawave,rightunderthegarboardstreak.Iwentoverboardlikea shot; but I kept my grip on the paddle. That grip was worth a thousand dollars to the "Travelers Accidental"; and another thousand to the "Equitable Company: because the paddle,withitsline.enabledme"tokeepthecanoeinhand,andpreventherfromgoing awaytoleewardlikeadryleaf.WhenIoncegotmynoseabovewater,andmyhandonher afterstem,IknewIhadthewholebusinessundercontrol.Pressingthestemdown,Itooka look inboard. The little jilt! She had not shipped a quart of water. And there was the knapsack,therod,thelittleauxiliarypaddle.alljustasIhadtiedthemin;onlythecrewand thedoublebladehadgoneoverboard.AsIamelderlyandOutofpracticeintheswimming line,anditwasnearlyhalfamiletoaleeshore,and,asIwasoutofbreathandwater logged,itisquitepossiblethatalittleforethoughtandfourcentsworthoffishlinesavedthe insurancecompaniestwothousanddollars. HowIslowlykickedthatcanoeashore;howthesuncameoutbrightandhot;how,insteadof makingtheremainingelevenmiles,Iraisedaconflagrationandacomfortablecamp,dried out,andhadapleasantnightofit;allthisisneitherherenorthere.ThepointIwishtomake is,keepyourdufflesafetofloat,andyourpaddleandcanoesufficientlyinhandtoalways holdyourbreathingworksabovewaterlevel.Soshallyourchildrenlookconfidentlyforyour safereturn,whilethe"Accidentals"ariseandcallyouagoodinvestment. Thereisonlyoneobjectiontotheclinkerbuiltcanoethatoccurstomeasatallplausible. Thisis,thattheridgelikeprojectionsofherclinkerlapsofferresistancetothewater,and retardherspeed.Theoretically.thisiscorrect.Practically.itisnotproven.Herstreaksareso nearly on her water line that the resistance, if any, must be infinitesimal. It is possible, however.thatthiselementmightlessenherspeedoneortwominutesinamilerace.Iamnot racing,buttakingleisurelyrecreation.Icallwaittwoorthreeminutesaswellasnot.Three orfourknotsanhourwilltakemethroughtothelastcarryquiteassoonasIcaretomake thelanding. Afewwordsofexplanationandadvicemaynotbeoutofplace.Ihaveusedthewords "boughs"and"browse"quitefrequently.Iamsorrytheyarenotmoreinuse.Thefirstsettlers intheunbrokenforestknewhowtodiagnoseatree.Theycametothe"HollandPurchase" fromtheEasternStates,withtheirfamilies.inacoveredwagon,drawnbyayokeofoxen, andthefavoritecowpatientlyleadingbehind.Theycouldnotstartuntilthegroundwas settled,sometimeinMay,andnothingcouldbedoneinlatesummer,savetoerectalog cabin,anddearafewacresforthenextseason.Tothisendtheoxenwereindispensable,and acowwasoffirstnecessity.wheretherewerechildren.Andcowsandoxenmusthavehay. Buttherewasnotalotofhayinthecountry.Afewhundredpoundsofcoarsewildgrasswas gleanedfromthemarginsofstreamsandsmallmarshes;butthemainreliancewas"browse. Throughthewarmmonthsthecattlecouldtakecareofthemselves;but,whenwintersettled downinearnest,alargepartofthesettlersworkconsistedinprovidingbrowseforhiscattle. Firstandbestwasthebasswood(linden):thencamemaple,beech,birchandhemlock.Some ofthetreeswouldbenearlythreefeetindiameter,and,whenfelled,muchofthebrowse 65

WoodcraftandCamping66 wouldbetwentyfeetabovethereachofcattle,ontheendsofhugelimbs.Thentheboughs wereloppedoff,andthecattlecouldgetatthebrowse.Thesettlersdividedthetreeintolog. limbs, boughs, and browse. Anything small enough for a cow or deer to masticate was browse.Andthatisjustwhatyouwantforacampintheforest.Nottwigs,thatmaycome fromathorn,orboughs,thatmaybeasthickasyourwrist,butbrowse,whichmaybeused foramattress,thehealthiestintheworld. Andnowforalittleuselessadvice.Ingoing.intothewoods,donttakeamedicinechestora setofsurgicalinstrumentswithyou.Abitofstickingsalve,awoodenvialofantipaintablets andanotherofrhubarbregulars,yourflymedicine,andapairoftweezers,willbeenough. Ofcourseyouhaveneedlesandthread. If you go before the open season for shooting, take no gun. It will simply be a useless incumbranceandanuisance. Ifyougotohum,takeasolemnoathnevertopointtheshootingendofyourguntoward yourselforanyotherhumanbeing. Instillhunting,swearyourselfblackinthefacenevertoshootatadim,movingobjectinthe woodsforadeer,unlessyouhaveseenthatitisadeer.Inthesedaystherearequiteasmany huntersasdeerinthewoods;anditisaheavy,wearisomejobtopackadeadorwounded mantenortwelvemilesouttoaclearing,letalonethatitspoilsallthepleasureofthehunt, andisapttoraisehardfeelingsamonghisrelations. Inaword,actcoollyandrationally.Soshallyouroutingbeadelightinconceptionandthe fulfillmentthereof;whilethememoryofitshallcomebacktoyouinpleasantdreams,when legsandshouldersaTetoostiffandoldIorknapsackandrifle. Thatisme.ThatiswhyIsitheretonightwiththenorthwindandsleetrattlingtheone windowofmylittleden,writingwhatIhopeyoungerandstrongermenwillliketotakeinto thewoodswiththem,andread.NotthatIamsoveryold.Theyoungstersarestillnot anxious to buck against the muzzleloader in offhand shooting. But, in common with a thousandotheroldgraybeards,Ifeelthatthefire,thefervor,thesteel,thatoncecarriedme overthetrailfromdawnuntildark,isdulledanddeadenedwithinme. WehadourdayofyouthandMay; Wemayhavegrownatriflesober; Butlifemayreachawintryway, AndweareonlyinOctober. Wherefore,letusbethankfulthattherearestillthousandsofcool,greennooksbesidecrystal springs,wherethewearysoulmayhideforatime,awayfromdebts,dunsanddeviltries,and awhilecommunewithnatureinherundress. Andwithkindnesstoalltruewoodsmen;andwithmalicetowardnone,savethetrouthog, thenetter,thecruster,andskinbutcher,letus PREPARETOTURNIN.

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