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Canada
CAMP-LORE
AND
WOODCRAFT
THE
OF
BOOK
CAMP-LORE
WOODCRAFT
AND
BY
DAN
POXWDER
WITH
Garden
Garden
OF
377
THE
BEARD
FIRST
ILLUSTRATIONS
SCOUTS
BOY
BY
THE
City Publishing
City
SOCIETY
AUTHOR
Co., Inc.
New
York
THE
RIGHTS
OF
ALICE
BEATBICB
BY
1920,
OOPTRIQHT,
ARE
TRANSLATION
THE
RESERVED
YORK
NEV/
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
C
PRINTED
BEABD
W
IN
UNITED
STATES
OF
AMERICA
TO
George
commissioner
of
scout,
Du
Pont
conservation,
sportsman
Pratt
state
and
outdoor
of
new
man
tore
THE
TO
EDITION
FOREWORD
SECOND
for your
is too "highbrow"
Boys, if this foreword
taste,
if
skip it, but the author don't believe you will, and even
dictionary words he feels that you will
he has used some
forgive him after he tells you that he did so only because of
the lack of time to think up
to say is that
wants
.
.
simple terms.
more
What
he
.
is a wonderful and invaluable asset to the nation,
for in the breast of every boy there is a divine spark, materialists
Boyhood
of youth," others call it the "Christ
in man,"
the Quakers call it the "inner light," but all view
it with interest and anxiety, the ignorant with fear and the
but also with a feeling
wise with understanding sympathy,
"urge
call it the
akin to awe.
Those of
"
who think we know boys, feel that this inner
light" illuminating their wonderful powers
of imagination,
is the compelling force culminating in the vigorous accomplishments
us
It is the force which
of manhood.
over
voyaging
his voyage
on
the unknown
seas,
which
sent Columbus
sent
Captain
Cook
force which cararound the world, the same
ried
Yes,
Atlantic.
in his frail airship across
Lindbergh
the
it is the sublime force which has inspired physicians and
laymen
to cheerfully risk and sacrifice their lives in search
of the
other
for
cause
of Yellow
communicable
Anthrax,
Fever,
diseases
.
HUMANITY!
.
.
no,
Hydrophobia
not
and
for science but
FOREWORD
As
TO
EDITION
dreamed
boy, the author
a
SECOND
THE
of wonderful municipal
giving the boys opportunity
playgrounds, of organizations
in the open, of zoological and botanical gardens
to camp
His
of youth.
planned and adapted to the understanding
busy
lifeas
gave
him
end
made
no
civil engineer, surveyor, and work in the open
to develop his dreams, but at the
opportunity
five year
a
of
a
of the United States and Canada,
York City
ago, he drifted into New
tour
fifty years
over
and was
shocked beyond expression by the almost total lack
of breathing spaces for our boys, in the greatest of American
cities. True, it then had Central Park; but fifty years ago
Central Park
the goats, only to be reached
among
by a long and tiresome horse car journey.
This lamentable
state
of aflFairscaused the writer so
much
was
real pain
a
out
and
that he
concern
then
there
and
inaugura
crusade for the benefit of the boys, a
the avowed
objectof winning for them the
personal
with
interest
in the big outdoors.
peoples'
The most diflicultpart of his task was
to convince the
men
of the swivel chairs that boys' leisure should be spent
crusade
in the open; that the blue sky is the only proper roof for a
normal boy's playground; also that the open spaces are the
places where God intended young
people to live, work and
play.
No
man's
great
crusade,
no
great movement
of any
kind is one
must
nevertheless, every successful movement
the
enthusiast in the front rank, one
who knows
work,
have
one
trail and
quad
comprehensively
Others
complexum.
envisions the
may
"
objective objectum
joinhim, and occasionally
and will
spurt ahead of the leader, like the hare in the fable,
but the enthusiast keeps right on justthe same.
Pray
do not
understand
by
this that the writer claims
TO
FOREWORD
THE
EDITION
SECOND
that he alone is responsible for thfs bloodless revolution.
No, no, his propaganda
work did however
win for him the
moral support of the editorial staff of St. Nicholas, Youth's
Later he was
Companion
openly backed and
and Harpers.
President
as
encouraged by such distinguished sportsmen
Roosevelt, his chief forester Governor Pinchot, and his Chief
of Staff Major General Bell. While the stalwart men
of the
Fire Club of America
Camp
worked hand and glove with
failed not in voicing their
always helped by his loyal
him,
all similar organizations
Furthermore
he was
approval.
friends of the daily press.
Many
influence, all working consciously
the great cause
of boyhood.
famous
or
writers lent their
unconsciously
to help
author only claims that, in all these fiftylong years,
he has never
ceased to work for the boys, never
wavered in
The
his purpose, and now?
at the head
well, when he marched
of fifty thousand Scouts in the great muddy
outdoor Scout
"
camp
at Birkenhead,
air castles had
Mother
Earth.
Yes, boys
have
won
shouting
settled down
have
he realized that his ephemeral
to a firm foundation
upon
victory for boyhoodl We
it by iteration and reiteration, in other words, by
we
outdoors,
singing outdoors
and
England,
won
a
talking
great
outdoors, picturing
all by writing about
above
constantly hammering
and
on
one
outdoors,
the outdoors,
ing
keepand
subject
By such means
have
one
we
purpose
always in view.
at last, not only interested the people of the United States
in the open, but stampeded
the whole world to the forests
and the fields. So let us alljoinin singing the old Methodist
hymn:
"
TO
FOREWORD
*'
EDITION
SECOND
Shout, shout, we are gaining ground.
Glory, Hallelujah!
The
we'll put down,
Devil's kingdom
Glory,
Devil's
The
THE
Hallelujah!"
kingdom
in this
offices and courts.
school rooms,
It is well to note that the work
is the ill-ventilated
case
in this book
in the library, but either in the open
in the open.
When
sketches made
not done
was
itselfor from notes
and
to build a
telling how
his
cooking fire,for instance, the author preferred to make
diagrams from the fires built by himself or by his wilderness
friends, than to trust to information
derived from
other
tical
pictures of imprac-
It is much
easier to make
The paste
fires than to build them.
books.
man's
place of honor in our
So, Boys of the Open, throw
occupy
no
croquet
mallets, and
leggings, give a
you
your
war
woodcraft
and
of
C-imp-Lore
and
and
be what
rackets, your
skin
on
your buckGod
This
December
1930.
York,
first,
intended
great
W^oodcraft.
Dan
Suffern, New
scissors
series.
"
boys.
should be; healthy wholesome
belongs to you and so does this
Book
pot
aside your new
boiled shirts pull
whoop
some
Beard
public
Re-
FOREWORD
In
drawer in the antique highboy, back of the
head in my studio, there are specimens of Indian bead
Hidden
moose
a
work, bits of buckskin, necklaces made of the teeth of animals,
a stone
calumet, my old hunting knife with its rawhide sheath
is the jerkedtenderloin
and
carefully folded in oiled paper
"
of
a
"
grizzly bear!
But that is not all; for more
important
stillis a mysterious
flask contauiing the castor or the scentgland of a
wooden
beaver, which is carefully rolled up in a bit of buckskin
embroidered with mystic Indian signs.
The
arrow,
and
flask
given to me
the Chief of the Montinais
I beheve
castor
from
was
him
that when
this medicine flask
"
"big
medicine" by BowIndians. Bow-arrow
said
inhales the odor of the
one
as
"
one's
soul and body
are
then
and forever afterwards permeated with a great and abiding
love of the big outdoors. Also, when one eats of the mystic
body acquires the strength and
grizzly bear's flesh, one's
of this great animal.
During the initiationof the members
of a Spartan band
Men, each candidate is
as
the Buckskin
of my boys, known
given a thiu slice of the grizzly bear meat and a whiff of the
courage
beaver castor.
Of
course,
unimaginative
we
know
minds
that people with
unromantic
and
We
will call this sentimentalism.
tribes plead guilty to being sentimen-
people of the outdoor
was
taUsts; but we know from experience that old Bow-arrow
right,because we have ourselves eaten of the grizzly bear and
smelled the castor of the beaver!
FOREWORD
vi
the writer cannot
give each of his readers a taste
in material form, or a whiff of the
of this coveted bear meat
flask made by the
beaver medicine, direct from the wooden
While
late Bow-arrow's
own
hands, stillthe author
hopes
that the
magical qualities of this great medicine will enter into and
form a part of the
subjectmatter of this book, and through
inoculate the souls and bodies of his readers,
that medium
them
purify them and rejuvenate
It.
God Made
AS
with
a
love of the World
DAN
June, 1920
BEARD
CONTENTS
Chapteb
Page
MAKING
I. FIRE
How
Legend
BY
Makb
FRICTION
1
Fibb-boabd,
Bow,
Drill
Thimble.
Indian
and
Soobce
Fibe.
Rbcobd
Flbb-makebs.
Robbingof
Outfit.
Eskimo
Thimble.
Bow,
Bow-stbing,
stick
FibeThimble,
Fire-pan.
Tindeb,
Chabbed
Rags, Puff Balls.
BOABD,
Fire-makkbs
Balkan.
Fibe Without
Bow,
the
Co-li-li, the
OF
a
Fire Saw.
Iboqoois.
Ptbopnkumatic
Fire Pumping
op
the
Apparatus
TO
op
a
the
BY
MAKING
II. FIRE
PERCUSSION
21
White
Method,
Man's
How
Steel.
Use Flint and
Where
to
Flint and
Obtain
Stee^,. Chucknucks,
Punk
Spunks
Boxes,
the
to
Real
Lucifer
Slow
Matches.
How
Matchbs.
Match.
AND
to
Spabk.
Substitutes
Catch
Flint and
Steel
the
fob
The
m.
HOW
TO
A
BUILD
FIRE
33
Light a Fire.
Lay and
Tendebfeet.
An Experience
with
Doing
Fear
Manual
Fire-makers
Labor.
NL^tches.
op
Palpitating
The
Babylonians.
He.^bt of the
Camp.
Gummy
AND
Weather.
How
Pine.
Make
woodsmen's
BackFagots of the
to
a Fire
in Wet
Small
Kindling
Wood.
Fire. The Necessity
Good
of
Advantage
Split Wood.
Open
Firewood.
Fire-dogs.
How
of
to
Knife.
Whittle,
How
Knife.
How
Split a Stick with
A
to
to
a
Bonfibf^s and
Council
Fibes.
Fires.
ploding
ExCamp
Meeting
Torch
Stones.
Fibes, Signal
Chabacteb
Fibe.
Fires
Slow
in
Smudges
AND
How
TO
Modern
IV. HOW
TO
LAY
GOOD
A
COOKING
FIRE
53
Primitivb
Expebience
The
Rations.
Most
Shobt
on
Outfits.
PotPot-hooks,
Camp
the
Gallow-cbook,
of
the
Hake,
Saster.
TeleSpeygelia
Gib, the
claw,
the
the
the
and
WiBE
Cooking
Implemf.nts, Wibe
Camp
Grid-iron, Skeleton
OBAPH
Stove.
Cookinq
Fibe-dogs,
CampFires,
Fire-lay,
Roasting
Lay, Belmobe
Ths
Lay, Fbying
Fibe Lay.
fire
Fibe Lay, Baking
AuREs
Crane
A
Pebsonal
Cooking
KITCHENS
V. CAMP
79
Pit-fibes, Bean
Fibe-hole.
Chinook
Holes.
ing
CookCowboy
Fire-hole.
Digger's
Oven.
Barbecue-pits.
The
Gold
The
Camp
Adobe
Oven.
The
Stove.
The
Altar
Campfibb
Ferguson
Kitchen
Explobebs,
Place.
Camp
Subveyobs
Hikebs, Scouts,
fob
Huntebs.
Bread
Without
Pots,
How
Cook Meat,
Fish and
to
and
Pans
Stoves.
How
Babbxcub
Dressing
Small
Animals.
or
to
Large
Anim-vls
Camp
VI. CAMP
FOOD
101
Pone, Corn Dodgers,
Flapjacks, JohkntDoughgod.
Biscuits
Making
Dutch
Ovens.
Venison.
CAKE,
and
Ope^.
How
Beaveb
Tail, Pobcupines
Cook
Banquets
to
in
the
Stews,
Bbunswick
Bobgoos
Camp
Stews
Muskbats.
AND
and
How
Vn.
to
PACKING
Make
Ash
Cake,
HORSES
123
Your
How
Pack
Horse
Own.
Make
to
of
an
How
Make
How
Make
to
a Latigo.
a Cincha.
How
Squaw
Hitch.
Hitch.
How
Throw
Throw
Dwmond
a
to
a
TO
Without
Post, Tree
Stick or
Open
Land
or
Hitch
Horse
in
to
a
Travois
Them.
How
How
Make
the
Stone.
Use op Hobbles
to
and
How
Miles.
Buffalo
Bill and
General
to
Used.
and
is Made
How
Throw
How
Down
a Horse.
to
Throw
a Saddle
on
a Saddle.
Western
Horse
How
Know
Horse.
a
Mount
to
to
a
How
to
Aparejo.
'Make
How
a
to
CONTENTS
viii
Vin.
THE
USE
OF
DOGS.
MAN
PACKING
145
Hiking
Dogs, Pack
Dogs.
How
Dog.
Pack
How
to
a
DoQ
Hitch.
How
AL\ke
Dog
THE
Tr.\voi3.
Dog
to
as
BuRDE.v
Edrope
Arctic
AMERICA.
IN
Man
Packing.
asd
Don't
Fight
Pack.
Your
Portage
Pack.
Men
Great
Carried
Pack.
Kinds
Packs.
Alpine
a
Rucksack.
of
Broad
Straps.
Breast
Make
Your
Own
Outfits
EX.
FOR
PREPARING
CAMPING
to
Throw
Beast
of
Pack
Rats.
Who
Have
Origin
of
a
TRIP
165
Portage.
Porters
Ouj-timb
Indian
Fighters
of
the
Wild
and
Ani.mals.
Modern
Stampede
Open.
How
the
Get
Ready
for
to
Camp.
Cut Your
Finger
Nails.
FOR
Dentist.
Go to Your
Get a
Cut.
Hair
A Buckskin
Man's
Pocket.
Fly
Dope.
Protection
Against
Flies, Mosquitoes,
Black
Midgets
The
No-see-ums.
and
Call of the
Wild
X.
SADDLES
183
How
Birth
Saddle.
Evolution
Mexican
of
the
Fronted
Saddle.
The
Cowboy
Age.
Pack
Saddles.
Leo and
Straight
Bent
Knee.
Names
Saddle.
Fire and
Center
Double
Cinch
or
OF
XI.
Choose
a
t"e Bluff
to
of
A
CHOOSING
CAMP
Saddle.
Sawbucks
Parts
of
SITE
196
'Ware
Single
Trees
Trees.
Woods
Small
Safety
Groups
or
of
in
Fore.st.
Keep
Your
Eyes
Ope.v for
OR
Good
Sites.
Camp
Cross
Streams
While
Crossing
Keep to Windward
Mosquito
is Good.
of
'Ware
Holes.
Ants' Ne.sts. How
Tell when
Wind
Blows.
lution
Evoto
Shack.
How
the
Sweep.
How
Make
Camp
Beds.
of
to
to
How
Divide
Work.
Pegs.
Camp
Tent
How
Pitch
Tent
to
to
a
Single-handed.
Ditch
How
Tent.
Use
Shears,
to
Gins
a
of
Tripods
and
XII. AXE
SAW
AND
"17
Our
Axe
Axe
The
What
Greatest
Importance
Axe.
Kind
of
the
of
.\xe.man.
Use.
How
Swing
to
Axe.
How
Re.move
Broken
to
to
a
an
Handle.
Tighten
Handle
Accidents.
How
Hkad.
to
the
in the
Brains
ETiquEnTE
Axe.
How
Sharpen
of
of
the
to
an
.4xe.
Axe.
"Fall"
How
How
Tree.
How
Swamp.
M.^ke
AN
to
to
to
a
Mall.
How
Harden
Wood.
How
Make
A Beetle
Green
to
or
to
a
Firewood
Hod.
How
The
Proper
Make
Block.
Chopping
to
a
Way
How
Sawbucks
Chop.
Make
Logs.
How
Use a
to
to
for
to
Parbuckle.
How
Split a Log.
How
Use a Sawpit
to
to
GROUNDS
XIII. COUNCIL
AND
FIRES
245
Cherokee
Ground.
Indian
Council
Barbecue.
Meeting
Council
Camp
The
Indian
Indian
Legends
Fire.
Palisaded
Council
Fire.
Stealing
Fire from
Sun-Maidens
of
of
the
the
the
the
East.
IMyths of the
Winds,
Indians.
Totems
Four
Mewan
the
of
Four
Mountains
Impractical
Points
Four
Compass.
and
of
the
How
Council
Fires.
Oval
Council
Ground.
of
the
.Advantages
Four
Ellipse.
Make
How
Divide
Council
Ground
in
TO
an
to
the
Path
edge.
KnowlCourts.
Walk
Council
Ceremonip,s.
Ghost
of
and
What
Poetry
Patriotism,
Different
Colors Stand FOR.
THE
Americanism.
Fires
Camp
Torch
AND
Meeting
XIV.
RITUAL
Program
All
OF
OF
THE
COUNCIL
Fire.
of
a Council
Americans.
Appeal
265
FIRE
Invocation.
The
Pledge
and
Cbebd
I
CHAPTER
FIRE
HOW
TO
MAKE
A
RECORD
FRICTION
BOW,
FIRE-BOARD,
OF
LEGEND
INDIAN
BY
MAKING
THE
SOURCE
DRILL
OF
AND
FIRE
FIRE-MAKERS
OUTFIT
RUBBING-STICK
THIMBLE
ESKIMO
THIMBLE,
BOW-STRING,
BOW,
RAGS,
CHARRED
TINDER,
THE
OF
FIRE-MAKERS
FIRE
WITHOUT
A
FIRE
PUMPING
OF
PTROPNEUMATIC
FIRE-BOARD,
PUFF
FIRE-PAN
BALLS
BALKAN
BOW,
THE
APPARATUS
CO-LI-LI,
IROQUOIS
THE
FIRE
SAW
THIMBLS
AND
CAMP-LORE
WOODCRAFT
I
CHAPTER
MAKING
FIRE
BY
FRICTION
"what-is-its" of Pithecantropus
were
moping
other like hob-goblin men
When
and
the
erectus
age
aromid
the
no
camp-fires; the
earth, there were
sketch of an
knew was
that which struck
only fire that these creatures
it was
terror to their hearts when
vomited forth from
rough
volcanic craters, or
form of lightning. No
upon
fire as
a
deity, no
who
later became
who
his
discovered how
came
crashing
among
them
in the
looked
wonder that the primitive men
doubt an evil deity at firstbut one
good.
When
the vast fields of ice covered Europe during the
die, necessity
to think or
glacier period and forced men
developed a prehistoric Edison among the Neanderthal men,
race
control a fire,thus saving
from being frozen in the ice and kept on cold storage,
to build and
like the hairy rhinoceros and elephant of Siberia.
The fireof this forgotten and unknown
glacier savage was
the forerunner of our
steam-heaters
and kitchen ranges; in
could have made no progress whatever,
for not only the humble kitchen range, but the great factories
and power-plants are all depending upon the discovery made
fact,without
by
the
it
we
was
shivering, teeth-chattering savage who
among
around and trying to keep himself warm
European
glaciers.
ping
hop-
the
interested in
people of the camp-fires are more
built them, than
primitive firesjustas the Neanderthal men
But
we
CAMP-LORE
AND
WOODCRAFT
in the roaring furnaces of the steel works, the volcano
blast furnaces, or any of the scientific,commercialized fires
of factory and commerce.
we
are
What
open,
on
dark
and
Hornaday
love is the genial,old-fashioned camp-fire in the
the broad prairie, on the mountainside, or in the
we
mysterious
forests, where,
as
our
good
friend Dr.
says.
We
will pile on
Mesquite
Dead
And
Bum
pine and spruce,
loose.
roots and sagebrush
bamboo
and smelly teak.
with fagots blazing bright
a hole into the night
"
Not
long ago the author was
up North in the unmapped
lake country of Canada, and while camping
on
the portage
wild and lonely lakes, Scout Joe Van Vleck made
himself a fireoutfit consisting of Fig. 1, a thimble made of a
burl, with which to hold Fig. 2, the spindle made of balsam.
Fig. 3 is a bow cut from a standing bush; not an elastic bow.
between
two
BY
MAKING
FIRE
5
FRICTION
but a bow with
with which to shoot arrows,
bend to it. Fig. 4 is the fire-pan which is placed
a permanent
it falls
under the fire-board to catch the charcoal dust as
one
as
such
uses
the spindle is twirled.
the slot when
through
Fig. 5 is the fire-board, made
was
of
dead balsam
a
tree which
standing within three yards of the camp-fire.
In order to make his fireit was
necessary for our
Scout to
tinder, and this he secured from the bark of cedar
This indeed was
trees, also within a few yards of our
camp.
The
a novel experience, for
seldom is material so convenient.
have
some
built in
few seconds, much to the wonderment
of
hunters
Indian guide, and the delight of some
moose
chanced to be crossing the portage on which our camp
located.
fire was
our
who
was
It
was
a
American,
an
National Museum
modern
Dr.
Walter
of Washington,
up-to-date civilizedwhite
rubbing-sticks,
as
well
as
of the U.
Hough
who
first proved
can
man
the primitive
man.
But
that
a
fire with
a
make
S.
it was
an
troduce
popularized this method of making fire,init among
the Boy Scouts of England and America,
Englishman
who
the girls.
and the sisterorganizations among
According to the American
Indian legend
the
inhabited the earth before the Redmen
darkness in California. There was
the coyote man,
animal
lived in
people who
man,
the white-footed
fabled creatures.
because the
sun
Away
was
over
over
mouse
man,
and
East somewhere
there, and
the vulture
lot of other
light
there was
a
the humming-bird
man
the animal people of our Indians is the one, according
to Dr. Merriman,
who stole the firefrom the East and carried
it under his chin. The mark of it is stillthere. The next
among
time you
fire under
see
a
humming-bird
his chin.
note
the briUiant spot
of red
Now
in fire makthe kmg-pin
why
ing
understand
Le-che-che
deserves the title of
(the
camp
you
at
WOODCRAFT
AND
CAMP-LORE
6
your
humming-bird)
.
fire-board,spindle and bow in
appropriate
record time, then the titleof Le-chcKjhe is all the more
because it was
man
the humming-bird
who hid the
If
gets the fire from
one
firein the
fire,he goes
and to this day, when
tree,
oo-noo
to the
a
(buckeye)tree
oo-noo
the Indian wants
get it; that is,
to
and that some
has taught
in the pockets of his store clothes
white boy, like the Scout previously mentioned,
fire as did the Indian's own
him how to make
ancestors.
But
provided he has
dead
no
matches
then
even
the
oo-noo*
wood
must
be
dry.
and
Austin
Norton
firein thirty
of Ypsilanti, Michigan, April, 1912, made
and one-fifth seconds; Frederick C. Reed of
-nine
Washington, in December,
1912, made
fire in thirty-one onds;
sec-
Miller of St. Paul made fire in thirty seconds,
Mr. Arthur Forbush, one
but it was
of the author's
Scouts of the Sons of Daniel Boone
(thescout organization
which preceded both the English Boy Scouts and the Boy
Scouts of America) who broke the record time in making fire
with "rubbing-sticks" by doing it in twenty-nine seconds at
Mr.
Ernest
Sportsman's
the
York.
Mr.
and many
reduced his own
The
*
nut
;
by
Madison
Garden,
Square
New
made
world-record
this time
"rubbing-stick"
twenty-six
that record
even
is
to
a
picturesque,
t
and
may
one-fifth
have
sensational
been
and
is the
of the Ohio and Mississippi Valley, but
of California, ^Esculus Califomica.
It is not
buckeye
at
this record in the presence of the
gentleman
witnesses. Since then the same
Forbush
author
seconds
broken.
Show
the buckeye
t The record
is
now
eleven sectMids.
MAKING
FIRE
BY
FRICTION
7
of building a fire,but to-day it is of little
come
outside of the fact that it teaches one to over-
interestingmethod
practical use
obstacles, to do things vsdth the tools at hand, to think
and
act
with
primitive
the vigor, precision and
self-confidence of
a
man.
"^
"Rubbing-stick"
tr
^'-20
Outfit
Ever since the writer was
he has read about
a small boy
"two
making fireby rubbing "two chips" or
sticks" together,
pressio
and he was
under the impression then, and is under the imnow,
When
that
no
one
can
build
a
fire in that
manner.
find reference to rubbing-sticks it is probably a
slovenly manner
of describing the bow
and drill and the
For the bow and drill
other similar frictionfireimplements.
one
we
requires firsta
CAMP-LORE
8
AND
WOODCRAFT
Thimble
(Figs.1, lA, IB, IC and ID). This is a half round
or
pebble,
a
half round
stone
knot of wood, or it may
be
inlay of a piece of stone.
In the
burl
or
made of soft wood with an
bottom of the thimble there is always a shallow hole or socket;
S on Figs. 1, lA, IB, IC, and ID.
The thimble is an
see
invention of the Eskimos
(Fig.IC) ; they keep the spindle
upright by holding the pointed upper end of it in a hole (S)
drilled into a piece of serpentine, or soapstone.
The
Major
author
David
has
a
thimble
Abercrombie.
made for him
beautiful implement
personally
This
by
is
made of hard fine-grained wood carved into the form of a
beetle (Fig.IB). It is inlaid with copper and semi-precious
The socket hole was
drilledinto a piece of jade(B),
stones.
using for the purpose some
sand and the drillshown in Fig. 23.
There was
a piece of steel pipe set into the
end of the wooden
drillwith which to bore a hole into the hard jade. The jade
then inlaid or
was
thimble,
ias
a
set into the middle
and
of the bottom of the
The
there, Fig. IB.
author also
cemented
for him
thimble made
by
Seymour
Edmund
This thimble
of America.
hole drilled in it.Fig. lA.
Camp-fire Club
with a
It is not necessary
is
a
of the
stone fossil
using the
be held down with
to tell the reader that when
bow for power, the twirling spindle cannot
the bare hand, consequently the use of the thimble for that
purpose
is necessary.
fashioned that it may
Fig. IC shows an Eskimo
thimble
be held in the fire-maker's mouth.
The
a
so
Bow
3, 3E, 3F and 3G) about
Is a stick or branch of wood (Figs.
foot and a half long and almost an inch in diameter, which
FIRE
has
a
permanent
BY
MAKING
bend in it
FRICTION
be natural
the bend may
"
the bow
have been made artificially.To
thong, or durable string of some
kind.
9
or
may-
is attached a slack
The Eskimos, more
inventive than the Indians, made themselves beautiful bows
from walrus tusks, which they shaved
of ivory, carving them
down and strung with a loose strip of walrus hide.
String
Bow
The
string or belt lacing is that it is
whang
a strip of buckskin, a
apt to be too greasy, so if one can secure
inches wide, and twist it into a
buckskin thong about two
The
objectionto
string, it will probably
best
serve
The
Spindle
the purpose
(Fig.6).
2, 2A, 2B and
spindle is the twirling stick (Figs.
is usually about a foot long and was
used by
The
which
American
stick or
at the
2C)
our
Indians without the bow (Fig.7). The twirhng
inch in diameter
spindle may be three-quarters of an
middle;
constant
shorten the spindle.
The
be made.
must
use
When
sharpening will gradually
it becomes too short a new
one
and
end of the spindle should not be made
have a dull or roimded
sharp like a lead pencil, but should
end, with which to bore into the fire-board, thus producing
fine,hot charcoal, which
growing
becomes
a
spark: that is,a
ember.
The
The
in time
Fire-boakd
5 and
fire-board (Figs.
be made of spruce,
root, basswood,
and
5A) should
cottonwood
cedar, balsam, tamarack,
It
dry white pine, maple and, probably, buckeye wood.
even
should not be made of black walnut, oak or chestnut, or any
AND
CAMP-LORE
10
WOODCRAFT
The fire-board
or resinous quality.
which has a gummy
easily. Dr.
should be of dry material which will powder
Hough
as
maple for the fire-board, or "hearth,
recommends
it is called in the Boy Scout Handbook.
Make
the fire-board
wood
"
inches wide and three-quarters
about eleven inches long, two
of an inch thick.
Near
inches from the end,
begin a row of notches each three-quarter inch long and cut
down through the fire-board so as to be wider at the bottom.
the edge of the board, and two
At
indenture only
an
the inside end of each notch make
sufficientlydeep to barely hold the end of your spindle while
the preliminary twirls which gradually enlarge the
socket to fit the end of your spindle.
you
make
The
FraE-PAN
The
fire-pan is a chip, shingle or wooden
to catch the charred dust as it is
pushed out
dust-pan
used
by the twirling
spindle (Fig.
4) The use of the fire-pan is also an Eskimos
idea, but they cut a step in their driftwood fire-board itself
.
(Fig.
8) to
serve
as
a
fire-pan.
Tinder
When
you
can
them,
charred rags of cotton or
linen make excellent tinder, but the best fabric for that purpose
is an old Turkish towel.
procure
How
Find
a
flatstone
TO
Char
(Fig.lO) a
,
a
Rag
broad piece of board,
hard, bare piece of earth; set your cloth afire and
begins to blaze briskly, smother
it out quickly by
a
smooth,
after it
using
a
MAEING
FIRE
BY
FRICTION
11
folded piece of paper (Fig.
9) a square section of birch bark
or
another piece of board. This flapped do^Ti quickly upon
,
flames
extinguish them
charred portion (Fig.10). Or with
your feet quickly trample out the
the
will
flames. Keep
without
disturbing
the
punk or tinder
in a water-tight box; a tin tobacco
box is good for that purpose, or do
like our
punk
your
did
ancestors
horn
keep it in a
"
(Fig.30).
fine dry
is good
known
tinder, also the mushroom,
as
the puflF-ballor Devil's snuffbox.
Very
The
grass
puff-balls,big
be found growing
about
ones,
may
the edges
of the woods and they make very good punk or tinder. They
are
prepared by hanging them on a string and drying them
the
out, after which they are
cut into thin slices,laid on
board and beaten
punk
mered
until all the black dust ("snuff")is hamin condition to use as
they are
out of them, when
or
a mushtinder (Fig.11). In olden times there was
room,
toadstool
used
as
or
fungus
imported
from
Germany,
and
woodcraft consists in supplying
oneself
forget that
material at hand; therefore do not
punk,
but
with the
flying squirrels
14) and voles,
(Figs.12 and 13),white-footed
or
short-tailed meadow
mice,
are
mice
(Fig.
all addicted
to collecting good
Tinder
nests : So also do some
with which to make their warm
of
the birds
the summer
yellow bird, humming-bird
and
humming-birds' nests are too diffivireos. While abandoned
"
CAMP-LORE
12
AND
WOODCRAFT
cult to find, last year's vireos' nests
like cups
between
suspended
within
when
discoveasily ered
branches, usually
two
quite conspicuous in the fall
are
more
reach of the hand, and
the leaves are off the trees.
inner
red (Fig.15) and white, the dry
bark of other trees, dry birch bark, when shredded up very
fine,make good tinder. Whether
you use the various forms
Cedar
bark, both
of rubbing-sticks
catch
the
the flame.
spark
or
the
in punk
flint and
or
steel, it is necessary
tinder in order to
to
develop
How
Make
TO
First find
a
a
a
around the spindle, as
the
grasp
with
Drill
a
level solid foundation
fire-board, then make
the diagram
Fire
IS
FRICTION
BY
MAKING
FIRE
on
Bow
and
to place your
which
half turn with the string of the bow
in
(Fig.
16); now
thimble
the lefthand, put
one
with
end
of the drillin the socket
hole of the thimble, the
other
hole
in the socket
the fire-board,
end
on
ing
with your left foot holdthe fire-board down.
Press
work
left wrist firmly against your left shin. Begin
by drawmg
the bow slowly and horizontally back and
forth until it works
easily, work
your
the bow
as
does
one
a
fiddle bow
playing on a bass viol, but
its whole length
the bow
When
it is running
time.
when
draw
each
smoothly, speed it up.
feel that
Or when
you
drill is biting the
harder
hard,
the
on
but
the
press
wood,
thimble, not
hard
drill firmly,
enough
so
that
the
to
too
hold
it will
of the socket but
will continue to bite the wood
begins to
until the "sawdust"
not
appear.
become
At
first it will show
slip out
a
black and begin to smoke
brown
color, later it will
until the thickening smoke
14
AND
CAMP-LORE
have developed the spark.
that you
announces
you
gently fan the smoking
fan
it too
blown
As
WOODCRAFT
briskly,
as
hand.
with one
happens, the powder
embers
often
If you
will be
away.
soon
as
you
satisfiedthat you have secured a spark,
embers on the fire-pan and place carefully
are
liftthe powdered
on
top of it a bunch
flame
At this stage
(Fig.8A)
.
take it up
in your
of tinder, then blow
Or fold the tinder over
hand
and
swing
it with
tillit bursts into
the spark gently,
a
circular motion
until the flame flares out.
PsitiHT-
Even
and
to this day
peasantry
throughout
the Carpathian
build their fires with a "rubbinghave a permathese people not being campers
nent
Balkan
peninsulas
stick." But
fire machine
by erecting two
made
posts,
one
the fire-stickand the other the socket thimble.
horizontally between these two posts and
runs
issecured by
a
isproduced
in the
The
spindle
the pressure
cord tied around the two posts, which
toward each other. The spindle is worked
thong
tends to pull them
by a bow the same
to represent
as
same
or
the
one
maimer.
already described and
the fire
FIRE
MAKING
Fere
BY
Without
FRICTION
a
15
Bow
built firessuccessfully
pupils in the Woodcraft Camp
by using the rung of a chair for the spindle, a piece of packing
My
fire-board, and another piece for the socket wood
and the string from their moccasins for a bow string. They
necessary
used no bow, however, and two or three boys were
to hold the spindle and two others
to make
a fire, one
case
to
for
saw
a
the moccasin
on
string
Co-Li-Li
"
THE
(Fig.17).
Fire
Saw
is made of two pieces of bamboo,
fish pole. This is the
or
oldest instrument for fire making
used by the Bontoc Igorot
the men
of the Philippines.
and is now
seldom found among
Practically all Philippine boys, however, know how to make
too. It is
and use it and so should our boys here, and men,
called "co-li-li" and is made of two pieces of dry bamboo.
A
is first split
two-foot section of dead and dry bamboo
lengthwise and in one piece, a small area of the stringy tissue
lining of the tube is splintered and picked until quite loose
(Fig.
18)
Just
.
bamboo,
a
over
narrow
the picked fibres,but on the outside of the
is cut across
it (Fig.18G). This
groove
AND
CAMP-LORE
16
WOODCRAFT
is now
piece of bamboo
board" of the machine.
the stationary lower part or "fireOne edge of the other half of the
original tube is sharpened like a chisel blade's edge (Fig.
19);
it is then grasped with one hand at each end and is slowly and
heavily sawed backward
and forward through the groove in
more
the board, and afterwards worked
rapidly, thus producing
dry
dust
on
a conical pile of
the wad of tinder picked
from
the inside of the bamboo
20
(Figs.
"After
Ernest
a
dozen
previously
strokes," says
our
authority, Mr.
Albert
Jenks, "the
sides of the groove and the edge of the
down; presently a smell of smoke is plain
piece are burned
and before three dozen
strokes have
be
a
Usually before
seen.
smoke
placed there.
22 is the fire-pan.
21). Fig.
and
or
tellsus
has grown
more
hundred
been made, smoke may
strokes a larger volmne of
that the dry dust constantly falling on the pile
charred until finally a tiny spark
and more
falls,carrying combustion
The fire-board is then
to
the already heated
dust
cone."
carefully lifted and if the pinch
it may now be gently fanned with the
of dust is smouldering
hand until the tinder catches; then it may be blown into a
flame.
Fire
Fig. 23 shows
Pumping
of
the
Iroquois
form
it is
of drill. For this one
to have a weight wheel attached
necessary
to the lower part of the spindle. A hole
another
is made
through its center and the drill
fitted to this. The one in Fig. 23 is fitted
out
with
under
a
the
iron wheel which I found
Fig. 23 C
barn.
a
shows
rusty
I found
weight
wheel
which
gravel-pit in Mills Creek bottoms
at
pottery
many
years
ago
Cincinnati, Ohio.
in
a
It
was
brick-red in color and
decorated
MAKING
FIRE
BY
FRICTION
17
many
years I did not
with strange characters. For many,
intended. I
know for what use this unique instrument was
where
presented it to the Flushing High School (Long Island),
The fire-drillis twirled by moving
it stillremains.
the bow up and down instead of backward
and forward.
I trust
The
Stick
Twirling
Fig. 7 is practically the same
difference: the bow and thong
(American Indian)
as
are
Figs. 16 and 17, with this
dispensed with and the
of the hands, as formerly
spindle twirled between the palm
practised by the California Indians, the natives of Australia,
Caroline Islands, China, Africa and India.
Indians made friction fire in this
of the American
They spun the thin spindle by rolling it between
manner.
the palms of their hands and as pressure was
exerted the
hands gradually slid down
to the thick lower end of the
Many
spindle. To again get the hands to the top of the drillrequires
claim any
practice and skill. Personally the writer cannot
success
with
this method.
The
Plow
Stick (American Indian)
simplest method of friction is that of the plow, which
requires only a fire-board with a
The
gutter
in it and
to push
and down
24). Captain
(Fig.
Browne
made
when
a
rubbing-stick
up
the gutter
Belmore
fame
of Mt. McKinley
fire by this last method
a
his matches
were
soaked
It is,however, more
with water.
diflScult to produce the fire this
way
than
2
with
the
thong
and
AND
CAMP-LORE
18
WOODCRAFT
It is stillused in the Malay
Islands ; the natives place
or
the fire-board on a stump
stone, straddle it and with a
bow.
pointed
drill plow
board
the
back
and
forth
Forty seconds.
produce fire. Time:
it is unnecessary
Of course
to tell anyone
start a fire with a sunglass (Fig.
25) or with
or
camera,
old-fashioned
But
matches
we
one
the
as
can
tlie lens of
from
a
two
gether.
crystals held tois not always
sun
this method
of fire making
without
properly belongs in the classroom.
will pass
as
watch
he
they
lenses are
not
visible, as
supposed to
in the wild woods and were
not to
grow
be found in the camps
and log cabins of
as
watch crystals have short Hves in the
the pioneers, and
woods,
that
the lens made
with
until
which
Pyropneumatic
The
Apparatus
about the time of the American Revolution some
invented a fire piston (Fig.26) with which he
gentleman
ignited punk made of fimgus by the heat engendered by the
Before
or
sudden compression of the air.
describes his invention as follows:
The ancient gentleman
"The cylinder is about nine inches long, and half an inch in
diameter; it terminates
intended to hold
ia attached to
a
a
in
a
screw
which screws
fungus.
bougie, and some
solid piston,
or
on
plunger, not
the magazine
A steel rod
shown
in the
figure, it being within the tube. This rod has a milled head
and there is a small hole in the tube to admit the air, when
the piston is drawn up to the top, where a piece unscrews,
for the purpose of applying oil or grease to the piston. I have
found lard to
answer
the end best."
BY
MAKING
FIRE
Method
"
from
Take
place it in the chamber,
screw
19
It
Using
of
the magazine
FRICTION
small piece of fungus, and
the piece tight on and draw the
a
Hold the
piston up by the end, tillit stops.
instrument
with both hands in the manner
represented in Fig. 26, place the end on a
against any firm body, either in a
perpendicular, horizontal or verticaldirection,
with as much
and force the piston down
table
or
rapidity
as
This rapid compression
the fungus to take fire.
possible.
of the air will cause
Instantly after the stroke of the piston,
unscrew
the air will rush in,
tillthe fungus is
up the combustion
the magazine,
and keep
when
Observe, in hghting the tinder, the
consumed.
fungus must
be liftedup a littlefrom the chamber,
allow the
tinder to be introduced
will not kindle.
"Here it may
has
decided advantage
fungus is inserted at such a depth
a
they had the
stilllight their cigarettes with
also
on
use
the
same
machine
a
over
as
as
it, otherwise
that the instrument
be remarked
But in Burmah
beneath
so
to
it
thus constructed
the fire-cane,where the
not easily to be reached."
idea.
There the cooHes
fire-piston. The Phihppinos
same
and ignite
the end of the piston by suddenly
a
stuck
wad of cotton
forcing the piston into
air-tight cylinders,and when the piston is quickly withdrawn
the cotton is found to be aflame, so it may be that the Colonial
gentleman had traveled to the Indies and borrowed his idea
from
the Burmahs,
or
the Philippinos.
At any
rate
we
do
it to-day in the woods, but itfinds place here because it
belongs to the frictionfiresand may be good as a suggestion for
not
use
those among
my
readers of experimental
and inventive minds.
CHAPTER
FffiE
THE
WHITE
WHERE
TO
CHUCKNUCKS,
LUCIFER
SLOW
MATCH
HOW
TO
SUBSTITUTES
HOW
METHOD;
OBTAIN
THE
PUNK
REAL
BY
MAKING
man's
II
FLINT
BOXES,
AND
SPUNKS
MATCHES
THE
CATCH
FOR
SPARK
FLINT
AND
STEEL
PERCUSSION
TO
USE
FLINT
STEEL
AND
MATCHES
AND
STEEL
n
CHAPTER
FIRE
The
preceding methods
the
not
MAJONG
by
white
man's
BY
PERCUSSION
of producing
methods,
and
The
fire by friction are
are
not
the
methods
the writer
only case
pioneer ancestors.
in which
the pioneer white
can
people
used
remember
the refugees
where
rubbing-sticks to produce fire, is one
ia Oregon
from an
Indian uprising and massacre
made
used
our
of the bits of the splintered
rubbing-sticks made
On that occasion they
wood of a lightning stricken tree.
in a great hurry, without their flints
evidently left home
fire from
and steels.
But this
instance in itselfis sufficient to show to all
importance
of the knowledge
and
outdoor people the great
friction fires. Like our
good friend, the
abiUty to make
Browne,
Captain Behnore
one
artist, explorer and author.
are
matches
soaked,
at any time get in a fix where one's
may
either to eat one's food
fire.
or
resort to rubbing-sticks to start a
It is well, however, to remember
that the flintand steel is
destroyed
raw
one
or
lost and
The
be compelled
White
Man's
Method
the fire canes
of our Colonial dudes,
notwithstanding
or
the Pyropneumatic
apparatus
of the forgotten Mr. Bank,
fire by percussion, that is, fire by friction of flint and steel,
in America up to a quite recent date, and
was
universal here
it is stillin common
use
many
of my Camp-fire Club
among
And
friends, and among
many
smokers
2S
How
WOODCRAFT
AND
CAMP-LORE
24
TO
Use
Flint
and
Steel
In the age of flintand steel,the guns were
Fig. 33 shows the gun-lock of an
method.
holds
allfiredby this
the
old musket;
small piece of buckskin is
piece of flint,a
to give
folded around the inside edge of the flintand serves
a grip to the top part
of the hammer
which is screwed down.
To fire the gun the hammer
is pulled back at full cock, the
hammer
a
steel sets opposite the hammer
powder-pan by a liinge. When
down,
comes
it back
and is joinedto the top of the
mer
the trigger is pulled the ham-
and
striking the flintagainst the steel,throwing
time to the
exposing the powder at the same
sparks which ignite the powder in the gun by means
of the
This is the sort
touch hole in the side of the barrel of same.
of a hammer
and lock used by all of our ancestors up to the
and it is the sort of a hammer
used by
late as the battle of Fort Donaldson.
In
time of the Civil War,
the Confederates
as
had
flint lock pistols without
barrels,which were
used only to ignite punk for the purpose of
fire-building. But when one
starts a fire by means
of flint
hands must act the part of the hammer,
the
and steel one's
back of one's
knife may
be the steel, then a piece of flint
the olden times
or
a
some
people
gritty rock and
spark necessary
In the good
a
piece of punk
to generate the flames.
will produce
the
buckskin
old pioneer days, when we all wore
clothes and did not botlier about the price of wool, when we
M^ore
coonskin caps and cared Httle for the price of felt hats,
everybody, from Miles Standish and George Washington
Abraham
Lincoln, used flint and steel. Fig. 27 shows
different forms
our
grandsires
of steel used by
granddames.
Flint in itsnatural condition may
but,
as
a
rule, any
stone
which
was
to
ten
and
be found in many
states,
used by the Indians for
MAiONG
FIRE
will
arrowheads
gritty
any
or
BY
27
substitute for flint,* that is,
like quartz, agate, jasperor iron
as
answer
PERCUSSION
a
glassy stone,
pyrites. Soft stones, limestones, slate
good for this purpose.
The
or
soapstones
are
not
Steel
Most
so
of the old steels were
made that one might grasp
fingers through the inside of the
them while thrusting one's
handed). Some of the Scoutmasters
oval steel, Fig. 28 (left
Scouts of America
of the Boy
pieces of flat ten-cent
every
outdoor
man,
steels of broken
their own
make
files,but this is unnecessary
and
woman,
too, is supposed
because
to carry
a
and the back of the blade of the jackgood sized jack-knife
hunting knife is good
knife, or the back of the blade of one's
who has acquired the art of using
enough
steel for anyone
it as
a
steel.
But if you
or
shop
make
have steels manufactured
them yourself, let them be
at the machine
must
inch wide, a
to form an ellipse
an
inch thick, and long enough
like one
the sharp edges
of those shown in Fig. 27. Have
have your steel twisted
rounded off. If you desire you may
in Fig. 27 to imitate the ones
in any of the shapes shown
quarter
of
an
used by your
great granddaddies.
The
But
has
of flint and steel which
by Fig. 31. This
to the writer's attention is shown
the neatest
come
Chucknuck
thing in the way
501 Broadway,
be obtained at Bannennans,
New
York City, where they also have ancient steels which were
used by the U. S.
from Wards
Natural Science
flints may
also be purchased
soldiers. The
York, and the author foimd a plentiful
Establishment
at Rochester, New
*
supply
To-day
flint may
of flintsat
one
of the Army
and Navy
stores
in New
York.
CAMP-LORE
28
AND
WOODCRAFT
is a small German
silverbox which stillcontaias some
of the
used for punk and an ancient, well-battered
original fungus
piece of flint. Around
the box is fitted the steel in the form
be
the whole thing is so small that it may
band, and
carried in one's
of
a
vest pocket.
This
was
once
the property
of
Lieutenant, of the City of Philadelphia at the
time of the Revolution, that is, custodian of city property.
He took the Christ Church bellsfrom Philadelphia to Bethlehem
Phillip Hagner,
by ox-cart
Philhp Hagner
before the city was
occupied by the British.
from Saxony about 1700 and settled in
came
Germantown,
Philadelphia. This silver box was
presented
Scout
Mr.
Commissioner
by
Isaac
to the National
Sutton,
Scout
Commissioner
for Delaware
and
Montgomery
ties,
Coun-
Scouts of America.
Boy
Punk
is made
by sawing off the small
horn (Fig.30). A small
end and then the point of a cow's
hole is next bored through the sohd small end of the horn to
connect
with the natural open space further down, a strip
The
cowhorn
punk
box
Boxes
string larger than the hole is forced
through the small end and secured by a knot on the inside,
which prevents itfrom being pulled out. The large end of the
horn is closed by a piece of thick sole leather attached to the
thong, by tying a hard knot in the end and pulling the thong
of rawhide
whang
hole in the center of the stopper until the knot is
against the leather disk; this should be done before the
through
snug
or
a
leather is allowed to dry. If the thong and leather stopper
are
made to fit the horn tightly, the dry baked rags, the
for punk,
substance you use
charred cotton, or whatever
from
when
placed in the horn will be perfectly protected
moisture or dampness.
wet
FIRE
Sulphur
These
"spunks"
old sulphur
29
PERCUSSION
Spunks
Headed
kindling wood or
rubbing but were
flame.
BY
MAKING
Matches
and
were
nothing
more
than
tinder, because they would not ignite by
hghted by putting the sulphur end in the
modern ideas of convenience they
in England
appear
very primitive. They were
called "spunks"
in America, and varied in length from
and "matches"
According
three
from
to
a
our
inches,
seven
dozen
to
were
generally
dozen and
to two
packed
in bundles
tied together with bits of
Some
late as 1830 are considered
as
spunks made
rare
enough to be carefully preserved in the York Museum
in England
(Fig.323^). The ones illustratedin Fig. 32 are a
straw.
Long
Island product, and were
given to the author by the
late John Halleran, the most noted antique collector on Long
Island.
These
the antiquities
carefully preserved among
in the writer's studio. But they are less than haK the length
are
formerly used on the Western Reserve.
With
in the studio are also two old pioneer
the ancient matches
tinder boxes with flints and steels. The^tinder boxes are
of the
ones
of tin and contain
made
a
lot of baked
rags.
The
inside lid
up the punk or
extinguisher with which to cover
tinder in the box after you have lighted the candle in the tin
lid of the box (Fig.32).
acts
as
The
an
matches
we
use
When
sulphur spunks.
Reserve
the Western
on
intensely interested in
an
evolved from these old
in
a littlefellow up
the writer was
the shores of Lake Erie, he was
today
are
old lady making
sulphur matches.
Over the open fire she melted the sulphur in an iron kettle
ia which she dipped the ends of some
pine slivers. The
then allowed to cool
sulphur on the end of the sticks was
and harden.
pencil and
These matches were
about the length of a lead
could only be lighted by thrusting the sulphur
AND
CAMP-LORE
30
into the flame.
So, although
Lucifer matches,
see
the
of
our
to
present-day
been born in the age
of
fortunate
to
yet
enough
was
the contemporary
remember
"safety"
match.
Lucifer
Match
Real,
The
having
writer
and
manufactured
WOODCRAFT
ancestors
is, the
which hghts from friction, is the
match
invention of Isaac Holden, M. P. According to the Pall Mall
Gazette, Mr. Holden
I used to get up
said, "In the morning
That
at 4 o'clock ia order to pursue
my
studies, and I used at that
of which I found very great
time the flintand steel,in the use
Of course,
inconvenience.
I knew,
the explosive material that was
light, but it was
instantaneous
hght
on
difficultto obtain a
by that explosive material, and the idea occurred
wood
to
other chemists did,
in order to produce
necessary
as
very
to put
sulphur under the explosive mixture.
I did that and showed it in my next lecture on chemistry,
delivering at a large academy."
a course
of which I was
Because every real woodsman
is a student, as well as a
me
brief history is given of these fire implements
All
to entertain him as we
jog along the "trace."
sentimentalist,
these things
in
blazes which
mark
the trail to the button
wall which now
produces the electric light. Some of
like the clay cylinders found in the ruins of Babylon,
our
them,
are
are
a
only useful in
a
historical sense,
but many
of them
are
essentially practical for woodcraft.
How
The
slow match
be made
TO
or
Make
punk
a
rope
Chucknuck
to fitin the
brass cylinder
of candle wick or coach wick purchased at the
hardware store; such wick is about three-eighths of an inch
in diameter. Scout Commissioner
John H. Chase of Youngsmay
FIRE
MAKING
Ohio, suggests
town,
wastes
of
a
woodsmen
machme
I know
the apparatus
yellow fuse rope,
uses
FY
PERCUSSION
that the rope
or
shop
is Mr.
a
may
garage;
Frederick
be made from the
but one
of the best
K.
Vreeland,
by Fig. 34, which
shown
or
rope,
punk
fastens
which
cork in one
31
may
and
he
is made of the
be purchased at
He
a
cigar stores.
end of the rope by a
wire, he pulls the other end of the rope through the end of
the brass cartridge shell which has been filed off for that
end of the fuse rope must be charred, so as
to catch the spark. To get the
spark he takes the back of the
blade of his knife (Fig.
35),and strikes the bit of flintas you
The
purpose.
with flint and
steel, holding the charred end of the
by the diagram (Fig.29).
punk against the flint,as shown
Loose cotton
and various vegetable fibers twisted into a
would
rope
soaked
when diy.
in water
and
To
gunpowder
Get
the
will make
good
punk
Spark
Place the charred end of the rope
on
the flint,the charred
inch back of the edge
thirty-second of an
{jortion about one
of the flint where the latter is to be struck by the steel;
hold the punk in place with the thumb of the lefthand, as in
the diagram
at
an
your
(Fig.29) Hold
the knife about six inches above
angle of about forty -five degrees from the flint,turn
knife so that the edge of the back of the blade will
strike,then
.
come
down
at
an
angle about thirty -fivedegrees
This should send the spark into
sharp scraping blow.
the punk at the firstor second blow.
with
a
Now
blow
the punk
until it is allaglow and you are ready to set your tinder afire.
Push the punk into the middle of a handful of tinder and
blow it until it is aflame, and the deed is done!
All these pocket contrivances for striking fire
known
"striker-lights" or "chucknucks."
as
were
merly
for-
CAMP-LORE
32
A
Substitute
Malays
AND
for
WOODCRAFT
Flint
and
Steel
neither flint nor
steel ingeniously
substitute for the flinta piece of broken chinaware, and for
joint,
the steel a bamboo
and they produce a spark by striking
The
china against the jointof the bamboo,
do with the flintand steel.
the broken
we
having
justas
CHAPTER
TO
HOW
AN
HOW
TO
AND
LIGHT
lAT
EXPERIENCE
MODERN
WITH
FEAR
OF
III
A
BUILD
A
FIRE
FIRE
TENDERFEET
MANUAL
DOING
LABOR
MATCHES
ant)
fire-makers
the
babylonians
palpitating
fagots
gummy
to
how
of
the
a
make
in
wet
weatheb
fire
necessity
good
camp
pine
fire
backwoodsmen's
the
the
of
heart
of
small
kindling
wood
firewood
advantage
of
sput
wood
fire-dogs
how
to
open
HOW
TO
whittle;
BONFIRES
CAMP
knife
how
to
TORCH
MEETING
split
a
FIRES
COUNCIL
AND
EXPLODING
FIRES
STONES
IN
CHARACTER
SLOW
a
FIHES,
FIRE
SIGNAL
FIRES
AND
SMUDGES
stick
WITH
A
KNIFB
CHAPTER
TO
HOW
"By
A
A
BUILD
FIRE
thy camp-fire they shall know
of twenty or thirty men
begged that he would
PARTY
III
once
thee."
called at the author's
with them on a hike,
stating that they intended to cook their dinner out-of-doors.
to
We went on the hike. The author asked the gentlemen
studio and
collect the wood
and
heaped
up
go
for the fire; they
a
about
quarter
of
did
a
so
enthusiastically
There
cord of wood.
arm,
stick in the pile less than the thickness of one's
leg. A fine misty rain was
falling
as thick as one's
and many
While all the other hikers gathdamp.
ered
and everything was
was
no
carefully hghted a match
and
of them
around, one
cord wood sticks. Match
applied it to the heap of damp
he tried, then turned helplessly to the writer
after match
with the remark, "It won't light, sir," and
the humor
of the situation!
Had
told the writer that from
anyone
none
there
twenty-five
saw
to
of whom
could build a fire,
could be found, none
as highly improbable,
he would have considered the statement
but if he had been told that any intelligent man
would try
to fight cord wood sticks, wet or dry, by applying a match
to them, he would have branded the story as utterly beyond
thirty
men
few people
really astonishing how
how to build a fire even
when supplied
belief. It is, however,
there
are
who
know
with plenty of fuel and abundant
matches.
Matches
be well to call the reader's attention to the fact
It may
that it takes very littlemoisture to spoil the scratch patch
35
CAMP-LORE
36
on
a
from
when
AND
WOODCRAFT
box
itself
the match
of safety matches
and prevent
igniting. The
snaps
which
so-called parlor match,
hghts it and often shoots the burning head into
one
clothes, is too dangerous a match to
is exceedingly
The bird's-eye match
take into the woods.
the trail, but the old-fashioned, ill-smelling
unreliable on
face
one's
or
on
Lucifer match,
one's
sometimes
called sulphur
match,
the kind
A
'
57/
one
may
secure
at the Hudson
Bay
Trading
Post, the kind
is the
in blocks and is often packed in tin cans,
for woodcrafters, hunters, explorers, and hikers.
best match
Most of the outfitting stores in the big citieseither have these
When
or
can
them for their customers.
procure
matches
that
comes
of these matches
hair.
through one's
one
Nowadays
everyone
more
it may
is damp
labor
manual
in the light of
seems
a
be dried by running
to
disgrace
be
or
looked
upon
punishment
it
by
than
privilege; nevertheless, it is a privilege to be able to
labor, it is a privilege to have the vim, the pep, the desire
is a necessary attribute
and the abihty to do things. Labor
as
a
HOW
of the doer and
attempt
so
a
to succeed without
use
thing
FIRE
37
the building of
as
a
no
one
need
fireand expect
labor.
the
in order to procure
A
Hve in the open;
those who
sunple
One must
BUILD
TO
industriously
axe
fuel for the fire;one
(Figs.39,
42 and
43)
plan the firecarefully
with regard to the wind and the inflammable material
one
must
collect and select the fuel intelligently.
adjacent;
The shirk, the quitter, or the
side-stepper has no place
must
in the open; his habitat is on the Great White Way among
the
Babylonians of the big cities. He does not even
know
the
joysof a fire;he never sees a fireexcept when some building
is burning.
His body
is heated by steam
radiators, his food
is cooked in some
his ken, and
mysterious
place beyond
brought to him by subservient waiters. He
will be dead and
flowers growing on his grave
when the real fire-makers are
justattaining the full vigor of their manhood.
Captain Belmore
Browne
its arteries; we
says that the trailsof the wilderness
add that all trailsproceed from
lead to camp, and that the camp-fire is the living,
or
camp
life-giving,palpitating heart of the camp;
without it all is
dead and lifeless. That is the reason
that we of the outdoor
are
may
brotherhood
that the odor
all love the fire;that is the reason
of burning wood is incense to our nostrils; that is the reason
that the writer cannot help talking about it when he
should
be telling
How
Do
not
TO
Build
forget that lighting
a
a
Fire
fire in hot, dry weather
is
to perform the
child's play, but that it takes a real camper
same
act in the damp, soggy woods on a cold, raw,
rainy day,
is covering all the branches
or
snow
when the first damp
of
trees
blanketing
the
the moist ground with a slushy
and
mantle
of white
discomfort!
Then
it is that fire making
AND
CAMP-LORE
38
brings
WOODCRAFT
all the skill and patience of the woodcrafter;
nor
nevertheless when he takes proper care neither rain, snow
hail can spell failure for him.
out
Fagots
Gummy
of
Pine
the
the old backwoodsmen,
of Pennsylvania
very few left,invariably build their fires
In the mountains
of which there are
with dry pine, or pitch pine sticks.
With their axe they spKt a pine log
it into sticks about a foot long and
knotted thumbs, or maybe
their own
(Fig.42),then
about
a
cut
the thickness of
triflethicker
(Fig.40);
after that they proceed to whittle these sticks, cutting deep
shavings (Fig.37),but using care to leave one end of the shavings
adhering to the wood; they go round and round the stick
with their knife blade making curled shavings until the piece
trees one
of kindling looks like one of those toy wooden
used
to
find in his Noah's
When
a
Ark
backwoodsman
form
on
Christmas
finishesthree
(Fig.38).
morning
or
more
(Fig.37).
sticks he sets
The
three sticks having
been cut from the centre of a pine log, are dry and maybe
to start the flame is to touch
resinous, so all that is necessary
to the bottom
a
of the curled shavings (Fig.38).
match
Before they do this, however, they are careful to have a
them
up
wigwam
supply of small shvers of pitch pine, white pine or spUt pine
knots handy (Fig.36). These they set up around the
shaved
hemlock
bark, and by the time
sticks, maybe
adding some
it is all ablaze they are already putting on larger sticks of
ash, black birch, yellow birch, sugar maple or oak.
For
be it known
handy
pitch pine is for
starting a fire,it is not the material used as fuel in the fire
itself,because the heavy smoke from the pitch blackens up
the cooking utensils, gives a disagreeable taste to the food.
that however
HOW
TO
is not
spoils the coffee and
for a bonfire.
even
In the North
a
FIRE
pleasant
41
accompaniment
woods, in the land of the birch trees, green
birch bark is universally used
birch bark burns
a fire;green
one
A
BUILD
kindling with which to start
like tar paper.
But whether
the fire with birch bark, shaved pine sticks or
starts
miscellaneous
dry wood,
one
as
must
remember
that
Split Wood
better than wood in its natural form, and
much
that logs from twelve to fourteen inches are best for sphtting
Burns
for fuel (Fig.
42); also
one
must
not
forget that in starting
fire the smaller the shvers of kindling wood
easier it is to obtain a flame by the use of
(Fig.36),after which the adding of fuel isa
are
made,
a
the
a
single match
A
simple matter.
firemust
have air to breathe in order to live,that is a draught,
kindling piled in the littlewigwam
consequently
shape is
frequently used.
Fire-dogs
fire the "turkey
ordinary, unimportant
-lay"
for
is
handy,
but
(Fig.54)
camp-fires and cooking fires we
in the
use
andirons on which to rest the wood, but of course
For
an
do not call them andirons. They are not made of
iron; they are either logs of green wood or stones and known
forests
we
to woodsmen
by the
name
of "fire-dogs."
of fire making
it may be
worth while to call the reader's attention to the fact that
how to use a pocket
every outdoor
person
should know
knife, a jack-knife
or
a hunter's knife with the greatest
eflBWhile
we
are
on
the
subject
ciency and the least danger.
To those of us who grew
seem
odd
or
even
in the whittling age, it may
funny that anyone should deem it necessary
up
42
CAMP-LORE
to tellhow
to open
to my
mind
to properly
any
WOODCRAFT
AND
a
pocket
today I failto recall
acquaintance who knows how
But
knife.
single boy of my
handle a kmfe or
a
can
who
degree of skill,and yet there
are
whittle a stick with
in this world
few men
the boys
among
with a larger acquaintance
Not only is this true, but I spend two months
in the field with a camp
fullof boys, showing
do the very things with their knives and their
in this book.
HoAv
It is safe to
say
TO
Open
that
when
of each year
them how to
described
axes
the old-timers
lad among
TIR3TW0TE
myself.
Knife
a
themselves,
.
than
not
boys
were
there
them
was
who
whittle with
a
not
could
able
consider-
skilland many
year old boy was
a
twelve
an
adept
I remember
with
keenest
pleasure the
at the art.
the
tCOND
MOVr
knickrings, charms
and
knacks which I carved with
a
pocket knife before I had
the
reached
scout
age
of
twelve. Today, however, the
boys handle
49
an
founrhMovt.
a
hand,
and with the thumbnail
blade at the nail notch
of the nail makes
a
so
to make
the
as
awkwardly
chills run
their knives
down
the back
of
onlooker.
In order tap roperly open
knife, hold it in yom- left
of your
(Fig.
45) in such
right hand
a
manner
grasp
the
that the line
very slight angle ; that is,it is as
near
per-
TO
HOW
as
pendicular
your
thumbnail
from
your
(Fig.46)
,
until it hurts
body, at the
movement
your
or
43
otherwise you will bend back
breaks. Pull the blade away
the handle of the
48). Continue this
time drawing
same
the body
knife towards
from
be
may
FIRE
A
BUILD
(Figs.47 and
until the blade is fully open
body (Fig.49).
and points directly
it a habit; you will then never
Practise this and make
be in danger of stabbing yourself during the process of opening
you will open a knife properly and quickly
your knife
"
is generally termed intuition, but
the result of training and habit.
by
what
How
TO
what
is really
Whittle
of whittling began with the invention of the
pocket knife and reached its climax about 1840 or '50, dying
time after the Civil War, probably about 1870.
out some
The
age
All the old whittlers of the whittling age whittled away
the body.
a
If you
use
but the queer
crooked knife and whittle towards the body,
shape of their knife does away with the danger
a
of an accidental stab or slash. Cobblers
knife and cut towards their person and
dangerously
slashed by it, and sometimes
big artery
where
you
as
most
runs
along the inside of
of the
one's
use
a
often
wicked sharp
are
severely
wounded, because
leg (Fig,41 3^) near
When
the cobbler's legs appear.
legs
your
whittle with a stick between
scars
on
whittle do not
in Fig. 41, and always whittle away
How
a
it will become
practise whittling that way
habit.
Indians
a
from
TO
Split
with
a
from you
as
in Fig. 44.
Jack-knife
Fig. 40 shows the proper way to use the knife in splitting
stick,so that it will not strain the spring at the back of the
AND
CAMP-LORE
44
WOODCRAFT
handle of the knife, and at the same
time it will help you
guide the knife blade and tend to make a straight split. Do
not
or
man
the stick apart with a knife or you will sooner
later break the blade, a serious thing for a wilderness
to do, for it leaves him
without one
of the most
try to pry
useful tools.
Remember
that fine slivers of wood make a safer and more
All tend,erfeet first try
"ertain start for a fire than paper.
dry leaves and dry grasS to start their fires. This they do
because they
seek leaves
or
to the use of paper and naturally
accustomed
hay as a substitute for paper.
But experience
are
that leaves and grass make a nasty smudge
or
a
quick, unreliable flame which ofttimes failsto ignite the
is used, small slivers of dry
wood, while, when proper care
soon
teaches them
wood never
There
failto give satisfactory results.
are
sorts of firesused by campers
many
dependent
upon
the local supply
districtsof Korea
all are
of fuel; in the deforested
twisted grass for fuel, on
the people use
plains the hunters formerly
used buffalo chips
they use cow
and now
of cattle,
chips, that is,the dry manure
with which to build their fires for cooking their meals and
our
Western
and
boiling their coffee. In the Zurn belt, in Tartary and Central
is collected, piled up Hke cord wood and
India cattle manure
dried for fuel. A few years ago they used corn
on
the cob
for firewood in Kansas.
It goes without saying that buffalo
chips are not good for bonfires
illumination is an
or
or
any
fire where
a
big flame
object.
Bonfires
and
Council
Fires
be
larger than camp-fires, and may
usually much
made by heaping the wood up in conical form (Fig.50) with
the kindling all ready for the torch in the center of the pile.
Are
HOW
or
the wood
may
TO
BUILD
A
FIRE
45
be piled up log cabin style
the kindling underneath
(Fig.51) with
the firstfloor.
In both of these forms there are air spaces purposely left
between the sticks of wood, which insure a quick and ready
draught the moment
the flames start to flickerin the kindling.
The
known
best form of council fire is shown
as
by Fig. 52, and
the
Camp
Meeting
Torch
Because
it
meeting
in Florida, that the author
was
from
a
somewhat
similar device at
a
camp
got the suggestion
for
AND
CAIVIP-LORE
46
his "torch fire." The
is covered with
the fire-place.
and
The
towers
tower
but
on
a
platform is made of anything handy
thick flooring of sod, sand or clay for
is built exactly similar to the Boy
a
smaller scale
Danger
However
WOODCRAFT
of
Scout signal
(Fig.52).
Exploding
Stones
look as a consmooth
rock may
venient
spot on which a firemay be built,do not failto spread
a few
shovels of sand, earth or clay on the stone as a firebed,
for the damp rock on becoming heated may
generate steam
tempting
a
shell
violence or burst like a bombwith some
and scatter far and wide the fragments, even
endangering
the lives of those gathered around the fire.
and either expand
Character
in
Fire
The
natives of Australia take dry logs, 6 ft. or more
length, and laying them down 3 ft.or 4 ft. apart, set them
fire in several places.
Letting shorter logs meet
them
in
on
from
the outside, and placing good-sized pebbles around them, they
then stretch themselves on the ground and sleep between
the two
stones
lines of fire,and when the wood is consumed
the
time to radiate the heat they have
continue for some
Many
Indians
tribes of American
previously absorbed.
have their own
special fashion of fire building, so that a
fire will not infrequently reveal the identity
deserted camp
of the tribe by which it was
made.
Slow
Fires
also
old method of making a slow fire was
used by housekeepers for their open fire-places,and consisted
of placing three logs with their glowing ends together.
The
camper's
HOW
A
BUILD
TO
FIRE
47
As the ends of the logs burned off the logs were
forward, this being continued until the logs were
Three
consumed.
or
allnight, but
their ends
one
to the other,
hot
embers
a
watching
entirely
good logs thus arranged will burn all day
occasionally push them so that
they send their heat from
together, when
someone
come
must
backwards
(Fig.53)
.
fire?
pushed
But
and forwards, and thus keep the
wants
who
I prefer to
to
sit up
the modern
use
all night
method
and
sleep all night.
Sharpen the ends of two strong heavy stakes each about
5 ft. in length, cut a notch in the rear
the top,
of each near
for the support or back to key into, drive the stakes into the
Place three logs one on the other,
ground about 6 ft. apart.
log wall for the back of your fire-place. Next take
shorter logs and use them for fire-dogs,and on these lay
a
making
two
A fire
will be complete.
another log and the arrangement
of this kind will burn during the longest night and ifskillfully
littletrouble. The fireis fed by placing fuel
made will cause
the front log and the fire-back.
between
Signal
When
the greatest
be
signals may
smoke
fifty miles.
grass
and
of land are selected the
to
distance of from twenty
elevations
seen
Signal fires are
weeds or "wiry
cedar boughs, because
and
Fires
at
a
with dry leaves,
boughs, pine
willows," balsam
usually made
such
be
material produces great
seen
at a long distance.
volumes
of smoke
and may
Apaches
have
The
a
simple code which might well be
adopted by all outdoor people. According to J. W. Powell,
Director
the Indians use
of U. S. Bureau
of Ethnology,
but three kinds of signals,each of which consists of columns
of smoke.
CAMP-LORE
48
AND
WOODCRAFT
Alarm
Three
danger
smoke
columns
reads impending
from flood, fire or foe. This signal may
be communicated
from one camp
to another, so as to alarm a large section of
the
or
more
in remarkably
country
quick
The
time.
the
greater
haste desired the greater the number
of smokes used. These
fires are often so hastily
made that they may
resemble pufiFs
of smoke caused by throwing heaps of grass and leaves upon
the embers
again and again.
Attention
"This
signal is generally made
column
grass may
cause
and
band
a
viz., when
by producing one
uous
continsignifies attention for several purposes,
have
had
become
been consumed
or
necessitated removal,
locahty,
tired of one
by the ponies, or some
an
should
enemy
or
the
other
be reported
decision as
before a
which would require further watching
The intention or knowledge
to future action would be made.
to neighboring
of anything unusual would be communicated
bands
by causing
one
Establishment
column
of
a
of smoke
Camp,
to ascend."
Quiet, Safety
has been made, after the signal
removal of camp
has been given, and the party have selected
for Attention
be a
a place
where they propose to remain until there may
necessity or desire for their removal, two columns of smoke
"When
a
made, to inform their friends that they propose to remain
at other times
at that place. Two
columns are also made
during a long continued residence, to inform the neighboring
are
bands
and
that
quiet."
a
camp
stillexists, and
that
all is favorable
HOW
BUILD
TO
Therefore, Three
or
more
A
smokes
FIRE
49
in daylight,
or
Three
flames at night, is a signal of alarm, One smoke
a
tells us that all is well,
signal for attention, Two
smokes
peaceful and happy.
or
more
Signals
Smoke
The
smudge
of signalling with
usual way
fire of browse or grass and use
is to make
a
smoke
a blanket
as an
guisher.
extin-
covering the fire with the blanket and suddenly
removing it,a large globular puff of smoke ismade to suddenly
appear, and is certain to attract the attention of anyone
who
By
happens
to be
looking toward
How
TO
Build
the site of the fire.
Fire
a
on
Snow
the
If it is practical it is naturally better to shovel away
but personally I have never
done this except in
snow,
the
case
or less frozen
which is more
be tramped down until it is hard and then
to the groimd may
55 and
covered with a corduroy of sticks for a hearth (Figs.
56) or with bark (Fig.57) and on top of this flooring it is a
of newly
fallen snow.
simple matter
to
Old
build
a
snow
fire. Use the turkey-" lay
"
in which
of the sticks acts the part of the fire-dog (Fig.56)
Don't
fail to collect a generous
supply of small wood
(Fig.58) and then start the fireas already directed (Fig.58).
one
.
reader will note that in all these illustrations (Figs.
55, 56 and 57),there is either a log or stone or a bank for a
The
back to the fire-place. When
everything is covered with snow
log for a back (Fig.56) but on
it is perfectly safe to use
a
other occasions the log may
smoulder
start a forest fire.
No
will
one
use
1
a
but
an
arrant,
live growing
tree
for
week
and then
selfish Cheechako
which to build a fire.
thoughtless,
against
a
AND
CAMP-LORE
50
WOODCRAFT
A real woodcraft knows that a fire can ruin in a few minutes
forest tree that God himself cannot
a mighty
replace inside
of from forty to one hundred years.
While
we
talking of building firesin the
are
be well to remark
swamp
in the
it may
snow,
and inaccessible
uninhabitable
is often the best of camping places in
water freezes and fallslower and lower,
that
summer
an
the winter time. The
leaving convenient shelves of ice (Fig.57) for one's
larder.
The dense woods and brush offer a splendid barrier to the
wanter
winds.
Fig. 59
shows
an
arrangement
for
a
winter
camp-fire.
How
Spread
TO
Make
a
Fire
in
the
Rain
as
a hearth
piece of bark on the ground to serve
on
which to start your fire. Seek dry wood by sphtting the
log and taking the pieces from the center of the wood, keep
a
the wood under cover
Also hold a blanket
of your
tent, poncho,
coat
or
blanket.
the fire while
similar thing over
you are lighting it. After the blaze begins to leap and the
logs to burn freely, it will practically take a cloud-burst
to extinguish it.
or
some
"LaVATIOIf
CHAPTER
HOW
A
EXPERIENCE
PERSONAi.
THE
MOST
CAMP
TELEGRAPH
THE
BELMORE
AURES
GOOD
SHORT
FIRE
RATIONS
COOKING
OUTFITS
GALLOW-CROOK,
COOKING
COOKING
THE
AND
THE
IMPLEMENTS,
POT-CLAW,
THE
HAKE;
SASTER
WIEE
GRID-IRON,
SKELETON
STOVE
FIRE-DOGS,
FIRES,
COOKING
A
SPETGELIA
WIRE
CAMP
THE
OF
THE
GIB,
LAY
ON
PRIMITrVE
POT-HOOKS,
THE
TO
IV
LAY,
CBAKB
FRYING
ROASTING
FIRE
FIRE-LAT,
LAY,
BAKING
CAMP-FIRE
FIBE
LAY
LAY,
CHAPTER
TO
HOW
No
long
a
may
now
open
fire,or
back
once
more
COOKING
GOOD
may
FIRE
be,
no
matter
how
have
elapsed since last he slept in the open,
high or low a social or officialposition he
it takes but
occupy,
him
A
where the old camper
matter
time may
how
matter
no
LAY
IV
one
whiff of the smoke of an
of frying bacon, to send
whiff of the aroma
again to the lone trail. In imagination he will
be hovering over his littlecamp-fire in the desert,
one
under the shade of the gloomy pines, mid the snows
of Alaska,
in the sliderock of the Rockies or
mid the pitch pines of the
Alleghenies, as the case may be.
faint hint in the air of burning
odor of the bacon, for the moment,
That
firewood
or
cious
the deli-
will not only wipe
from his vision his desk, his papers and his office furniture,
but also all the artificialities
of life. Even the clicking of the
typewriter will turn into the
of clicking hoofs, the
sound
streets will become
of the mountain
There is no
canyons,
and the noise of trafficthe
roar
torrent!
talking about it,there is no use arguing
about it,there is witchcraft in the smell of the open fire,and
all the mysteries and magic of the Arabian Nights dwell in
use
the odor of frying bacon.
Some years, ago Mr. Arthur
Camp-fire
Club
of America,
Rice, the Secretary of the
and Patrick Cleary, a half-
breed Indian, with the author, became temporarily
separated
from their party in the Northern
selves
wilds. They found them-
lonely wilderness lake surrounded by
picture
dotted
islands
mountains, and
with tall rocky
covered with
Christmas trees, giving the whole landscape the appearance
on
a
55
AND
CAMP-LORE
56
WOODCRAFT
sees
of the scenery one sometimes
painted on drop-curtains
for the theatre. Everything
in sight was
grand, everything
beautiful, everything was
built on
was
a
generous
scale,
big, not forgetting the voyagers' appetites!
everything was
Unfortunately
in the missing canoe;
the provisions were
diligent search, however, in the bottom
of Patrick Cleary's
ditty bag disclosed three small, hard, rounded lumps, which
before might
weeks
have
been
bread; also
tobacco, and that was
with smoking
salt, no butter, no pepper, no sugar, no
forks, no spoons, no cups, no plates, no
mixed
no
no
handful
of tea
all! There was
knives,
no
meat,
a
saucers
no
and
cooking utensils; the party had nothing but a few stone-like
lumps of bread and the weird mixture of tea and tobacco
their big appetites. But in the lake
with which to appease
the
trout
hungry
jumping, and
were
had
men
secured
add to their menu.
Under the roots of
a
it
was
not
long
before
the
fine string of spotted beauties to
big spruce tree, at the bottom of a
cliffon the edge of the lake, a fountain of cold crystal water
Near
from the mossy
this they built
ground.
spouted
fire while Mr. Rice fashioned a httle box of birch bark,
a
a
the hot embers by
and placed it over
Into
resting the ends of the box on fire-dogs of green wood.
the tea (and
the water in the birch bark vessel was dumped
filledit with
water
"
also tobacco)!
To
and delight of the Indian half-breed,
boiling. Meanwhile
the half-breed toasted
the amazement
the tea
was
soon
black, this being done so that
until the fish were
the charcoal or burnt skins might give a flavor to the fish,
for the lack of salt. The hunks
compensate
and in a measure
black, not for flavor
burned until they were
bread were
some
trout
of
this time, but in order that the bread might be brittle enough
HOW
to allow
a
LAY
TO
A
GOOD
COOKING
to bite into it with
man
no
FIRE
57
danger of breaking his
teeth in the attempt.
to the author that that banquet on that
To-day it seems
lonely lake, miles from the nearest living human
being, was
delicious and more
satisfying than any of the feasts
of Belshazzar he has since attended in the wonder city of
New York.
more
Therefore, when taking up the
subjectof cooking
kitchen, he naturally begins with
and camp
The
Most
Primitive
of
fire
Outfits
Cooking
Consisting of two upright forked sticks and a waugan-stick
from fork to fork over
to lay across
a
the fire. Or maybe
speygeha-stick thrust slantingly into the ground in front of
the fire,or perhaps a saster-pole on which to suspend
which to dangle, in front of the fire,a hunk of moose
from
or
meat,
blubber,
goat, whale
sheep, mountain
venison, mountain
beaver, skunk, rabbit, muskrat,
squirrel or
woodchuck,
whatsoever fortune may send.
Pot-hooks
Camp
Are
S
shaped
designs, but
forms
and
things formerly
of various
so
famihar
they
are
not
in the big open
the
fireplaces
neither are they the hated S
wont
shaped marks with which the boys of yesterday were
to struggle and disfigure the pages of their writing books.
If any one
pot-hooks had been drawn in the
of the camp
of the old homesteads,
it would have brought
old-time writing book or copybook,
down the wrath (with something else)of the old-fashioned
school-master, upon the devoted head of the offending pupil.
For these pot-hooks
are
not
regular in form
and
the shape
AND
CAMP-LORE
58
WOODCRAFT
and designs largely depend upon the available material from
which they are fashioned, and not a littleupon the individual
For instance the
fancy of the camper.
as
the
name
known
as
Gallow-cbook
The
Is not,
one
imply,
might
a
human
crook
too
mately
inti-
associated with the gallows, but on the contrary itis a
60, 61, 62 and 63)
rustic and useful bit of forked stick (Figs.
made of a sapling. Fig. 60 shows how to select the sapling
and where to cut it below a good sturdy fork. Fig. 61 shows
to the proper length and
the bit of sapling trimmed down
On the upper
fork you
at each end.
with two forks, one
will note that one prong is a slender elastic switch. Fig. 62
be bent down and bound with a
shows how this switch may
of green bark, and so fastened to the
string or tape made
stem
main
as
waugan-stick
with which
When
loop which will easily sUp over
the
in Fig. 63. Fig. 62 A shows a handy hitch
to form
as
to make
a
fast the bark binding.
has been thrust through
the waugan-stick
the loop
of the gallow-crook, the former is replaced in the crotches
of the two forked sticks,as in Fig. 63, and the pot or kettle,
pail
note
or
bucket, is hooked
that
the lower
on
fork
the lower fork.
to
is upon
the opposite
You
will
side of the
stick from that from which the switch prong of the
fork springs. This arrangement
is not necessary
to
upper
the pot balance properly over
the fire; the same
make
rule
holds good for all the other pot-hooks.*
main
The
Will be best understood
64, 65 and
By
66),which
these diagrams
*
The
you
Pot-claw
by
show
will
inspecting
its evolution
see
the diagrams
or
(Figs.
gradual growth.
the stick is so cut that the
pots will balance better if the notches
are
on
the
same
side.
HOW
fork may
LAY
TO
be hooked
utensils, pots
or
A
GOOD
COOKING
the waugan-stick
kettles may
be hung over
over
FIRE
61
and the cooking
the fire by slipping
their handles into the notch cut in the stick on the side
the lower end of the pot-claw.
opposite to the fork and near
Sourdough
This is a real honest-to-goodness Buckskin
or
pot-hook;
and one
"whim"
it is one
that requires littletune
to
manufacture
that is easily made
sticks
wherever sticks grow, or wherever
be found heaped upon
driftwood may
or
the shore.
The
Hake
It is a forked stick
Is easier to make than the pot-claw.
like the pot-claw, but in place of the notch near
the lower
end a nail is driven diagonally into the stick and the kettle
67 and 68) The hake possesses the
himg on the nail (Figs.
.
for the camper
to carry
of making it necessary
long and
Sourdough
on
a
a supply
of nails in his kit. No
A hake, however,
perilous trip loads himseK down with naUs.
disadvantage
is a very good model for Boy
of all descriptions who
may
Scouts, Girl Pioneers, and hikers
thickly
go camping in the more
settled parts of the country.
The
Gib
Is possibly a corruption of gibbet, but it is a much
It requires a littlemore
implement.
time and
humane
more
skillto make
a
gib
(Fig.69) than
more
a
little
it does to fashion the
is a useful hook for stationary camps
preceding pot-hook. It
lessintricate cooking
or
where one has time to develop more
Fig. 69A shows how the two forked sticks are
equipment.
it also shows how this splice
cut to fittogether in a splice,and
is nailed together with a couple of wire nails, and
shows how the wire nails are clinched.
Fig. 70
CAMP-LORE
62
In
AND
WOODCRAFT
book of this kind the details of all these designs are
is expected to use them all,
given not because any one camper
but because there are times when any one of them may be just
a
the thing required.
It is well, however,
to say that the most
practicable camp
pot-hooks are the pot-claw and the hake.
In making
a
pot-claw care
should be taken to cut the
notch on the opposite side of the forked branch, and at the
other end of the claw, deep enough
cooking utensils securely.
WTiile the author was
on
an
to hold the handle of the
extended trip in the blustering
North
land his party had a pot-claw as crooked as a yeggman,
While
and as knotty as a problem in higher mathematics.
there can be no doubt that one of the party made this hoodoo
yet been decided to whom
affair it has never
belongs
because of the innate modesty of the
claims the honor. This misshapen
pot-claw was
"
for spilling the stew on several occasions, not
losing the boiled rice. Luckily one of the party
Indian,
a
one
consistent member
the credit
men
no
one
responsible
to speak
was
a
of
stohd
of the Presbyterian church,
of the Society of Friends,
Scout and one
a
member
not blue and the only remarks made
consequently the air was
"Bless my
"Oh my!"
were,
soul!" and "Gee willikens!"
The cook in despair put the wicked thing in the firewith
one
a
hints that the fire might suggest the region where
While it burned and its evil spirit
such pot-hooks belong.
dissolved in smoke, the Indian made a new pot-claw, a respectable
muttered
secure
pot-claw with a straight character, and a more
by its benign presence brought peace and
This one
notch.
good
will to the camp
pains and using
thing
as
The
a
care
and showed the necessity of taking
in the manufacture
lowly a
so
of even
pot-claw.
camp
pot-hooks
should be of various lengths; long
HOW
A
GOOD
FIRE
COOKING
63
the fire where the heat is more
to keep the vessels further from the fire
to bring the vessels near
ones
intense; short
so
LAY
TO
ones
that their contents
for simmering
ones
and medium
will not
cook
or
Is not an Italian,but is a long name
The speygelia is a forked stick or
71) and
warm;
slow cooking.
Speygelia
The
72 and
but only keep
73),which is either propped
the lower end held down
for
short implement.
a
71,
notched stick (Figs.
up on a forked stick (Fig.
a
by
a
in such
stone
a
manner
that the fork at the upper end offers a place to hang things
in front of the fire, sometimes
a
or
over,
notched stick is
Fig. 73. Where the ground is
as
manner
used in the same
soft to permit it,the stick is driven diagonally into the earth,
hold it in place without other support.
The
which may
speygelia is much
used by cow-punchers
and other people
in places where
is scarce.
wood
Saster
The
The
saster is a long pole used in the
speygelia.
roast
over
Meat
is suspended
same
manner
as
the
it in front of the fire to
kettles are suspended from it
from
(Figs.743^ and 75), or
the fire to boil water (Fig,74).
Wire
Telegraph
Many
campers
are
Cooking
Imple2vients
fond of making for themselves cooking
from ordinary telegraph wire. In the
utensils improvised
old time open fireplacesof
grandsires' kitchen there were
on
trammels consisting of chains hanging down the chimney
hooked by short pot-hooks to hang over
which things were
the fire;there
were
holes punched
in them
our
also rakens
made
of bands
for the attachment
of iron with
of short iron pot-
AND
CAMP-LORE
64
hooks
minds,
(Fig,76). With
these
ingenious
some
WOODCRAFT
ancient implements
campers
in their
themselves
manufacture
77).
rakens and short pot-hooks from telegraph wire (Fig.
By twisting the wire in a seriesof short loops, each loop can
be made to serve
as
a place for
attaching the pot-hooks as
did the holes in the old-fashioned rakens.
they claim for the telegraph wire raken are
The
advantages
lightness and its
possibilityof being readily packed.
the pail as high or
low as one
as
chooses (Fig.78); not only that but one may
(Fig.79) put a small pail inside the larger one, where later
it is full of water, for the purpose
of cooking cereal without
On
one
of these rakens
one
may
hook
danger
of scorching it.
The disadvantage of all these implements
must
lost
be toted wherever
sooner
or
things "with
one
goes, and
later, whereupon
'em,"
the bark on
parts
the camper
is that they
are
must
sure
to be
resort
to
like the gallow-crook, the
pot-claw, the hake, the gib, the speygelia, or
the saster,
or
HOW
he may
LAY
TO
go back
A
GOOD
COOKING
to the first prmciples
FIRE
67
and sharpen the forks
fish
or
the bacon, game
wand and impale thereon
be thus toasted over
that it may
the hot embers (Fig.80).
We do not put meat over the fire because it will burn on the
of
a
green
outside before it cooks
spoil its flavor.
According
to Mr.
the
and
Seton, away
fumes
of the smoke
will
up in the barren lands they
the saster with a fan made of a shingle-like piece of wood,
fastened with a hitch to a piece of wire and a bit of string;
it is good-natured
the ^-ind when
the cord to
will cause
use
"
"
But the same
and round.
result is secured with
it from
to prevent
a
cord which has been soaked in water
burning, and which has also been twisted by spinning the
hands (Fig.75). Such a cord will unwind
meat
with one's
spin round
less slowly for considerable time, thus
to expose all sides of its surface to the heat
or
more
and wind
causing the meat
You
of the roasting fire in front of which it hangs.
will
let
front;
impress
in
us
the reader's
note we
upon
say
again
not
mind that he must
is so
Fig. 75 the meat
hang
his meat
over
In
the flame.
might mistake its
intended to hang over
the fire,
drawn
that
one
position and think it was
whereas the intention isto hang it in front
of the fireas in Fig.
his great delight to
In the writer's boyhood days it was
hang an apple by a wet string in front of the open fire,and
bubbling through
to watch it spin until the heat sent the juices
74.
the skin and the apple gradually became
The
Campers
demand
there
them
a
was
to
have
been
known
of the
avoid carrying
roasted.
Gridiron
broiler to go with
enough
thoroughly
to
be
so
fastidious
their kit; at the
real camper
unwieldy
same
in them
broilers such
as
to
are
as
to
time
cause
used
CAMP-LORE
68
in
kitchens.
our
their duffel
bent
(Fig.83), and
compromise
wires of
wire having
(Fig.81), each
two
they
telegraph
of
in the form
over
WOODCRAFT
Consequently
handful
a
AND
hook
a
of
green
its ends
carefully
be admay
justed
log fire-dogs
(Fig.82), which
sticks resting upon
the wires,
upon
even
so
by ing
packlength with
two
arranged,
meat
and
fish
be nicely broiled.
This is not a bad scheme, but the campers
should have a
littlecanvas
bag in which they may
pack the wires, otherwise
later throw them away
or
the camper
will sooner
rather
may
be annoyed by losing one
every
84, 85, 86, 87 and 88 show a httle
than
Skeleton
Ingeniously devised by
wire
are
a
then.
and
Figs.
Stove
Pioneer.
Boy
a
bent into
Camp
now
triangular form
Two
graph
pieces of tele-
84 and 85),
(Figs.
and the ends of the triangle at A are left open or unjoined,
so that they may
readily be slipped through the loops in the
form
upright wires, B and C (Fig.87),and thus
a
take-a-part
fellow from whom
this
skeleton stove (Fig.86) The young
device was obtained was at the time using an old tin kerosenelamp (Fig.88A) which he forced into the lower triangle of the
.
stove
(Fig.86),and
angle
the spring of the wire of the tri-
which
held in position (Fig.88B).
is going to use the telegraph wire camp
But if one
stove
The stove is made
there is no necessity of carrying a lamp.
so
that it may
be taken
weight is trifling,but
is a nuisance to carry.
a
apart
lamp
and
of any
packed
kind, or
easily and the
a lantern,
even
be mad"
telegraph wire camp
stove, however, may
by bending the wires as shown in Fig. 90, but the only
object
ingenuity, or for economy
in so doing is to develop one's
sake,
The
HOW
TO
may
otherwise one
broilers for
camp
LAY
A
GOOD
purchase
at
trifle,made
a
COOKING
FIRE
69
the outfitter's folding wire
on
the same
principle and
be thrust into the ground surrounding
with legs which may
the fire,as in Figs. 88 and 89, and, after the broiler is folded
in the
be folded back so that it will all
middle, the legs may
a
make
flat package.
wire let us
go
But
back
about laying and lighting
Camp
The
leaving the artificialities
teleof graph
to the real thing again
and talk
a
genuine
Cooking
Fire
carefully the fireis planned and built the more
The first thing to
easily will the cooking be accomplished.
be considered in laying one of these fires is the
more
Fire-dogs
Which
in camp
andirons in the open fire-places
But domestic
of our homes, and used for the same
purpose.
andirons are heavy steel bars usually with ornamental brass
for one
uprights in front and they would be most unhandy
are
the
same
as
camping trip, while it would be the height
of absurdity to think of taking andirons on a real hunting or
exploring expedition. Therefore, we use green logs, sods or
to carry
upon
a
for fire-dogsin the wilderness. Frequently we have a
back-log against
which the fire-dog rests; this back log is
stones
it acts both as a
shown in Fig. 91. In this particular case
back log and a fire-dog. In the plan justabove it (Fig.92),
there are two logs side by side which serve
the double purpose
of fire-dogsand for sides of the kitchen stove
(Fig.93).
Fig. 94 shows
The
Sometimes
Lay
of
a
Roasting
Fire
called the round fire. The back is laid up logIn the open enclosure
cabin style and the front is leftopen.
CAMP-LORE
70
AND
WOODCRAFT
the fire is built by sticks being laid up like those in Fig. 91.
The logs on all three sides radiate the heat and when the meat
in front of this, suspended from the end of the saster
(Fig.743^),it is easily and thoroughly roasted.
is hung
The
Is built with
into the open
it that it may
Camp-fire
is to reflect heat
tent in front, and the other is to so construct
last a long time. When
builds a camp-fire
one
eye to two
an
purposes
in one's
blanket and sleep with
the comforting conviction that the firewill last until morning.
The camp-fire is made
with two fire-dogs pushed back
one
wants
to be able to rollup
: one
against a back log (Fig.95 A and B), which form the foimdation for the camp-fire. Two
upright green sticks C (Fig.95)
are
placed in a slanting position and supported by other
sticks,D (Fig.95),the top ends of which rest in notches cut
in C stick at E (Fig.95) and the bottom ends of which are
Against the upright sticks C, and
thrust into the ground.
the logs F are heaped to form the back of the fire. The fire
,
is then built on
and against the F logs,
time reflect the
slowly and at the same
fire is sometimes
tent front. This same
fire-dogsAA,
the two
the latter will bum
heat into the open
used for a baking
made by the
fire,but the real fire for this purpose
B
ELMORE
is
Lay
firstsketch shows the plan and the
fire. The stove is made
second the perspective view of the
by two side logs or fire-dogs over
which the fireis built and
Figs. 96 and 97.
The
after it has fallen ia, a
fire-dogs, two logs are
of red hot embers, between the
log is
laid across
the dogs and one
mass
in front of them
(Fig.97) and sends the heat against the bread or bannock.
placed atop,
so
that the flame then
comes
up
TO
HOW
LAY
A
GOOD
COOKING
FIRE
distance in front of the
convenient
from
is placed, reaching
one
waugan-stick
At
a
the other.
In wilderness
the frying pan
work
73
fuel logs,
fire-dog
a
to
is about
the only
toaster, a baker,
utensil carried and is used as a
In it the
broiler, a fryer, and a stew pan all combined.
a
Buckskin
man
their bread, and
make
and the Sourdough
after the bread has been baked over the coals on the bottom,
domestic
its top by tiltingthe pans in front of
the fire and resting their handles against the waugan-stick
lumbia
(Fig.97) I have seen the baking fireused from British Coit is browned
nicely
on
.
to Florida, but
Browne,
who
with
Belmore Lay.
it
was
the explorer. Captain
Belmore
in conthe use of the waugan-stick
nection
showed me
the baking fire,hence I have called this the
A
Is built between
Frying
logs, two
two
Fire
of stones, or
sods
(Figs.98, 99 and lOO); between these logs the fire is usually
built, using the sides as fire-dogs,or the sticks may be placed
rows
in the turkey
so
that the sticks themselves
-lay (Fig.lOO),
fire-dog and allow, for a time, a draught until the
a
make
to hot
briskly, after which it settles down
and is in the proper condition for frying. For be it
that too hot a griddle will set the grease or bacon
fire is burning
embers
known
be funny
afire, which may
but when one is shy of bacon
Ordinary
Is shown
used
as
through
by Fig. 101.
under ordinary circumstances,
it is a serious thing. The
Baking
Fire
Lay
In this instance, the frying pans
are
propped
reflector ovens
the holes in their handles.
up
by
running
being
sticks
AND
CAMP-LORE
74
The
WOODCRAFT
Aures
form as are the
exactly of the same
cranes
of the old-fashioned open fire-places, but ingeniously
fashioned from a carefully selected green stick with two forks
(Fig.102), The long
at A
of the main branch is
Is
a
rustic
crane
made
severed
end
being taken not to cut through the green bark,
care
(Fig.102),
B (Fig.102). The bark of the latter, B, is then bent over
the
(Fig.102),forming
stub, A
a
loop, C
(Fig.103),which
is lashed
with green bark to the main stick and slipped overtheupright,
D (Fig.104). The fork at E braces the crane
and holds it in
horizontal position, resting on a stub left on D for that
a
How
purpose.
upon
One
would
if one
practicable
use
to spend
be
depends
altogethe
disposal.
has at one's
and skill one
the Aures for a single night camp, but
in the same
it would be
a week
camp,
the time
hardly
were
this thing may
while and at the same
to manufacture
a
neat Aures
well worth
time very interesting work
for the camp
kitchen.
crane
kitchen fires will include what might
be termed the pit fires,which will be described in the following
The
next
step
chapter.
You have
in camp
been told how
to select the firewood, make
the
fire in the preceding chapter on how to
is that in certain
have to remember
now
particulars all firesare alike; they all must have air to breathe
and food to eat or they will not live.
kindling and start
build a fire;all you
a
of the fire we do not call the air breath, but
Wood
is
we
give it a free circulation and call it a draught.
be digestible, a fire
the food that the fire eats and it must
In the
with
wood
case
indigestion is a fire fed ^-ith punky, damp
wood carelessly
thrown
together in place of well-selected dry split
cleanly, digest evenly, and
which the fire can consume
at the
same
time give out the greatest amount
of heat.
To
produce
A
LAY
TO
HOW
a
draught
GOOD
the fire must,
from the ground, but do not build it in a
Such a fire may
a
pile of jack-straws.
when
the supporting
heap
and
FIRE
COOKING
sticks have burned
77
be raised
like
careless manner
start all right, but
of
course,
away
it will fallin
a
utensils into the flames,
teapot, and dumping
the bacon "from
precipitate the cooking
upsetting the coffee or
the frying pan into the fire."
it
Be
to be
a
man,
camper,
boy
woman,
he,
tidy around camp.
how
be, no matter
or
No
she
or
girl,if he, she or it expects
it must
learn to be orderly and
or
matter
grimy
one's
how
clothes may
soiled one's
face may
look, the ground
around the camp-fire must be clean, and the cooking utensils
and fire wood, pot-hooks and waugan-sticks, all orderly and
as
carefully arranged as if the military officer was
expected
the next minute to make an inspection.
All my readers must remember
that By Their CAMP-rraE
They
Will be Bjstown and "sized up" as the real thing or
as
chumps,
Sourdough
duffers, tenderfeet and cheechakos,
or
old-timer who cuts their trails.
by the first
V
CHAPTER
CAMP
KITCHENS
PIT-FIRES,
CAMP
HOLES
BEAN
COW-BOT
FIRE-HOLE
CHINOOK
COOKING
FIRE-HOLE
BARBECUE-PITS
THE
GOLD
THE
FERGUSON
THE
ADOBE
OVEN
THE
ALTAR
CAMPFIRE
CAMP
digger's
0\'EN
CAMP
EXPLORERS,
HOW
TO
HOW
POTS,
BARBECUE
AND
FISH
MEAT,
COOK
SMALL
TO
SCOUTS,
HIKERS,
SURVEYORS
WITHOUT
DRESSING
PLACE
FOR
KITCHEN
STOVE
PANS
AND
OR
STOVES
ANIMALS
LARGE
ANIMALS
HUNTEBO
BREAD
CHAPTER
CAMP
Real
kitchens
camp
KITCHENS
places
but well arranged fireand pot-hooks as already described,
are
naught
with rustic cranes
in deforested countries,
but
pit-firesare
much
the windswept
on
V
in vogue.
or
on
The
plain, which
the plains and prairies,
pit itselfshelters the fire
is doubly
necessary
because
of the unprotected nature of such camping places, and because
formerly used
of the kind of fuel used. Buffalo-chips were
the Western
plains, but they
buffalo-chip fire was
on
are
now
superseded by cattle
skin-clad
the cooking fireof the Buckchips. The
long-haired plainsmen and the equally picturesque
but the buffalo herds have long since hit the trail
cowboy;
over
the Great Divide where all tracks point one
the
way,
sound of the thunder of their feet has died away forever, as
has also the whoop
The romantic
of the painted Indians.
and
picturesque plainsmen and the wild and rollicking cowboys
have followed the herds of buffalo and the long lines
of prairie schooners are a thing of the past, but the pit-fires
of the himters are stillin use.
The
Most
Simple
Pit-fike
shallow trench dug in the ground, on each side of which
two logs are placed; in the pit between
the logs a fire is built
(Fig.105),but probably the most celebrated pit-fireis the
Is
a
firelesscooker
the
name
of the camp,
known
and loved by all under
of
The
Bean
Hole
Fig. 106 shows a half section of a bean hole lined with
The bean hole may, however, be Uned with clay or
stones.
6
81
AND
CAMP-LORE
82
WOODCRAFT
simply the damp earth left in its natural state. This pit-fire
for in the
place is used differently from the preceding one,
bean hole the fire is built and burns until the sides are heated
good and hot, then the fire is removed and the bean pot put
in place, after which the whole thing is
covered up with ashes
and earth and allowed to cook at its leisure.
The
Cowboy
Pit-fire
pit-fireis simply a trench dug in the earth
(Fig.107),with a basin-shaped hole at the beginning. When
laid across
the trench and sods laid
obtainable, sticks are
The
cowboy
the top of the sticks. Fig. 107 shows a section of view
of the pit-fireand trench chimney, and Fig. 108 shows the
upon
top view
of the
In removing
them, then
to
cover
even
same.
the sod
though
should be careful not
one
there be
no
the draught
to break
be able
may
sticks one
the sods themselves by
with
chimney
allowing them to bridge the trench. At the end of the trench
the sods are built up, making a short smokestack.
The
Chinook
Fire-pit
western
which is used in the northto be a combinapart of the United States, and seems
tion
logs and the
fire-dogs with cross
of the ordinary camp
fire-pit. Fig. 109 shows a perspective view of this
cowboy
The
chinook
fire-pitis
one
the top view of plan of the lay. Fig. Ill
shows a steeper perspective view than that of Fig. 109, and
Fig. 112 shows a sectional view. By examining the sectional
lay. Fig. 110 shows
view and also the deeper perspective view,
you will note that the two logs are placed
with space
between.
The
the plan,
the fire-dogs
well
across
as
is placed upon
the top
(Fig.112). The fire-dogs have
back-log
of another back-log A and B
as
KITCHENS
CAMP
85
their ends shoved against the bottom back-logs B, the two
back-logs are kept in place by the stakes C, C. Between the
two top logs D and A (Figs.
112 and 110),the smaller fuel
or
split wood is placed.
As the fireburns the hot coals drop into the pit,aad when
be raked
sufficientquantity of embers are there they may
forward and the frying pan placed on top of them (Fig.112).
The chinook fireis good for baking, frying, broiling,toasting,
stove.
and is an excellent all-around kitchen camp
The
Hobo
Is carelessly built, a fire-place usually surrounding a shallow
The hobo
pit, the sides built up with sods or stones.
1 13)
which to boil the kettle (Fig.
barbecue
our
ancestors
where
for a hasty fireover
answers
At
the
.
old-fashioned
placed on a huge spit, which
was
turned with a crank handle, very similar to the oldfashioned well handle as used with a rope or chain and bucket.
roasted whole
oxen,
the
The
ox
was
Barbecue-pit
Is used at those feasts (Fig.114),where they broil or roast a
whole sheep, deer or pig. At a late meet of the Camp-fire
Club of America they thus barbecued a pig.
The fire-pitis about four feet wide and four feet deep and
is long enough (Fig.114) to allow a fire to be built at each
end of the pit, there being
no
fire under
the meat
itselffor
the very good reason
that the melted fat would drop into
it to blaze up, smoke and spoil the meat.
the fire,cause
Davenport
The late Homer
(the old-time and famous
some
cartoonist)
farm
in New
cartoons
he
years ago gave
Jersey.
was
When
a
barbecue
at his
Davenport
raising wild animals.
was
At
wild animal
not drawing
the Davenport
CAMP-LORE
86
barbecue
there
was
(Fig.115); such
AND
fire-pit dug
a
an
The
to
a
spit of green
in the side of the bank
is known
as
arrangement
In the diagram
WOODCRAFT
it will be
wood,
Bank-pit
seen
that the
runs
which
thru
a
carcass
hole in
114
116
115
117
is fastened
a
cross
log
is turned
and fits in the socket D in the bottom log; the spit
by handles arranged like A, B or C. The pit is lined with
either stones or bricks, which are heated by a roaring big
fireuntil hot enough
to bake
The
the meat.
Gold
Digger
Is another bank pit, and one that I have seen used in Montana
by digging a hole
It is made
by Japanese railroad hands.
in the bank
and using shelves either made of stones or old
section of the Gold
pieces of iron. Fig. 116 shows the cross
CAMP
Digger
at
one
We
KITCHENS
87
door in place. Fig. 117 shows a perspective
view of the gold digger with the stone door resting
with the stone
side.
next
to the
come
The
It is made
by
ovens,
Ferguson
building
a
the firstof which
Camp
is known
as
Stove
hut
of stones or sod
(Fig.118),and covering the same
with branches over
which
is heated
sod, or clay, or dirt is heaped (Fig.119). The oven
by building the fire inside of it, and when it is very hot and
the fire has bm-ned
stopjjed up
the food.
opening
down,
so
as
rounded
the food is placed inside and the
to retain the heat and thus cook
AND
CAMP-LORE
88
WOODCRAFT
Adobe
The
that the soldiers in Civil War days taught the author
The boys in blue generally used an old barrel with
to bmld.
the two heads knocked out (Fig.121). This they either set
Is
one
in the bank
or
(Fig.120),and
covered with clay
in it they
the barrel but left the baked
built their fireswhich consumed
clay for the sides of the oven.
head of the barrel (Fig,
121 A) was
saved and used to stop up the front of the oven
being done; a stone or sod was
when baking was
used to
The
hole. Figs. 122, 123, 124 and 125
the chimney
show how to make an Adobe by braiding green sticks together
with clay, after which it is used
and then covering the same
cover
up
in the
same
as
maimer
the preceding barrel
The
Is a camp stove
Fire-place, the
The
cooking.
or
stove which
camp
or
sods
(Fig.126)
other campfire.
The
a
form of the so-called Altar
back while
is to save
one's
a
which
isbuilt up of stones
objectof
and used like any
Is
Matasiso
fire-place,and
matasiso
oven.
Bank
Lick
the boys of the troop of Boone Scouts,
Lick in old Kentucky,
to
were
wont
who frequented Bank
build and on it to cook the big channel catfish, or Uttle pond
bass orother food. The Bank Lick ismade of flatstones and is
Scouts
127 and 128).The Boone
storieshigh (Figs.
fifty odd years ago.
flourished in Kenton County, Kentucky,
one
two
or
The
Is built of logs
sods
and
or
stone
Altar
Fire-place
(Fig.132),of stones, of sod, or of logs filledwith
(Fig.131),and topped with clay (Figs. 130
132). The clay top
being wider at
one
end than the other.
CAMP
KITCHENS
91
"jAATAS/^^
on
the plan of the well-known
with stones
and sometimes
The
Altab
campfire
used when
Camp
(Fig.129),is made
clay is imobtainable.
Fire-Place
advantage of the altar fire and the matasiso is that
over
the cook does not have to get the backache
the fire
The
while he cooks.
All of these ovens
and fire-placesare suitable
AND
CAMP-LORE
92
for more
build these
but it is not worth while to
and altar fire-placesfor quick and short camps.
less permanent
or
ovens
Cooking
It is proper
WOODCRAFT
camps,
Without
and
Pots,
Pans
Stoves
or
right in treating camp
should begin with the most
Primitive
cooking that
For when
primitive methods.
Cooking
we
one
Utensils
those fashioned from the
cooking utensils except
in order to prepare
appetizing
material at hand, he must,
food, display a real knowledge
of woodcraft.
has
no
Therefore,
start
by
of sweet birch, or some
fireor pinch the meat
133)or better
the meat
spearing
on
twig
still
It
In order to do this select a wand with
off the prongs of the forks, leaving them
134),then sharpen the ends of the
near
green
similar wood, and toast it before the
between the split ends of a twig (Fig.
Fork
and out
a
the edges of the meat
prongs
a
fork to it, trim
rather long
and
weave
(Fig.
them
in
(Fig.135),which is done
KITCHENS
CAMP
slightly together before impaling the
the second prong. The natural spring and elasticity
branches will stretch the meat
nice and flat (Fig.
by drawing
on
meat
of the
93
the prongs
in front of the flames, not over the Aame.
beef may be cooked
A very thick steak of moose
or
meat
in this manner.
Remember
to have fire-dogs and a good
to toast
135),ready
back log; there will then be hot coals under the front log and
in
flame against the back log to furnish heat for the meat
front. Turn
the meat
and do not salt it
be thus cooked ;
can
few minutes
every
until it is about done. Any sort of meat
it is a favorite way of toasting bacon among
the sportsmen,
and I have seen chickens beautifully broiled with no cooking
done by splitting
implements but the forked stick. This was
the chicken open
and running the forks through the legs and
sides of the fowl.
Firebread
Pulled
or
Twist
for this sort of bread. The
twist is made of dough and rolled between the palms of the
hands until it becomes a long thick rope (Fig.138),then it is
wrapped spirally around a dry stick (Fig.139),or one with
Twist
bark
on
is a Boy
it
Scout's
(Fig.137)
.
name
coUs should be close together but
rested in
other. The stick is now
The
without touching each
the forks of two uprights, or on two stones in front of the
140 and 141),
or over
the hot coals of a pitroasting fire (Figs.
fire. The long end of the stick on which the twist is coiled is
be nicely
used for a handle to turn the twist so that it may
browned
flames
on
all sides, or it may
(Fig.142).
A
May
be set upright in front of ihe
Hoe
be cooked in the same
that is,by plastering it on
Cake
manner
that
one
the flat face of
planks
a
a
shad:
puncheon
or
AND
CAMP-LORE
94
WOODCRAFT
board, split from the trunk of a tree (Fig.145),or flat cl^tn
it up in front of the fire as one
stone, and propping
would
(Fig.146) When the cake
when cooking in a reflecting oven
is cooked on one side it can be turned over by using a hunting
knife or a littlepaddle whittled out of a stick for that purpose,
.
and then cooked upon the opposite side. Or a flat stone may
be placed over the fireand used as a frying pan (Figs.
116 and
128).I have cooked a large channel catfish in this manner
to skin the fish because,
unnecessary
and found that it was
there being no grease, the skin adhered firmly to the hot stone,
leaving the white meat
out
picked
with
flaky and
or
jack-knife
a
delicate, all ready
with
to
be
chopsticks, whittled
out of twigs.
Meat
May
be made
155). Upon
and
Hooks
151, 152, 153, 154
of forked branches (Figs.
be suspended before
this hook meat
may
the fire (Fig.153)by
a
piece of twine made
from
the twisted
bark of a milkweed or some
other fibrous plant stalk
tree bark, or a wet string will do if you have one.
green
or
How
Dressing
Dress
TO
in this
Small
Animals
undressing, taking
their coats off and removing their insides. In order to prepare
for broiling or baking any of the small fur-bearing animals,
case
really
means
make yourself a skinning stick, using for the purpose a forked
branch; the forks being about an inch in diameter, make the
length of the stick to suit your convenience,
that is, long
enough
to reach between
the knees whether
you
are
sitting
stool or squatting on the ground, sharpen the
lower end of the stick and thrust it into the ground, then
on
a
camp
take your
squirrel or muskrat, and punch the
pointed ends of the forked stick thru the thin place at the
coon,
possum,
CAMP
point which
in Fig. 155
KITCHENS
corresponds to your
is punched
through
95
heel,
own
justas
the thin place
Thus
there sketched.
heels of the small animals
be dressed with
animal may
is squatting, the
to
comfort
the stick
behind the
hung
the workmen.
the
If
of the animal should justclear the
First take off the fur coat.
To do this you spUt
ground.
the skin with a sharp knife, beginning at the center of the
throat and cut to the base of the tail, being careful not to
one
nose
deep
the inside skin or sack which
enough to penetrate
contains the intestines; when the base of the tail is reached,
use
your fingers to roll back the skin. If skinning for the
cut
pelt, follow directions given later,but do not destroy any
purposes
skin as the hide is useful for many
around camp.
After the coat
is removed
and all the internal organs taken
the scent glands from such animals as have them,
out, remove
parts of the
and make a cut in the forearms and the meaty
thigh, and cut out the little white things which look like
to be found there. This will prevent
nerves,
the flesh from
having
a
strong
How
or
TO
First dress the
musky
taste when
Barbecue
a
it is cooked.
Deer,
or
Sheep
and then stretch it on a framework
able
of black birch sticks, for this sweet wood imparts no disagreecarcass
odor or taste to the meat.
Next build a big fire at each end of the pit (Fig.114),not
right imder the body of the animal, but so arranged that when
it will not fall on the
the melted fat drops from the carcass
hot coals to blaze up
barbecue.
Build big
and spoil your
fireswith plenty of small
sticks so as to make good red hot
coals before you put the meat on to cook.
First bake
it over
the insrde of the barbecued beast, then turn
and bake the outside. To be well done, an animal the
AND
CAMP-LORE
96
size of
a
over
WOODCRAFT
sheep should be cooking at least seven
a
charcoal fire. Baste
eight hours
or
with melted bacon
have or no
sauce
at
fat
the meat
you
mixed with any sauce
for bacon fat itselfis good
may
for anyone,
enough
or
all,
hot
use
salt water.
Of
it is much
course,
better to
use
but charcoal is not always handy.
Make
One's Own
A day
two
or
charcoal for this purpose,
One can,
however.
Chaecoal
of the barbecue
ahead
day, by
building
big
fires of wood about the thickness of one's
wrist. After the
firehas been burning briskly for a while, it should be covered
up with ashes or dirt and allowed to smoulder all night, and
turn
the wood
into charcoal in place of consuming
How
TO
Make
it
Dough
Roll the top of your flour bag back (Fig.136),then build
a cone
of flour in the middle of the bag and make a crater
in the top of the flour mountain.
In the crater
dump
a
heaping
teaspoon
"
to
or,
use
Mr.
Vreeland's expression, put in "one
and a half heaping teato which add a half spoonful
spoonfuls of baking powder,"
of salt; mix these together with the dry flour, and when this
into the crater, a
is thoroughly
done begin to pour water
time, mixing the dough as you work by stirring it
GraduaUy
the flour
around inside your miniature volcano.
will sHde from the sides into the lava of the center, as the water
littleat
a
is poured
in and care
the dough
taken to avoid lumps.
be, not batter but very
soft as may
soft dough, stiffenough, however, to roll between your wellfloured hands.
Make
as
Baked
Put
with their skins on them
three inches thick, then cover
the potatoes
hot embers
two
or
Potatoes
on
a
bed
of
the potatoes
CAMP
with
more
KITCHENS
97
hot coals. If this is done properly the spuds wiU
Don't
with the fire burning above them.
cook slowly, even
be a chump
and throw the potatoes in the firewhere the outer
rind will burn to charcoal while the inside remains raw.
Mud
Cooking
small and tender fish, where possible, the
point under the head, where the gills meet, is cut, fingers
thrust in and the entrails drawn through this opening; the fish
in a coating of paper
is then washed, cleaned and wrapped
In preparing
a
Place the fish
fallen leaves, before the clay is applied.
a
the
upon
clay (Fig.147),fold the clay over
pancake of stiflP
or
(Fig.148),press the edges
dumphng
(Fig.149); cook by
fish
together, thus making
burying the dumpling
embers of an ordinary surface fire,or
fire (Fig.150).
in the embers
be beheaded,
A brace of partridges may
a
clay
in the
in
a
pit-
drawn,
washed
fine
scraps of chopped bacon
out thoroughly and stuffed with
or
pork, mixed with bread crumbs, generously seasoned with
salt,pepper and sage, ifyou have any of the latter. The birds
with clean
with the feathers on them are then plastered over
clay made
to stick to the feathers, the outside is
soft enough
wrapped with stifferclay and the whole molded into a ball,
which is buried deep in the glowing cinders and allowed to
remain there for an hour, and at the end of that time the clay
will often be almost
as
hard
as
pottery
and must
be broken
When
the outside clay comes
off the
come
of
with it, leaving the dainty white meat
the bird all ready to be devoured.
Woodchucks,
raccoons,
opossums,
porcupines, rabbits
had better be barbecued
(seeFigs. 114, 115 and 155),but
with a
feathers wiU
open
stick.
squirrels and small creatures
7
may
be baked
by firstremoving
AND
CAMP-LORE
98
WOODCRAFT
cleaning them, fillingthe hollow
with bread crumbs, chopped bacon and onions, then closing
the opening and plastering the bodies over
with stiff clay
This seals the meat
inside
and baking them in the embers.
the insides of the creatures,
of the mud wrapper
and when it is cooked and the brick-like
clay broken
off with the broken clay,
off, the skin comes
leaving the juicymeat
exposed to view.
To
Plank
a
Fish
off the head of the fish and clean by splitting it
through the back, in place of the usual way of spUtting up
it
before you cook it is to make
the belly. To salt red meat
dry and tough, but the fish should be salted while it is damp
Cut
juices.
with its own
Heat the plank in front of the fire and then spread your
fish out flat on the hot puncheon
or
plank, and with your
it,make
hunting knife press upon
slitholes through the fiish
(Fig.145) with the
grain of the wood;
tack your
fish on
with
CAMP
99
KITCHENS
wooden pegs cut wedge shape and driven in the slitsmade
143 and 144) Prop the puncheon
by your knife blade (Figs,
up in front of a fire which has a good back-log and plenty
.
(Fig.146).*
of hot coals to send out heat
Heating
ing
birch bark vessel made by foldless square piece of bark, bending in the
or
up a more
(Fig.157) folds and holding them in place by thorns
Water
comer
Water
may
be boiled in
a
large animal or
be filledwith water and the latter
piece of green hide may
made hot by throwing in it hot stones (Fig.158) Dig a hole
in the ground, fitthe rawhide in the hole, bringing the edges
or
shvers
(Fig,156). Or the stomach of
a
.
up
so
as
down
the edges with stones,
Figs. 159
and heat with hot stones.
to overlap the sod, weigh
fillthe hide with water
and 160 show how to make
tongs
with which
to
handle
the
stones.
from the oaks grown
on
best plank is made
the hammocks
Southern Florida and the peculiar flavor this plank gives to shad
made Planked Shad famous.
*The
of
has
CHAPTER
VI
CAMP
HOW
TO
ASH
MAKE
MAKING
PONE,
CAKE,
BISCUITS
JOHNNY-CAKE,
DUTCH
FOOD
CORN
AND
DODGERS,
FLAPJACKS^
DOUGHGOD
OVENS
VENISON
IN
BANQUETS
HOW
CAMP
TO
COOK
STEWS,
THE
BEAVER
BRUNSWICK
OPEN
PORCUPINES
TAIL,
STEWS
AND
AND
BURGOOS
MUSKRAT8
CHAPTER
FOOD
CAMP
Parched
When
America
VI
Corn
Indian
gave
as
corn
Food
to the
worid she gave
it a priceless gift full of condensed pep.
in its various
Com
forms is a wonderful food power; with a long, narrow
buckskin
bag of nocake,
was
or
called,swimg
could traverse
suffer hunger.
Boone,
rock-a-hominy,
his back,
upon
as
an
parched cracked
Indian or a white
com
man
the continent independent of game and never
George Washington,
Greorge Rodger Clark,
Kenton,
Crockett, and Carson all knew
value of parched
the sustaining
corn.
How
TO
Dry
Corn
pioneer farmers in America
and many
of their
descendants up to the present time, dry their Indian corn
by
The
the methods the early Americans learned from the Indians.
The com
drying season
naturally begins with the harvesting
but it often continues until the firstsnow
falls.
of the com,
Selecting
back
ears
are
a
number
of
ears
of
com,
the husks
are
pulled
husks
exposing the grain, and then the
of the several
braided together (Fig.165). These bunches of corn
are
hung over
branches of trees or horizontal poles and left
for the winds to dry (Fig.166).
On account
of the danger from corn-eating birds and
beasts, these drying poles are usually placed near
the kitchen
door of the farmhouse, and sometimes in the attic of the old
farmhouse, the woodshed
or
the bam.
103
Of
course,
bowl-shaped
WOODCRAFT
AND
CAMP-LORE
104
the Indians owned
to hold the
stones
no
mills,but they used
and stone pestles like
corn
corn
crudely made potato mashers with which to grind the com.
The writer lately saw
of these stone corn-mills in
numbers
the collection of Doctor Baldwin, of Springfield, Mass.
"milliiliiii"t"M",""'iiniH!H.i."
How
Corn
Prepare
TO
to
Eat
uningrit from the stone used is tentional
mixed with the com,
and hence aU the elderly
down as ifthey had been sandpapered.
Indians' teeth are worn
In the southwest
But the reader
a
with
which
can
much
can
piece of tin
to
crush the
make
The pestle
a
or
wooden bowl and a potato masher
with
sheet iron nailed to its bottom
and make meal without grit. Or he
use
or
corn
a
pioneer mill like Figs. 163 or 164, from
masher in Fig. 164 is of iron.
Sweet
There is a way
stillpractice
log.
Corn
which a few white people
they learned it from the Indians. First
to preserve
justas
a
corn
CAMP
FOOD
105
they dig long, shallow trenches m the ground, fillthem with
dried roots and small twigs with which they make a hot fire
the bottom of the ditch with glowing embers.
and thus cover
The
outer
the
and
of the fresh green com
placed in rows
side by side
This practice gave the name
husks
corn
(Fig.167).
are
on
then
removed
the hot embers
of Roasting Ear
Season to July and August.
the husks become
As
and when browned
the ditch by means
The
burnt husks
a
wand
or
ears
are
turned
over,
deftly tossed out of
stick used for that purpose.
all sides they
on
of
scorched the
are
removed and the grains of com
are
shelled from the cob with the help of a sharp-edged, fresh
"clam"
water
shell; these shells I have often found in the
are
now
places of the
old camping
Pennsylvania.
The
Indians
in the
half
caves
is then spread out on a clean sheet or on pieces
It is "mighty
good
and allowed to dry in the sun.
One can
any Southern born person
will tell you.
corn
"
of paper
food, as
keep
a
of
supply of it all winter.
CAMP-LORE
106
AND
Parched
When
Field
Corn
littleshaver in old Kentucky,
the children
very fond of the Southern fieldcorn
parched in a frying
(Fig,161),and then buttered and salted while it was still
were
pan
hot;
corn,
WOODCRAFT
we
I
was
a
parched
but
none
of
parched and used
field com,
sugar
us
had
as
food, and I
ever
seen
am
and the regular pop
corn
cracked corn or com
meal
inclined to think that the
old pioneers themselves parched the corn
descendants in Kentucky, and that said
as
com
did their direct
was
crushed or
it may, we know
ground after it had been parched. Be this as
bordermen
that our
traveled and fought on a parched corn
diet and that Somoset, Massasoit, Pocahontas, Okekankano,
cakes and that it was
Powhatan,
all ate
the squaws
of their tribes who
corn
either them or
bold Captain Smith's
taught
the southern coast, and the Pilgrims further north,
as an
the value of com
articleof diet. The knowledge of how
bread and the use of com
to make
the various kinds of corn
people
on
puddings
generally from "roasting-ears" to corn
from them
from the American
Indians. It was
how
to make
was
we
gained
learned
the
Ash
Cakes
This ancient American food dates back to the fable times
came
out
of a
which existed before history, when the sun
hole in the eastern sky, cUmbed
up overhead and then dove
through
no
more
who once
he is no
sky and disappeared. The sun
plays such tricks, and although the humming-bird,
his chin,
stole the sun, stillcarries the mark under
but only a littlebuzzing
longer a humming-birdman
a
hole in the western
bird; the ash cake, however, is stiU an
in almost as primitive a manner
now
IVIixhalf a teaspoonful of salt with
add
to it boiling hot
water
ash cake and is made
it was
as
then.
a
cup of
until the swollen
corn
meal, and
be
meal may
CAMP
by
worked
hand
one's
of hot ashes
like a potato.
into
107
FOOD
a
ball,bury the ball in
(glowingembers) and
nice bed
leave it there to bake
a
Equalling the ash cake in fame and simplicity is
Pone
Pone
is made
the meal as described for the
the mixture in the form of a cone
and
by mixing
ash cake, but molding
baking it in an oven.
Johnny-cake
Is mixed
in the
same
way
the pone
is it the same
as
nor
cooked the same,
the form of a very thick pancake.
not
or
ash cake, but it is
in
shape; it is more
Pat the Johnny-cake
into
the form of a disk an inch thick and four inches in diameter.
Have the frying pan plentifullysupplied with hot grease and
drop the Johnny-cake
carefully in the sizzlinggrease. When
the cake is well browned on one side turn it and brown it on
the other side. If cooked properly it should be a rich dark
brown color and with a crisp crust. Before it is eaten it may
be cut open and buttered like a biscuit, or eaten with maple
syrup hke a hot buckwheat
cake. This is the Johnny-cake
fifty
youth, the famous Johnny-cake
of Kentucky
Up North I find that any old thing made of com
years ago.
meal is called a Johnny-cake
and that they also call ash-
of my
cakes "hoe-cakes,"
bread "bannocks," at least they
and com
Now
bread, a bannock.
com
call camp
since bannocks were
known before corn
known, suppose we call it
was
Camp
Corn
Bread
and
Corn
Dodgers
In the North they also call this camp com
bread "Johnnycake," but whatever it is called it is wholesome and nourishing.
Take
some
corn
meal
in other words,
fifty-fifty;
a
and wheat flour and
half pint each; add
mix them
a
teaspoon
AND
CAMP-LORE
108
level fulland
half
about
a
a
heaping fullof baking
teaspoon
teaspoonful
while dry, in your
WOODCRAFT
of salt; mix
pan, then add the water
these
powder and
all together,
gradually.
If you
have any milk go fifty-fifty
with the water and milk, make the
flour as thin as batter, pour it into a reflector pan, or frying
pan,
it up
prop
in front of
a
fire;it will be heavy
quick
if
allowed to cook slowly at the start, but after your cake has
This is a
take more
time with the cooking.
risen you may
fine
bread to stick to the ribs. I have eaten it every
for a month
at a time and it certainly has the food
corn
day
power
"com
in it. When
made
Take
To
of biscuits it is called
dodgers."
Camp
one
in form
two
Biscuit
cups full of flour and
heaping
level teaspoonful and
spoonful
powder and half a tea-
one
teaspoonful of baking
of salt,and mix them together thoroughly while dry.
this you add milk and water, if not milk straight water,
Make
a dough
mixing it as described for the flapjacks.
soft
but stiffenough to mold with well floured hands, make
it
into biscuits about half an
inch thick, put them into a
greased pan, bake them in any one
of the ovens
already
described, or by propping them up in front of the fire. If the
biscuitshave been well mixed and well baked they will prove
to be good biscuits.
The
Vreeland
Bannock
Fred tells me
biscuits and
heated
making
and
a
greased
cake about
then placed
to riseand
that he makes this the same
bakes it in a frying pan.
The
before the dough
a
half inch thick.
he would
frying pan is
as
is dropped
The
into it,
frying pan
is
the slow fire to give the bannock a chance
harden enough to hold its shape, then the frying
over
109
FOOD
CAMP
is propped up with a stick and the bannock browned by
it must
be cooked slowly and have "a nice
reflected heat,
but I have
I have never
bannocks
brown
crust."
made
eaten some
of Vreeland's, and they are fine.
pan
Flapjacb:s
A fellow who
the skillone
cannot
expects
is
flapjack
greasy
an
throw
to find in
is sadly lacking in
flapjack
a
a
A heavy,
real woodcrafter.
but the real article is a
abomination,
and a joy to eat.
Put a large tin cupful of flour in the pan, add half a
teaspoonf ul of salt,also one heaping teaspoonf ul and one level
joy to
make
teaspoonful of baking powder ; mix the salt and baking powder
is dry. Then build your httle
well with the flour while it
volcano of flour with its miniature crater in the
littleby httle; making
the
middle, into which pour water
lava by mixing the dough as you go. Continue this process
or
mountain
is batter; the batter should be thin enough
until all the flour
to spread out rapidly into the form of a pancake when it is
poured into the skilletor frying pan, but not watery.
Grease the frying pan
with
a
greasy
rag fastened to the
that
end of a stick or with a piece of bacon rind. Remember
the frying pan only needs enough grease to prevent the cake
fries potatoes the pan
from sticking to the pan; when one
should
be
plentifully supplied
are
flapjacks
not
potatoes
and
with
too
very
much
hot
grease,
but
the
grease makes
batter in the pan,
Do not put too much
cakes unfit to eat.
the
and when I flapped the flapjack
either; I tried it once
face, and that batter was
hot batter splattered all over
my
even
hotter than my
Pour
not
quite
enough
over
remarks.
batter into the pan
the bottom;
when
to spread
the bubbles
almost
come
but
thickly
CAMP-LORE
110
AND
WOODCRAFT
in the middle and the edges begin to smoke a bit, it is time
Do so by loosening the edges with a knife
to flap the flapjack.
blade, then dip the far side of the pan downward
it up quickly, sending the cake somersaulting
catch the cake as it falls batter side down and
cook that side.
The penalty of dropping
made to eat it without wiping
a
flapjackin
and bring
in the air;
proceed
to
the fire is to be
off the ashes.
DOUGHGOD
First fry
boil it until it is soft, then chop
Save
up the bacon into small pieces quite fine, like hash.
take a pint of
the grease and set the bacon to one side; now
flour and half a teaspoon
of salt, a spoonful of brown sugar
bacon
some
or
heaping spoonful of baking powder and mix them all
while they are dry, after which stir in the water as already
described until itisin the form of batter; now
add the chopped
bacon and then mix rapidly with a spoon; pom* it into a
and
a
Dutch
oven
or
a
pan
and bake; it should be done in thirty-
five or
forty minutes, according to the condition of the fire.
When your campfire is built upon a hearth made of stones,
if you brush the ashes away
from the hot stone and place
doughgod
it, then
it with a frying pan or
some
similar vessel, and put the hot cinders on top of the
frying pan, you will find that it will bake very nicely and
your
upon
cover
satisfactorily on the hearthstone.
In the old-fashioned open
fire-places where
our
parents
grand-
did their cooking, a Dutch
oven
was
considered
isstillused by the guides and cowessential. The Dutch oven
boys
form as that used by
and is of practically the same
Abraham
Lincoln's folks; it consists of a more
less shallow
or
dish of metal, copper, brass or iron, with four metal legs
111
FOOD
CAMP
that may be set in the hot cinders. Over that is a metal top
the bottom dish, and the edges
which is made so as to cover
are
turned up all around like a hat with its brim
of the cover
turned
dumped
are
made to hold the hot ciuders which
top of it,but a
This is
up.
on
Oven
Dutch
From
so
May
be
Improvised
of two metal dishes so made or selected
the top and snugly overlap
will fit over
dirt,dust or ashes to the
as not to admit
any combination
that the large
one
the smaller dish, so
food inside. In this
bakes, meat,
bread, biscuits, cakes, pies, stews,
fish, fowl and vegetables may
be cooked with
oven
frying pans
delightful results. In camp
two
A Dutch oven
oven.
made to act as a Dutch
used in
a
(Fig.106) First build
bean hole
.
a
are
frequently
is sometimes
fire,using sufficient
small wood, chips and dry roots to make cinders enough with
which to fillyour bean hole. While the fire is doing its work
let the cook prepare
to cook
The
Slice bacon
bottom
as
thin
and around
Slice venison,
Sourdough's
as
Joy
possible and place
the sides of the Dutch
a
layer
oven
over
Hke
the
a
piecrust.
plain beef,
bear steak, or
medium thin and put in to the depth of 2)^ inches, salting each
layer. Chop a large onion and sprinkle it over
the top, cover
moose
meat
or
with another layer of bacon and one pint of water and put
on
the lid. Fill the hole half full of hot embers, place the
in the center and fillthe space surrounding the
Dutch oven
full of embers.
all with about 6 inches of dirt,
then roll yourself up in your blanket and shut your eyes
your breakfast will cook while you sleep and be piping hot
oven
Cover
"
when
you
dig for it in the morning.
AND
CAMP-LORE
112
WOODCRAFT
invention and the
modern
dried droppings of animals, like "buflFalo chips," were
used
for fuel away
back in Bible times; in ancient Palestine they
The
stewed
bean
hole is far from
in
their meat
which burned
flocks pastured.
over
a
a
a
set in
hole filledin with stones
fire of "chips"
gathered where the
pot
a
the wood is of such a nature
that it is difficultto
obtain a bed of live coals for toasting, meat may, in a pinch,
be cooked upon a clean flat stone (Figs.116, 117 and 128).
When
Be certain that the stone is a dry one, otherwise the heat may
burst it. If satisfiedthat it is dry, heat it good and hot and
bear or sheep or
spread your thick slice of venison, moose,
the very hot stone; leave it there about twenty
minutes and aflow it to singe, sizzle and burn on one
side,
then turn it over
the other side imtil the charred
and bum
even
beef upon
part is one-quarter
or
even
half inch deep.
a
Now
remove
the
and with your hunting knife scrape away all the charred
it and toast some
bacon or pork on a forked
season
meat,
stick and, after scoring the steak deeply and putting the
meat
pork
or
hungry
bacon
in the cuts, the meat
selfand camp
How
is ready to
serve
to your
mates.
Cook
TO
Venison
If you want
how real wild meat
tastes, drop a
to know
no
the shoulder
sleek buck with a shot just over
good
dress the deer and let it hang
sportsman
will shoot a doe
for several days; that is, if you wish tender meat.
Cut a
"
"
inches thick and fry some
bacon, after which put
the steak in the frying pan with the bacon on top of it, and
a cover
on
one
the frying pan. When
side is cooked, turn the
over
meat
and again put the bacon on top, replace the cover
steak two
and let that side cook.
Serve
on
a
hot plate and give thanks
FOOD
CAMP
'Jialyou
have
in the open,
are
a
113
good appetite and you
are
for any old king.
privileged to partake of a dish too good
me
The gravy, oh my
word! the recollection of it makes
I have eaten moose
hungry!
three times a day for
meat
weeks at
losing my
a
time, when it
desire for more.
was
Perdix
Is
a
great dish in Canada
cabbage
described, without
Choux
au
this way
:
Chop
fine and highly spice it, then stuff the bird with the
and nicely cover
thin slices of bacon, and
game
as
; the bird is cooked
cabbage
When
cooked
the partridge or grouse with many
put bacon also in the baking pan.
delicious
this is well baked and well basted a more
Try it; it is an old French
dinner you will never
eat.
of cooking the partridge or pheasant.
fire for cooking, do not forget
Wlien you need a real warm
that dry roots make an intensely hot firewith no smoke; look
for them in driftwood piles,as they are sure to be there; they
way
and burn like coke.
No one
say that he is a real woodcrafter
with truth may
At the same
time it is an
cook.
unless he is a good camp
live to eat like the
men
to think that the outdoor
error
are
hght
as
a
cork and porous
as
a
sponge,
of old England, or the degenerate epicures of
in sympathy
Neither are the outdoor men
ancient Rome.
of them would
and none
with the Spartans or Lacedemonians
wallingly partake of the historic and disgusting black broth of
trencher
men
Lacedemonia.
Woodcrafters
are
really
more
in sympathy
their banquets
with cultured Athenians who strove to make
attractive with interesting talk, inspiring and patriotic odes
As a
and delightful recitations by poets and philosophers.
campfire
he might
man
would
say:
"That's
me
add that like all good things
all over,
on
Mable"
this earth
and
AND
CAMP-LORE
114
WOODCRAFT
Banquets
Originated in the open.
and Spanish and means
spelled banqueta,
means
to
word itselfis from the French
small bench, a httle seat, and when
The
a
a
three-legged stool. It has reference
instead of taking refreshments
in
sitting while eating
"stand up" fashion. The
author's experience
prominent
among
them
over
in the
those partaken in the wilderness, and
the wildwood dishes is the
are
Lumberman's
Wash
enjoyablebanquets
most
Baked
Beans
the beans first,then half filla pail with them, put
the fireand parboil them until their skins are ready
off; they are now
ready for the pot. But before putting
them in there, peel an onion and slice it, placing the
pour half of the
slices in the bottom of the bean pot. Now
to
come
beans
the onions and
of another onion. Take some
pieces and place the hunks
making
over
a
this pour
on
top
spread the slices
salt pork and cut itinto square
of pork
layer of onions
and pork
the remainder
of them
on
the onions, thus
Over
top of the beans.
over
of the beans,
cover
the top
beans with molasses, on the top of the molasses put
hunks of pork, put in enough water to barely cover
some
of the
more
the beans.
Over
the top of all of it spread a piece of birch bark, then
force the cover
down good and tight.
Meanwhile
a fire
should have been built in the bean hole
(Fig.105). When
the fire of birch has been burnt to hot
cinders, the cinders must be shoveled out and the bean pot
put into the hole, after which pack the cinders around the
bean pot and cover
the whole thing with the dead ashes, or
as the lumbermen
call them, the black ashes.
If the beans are put into the bean hole late in the afternoon
and allowed to remain there all night, they will be done to a
CAMP
FOOD
115
for breakfast; the next morning they will be wholesome,
juicyand sweet, browned on top and delicious.
turn
A bean hole is not absolutely necessary for a small pot of
I have cooked them in the wilderness by placing the
beans.
pot on the ground in the middle of the place where the fire
had
been
heaping
the hot ashes and cinders
littlelull there, which I
over
a
the bean pot until it made
I tried
covered with the black ashes and left until morning.
on
the same
the open hearth to my studio and
experiment
it was
a
burning,
then
success.
wonderful
The
Etiquette
of
the
Woods
ately
Requires that when a porcupine has been killed itbe immedithrown into the fire,there to remain until all the quills
have been singed off of the aggressive hide, after which it
be skinned with no danger to the workmen
and with no
danger to the other campers
from the wicked barbed quills,
may
which
otherwise might
to seat
wished
This
assure
who
may
be waiting for them
justwhere
they
themselves.
sound
funny, but
I have
experimented,
unintentional
by seating myself upon a porcupine quill. I can
in the exthe reader that there is nothing humorous
perienc
however
funny
it
to the victim,
may
appear to those
look
on.
After thoroughly
singeing the porcupine you roll it in the
grass to make certain that the burnt quills are rubbed off its
skin, then with a sharp knife sht him up the middle of the
belly from the tail to the throat, pull the skin carefully back
to the feet cut them
you come
and peel it off. When
off.
Broiled porcupine is the Thanksgiving turkey of the Alaskan
and British Columbia
in two or three waters
Indian, but unless it has been boiled
the taste does not suit white men.
AND
CAMP-LORE
116
Porcupine
WOODCRAFT
Method
Wilderness
After it has been parboiled, suspend the porcupine
forelegs in front of a good roasting fire,or over
a bed
as
coals, and if well seasoned it will be as good meat
found in the wilderness. The tail particularly is very
by its
of hot
be
can
meaty
and is most savory; like beef tongue it is filledwith fine bits
of fat. Split the tail and take out the bone, then roast the
meaty
part.
stuffed with onions and roasted on a spit before
the fire is good, but to get the perfection of cooking it really
oven,
or
a
closed kettle or an
should be cooked in a Dutch
Porcupine
baked
improvised
hole,
or
sort and
of some
airtight oven
baked by being buried deep under
a
in
a
bean
heap
of cinders
that will fittogether,
and covered with ashes. Two iron pans
that is, one that is a triflelarger than the other so that the
be pushed down into it to some
extent,
may
will
smaller one
answer
pans
of the Dutch
all the purposes
manner.
arranged in the same
oven.
Also two
frying
is skinned,
that after the porcupine
dressed and cleaned, it should be put in a pot and parboiled,
be
once
or
twice, after which it may
the water
changing
The
in any way which appeals to the camper.
Always
remember
cooked
North
Method
Is to place it in the Dutch oven
with
let the porcupine itselfrest upon some
or
stale bread of any
kind, which
a
of fat pork;
hard-tack, hard biscuit
few hunks
has been
slightly softened
with water.
On top of the porcupine lay a nice slice or two of fat pork
layer of soaked hard biscuit or hard-tack
and place another
on
the pork, put it in a Dutch oven
and place the Dutch oven
117
FOOD
CAMP
on
the Dutch oven
the hot coals, put a cover
and heap
the top of it and the ashes atop of that;
the hving coals over
let it bake slowly until the flesh parts from the bones. Thus
on
cooked it will taste something like veal with a suggestion of
sucking pig. The tail of the porcupine, like the
Tail
the
Beaver
of the old wilderness
special delicacy. Many
the flat trowel-Uke tails of the beaver for a day or
Is considered
hang
men
of
a
in the chimney
of their shack to allow the oily matter
to exude from it,and thus take away
the otherwise strong
for porcupine meat,
taste; others parboil it as advocated
two
the tail may
after which
skin removed
be roasted
or
baked
and the rough
before eating.
Beaver
Tail
Soup
Is made by stewing the tailswith what other ingredients one
may have in camp ; allsuch dishes should be allowed to simmer
for a long while in place of boiling rapidly.
A
man
I
am
hunting in North Michigan
who was
a Marylander,
and an Eastern Shore
"Alsaid, though
one
at that,
and consequently know what good things to eat are, I want
hat to the lumber
to tell you that I'llhave to take off my
camp
cook as the discoverer, fabricator and dispenser of a
dish that knocks
the Eastern
dish is beaver-tail soup.
Shore cuisine silly. And that
When
brought into
the beaver was
men
cook went nearly wild, and so did the lumberand all because they were
when they heard the news,
pining for beaver-tail soup.
"The cook took that broad appendage of the beaver, mailed
camp
like an
the camp
armadillo, took from it the underlying bone and meat
AND
CAMP-LORE
118
and from it made
such a soup
stock, at the beck of the most
ever
put a kettle on."
WOODCRAFT
as
never
expert
came
from any
other
and scientificchef that
MUSKRAT
Is valuable also for his flesh. Its name
ance
and rat-like appearhave created a
sands
against it as a food, but thouprejudice
For those to
of persons eat it without compunction.
the
whom
name
has
is a stumbling-block
invented, and
been
"
the euphemism
marsh
the
under this name
is sold even
in the Wilmington
muskrat
market and served
folk. In Delaware,
on
the tables of white country
especially,
is ranked as a dehcacy, and personally
the muskrat
rabbit"
the
author ranks this rodent with the rabbit as an article
of food.
At Dover the writer has had it served at the hotel under
"muskrats
its own
For the
name;*the dish was
and toast."
benefit of those who revolt at the muskrat as food, it is well
to state that it is one
of the cleanest of all creatures, that it
food and in every way conducts
carefully washes all its own
its flesh even
itselfso as to recommend
to the most fastidious.
As
of fact the flesh of the muskrat, though dark,
is tender and exceedingly sweet.
Stewed like rabbit it looks
flavor
and tastes like rabbit, save that it lacks a certain gamy
a
matter
istic
uneducated persons find an unpleasant characterof the latter. But to the writer's way of thinking, while
is good to eat, there are many
the muskrat
things much
that
some
better; the point is, however, that everything which
good and is not indigestible is good to eat no matter
itsname
may
tastes
what
be.
The
Burgoo
Of all the camp stews and hunters' stews of various names
burgoo heads the list;not only is
and flavors, the Kentucky
CAMP
FOOD
119
it distinguished for its intrinsicqualities,its food value and
deliciousflavor, itsromance
and picturesque accompaniment,
but also because of the illustriouspeople whose names
are
history with the burgoo.
One such
linked in Kentucky
feast, given some
time between 1840 and 1850, was
attended
Governor Metcalf,
by Governor Owlsley (old
stone-hammer).
Governor
Crittenton, General John
General George
Moorhead,
Bob Letcher, Governor
Crittenton, General Tom
Critten-
H. Beard, and other distinguished men.
All Kentuckians will vow
they understand the true meaning
But an article in the Insurance
of the word "burgoo."
ton, James
Field says,
"
It is derived from the low Latin burgus, fortified
goo,"
good." Hence the word, "bursomething very good, fortifiedwith other good things, as
"Carey's Dictionary of Double Derivations":
will be found in
(asa town) and
"Burgoo
and meats
goo-goo, very
is hterally
a
composed
delectably fused together in
soup
which, at the exact moment,
yam
string is properiy waved
a
an
vegetables
enormous
caldron,
rabbit's foot at the end of
a
over
of many
by
colored preacher, whose
by
These are the good omens
a
salary has been paid to date.
which the burgoo is fortified."
How
Anything
from
TO
an
Make
Burgoo
the
ordinary
pail to
depends
cooking and seasoning it than
in its decoction.
or
many
big
of guests expected at the
The
to serve
the burgoo.
caldrons, according to the number
as vessels in which
camp, will serve
excellence of the burgoo
one
more
it does
upon
on
the
manner
of
the material used
of meat from domestic
beasts and barnyard fowls with vegetables from the garden,
but originally it was made from the wild things in the woods,
To-day
the burgoo
is composed
AND
CAMP-LORE
i^O
WOODCRAFT
bear, buffalo,venison, wdld turkey, quails, squirrels and all the
roamed through Kentucky.
splendid game animals that once
As this book is for woodcrafters
that
we
in the woods,
are
bear meat,
or
grouse,
we
have
really have
would
a
in
same
When
a
a
some
whole
venison,
big horn,
be
string of grouse we
necks for the burgoo
bird
or
if we
two.
have
rare
many
occasion
stance,
If, for in-
will take
their
save
and
grouse
their
we
will
will treat the rabbits the
with the tenderloin for broiling.
delicious flavor to the burgoo;
with the other meat.
Cut all the meat
a
We
saving the body
cleaned and dressed the meat
way,
not
moose,
rabbit, ruffed
these things.
good
legs and wings and
breasts for a broil, and
put
will take it for granted
good substitutes. It would
some
we
have
we
goat,
mountain
rocky
indeed when
that
we
of a turtle
frogs legs are
or
two
adds
also good,
into pieces which will correspond,
inch cubes; do not throw away the bones ;
roughly speaking, to
then, if you were
wise enough when
put them in also. Now
some
were
of the illyou
outfitting for the trip to secure
mensely
imsmelling but palatable dried vegetables, they will add
up
to the flavor of your
burgoo.
Put
all the material
in the kettle, that is,unless you are using beans and potatoes
had better be well cooked first,
as vegetables ; if so, the meats
because the beans and potatoes have a tendency to go to the
broth.
and by scorching spoil the
Fill your kettle, caldron or pot half full of water
and
hang it over the fire;while it is making ready to boil get busy
bottom,
with your
vegetables, preparing
dry outer
skin off your
onions
them
Peel the
for the stew.
and halve them,
or
quarter
according to their size; scrape your carrots and slice
them into littledisks, each about the size of a quarter, peel
and cut them up mto pieces about the size
your potatoes
them,
CAMP
of the meat,
over
a
the caldron
is boihng
dump
in the
The
vegetables will temporarily cool the water,
should not be allowed to again boil,but should be put
When
the stew is
slow fire and where it will simmer.
vegetables.
which
and when
121
FOOD
almost done add the salt and other seasonings. There should
Canned
to cover
the vegetables.
water
always be enough
In a real
tomatoes
will add to the flavor of your broth.
burgoo
we
put
no
thickening hke meal, rice or other material
because the broth is strained and served
of similar nature,
clear. Also no sweet
vegetables hke beets.
When
the burgoo is done dip it out and drink it from tin
if this is a picnic burgoo, you add olive
Of course,
cups.
juiceto the stew, while it is cooking, and then place a sliced
and an olive in each
liquid into the cups.
lemon
cup
and pour
the hot strained
and the barbecue belong to that era when
food was
generous
plenty, feasts were
and appetites good.
These historic feasts stillexist in what is left of the open
The
burgoo
and rich farming districts,particularly in Kentucky
in the olden times the gentlemen
and Virginia. In Kentucky
to go out in the morning and do the hunting, while
were
wont
keeping the caldrons boiling with the pork
the negroes were
country
After the gentlemen
and other foundation material in them.
was
put into the caldron, the guests
returned and the game
began
to arrive and the stew
was
served late in the afternoon;
supposed to come
supphed with a tin cup and
a spoon,
the latter made of a fresh water mussel shell with a
spht stick for a handle. Thus provided they all sat round and
helps as their hunger demanded.
partook of as many
each guest
Since
was
have
given Kentucky's
celebrated dish, we will
add "Ole Virginny's" favorite dish, which has been named
after the county where it originated.
we
The
"Take
and
two
com,
AND
WOODCRAFT
Brunswick
Stew
CAMP-LORE
122
large squirrels,one
quart of tomatoes,
peeled
pint of lima beans or butter beans,
sliced, if fresh; one
two
teaspoonfuls of white sugar, one minced onion, six potatoes,
scraped from the cob, or a can of sweet
six ears of corn
half a pound of butter, half a pound of salt pork, one
teaspoonful of salt, three level teaspoonfuls of pepper and a
Cut the squirrels up as for fricassee, add
gallon of water.
Then put in the onion,
salt and water and boil five minutes.
beans,
corn,
pork, p)otatoes
again add the squirrel.
"Cover closely and stew
and
two
pepper,
and
when
boiling
hours, then add the tomato
hour longer. Ten minutes
mixed with the sugar and stew an
before removing from the fire cut the butter into pieces the
size of English walnuts, roll in flour and add to the stew.
Boil up again, adding more
salt and pepper if required."
The above isa receipt sent in to us, and I would give credit
I do know
for it if I knew from whence it came.
that it
experience with other similar
sounds good, and from my
dishes, it will taste good.
to
I am
not writing a cook book but only attempting
start the novice on his way as a camp
chef, and if he succeeds
in cooking in the open the dishes here described, he need not
fear to tackle any culinary problem
which conditions may
make it necessary for him to solve.
VII
CHAPTER
HORSES
PACKING
HORSE
HOW
TO
MAKE
A
HOW
TO
MAKE
AN
HOW
TO
MAKE
A
CINCHA
HOW
TO
MAKE
A
LATIGO
HOw"tO
A
DIAMOND
A
SQUAW
TO
THROW
HOW
TO
HITCH
TREE
OR
HOW
OF
THE
HITCH
IN
HOW
AND
IS
TRAVOIS
TO
THROW
DOWN
HOW
TO
THROW
A
SADDLE
HOW
TO
MOUNT
A
HORSE
HOW
TO
KNOW
MILES
A
WESTERN
USED
AND
MADE
HOW
MAKE
TO
GENERAL
AND
LAND
OPEN
WITHOUT
STONE
OR
STICK
A
OWN
YOUR
HITCH
HORSE
A
HOBBLES
BILL
BUFFALO
OF
APAREJO
THROW
HOW
USE
PACK
SADDLE
ON
A
HORSS
HORSE
THEM
POST,
VII
CHAPTER
PACKING
HORSES
is going on a real camping
excursion where one
familiarize
should, by all means,
will need pack horses, one
a
pack horse.
of packing
oneself with the proper method
If
This
one
be done in
can
hiring
without
a
one's
horse
or
cellar, attic or woodshed
keeping one for the purpose.
own
and
The
horse will be expensive enough when one needs it on the trail.
The drillin packing a horse should be taught in all scout
and all Y. M. C. A. camps, and all
and all girl camps
in fact, every where where anybody goes outtraining camps;
doors
camps,
pretends to go outdoors; and
where anybody
it is the
after tlie tenderfeet have learned how to pack then
we
time to learn what to pack; consequently
put
proper
at all,or
packing before outfitting, not the cart, but the pack before
^he horse, so to speak.
it
When
the Boy Scout Movement
started in America
jad the good aggressive American motto, "Be Sure You're
borrowed from that
Right, Then
Go Ahead,"
which was
Davy
Crockett.
delightful old buckskin man,
A
few years
England,
later, when
the English
Prepared;"
because
the scout
idea
was
taken
up
in
to "Be
motto
changed the American
was
the English Boy Scout promoter
himself and saw
the necessity of preparedness
military man
by Great Britain, which has since become apparent to us all.
a
And
firstbe
in order to be prepared
sure
we
are
to
pack
"go ahead"
right,then
a
horse,
we
must
ing
and practice pack-
at home.
One
of the most
useful things to the outdoor person
125
is a
126
AND
CAMP-LORE
Pack
All of
this book
do not
us
so
poor
own
a
WOODCRAFT
Horse
horse, but there is not
that he cannot
own
a
reader of
by
the horse shown
Fig. 174.
168
but few people in the United States who cannot
into possession of a barrel with which to build
honestly come
horse or on which to practice throwing the diamond
a pack
There
are
hitch. They
with which
some
pieces of board
also find, somewhere,
to make
the legs of the horse, its neck and head.
can
PACKING
HORSES
127
Fig. 168 shows the neck-board, and the dotted lines
show
the head to get the right angle for the head and
where to saw
hear.
with which the horse may
head-board, and the dotted line shows
Fig. 169
ears,
to
give the proper
intelligenthead-piece.
comer
shape
to
how
to
shows
saw
this Arabian
Fig. 170 shows how to nail the head
be procured by knocking them
nails may
the
ofifone
steed's
The
the neck.
out of old boards ;
on
at least that is the way
the writer supplied himself with nails.
He does not remember
ever
asking his parents for money
with which to buy nails,but ifit is different nowadays, and
ifyou
do not feeleconomically inclined,and have the money,
Also, under such circumstances,
go to the shop and buy them.
go to the lumber yard and purchase your boards.
Fig. 171 shows how to nail two cleats on the neck, and
Fig. 172 shows how to nail these cleats onto the head of the
barrel. If you find the barrel head so tough and elastic that
in, use a gimlet and bore
nail cannot be easily hammered
holes into the cleats and into the barrel head, and then fasten
the cleats on with screws.
a
of an old piece of frayed
rope (Fig.173),with a knot tied in one
end to prevent the
tail from pulling out when it is pulled through a hole in the
other end of the barrel (Fig.173).The legs of the horse are
The
tail of the nag
is made
out
made likethose of a carpenter's wooden horse, of bits of plank
boards braced under the barrel by cross-pieces(Fig.174).
or
Now
that wUl stand
you have a splendid horse! "One
It is kind and warranted not to buck,
without hitching."
bite or kick, but nevertheless, when you are packing him
that you are doing it in order to drill yourself to
remember
real live horse,
and kick.
pack
a
a
horse that may
really buck, bite
AND
CAMP-LORE
128
lot of words in the EngHsh
language not to
in the dictionary. I remember
few years ago
a
could not find "undershirt" or "catboat" in the
There
a
are
be found
one
when
WOODCRAFT
in the dictionaries of to-day you will even
find "aparejo"and "latigo," although neither of these words
But
dictionary.
in the dictionaries of yesterday.
was
Make
Make
Your
Own
Aparejo
find. The
anything you can
are
real ones
made of leather, but at the present tune, 1920,
however, no doubt secure
We can,
leather is very expensive.
your
own
some
builders' paper,
than
anything
aparejoof
tar paper,
stiffwrapping paper, a piece
Hke leather
of old oilcloth, which, by the way, would be more
else, and
cover
tent
these things with a piece of
burlap.
The oilcloth
or
even
At the bottom edge of it we
cloth, a piece of carpet,
inside will stiffen the
aparejo.
lash
can
in
a
(Fig.175),or
couple of sticks
if we
to do it
want
manner,
can
we
on
a
sew
couple of
real workmanlike
leather
leather shoes, made
out of old shoe leather or new
it,and then slip a nice hickory stick through
if we can secure
a
shown in the diagram (Fig.176).
horse's back
is
aparejo to throw over the
the shoes,
The
as
178, but in order to fasten it on
the back
we
must
as
have
in Fig.
a
latigo
for the rope attached
is the real wild and woolly name
to a cmcha strap (Fig.177) But when you are talking about
packing the pack horses call it "cinch," and spell it "cincha."
Make
your cincha of a piece of canvas,
and in one end fasten
which
.
big strong picture hook will do; Fig. 1773^ shows
a
of an oak elbow invented by Stewart
cinch hook made
White, and in the other end an iron ring; to the iron
Edward
a
hook
"
a
ring fasten the lash rope (Fig,177).
For the real horse and outfit one
will need
an
aparejo,
129
HORSES
PACKING
pack blanket, a lash rope with a cincha, a slmg rope, a
But here again do not
blind for the horse, and a pack cover.
for that will at once
you as a
stamp
call it a pack cover,
a
Assume
the superior air of a real plainsman and
"manta."
The
speak of it as a
aparejoand pack saddle are
inventions of the Arabians away back in the eighth century.
Spain, these picturesque
When
the Moors from Africa overran
tenderfoot.
brought
marauders
When
aparejos.
with them pack mules, pack saddles, and
General Cortez and Pizarro carried the
through Mexico in their search for gold,
torch and sword
they brought with them
pack
animals, pack
saddles,
aparejos,
latigos,and all that sort of thing with which to pack their loot.
to California iu search of
When
the forty-niners went
gold they found that the Arabian Moorish-Spanish-Mexican
of packing
method
animals
was
perfectly adapted
to
their
the
used to pack animals, the aparejos,
latigos, and all the other kinds of gos. The lash rope for a
real pack horse should be of the best Manila ^ inch or ^
purposes
and
they
forty feet long;
inch, and
the wooden
much
shorter
Boys
Can
Throw
in 1879, Captain A. B. Wood,
introduced
one
wUl
answer
for
horse.
Even
Back
a
the
Hitch
United States Army,
knowledge
of the proper use of the pack saddle
hitch into the United
and the mysteries of the diamond
States Army.
The Fourth
Cavalry, United States Army,
was
a
the first to become
expert
with the diamond
hitch and
it to the others; but recently a military magazine
has asked permission, and has used the author's diagrams,
to explain
to the Cavalry
how
hitch
men
this famous
taught
is thrown.
It stands to
9
reason
that in order to pack
one
horse
one
CAMP-LORE
130
AND
WOODCRAFT
But these are
the easiest things
packs.
A couple of old potato or flour bags,
imaginable to secure.
hay, grass, leaves, rags
stuffed with anything that is handy
have
must
some
"
or
paper
"
When
but stuffed tight (Fig.179),will do for our load.
packing a horse, except with such hitches as the
hitch, it requires two men
or boys to
throw
the
"
"one
man
hitch.
The
"
first one
is known
as
the head
"
packer, and
the
Remember
the second packer.
that the left-hand
side of the horse is the nigh side. The head packer stands
on
the nigh side of the horse and he takes the coiled lash rope
other
as
in the left hand
animal
lets the coils fall astern of the pack
(Fig.180); with the right hand he takes hold of the
and
about three or four feet from the cincha (Fig.180)and
hands the hook end under the animal to the second packer,
rope
who
The
so
the right-hand side of the horse (Fig.180).
of the head packer, with the palm upwards,
his forearm;
holds the rope that the loop will fall across
stands on
right hand
the left hand
half way
holds the rope about
with the palm downward
between the loop that goes over the forearm and the
loop that lies along the back of the pack animal (Fig.181).
The head packer now
throws the loop from his forearm across
PACKING
183
HORSES
the pack on the back of the animal, allowing the lefthand to
fallnaturally on the neck of the animal. The second packer
runs
now
the rope through the hook and pulls up the cincha
end until the hook is near
the lower edge of the off side of the
aparejo(Fig.183).
head packer next grasps the rope A (Fig.185)and
tucks a loop from the rear to the front under the part marked
the inner side pack (Figs.184
B (Figs.185 and 18G),over
The
the second packer passes the loose end of the
D (Fig.187),and throws it on
rope under the part marked
the nigh (left)
side of the pack animals.
draws the tucked loop forward and
The head packer now
tucks it under the corners
and the lower edge of the nigh
187) Next
and
.
188),then holds it taut
aparejo(Fig.
side of the
from the
rear
the second packer takes hold of the rope at E
(Fig.189)with his lefthand, and at F (Fig.187)with his right
corner,
and
the rope under the corners
and lower edge
(G,H, Fig. 189, and G, H, Fig.
of the off side of the aparejo
takes the blind off his pack
191). The second packer now
is supposed to lead it forward a few steps while
animal and
the head packer examines the load from the rear to see if it
hand.
He
passes
is properly
adjusted.
the blind is again put upon the animal for the final
While the second packer is pulling
tightening of the rope.
the parts taut, the head packer takes up the slack and keeps
Then
the pack
manner
steady.
as
to
tightening should be done
shake the pack out of balance
190).
packer
second (oroff side)
188
(Figs.
The
not
The
or
in such
a
position,
and
grasps the lash rope above
the hook, and puts his knee against the stern comer
of the
left-hand group (Fig.188).The head packer takes
aparejo,
hold with his right hand of the same
part of the rope where it
AND
CAMP-LORE
134
WOODCRAFT
the ioner side, and with the left
hand at J (Fig.189),and his right shoulder against the cargo
"Pull!"
Without jerks,
to steady it,he gives the command
from
comes
but with
"VsT
yC.
the pack
steady
on
pulls, the second packer
tightens the
LATlGO
ISARE/M-CINCMAAND
SAW"UCK
ISARtAL
now
SADDUE'
WITH
kiS'^
let it slip back through the hook.
He gives the loose part to the head packer, who takes up the
slack by steady pulls.
rope,
taking
care
not
to
the second packer is satisfiedthat it is all right he
The head packer then holds steady with
cries, "Enough!"
his right hand and slips the other hand down to where the
When
rope
passes
over
the front edge of the
aparejo. There
he
135
HORSES
PACKING
holds steady; his right hand then takes hold of the continuation
of the pad and pulls tight.
of the rope at the back corner
Placing his right knee against the rear comer
of the pad he
is well home, leftpulls hard with both hands until the rope
hand group (Fig.188).
The
second
packer
now
takes up
the slack by
grasping
the rope with both hands, E (Fig.189).
The head packer steps to the front to steady the pack.
The second packer pulls taut the parts on his side, taking up
This draws the part of the lash rope
the slack.
189),well back
K, K
at middle of the pack, giving the center
shape from which the name
then, with the left hand at the
is derived, X
the diamond
(Fig.
hitch
(Fig.
H, pulls
taut and holds solid,while with the right hand in front of G,
he takes up slack. Next with both hands at the front corner
191),He
rear
corner
the second packer pulls
188),
and with his knee against it(Fig.
taut, the head packer at the same
time taking up the slack
his side and then pulls steady, drawing the part L, L
on
(Fig.189),of
forward at
the middle
at X.
the rope leading from the hook weU
of the pack, finishing off the diamond
then carries the loose end under the
He
and ends of the
and draws that taut and ties the end fast by a half
aparejo,
hitch near
the cincha end of the lash rope.
corners
After passing under the corners,
ifthe rope is long enough
to reach over
the load, it can then be passed over
and made
fast on the off side by tying around both parts of the lash
rope
above
the hook
and
by
drawing
them
well together
(Fig.191).
Alongside
of Fig. 190
to lash and
series of sketches showing how
bag is
parcels or bags together; one
made
In other words, itmakes
better be understood.
iteasier to follow the differenthitches.
are
a
cinch two
black so that its position
can
Learn
on
AND
CAMP-LORE
136
at home
to pack
and
WOODCRAFT
you
will not
lose your
packs
the trail.
in doubt forget
Li following these instructions, whenever
the perspective views and keep in mind Figures 181, 183, 185,
187, 189 and
views
packers
on
top
are
;
191, which
teU the whole story.
The
perspective
principally to show
the relative position of the
by looking
the position of the rope can best be seen
of the pack.
Li packing a hve horse you will learn by practice not to
the horse to step on your feet;
puU in such a way as to cause
you will also learn that a live horse will not stand as stillas
wooden horse, but when you have learned to pack a wooden
horse quickly and well, it will only take you a short time to
become expert with a live horse.
a
The
These
are
Squaw
useful when
the animal, and
With this squaw
one
Hitches
has
has no
when one
hitch you must
the back of the horse,
over
no
one
to help in packing
saddle like Fig. 200.
throw your burden across
pack
the pad
made
by
a
blanket
(Fig.
PACKING
137
the end M, see X (Fig.192),and
the end N, see Y (Fig.192). At the end of
another one over
the lash rope Z make a loop; now
pass that loop down under
the horse's belly and through Y (Fig.193),bring the end Z
192),then
put
a
loop
HORSES
over
the horse's back, also pass the end T down
the horse's back, also pass
through X, and bring it back over
the end Z dowTi through Y, and bring it back over
the horse's
back
over
again
J-^M
wt
back, pass T through
top
of pack
another squaw
Fig. 197 shows
Anyone
to arrange
Z
(Fig.193),cinch
(Fig.194). Fig.
hitch.
195
Fig. 196
the thing made
shows
shows
fast.
who travels with pack
the lead rope in a manner
tight and fasten
another
the next
throw
on
in
position.
horses should know how
be quickly
so that it may
time be out of the way,
and easily loosened, and at the same
it when climbing
so
that the horse will not get his foot over
descending steep places, which often happens when the
or
K
is fastened to the pack in the usual manner.
you will take the rope and wind it loosely around the horse's
lead rope
CAMP-LORE
138
WOODCRAFT
AND
and in front of his right ear (Figs.
198 and 199),then tuck the end
imder the strands, as shown
in Fig. 198, the thing may
be undone in an instant, and in
the meantime
the rope is out of the way where it will not
neck, behind his left ear
bother either the man
Practise all this
natural when
or
the horse.
horse, then it will
to handle a real horse.
the wooden
on
the time
comes
come
The
of looping up the lead rope, justdescribed, I learned
from the explorers of the Mt. McKinley
expedition, who had
manner
occasions to test the best, as well
many
as
the worst
of packing and arranging their duffel. There are
given by Stewart Edward
of other hitches, some
methods
a
number
White, in
Outing, called the Miner's Hitch, the Lone Packer's Hitch,
but possibly we have given the reader enough to start him
his way; remember
for the pack horse the necessary outfit
on
is a horse blanket, the cincha and lash rope, the slmg rope,
for the pack, somethe lead rope, the manta, which is a cover
times
called the tarp
short for tarpaulin, and the blind,
a
rule a handkerchief is used for a blinder. The
is a sort of a leather mattress
the
which goes over
"
but
as
aparejo
horse's back and on which the pack rests, but you will find
allabout that when you hit the trailwith a pack train. The
is a Spanish name
for the saddle-bags used on a pack
alforjas
the reader knows how to pack his horse, knows
for the pack saddle and all that sort
all the Spanish names
he will have a horse
come
a time when
of thing, there may
horse. When
which needs to
he must needs
be
hitched at night, and
Hitch
On
happen
Horse
the
trailwhere there are
but ifhe is a good woodcrafter
some
it may
trees, sticks, or
no
as
narrow
stones;
with his huntand deep a hole as
and plainsman,
kig knife he will proceed to dig
even
PACKING
141
HORSES
possible in the earth, then he will tie a knot in the end of the
picket rope and drop the knot to the bottom of the hole
(Fig.201) (thepicket rope
rope, fifty feet long);the
in realityshould be one-half inch
only way to get that knot out of
the opening
the hole is to stand directly over
It will never
knot up perpendicularly.
occur
and pull the
to the horse
to shorten the line by taking hold of it with his teeth,
so
that
the hole and pull up the knot, consequently
the animal will be as securely hitched as if tied to a post.
itmay
stand
over
Hobbles
the front legs may be purchased at any outfitter's(Fig.
203). Make a
202),or home-made from unravelled rope (Fig.
For
strand from a large rope and then fasten it
leg,as in diagram; after that twist the rope to make
round one
the connections between the two loops, tie another knot to
loop from
a
the rope from untwisting, then tie the two ends
around the leg of the horse (Fig.203); the unravelled rope is
soft and will not chafe the horse's leg.
prevent
Travois
Figs. 204 and 205 show
by travois.
How
General Miles
TO
Throw
the famous
a
Indian mode
Saddle
of packing
Down
told the author that the handsomest
dashing into their camp
in a
he had ever
came
seen
man
cloud of alkali dust; having ridden right through bands of
he dismounted,
hostile Indians which surrounded the camp,
once
took oflFhis saddle and threw it on the ground, put the bridle
it,
bit, girth, etc., inside the saddle, put the saddle-cloth over
then he calmly stretched himself out in front of the campfire.
"Thatman,"saidGeneralMiles,"was
BillCody, Buffalo BUI !"
AND
CAMP-LORE
142
WOODCRAFT
the ground he placed it on
its side (Fig.206); in placing the saddle in this position it
preserves the curve
of the skirts, and thus the form of the
When
Cody
put the saddle
on
saddle is not destroyed and the reins and
the stirrup straps
a
time the saddle makes
good
protected; at the same
pUlow, and if it should rain at night the saddle blanket is the
only thing, besides the rider, which gets a ducking, unless
are
the latter has
How
a
good waterproof
Throw
TO
a
sleeping-bag.
Saddle
on
a
Horse
the saddle that with one swing it will 'Ught on
towards the horse's head
the horse's back with the pummel
(Fig.207). Grasp with your right hand the horn of the saddle,
So manage
swing the saddle on the horse with a graceful
sweep, use your lefthand to push the further skirt outward
up on the horse's back.
and thus prevent it from doubUng
and
as
you
Be careful to throw the girth far enough so that it will hang
had
down so as to be easily reached under the horse. I once
English farm hand who put a western
an
saddle on a horse
the 'pummel towards the tail,and was
very indignant
I told him that a pummel
should face the bow of a
when
he knew
more
about horses than I did,
craft; he told me
he also said
not a horseman;
which is possibly true, as I am
with
that in the "hold
country"
goes
to prove
all of which
countries. Here
the horse's head;
he used to ride to "the 'ounds,"
different in different
are
customs
of the saddle towards
be wrong,
we
may
won't argue about it; we
but it is a matter
and right or wrong is the rule
of custom,
follow in America, even
though the reader
the reader must
Do not
have ridden to the "'ounds"
may
while abroad.
we
put
the pummel
in the world
me,
some
of the best horsemen
misunderstand
English, but this fellow was
are
not one
of them.
How
TO
Years ago when
Eaton's Ranch, near
143
HORSES
PACKING
Mount
a
the rider
Western
was
Horse
in Montana
on
Howard
velt,
the celebrated ranch of Theodore Roosehe had his first experience with Western horses, and
being sensitive and standing in great terror of being called
before he
tenderfoot, he shyly watched the others mount
attempted to do so himself. Each one of these plainsmen,
he noticed, took the reins in his left hand while standing on
a
the left-hand side of the horse; then holding the reins over
the shoulders of the horse he grasped the mane
with the
hand, and put his left foot into the stirrup; but to put
same
the left foot in the stirrup he turned the stirrup around
that he could mount
whOe facing the horse's tail, then
so
he
grabbed hold of the pummel
with his right hand and swung
into the saddle as the horse started.
That looked easy; the writer also noticed that justbefore
the others struck the saddle they gave a whoop, so without
showing any hesitation the author walked up to his cayuse,
took the reins confidently in his lefthand, using care to stand
the left-hand side of the horse; then he placed the left
hand with the reins between the shoulders of the horse and
then he turned the stirrup around, turned
grabbed the mane,
on
his back to the horse's head, put
his left foot in the stirrup
and gave a yell.
On sober afterthought he decided that he gave that yell
too soon; the horse almost went
out from under him, or at
least so
it seemed
to him,
maybe the sensation would be
better described to say that it appeared to him as if he went
a
the prairie with his right leg waving in the air
mile over
like a one-winged aeroplane, before he finally settled down
or
into the saddle.
But this could not have
been really true, because every-
AND
CAMP-LORE
144
body
the writer
and
applauded
WOODCRAFT
was
accepted by the
Sourdough.
thoroughbred
as
a
question
without
crowd
Possibly they may have thought he
doing
some
at
was
once
feeling good and
just
stunts.
interest the reader to state that the author did
his best to live up to the first impression he had made, but
books he
he did not go riding the next day, there were
some
It may
thought
lounging
necessary
was
not
read; he discovered, however, that even
discomfort; for instance, he
without some
to
leg
his knees without helping one
could not cross
both his hands; in fact, he could find no muscle m
over
wath
his body
that could be moved
without considerable exertion and pain.
But this is the jwint of the story : Had the author tried to
he would have been
in any other way
that cayuse
mount
left sprawling
properly when
the prairie. The truth is that if you mount
ifhe begins to buck and
the horse starts, even
on
pitch, the action will tend to throw
out of it.
you
into the saddle, not
Caution
approach a horse which has a brand on it,always
approach from the left-hand side, because practically all the
horses have brands on them, and you can, as a rule,
Western
When
count
on
you
a
branded
horse being from the West,
Tvith the hale
and hearty habits of the West, which to be appreciated must
If you want
to make
a real cayuse
be understood.
out of
horse, brand it and any cowboy who then sees
your wooden
it will take off his hat.
VIII
CHAPTER
THE
DOGS,
HIKING
PACK
HOW
TO
PACK
HOW
TO
THROW
HOW
TO
MAKE
DOG
MAN
PACK
don't
A
AS
KINDS
DOG
THE
DOG
DOG
BEAST
HITCH
TRAVOIS
OF
IN
BURDEN
EX7BOPB
RATS
TOUR
FIGHT
PACK
PACK
WHO
MEN
HAVE
CARRIED
PACKS
OF
RUCKSACK
ORIGIN
OF
10
PACKING
MAN
DOGS
A
ALPINE
BIAKE
DOGS.
PACKING
PORTAGE
GREAT
OF
USE
TOUR
BROAD
OWN
BREAST
OUTFITS
STRAPS
A
PACK
AND
ARCTIC
AMEBICA
Vni
CHAPTER
THE
is no
There
accompanied
USE
good
DOGS.
OF
reason
why
MAN
PACKING
every
hiker should not be
by
A
Hiking
Dog
For if there is anything a dog does love better than its own
and every normal boy and
soul it is to hike with its master,
loves the company
and woman,
girl,and every normal man
of
a
good
dog.
When
they do not
love it the fault is not
with the dog but with them; there is something wrong with
them that the outdoor world alone will cure.
hike with
But if a dog is going to
enjoythe pleasure of a
you, if it is a good square dog it should be willing to also
share the hardships of the hike with you, and to help carry
the burdens on the trail. Any sort of a dog can be trained as
A
Pack
Dog
the sturdier and stronger the dog is,the greater burden
he can
carry and the more
useful he will be on the trail.
for a dog, or saddle-bags, can be made by anyone
The
But
alforjas
with a needle and thread. A dog pack consists
209 and 210),with a
primarily of two bags or pouches (Figs.
yoke piece attached to slideover the dog's head and fitacross
the chest (Figs.209, 210, 211 and 212). Also a cincha to
who
is handy
fasten around the waist or small part of the dog's body, back
or
of its ribs. The pouches (Fig.210) should have a manta,
cover
211,
(Figs.
213, and
214),to keep the rain, snow
or
out of the duffel. Simple bags of strong light material
on
dust
the
of Fig. 210 are best, because the weight of anything
is to be avoided.
unnecessary
pattern
147
AKD
CAMP-LORE
148
The
Is not
as
the dog hitch by
Shp
one
Dog
Hitch
hitch, and
affair as the diamond
learn
to do up an ordinary parcel can
glance at Figs. 213 and 214.
complicated
who knows how
anyone
WOODCRAFT
an
the breast band
over
the dog's head, put
the saddlebags
the dog's shoulders, tie the cinch around
itswaist, after which spread the cover
over
or manta
the bag,
and throw the hitch as shown by Figs. 211 and 214. Fig. 213
well forward
on
with a breast band made of the lash rope, in
which case the lash rope is usually made of cloth like that in
Fig. 211; the whole thing is simphcity itselfand a good dog
a
shows
can
bundle
carry
a
quite
in this
load packed
A
Dog
manner.
Travois
also be used at times \Nith advantage,
Can
red brothers of the wilderness.
our
it was
as
Fig. 217
used by
shows
a
dog
shaft poles; the harness
consists of a padded collar similar to those used in Northern
Quebec for sled dogs, and a cincha of leather or canvas
and
harnessed to
traces
of rope
travois, made
a
or
thong.
of two
Figs. 215
and
216
show
a
rig made
Boy Scouts; the material used was
the green
of my
made of rope manufactured
saplings cut in the woods, the traces were
from the roots of the tamarack
tree, so also was
the
cord used to bind the parts of the frame together. The hooks
by
one
to which
bent
over,
by thongs
which
were
were
then
the traces
were
fastened
were
of wire nails
fastened
and the staples to which the collar was
to the shaft were
made of wive nails, the heads of
ground off by rubbing them on stones; the nails
bent
into the proper
shaft in the form of a staple.
The
with a leather harness.
curve
Fig. 216
made
and
driven
into the
shows the same
Indian used
American
rig
the
THE
travois
USE
dogs the
on
OF
same
DOGS"
as
MAN
PACKING
they did upon
151
horses and
the
a
sudden appearance
of game
often produced
stampede
of
dog travoises, scattering the duffel, including papooses,
loaded
the travois.
on
It is not expected that the reader will make every one
of
if
he
does
he
but
learn
How,
these contrivances,
will
and to
be a good woodsman
he should know how, so as to be prepared
for any emergency.
It is possible to make
for the dog from birch bark, but however
the whole pack
it is made, if it
the dog carry part of the pack,
of making
when you put the bark on the dog's back, you will teach the
animal that there are two kinds of barks; one of which is useful
the purpose
serves
duffel bag, and the other as an alarm.
In Alaska and other parts of the far North, as well as in
Holland and other parts of Europe, the dog is generally used
as
a beast
of burden; it draws sleds in North America
and
as
a
milk
carts
necessary
and market
for us to hve
order to make
the packs on
if necessary,
in Holland,
wagons
in Holland
or
but it is not
in the far North in
of the dog ; a good dog will cheerfully carry
the trail,loyally guard the camp
at night, and,
use
die in defense of its master.
pack is an abomination;
uncomfortable
Any
too
heavy
a
burden, no pack at all is fine until you
unhappy
for a
and hunt around for something to answer
reach camp
on
toothbrush, comb and brush, something
which to sit and
pack
is an
"
sleep, something overhead to protect you from the rains and
dews of heaven, something to eat and something to eat with
from which to drink which
besides yoiu* fingers, something
holds
water
better than
the hollow
of your
hand
or
in fact, all those necessary
of your hat, and,
fellow wants
on
an
that a
overnight
comforts
little
brim
Without
these useful articles
one
will wish
that
the
hike.
he
had
CAMP-LORE
152
AND
WOODCRAFT
himself to the slight fatigue necessary
to pack a
small pack on his back.
The word "pack"
for
itselfis a joy to the outdoor man,
subjected
it is only outdoor
who call a bundle
who use the word pack for carry, and
load a pack.
The reason
for this is that
or
the real wilderness man,
explorer, prospector, hunter, trapper
or
scout, packs all his duffel into a bundle which he carries
on
men
his back, in two
dogs,
his husky
a
or
saddle-bags
small
which
number
of well-balanced
lashed on the pack saddle with a diamond
are
back of a pack horse.
You
see
we
hitch
over
the
have pack dogs, pack horses and pack animals,
saddles and
pack
carried by
bundles which
are
as
packers,
well
the packs
as
themselves,
their
which the packers pack and these animals pack on
himself packs on his own
backs, or which the man
back.
Then
we
also have the pack rat, but the pack rat does not
things with
flop, hopping
over
carry
our
The
consent.
rat
pack
comes
flippity-
ground from the old hermit. Bill
Jones's, packing with him Bill Jones's false teeth which he
has abstracted from the tin cup of water at the head of Bill
The
Jones's bunk.
the
pack
rat
deposits the teeth at the head
of your cot, then deftly picking up your watch, the rat packs
it back to Bill Jones's cot and drops itin the tin cup of water,
where it soaks until morning.
It is easy
to
see
that however
funny
the pack rat may be,
be to the Sunday
comic paper,
useful he might
is not appreciated by the campers
in the
the rat's humor
Rocky
Mountains,
where it is called a pack rat from its habit
and
however
of carrying things.
the word
"carry"
it is that in
is almost
a
forgotten;
newly
one
packs
a
horse to water,
to his best girl,or
a
pail of water
to the post
candy
Thus
box,
or
settled country
"packs"
a letter
or
from
packs
a
box of
the spring.
THE
OF
USE
Man
When
good
my
you,
back and the tump
your
that
remember
you
to
appear
may
you
Packing
reader, get the pack adjustedon
line across
your forehead (Fig.226),
But
forehead
no
how
matter
tough
or
rough
roughness is
the casual observer, your
only apparent; a boy or man
inside of him wherever
is carrying a pack on
one
one's
153
PACKING
nity
being initiated into the great frater-
are
people.
of outdoor
MAN
DOGS"
of refinement carries that refinement
he goes ; at the same
time when
back
one's
(Fig. 2263^), or
a
and
a
on
canoe
line
tump
on
head,
one's
lady should be met
on
the trail it would
hat, for even
for one
to take off one's
be necessary
not
to doff the
a foolish society woman
would not expect a man
though
even
a
he might
canoe
be carrying
common
use
sense;
and also of real culture.
important
The most
line makes
Don't
his head.
Under
all circumstances
that is the rule of the wilderness
thing that you
trailis not to fret and fume
is heavy and irksome, even
and the tump
on
over
trifles,
and
though
your
Fight
must
even
learn
on
if your
the
load
the shoulder straps chafe
neck ache
Your
Pack
fighting
speak of "fighting the pack" we mean
load up against a
the load; that does not mean
getting one's
it with one's
fistsor
kicking the stuflBngs
tree and punching
When
we
"
of it," but it means
load is uncomfortable.
out
There
are
when
on
a
kinds of "packs"
the pack that you carry
long hike, and the pack that you carry
on
a
trip and you are compelled to leave the water
two
day after day
canoe
and carry your
and fretting because the
complaining
"
canoe
and duffel overland around
some
bad
AND
CAMP-LORE
154
falls. The
or
rapids
it as
because
you
know
that you
carry
must
keep
you
except
But
30 and
counts,
pound
long as
should be as light as
40 pounds, for on a long tramp
first-named pack
possible, say between
every
WOODCRAFT
you
when
the last-named
going, and there is no reUef in sight
stop for your meals or to camp
at night.
pack,
the
Pack,
Portage
Figs, 218 and 223, the kind that you carry around bad pieces
of water, may be as heavy as you can, with safety, load upon
up by the
your sturdy back, because your mind is buoyed
know
fact that you
far,the
work
strange
to say
the load
as
will not have
you
^A\\ end when
"
the mind
the muscles.
to carry
that load very
reach the water again, and
has as much
to do with carrying
If the mind gives up you will fall
you
"
small load; if the mind is strong you
will stagger along under a very hea\'y one.
AVhen I asked a friend, who bears the scars
of the pack
to endure
that he managed
straps on his body, how it was
helpless
even
load, he replied with
he found that to "fight his pack" meant
the torture
as
a
under
death !
"
of such
^he made
a
up his mind
a
grin that
to perish
to forget the blamed
"
as
soon
meant
thing and
when the pack wearied him and the straps rubbed the skin
off his body, he forced himself to think of the good dinners
he had had at the Camp-fire Club of America, yum!
yum!
so
Also, of all the
the fun he had
jollystories told
had
at
by the toastmaster,
some
and of
Often
other entertainments.
while thinking of these things he caught himself laughing out
loud as he trudged along the lone trail,Forgetting
hatethe ful
pack
on
smile upon
how
his back.
his manly
"In this way,"
and
the pack
not to fight
said he, with a winning
face, "I learned
weather-beaten
but to Forget
It!
Then
he braced
OF
USE
THE
MAN
DOGS"
PACKING
157
himself up, looked at the snow-capped mountain range ahead,
a littlecowboy
hummed
the frozen
song and trudged on over
snow
at
a
Now
a
scout's
pace.
that you
know
means,
pack"
remember
hard, that is one's
pack is,and what "fighting
that if one's
studies at school are
If the work one
is doing is hard,
a
what
pack.
difficultor tiresome, that is one's
If one's
boss is cross
pack.
If one's
parents are worried
pack.
and exacting, that is one's
in
their worry
and forget themselves
that is
one's
a
are
you
your
find that you
If you
that you
are
your
or
and
pack;
speak
sharply,
remember
that
on
woodcrafter; straighten your shoulders, put
smile and hit the trail Hke a man!
scout
because
Don't
pack.
fight your
a
tempted
camp
scout,
are
tempted
to break the Scout Law,
at times to forget the Scout Oath, that
mates
and you
use
are
language
tempted
unfit for
a
woodcrafter
to do the same,
if
playmates play craps and smoke cigarettes, and laugh
at you because you refuse to do so, so that you are tempted
form your pack; don't give
to jointhem, these temptations
like a "sissy," or
in and fall under your load and whimper
your
but straighten up, look the world straight
in the eye, and hit the trail like a man
!
Some of us are carrying portage packs which we can dump
a
"mollycoddle,"
shoulders at the end of the "carry," some
of us are
carrying hiking packs which we must carry through lifeand
dump from our shoulders until we cross the Grand
can
never
off
our
from which
in weight, but
Portage
no
voyagers
ever
return.
All
our
packs
none
vary
of them is easy to carry if we fret
and fume and complain under the load.
We outdoor folks call our load "pack," but our Sunday
School teachers sometimes speak of the pack they bear
"cross."
Be it so, but don't fight your pack.
as
a
AND
CAMP-LORE
158
Men
Who
Have
WOODCRAFT
Carried
Pack
the
is sprinkled with the bones
north country
of
fought
Our
is
men
land
own
the
their packs.
who
also
"misfits"
we
sprinkled with men
call
and failures,but who
But every post
are
who have fought their packs.
really men
The
whole
of eminence in the United States is occupied by
forgot his pack; this country
built by men
was
George
their packs.
Washington
carried
a
a
man
who
forgot
who
portage
in
pack
burden and he
a proud
weight all through his life,but it was
a
stood straight under it. Good old Abe Lincoln had even
heavier pack to carry, but in spite of the weight of it he
had
pleasant scout smile for everyone
and a merry
story to send the visitor away
smiling. If Daniel Boone and
Simon Kenton
have
had fought their packs we would never
always
a
heard of them !
Li the illustrationsare shown many
figures,and one should
in the real
not forget that these are
sketches of real men
from imagination.
wilderness, and not fancy pictures drawn
Figs. 230, 231 and 232 show many
different methods of ing
carrybig game on one's
shoulders or back. Fig. 232 also shows
on
the trail. One has the bag
couple of prospectors
back, held in place by shoulder straps; the other has
his shoulder like a ragman.
thrown over
a
his
on
a
bag
The alpine rucksack will carry
or to
properly
speak more
^with itone can pack a camera,
notebook, sketching material,
lunch and all those things which a fellow wants on an
"
"
able
enjoy-
hike.
poke about
alpine rucksack is a many-gored
18 inches wide and about 22 inches long without the gores.
These pokes can be made so that the gores fold in and produce
an
The
or
ordinary-sized pack,
umbrella so
sized boy.
as
to make
a
they may
bag in which
be pushed
one
can
out
carry
like
a
an
good-
s?
USE
THE
OF
MAN
DOGS"
Broad
The
PACKING
161
Band
shows the broad band used by the men
of
the far north. The reader will note that the broad canvas
bands come
over
the shoulders from the top of the pack;
the shoulder
connects
also that a broad breast band
Fig. 232-D
bands, while rope, whang
through
strings or thongs run
This
eyelets in the band and to the bottom
of the pack.
is
comfortable
pack used and has an
said to be the most
interesting history ; it
There
was
a
was
evolved
Hebrew
from
peddler who
an
old pair of overalls.
followed the gold
overalls and put them
seekers and he took a pair of canvas
his breast, and to the legs he fastened the pack upon
across
his back.
The overalls being wide and broad did not cut
his chest, as do smaller straps, thongs or
But breast straps of any kind are not
whang
now
by
strings.
recommended
interfere with
all authorities. It is claimed that they
the breathing and a fellow "mouching"
along the trail needs
for not only his speed
to have his chest free to expand,
but his endurance depends upon the free action of his lungs.
The
Tump
Figs. 226
and 226^^ show the use of the celebrated tump
This tump
to the
strap is used from Central America
strap.
Arctic Circle. The
Mexican
water
it to tote his
carrier uses
Indian in
the Montenais
burden; the Tete Bule Indian and
the Northeast also carry their packs with a tump
hne is made.
Fig. 2263^ shows how the tump
or
lash rope
with
a
broad band
It is a strap
to fitover
and thus relieve the weight which
Fig. 218 shows the well-known
the packer's head,
the shoulders have to bear.
portage
basket which
regions. Fig. 219
pack
is used by the guides in the Adirondack
knapsack.
Fig. 222 shows
shows the Nessmuk
11
line.
a
pack harness
CAMP-LORE
162
AND
WOODCRAFT
of straps by which two duffel bags are bome
Fig. 225 shows a duffel bag which is laced up at
a
on
one
the back.
end with
thong; also the end of the bag open.
The
Duffel
Bag
is
Useful
is the ideal poke in which to pack one's
belongings. It is waterproof, it makes a good pillow, a far
better pillow than an axe and pair of boots on which I myself
have rested my weary head many
a night,
and it also makes
The
duffel bag
be
cushion upon which to sit. The duffel bag may
The ones
1
procured from any outfitting establishment.
own
are
now
shiny with dirt and grease, gathered from the
a
good
forests extending
from Northern
camps
and
Washington,
old bags, for even
though
from
Maine
the State of
Quebec to Florida. I love the
to
ened
they be greasy and shiny, and black-
with the charcoals of many
full of delightful memories.
campfires, they
are
chuck
Fig. 220
is the old-time poke made of a bandanna
over
with its ends tied together and swung
handkerchief,
a
stick.
of which may be found in all the
old newspapers
antedating the Civil War, where runaway
are
negroes
advertised. It is the sort of pack respectable
This is the pack,
a
cut
were
used to carry, back in the times when tramps
respectable. It is the kind of pack I find represented in an
old oil painting hanging on my dining-room wall, which was
tramps
painted
by
some
European
artist back
fellows carry
"traveling light."
century.
When
in the seventeenth
the runaway
pack
they
are
A
a
makeshift pack.
shows how to construct
229),for the
rope of cedar bark is arranged with a loop C (Fig.
yoke the ends A and B are brought up under the arms
and
tied to the yoke C, which then makes a breast band.
Fig. 229
THE
OF
USE
MAN
DOGS"
PACKING
163
long hike thirty pounds is enough for a big boy to
carry, and itwill weigh three hundred and fiftypounds at the
Heavy
packs, big packs, like
end of a hard day's tramp.
For
a
those shown in Fig. 223, are only used on a portage, that is,
for short distance. Of course,
that in all
you fellows know
one
trips of any consequence
must
from one lake to another, or overland above
a
safe place below it, or around quick water,
canoe
the words
of tenderfeet, water
which
cross
a
or
overland
waterfall to
to put it in
is too quick for
canoe
travel, around tumultuous
must
carry his
rapids where one
canoe
and duffel. But these carries or portages are seldom
long. The longest I remember
was
a trifleover
of making
five miles in length.
Remember
that the weight of
a
load depends
a
great deal
Consequently for a long distance the load
mind.
should be light; for a short distance the only limit to the load
is the limit of the packer's strength.
upon
your
But
People differso in regard to how to carry a pack and what
kind of a pack to carry, that the author hesitates to recommend
any particular sort; personally he thinks that a pack
harness hitched
on
to the duffel bags
221,
(Figs.
222 and
224),
is the proper
and practical thing. Duffel bags, by the way,
bags (Fig.225),made of different
are
water-proof canvas
sizes,in which to pack one's
clothes, food, or what not. The
portage
but
basket (Fig.218),is a favorite in the Adirondacks,
it is not
favorite with the writer; the basket itselfis
heavy and to his mind unnecessary, the knapsack (Fig.219),
is good for short hikes when one does not have to carry much.
The best way for the reader to do is to experiment, see how
much
a
of a load he
can
carry; fiftypounds
is more
than enough
for
AND
CAMP-LORE
164
a
big strong
man
to
carry
WOODCRAFT
all day long, day in and day
to carry, but a
than he wants
and forty pounds is more
be able to carry forty pounds
his
on
good husky boy may
At the Army
back.
stores and at the outfitter's
and Navy
find all sorts of duffel bags and knapsacks, and at
you can
out,
of the big outfitting stores they will tell you justwhat
kind of baggage you will need for the particular trip,for someone
in the stores has been over
the very ground that you
any
are
going
over,
stores
for all the clerks and proprietors of the outfitting
is a "but"
But
are
sportsmen.
^yes, there
"
boy will construct
the real genuine American
duffelbags, mess
kit and tents.
"
his
own
outfit
CHAPTER
PREPARING
PORTERS
TO
CUT
YOUR
GET
A
READY
THE
FOR
ANIMALS
OPEN
CAMP
DENTIST
HAIR
CUT
man's
POCKET
DOPE
PROTECTION
AGAINST
MIDGETS
THE
WILD
AND
NAILS
FINGER
BUCKSKIN
FLY
TRIP
PORTAGE
FOR
GET
YOUR
TO
CAMPING
FIGHTERS
STAMPEDE
HOW
A
THE
INDIAN
MODERN
GO
FOR
OF
OLD-TIME
IX
CALL
AND
OF
THE
BLACK
NO-SEE-UMS
WILD
FLIES,
MOSQUITOBfl^
CHAPTER
IX
FOR
CAMPING
PREPARING
Many
upon
people
them
are
so
that they
accustomed
are
TRIP
to have other people wait
absolutely funny
when you meet
its prow up upon
runs
the woods; when their canoe
the sandy beach and there is a portage to make, such people
stand helplessly around waiting for some
red-capped porter
them
to
m
come
and take their baggage, but the only red caps in the
are
the red-headed woodpeckers and they will see you
woods
in Germany
before they
will help tote your
duffel
across
the portage.
When
Maine,
one
Wisconsin,
forests, one
if it is only in
the Southern pine
gets into the real woods,
soon
the Adirondacks,
even
or
discovers that there
are
no
drug
stores
the doctor is a long way off,the butcher,
around the corner,
the baker, the candle-stick maker, trolley cars,
telephone
and taxi cabs are not within reach, sight or hearing; then a
fellow begins to realize that it is "up to" himself to tote his
luggage, to build his own
fires,to make his own
own
shelters,
to help put up the other fellows' tents, or to cook
and even
the meals. Yes, and to wash the dishes, too!
it
people love the woods is that
creasin
develops self-relianceand increases our
self-respect by inour
ability to do things; we love the work, we love
like to get out of sight of the becapped
the hardship, we
One
reason
we
outdoor
maids, the butler and the smirking waiters waiting for a tip,
reason
the real honest-to-goodness American
and for the same
Why
boys love a camp.
bless your soul! every one of them
"
in his inmost heart regrets that he did not live away back in
the time when the long-haired Wetzel, Daniel Boone
and
167
AND
CAMP-LORE
168
WOODCRAFT
roved the woods, or at leastback when Colonel
Bill Cody, Buffalo Jones and Yellowstone Kelly were
dashing
over
the plains with General Miles, General Bell and the
picturesque blond, long-haired General Custer.
Simon
Kenton
Sometimes
and he used to dream
boy. But, honest now,
no
is himself guilty of such wishes,
a barefooted
of those days when he was
is it not really too bad that there are
the author
longer any hostile Indians?
And what
firearms have made the big game so
impity that proved
very shy that it
a
is afraid of a man
with a gun !
But cheer up, the joyof camping
is not altogether ruined,
because we do not have to fight all day to save
our
scalps
from
being exported,
because the grizzly bears refuse
to chase us up a tree, and the mountain
lions or "painters"
decline to drop from an overhanging limb on our
backs.
Remember
or
even
to him
will but wait:
that is, if he works for these things while he is doing the
waiting. The Chief has spent his time and energy for the
that all things
come
who
last thirty odd years hammering
at two ideas : the big
away
for all the people.
outdoors for the boys, and Americanism
to see the boys
Thank
the Lord, he has lived long enough
for the open and the people for Americanism.
stampede
for the open, in which people
Because of the stampede
of all ages have
there
joined,
nowadays:
camps,
scout
are
camps,
are
houseboat
many
kinds of camps
training camps, recreation
soldier camps,
and boys' camps, that it is somewhat
camps,girls' camps
difficultfor a writer to tell what
There
so
freight car
to do in order to
side-track camps,
gypsy
old-fashioned camp-meeting
the latter dot the shores of New
camps,
"Be
Prepared."
Avagon
camps
Jersey,
and picnic camps;
the lake sides at Seattle, and their tents are mingled with
big black boulders around Spokane; you will find them on the
CAMPING
FOR
PREPAEING
such camps
boiled camper,
and
169
and in the few groves
Lake, North Dakota,
shores of Devil's
that are back of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
But
TRIP
Httle attraction for the real hardbetter claim to being the real
no
have
have
less grand palaces built in the woods,
"camps"
by
camouflaged outside with logs or bark, and called
their untruthful owners; such people belittlethe name
of camp
thing than the
more
or
and ifthey want to be honest they should stick to the bungling
but wait a minute
bungalow
even
that is far-fetched; the
hke one
bungalow belongs in East India and looks as much
"
"
houses as a corn-crib does like a church.
of these American
living under bark,
When
mean
we
we
talk of camping
in the "howling wilderness," or as near
brush or canvas
a
howling
reach;
wilderness as our
in other words,
we
camp,
and
romantic
even
give
one's
one
allow.
drawing
TO
Ready
Get
a
wild,
Camp
for
littlepersonal things to which one
attention before starting on a long trip.
are
going to be
barber shop
Also
scout
spot.
How
There
we
find, except when
we
own
go to our
then we like it better ifit is located in
can
place
and time will permit us to
in the wildest
a
want
camp
money
some
should
If it is
trip it is best to go to the
real wild camping
starts.
and get a good hair cut justbefore one
a
should trim one's
Long nails, if they
nails down
as
close
are
well manicured,
for the office, but in camp
as
comfort will
will do for the
they have a
and
habit of turning back (Fig.232) and gee willikens, how
they hurt ! Or they will split down into the quick (Fig.233)
too ! So trim them down
snug and close;
and that hurts some,
room
"
do it before you
hurt your
your
nails
start packing
up
fingers while packing.
your
But
things,
even
or
you
may
before trimming
WOODCRAFT
AND
CAMP-LORE
170
Go
Dentist
Your
TO
him
insistupon
of every tooth
making an examination
in your head; a toothache is bad enough anywhere, goodness
knows, but a toothache away out in the woods with no help
And
in sight will provoke
by the Scout Manual.
about
saint to use expressions not allowed
The Chief knows what he is talking
Horse Plains
he has been there ! He once
rode over
"
friend who
a
alongside of
a
real saint ! His
but he did not use
a
every
jaw
bad tooth, and the friend was
swelled out Uke a rubber balloon,
had
was
a
one
naughty
word
joltof that horse was
on
the trip, notwithstanding
like sticking
knife
a
in him.
thoughtlessly cruel
writer could not help it; he was
Take
and he laughed at his friend's lugubrious expression
later
heed, do not be as cruel as was
or
the writer, for sooner
The
"
you
will pay
It
levity.
was
next
only
of the British possessions
to laugh at
the Pacific Coast, that the friend's turn came
season,
on
for such thoughtless
up in the mountains
away
the author as
Wow!
Wow!
Well,
never
the latter nursed
mind
ulcerated tooth.
an
the details,they
painful to talk
Go to the
the lesson that they teach
are
about, but remember
Dentist
and get a clean billof health
before you start for a lengthy camp.
A
Wow!
Buckskin
Man's
too
"
on
the tooth question
Pocket
speak of his pocket that includes all of his
one,
clothes, because on the inside of his coat, if he wears
When
we
stuck an array of safety pins (Fig.234),but usually the
pins are fastened onto his shirt. A safety pin is as useful to
in camp
can
a man
is a hairpin to a woman,
as
and a woman
are
camp
with
no
other outfit but
a
box of hairpins.
One
can
A
Buckskin's
Pocket
PREPARING
FOR
safety pins for clothespins when
use
one
night,
a
make
can
to pm
them
use
of them,
sleepmg-bag
of temporarily
clothes. These are only
purpose
on
CAMPING
the trail. After
In
one
mending
rips and tears in one's
a few
of the uses
of the safety pin
to believe that they
comes
socks are drying at
the blankets and thus
can
use
them for the
has traveled with
one
173
one's
up
or
TRIP
are
safety pins
one
indispensable.
almost
there should be a lot of bachelor
buttons, the sort that you do not have to sew
to your
on
like glove
clothes, but which fasten with a snap, something
buttons. There should be a pocket made
in your shirt or
of the pockets
one
vest to fityour
up
to hold
I always
jack-knife;
A
before starting
of your
a
of it stitched
mother can do
part
Your
pencil and a toothbrush.
for you before you leave. Then
a
this at home
have a good
hip pocket.
(Fig.244),and
notebook
pocket
on
your
compass,
my
carry
should
in my
jack-knife
that you
one
you
have
tested
trip, should lodge comfortably in one
hitched in your belt should be your
pockets, and
carved from a burl from
tree (Fig.235); it should
a
noggin
be carried by slipping the toggle (Fig.236) underneath the
belt. Also in the belt you should carry some
strings
whang
(Fig.237); double the whang strings up so that the two ends
together, tuck the loop through
come
out
at
the
string through
your
belt until it comes
the two
ends of the
side, then put
the loop and the whang
strings are fast but
other
easily pulled out when needed; whang
belt lashings. A small whetstone
as
strings
are
the
(Fig.238) can
same
find
about your clothes, probably in the other
it is most useful, not only with which to
your knife but also on your axe.
place somewhere
hip pocket, and
put
on
edge on
Inside the sweat
an
a
band
the outside of your
of your
hat, carry
hat,
a
around the crown
gut leader with mediumor
AND
CAMP-LORE
174
WOODCRAFT
sized artificialflies attached, and
handkerchief
big gaudy bandanna
neck knot a
(Fig.239); it is a most use-
around
be used in which
article; it can
your
to carry your
ful
food
game,
duffel,or for warmth, or worn
over
the head for protection
from insects (Fig.240). In the latter case
put it on
your
or
head under your hat and allow it to hang over your
by the soldiers of '61.
like the havelock worn
belt
Carry your
it will be out
(Fig.241),where
as
you
No
do
of the way,
parade.
be he hunter, fisherman,
camper,
not
back
at your
side
naturalist,
should go into
lumberman,
or
soldier
scout,
242),
and hard lead pencil (Fig.
that notes made with a hard pencil will last longer
those made with ink, and be readable as long as the
the woods
Remember
paper
belt at your
your
on
explorer, prospector,
than
thrust through
axe
shoulders
without
a
notebook
lasts.
Every
every
scientist and
knows
surveyor
is only tenderfeet, who use a soft pencil and
field notes, because an upset canoe
for making
ink marks
and the constant
rubbing
this and it
fountain pen
will blur all
of the pages of the book
all soft pencil marks.
will smudge
Therefore, have a pocket especially made
(Fig.244),so
(Fig.243),if
that your notebook, pencil and fountain pen
including it will fit snugly with
you insist upon
"
of dropping
which
a
out; also make
separate
should be kept in
A piece of candle
to
thing with which
ofttimes proved
a
light
lifesaver
one's
hat
or
a
for your
pocket
oil-skin bag
(Fig.245) is not
with the cold.
It is a comparatively
the shelter of
an
fire on
to Northern
chance
toothbrush
(Fig.243).
convenient
rainy day, but it has
only
a
a
no
most
explorers benumbed
thing to light a candle under
When
in a driving ram.
coat, even
easy
one's
fingers are
flame
one
can
numb
start
CAMPING
FOR
PREPARING
a
TRIP
175
frosted, and with the candle
Ufe-saving fire; so do not forget your
or
even
candle stub as a part of your pocket outfit.
In the black fly belt it is wise to add a bottle of fly dope
If you make your
(Fig.251) to one's personal equipment.
fly dope have a slow fire and allow to simmer over
it
own
or
heat 3
3
oz.
pine tar
2
oz.
castor
1
oz.
pennyroyal
of pine tar with two
oz.
stir in 1 oz. of pennyroyal,
and 1 oz. of camphor.
If you
chintz
to above
or
your
1
oz.
oz.
mother
sew
of olive oil and
of citronella,1
traveling where
propose
mosquitoes, let your
some
oil
a
of creosote
black flies and
pair of old kid gloves
there
onto
oz.
then
are
cahco sleeves that will reach from your wrists
246),cut the tips of the fingers off
elbow (Fig.
the gloves so that you may be able to use your hands handily,
and have an elastic in the top of the sleeve to hold them onto
Rigged thus, the black fliesand mosquitoes can
your arm.
only bite the ends of your fingers, and, sad to say, they will
find where the ends of the fingers are located.
soon
over
A piece of cheese
cloth, fitted over
the face, will protect that part
insects (Fig,246),but if they
(Fig.251),and add
doesn't look pretty
are
the hat to hang
down
from
of your anatomy
not very bad use fly dope
bottle of it to your pocket outfit. One
when daubed up with fly dope, but we
a
in the woods for sport
and adventure and not to look
Our vanity case has no lip stick,rouge or face
pretty.
powder;
it only possesses a toothbrush
bottle
fly
dope.
of
and a
are
Certain
neighborhood
for one can
times
of year,
when
trout
brooks,
of the
catch
more
trout
and
one
one
in the
camping
needs to Be Prepared,
fishing better if progoes
enjoy
AND
CAMP-LORE
176
tected against the attacks
midges and
Anything
WOODCRAFT
of the black
flies, mosquitoes,
"no-see-ums."
swung
by
a
strap
across
one's
shoulder
\\allin
time "cut"
the shoulders painfully unless they are protected
by a pad (Fig.2463^^) A few yards of mosquito
netting or
cheese cloth occupies littlespace and is of littleweight, but
.
is very
useful as a protection at night. Bend a wand (Fig.
247) into a hoop and bind the ends together (Fig.247A),with
safety pins; pin this in the netting and suspend the net from
its center
by
stick (Fig.248).
The black fly,C (Fig.249) is a very small hump-backed
(larvae)
(Fig.249a)Hve in cold, clear running
pest, the young
Fig. 249b is the cocoon.
water;
a
,
kinds of mosquitoes;
all of them are
Bolsheviks, and with the black fliesand other vermin they
argue that since nature made them with blood suckers and
There
are
many
provided you with the sort of blood that they hke, they have
inherent right to suck your blood
an
and they do it!
"
PREPARING
But
germ
FOR
TRIP
CAMPING
177
mosquitoes are regular Huns
and professional
carriers,and besides annoying one they skillfullyinsert
some
the germs of malaria and
The malaria mosquitoes are
for the
name
yellow
known
United
fever into
as
States
one's
system.
brow
anopheles. The highmalaria distributor is
"
"Anopheles
(Fig.250 F). It is only the
quadrimaculatus
females that you need fear; drone bees do not sting and buck
mosquitoes do not bite.
Fig. 250d
's
shows lower and upper side of the anopheles
Fig, 250e is the wiggler or larvae of the anopheles;
egg.
the anopheles likes to let the blood run to its head,
any
will know
careful observer
him
at
a
while resting (Fig.250g).
Of course,
you will not need fly dope
glance from
and
his pose
the picnic grounds,
on
on
the turnpike
and you will not need your pocket compass
hike, and you will not need your jack-knife
with which to
Boy Scouts are
eat at the boarding house or hotel, but we
go to hotels and boarding houses and picnics
the real thing; we
when
we
but not
must,
We
wilder places.
There
There
Hark!
And
when
we
can
find real adventure
shout:
is lifein the
roar
of plunging streams,
is joy in the campfire's blaze at night.
the elk bugles, the panther screams!
the shaggy
Let your
bison roll and fight.
throbbing
heart surge and
bound,
List to the whoop of the painted Reds;
Pass the flapjacks
merrily round
As the gray
We
weary
God
What
Dam
12
of
our
wolf howls in the river beds.
of
our
cushions of rest;
Fathers, give back our West.
for luxury and ease?
the tall houses, give us talltrees!
care
we
in
However
crude
But
all right.
not
AND
CAMP-LORE
178
rhyme.
attempt
Listen
may
WOODCRAFT
be, the sentiment is
be it will express our idea better ifwe do
Suppose we try it this way
these
verses
may
"
whistle of the marmots;
hooting of the barred owl, the bugling of the elk!
loon;
yap, yap, yap of the coyote, the wild laugh of the
The
The
to the
The
dismal howl of the timber wolf.
the roaring of the torrent.
grunting of the bull moose,
And
the crashing thunder
The
of the avalanche!
the words and sounds that
do
veins tingle Uke ginger ale. Why
make the blood in one's
boys like to hear
and real American
allred-blooded men
Ah, that's the talk; these
are
The cnmching
of the dry snow;
The flap, flap, flap of snowshoes;
The clinking of the spurs and bits;
creaking of the saddle leather;
The breathing of the bronco;
The
The
babbling of the rivulet;
The
The
whisper of the pines.
twitter of the birds.
And
the droning of bees.
Because in these sounds
Why?
get the dampness
of the
ness
moss,
the almond-like odor of twin flowers, the burning dryof the sand, the sting of the frost,the grit of the rocks
and the tang of old mother earth! They possess the magic
power
of suggestion. By simply repeating these words we
we
souls to the wilderness, set our spiritsfree, and
once
are
we
again what God made us; natural and normal
boys, listening to nature's great runes,
odes, epics, lyrics,
transport
poems,
our
ballads and roundelays,
as
sung
by God's
own
bards !
Packing
When
packing,
252) is easy
remember
to pack, easy
that
to carry
a
on
partly filledbag
one's
tightly filledbag (Fig.253) isa nuisance
on
(Fig.
shoulders ; but
the trail. When
a
aer
sea
Making
a
Pack
FOR
PREPARING
Making
To
ship
as
TRIP
CAMPING
Pack
a
baggage, fold the blankets lengthwise
place them
in the
(Fig.254);fold the
middle
cover
of your
tarpaulin
(Fig.^5),
over
into a bundle
roll the package
255 and 256). A
Sleeping-Bag
ends and
be improvised from
pins
(Fig.257).A section of
the blankets
are
one's
doubled.
the bag
To
make
as
floor cloth
tuck in the
then
and
cinch
(Figs.
use
of safety
(Fig.258) shows how
a
Pack
Back
Fold
(Fig,254),
or
blankets by the
Can
181
in Fig. 259, then bend
up
the end
as
indicated by
Figs. 260 and 261, fold again. Fig. 262, then fold m the two
edges, Figs. 263 and 264, which show both sides of pack;
bend over
the top, Figs. 265 and 266, and strap ready to
carry. Figs. 267
and 268.
For
Blanket
Fold
Strap
as
or
m
Fig. 269;
bend
a
Roll
in the ends
lash the ends together
and roU
(Fig.271).
(Fig.270).
X
CHAPTER
SADDLES
HOW
CHOOSE
TO
OF
EVOLUTION
BIRTH
THE
OF
THE
8AWBUCK8
NAMES
CENTER
THE
SADDLE
MEXICAN
BLUFF
FRONTED
SADDLE
AGE
COWBOY
OR
STRAIGHT
SADDLE
A
LEG
OF
PACK
AND
BENT
OF
PARTS
FniE
SADDLES
AND
KNEE
SADDLE
DOUBLE
CINCH
X
CHAPTER
SADDLES
We
hikes
few of our boys take their
that comparatively
hikes. But a
horseback, especially their camping
know
on
lot of their daddies and big brothers do take their horse, and
the pack horse on their hunting and fishing trips, and every
how to do the things his daddy knows
to know
boy wants
Besides aU that, the author is aware
of the fact
that the daddies and the uncles and the big brothers are
for the boys. They are conhe
stantly
reading all the stufiF puts out
he has said to the
quoting to the author things that
to do.
how
boys,
so
count
them
that
now
in writing
a
book
for the boys
he must
in.
Choose
a
Saddle
that
Fits
ill-fitting
shoe, and no
in his right mind would think of taking a prolonged hike
one
in shoes that pinched his feet, but everybody does not know
that a saddle should fit the rider; an ill-fitting
saddle can
ill-fitting
cause
shoe. The
almost as much discomfort as an
best all-around sportsman's
saddle in the world is the cowboy
Everyone
knows
the misery of
an
A writer in the Scdurday Evening Post,
saddle of the West.
intelligent article on saddles,
who has written a delightfully
in speaking
"There
leg over
of the Western
saddle, says:
cow-pimcher's
thrown a
are
many
good riders who have never
any other sort of saddle, and for work on the plains
would ever
who has used one
It is as much a distinct product of
or
the American
is the birch bark canoe
in the mountains no
for any other type.
care
or
this continent
axe
or
as
man
rifle."
185
AND
CAMP-LORE
186
Like the cowboy
WOODCRAFT
hat, the diamond
hitch and the lariat,
from the Spanish adaptation
old-fashioned Spanish saddle
the cowboy
saddle is evolved
of the Moorish
saddle. The
with
block stirrups, not the bent wood
wooden
the big stirrups made
out of blocks of wood
the heavy
stirrups, but
(Fig.273);such
a
saddle with stirrups often weighed
over
sixty
These
garnished with silver and gold,
saddles were
had big wheels with
and the spurs that the rancheros wore
"bells" on them, and spikes longenough
to goad the thick skin
of an elephant. I formerly possessed one of the picturesque
pounds.
by
engraved
old saddles on which all the leather work was
hand, by the use of some
tool like a graver, probably a sharpened
dupUcated.
of the designs was
nail; consequently none
days there were
two sorts of saddles :
old cow
the"California Center Fire" and the "Texas Double Chmch,"
seeing had rather a short horn
and all those that I remember
Tn the good
broad top sometimes covered with a
also much longer than it is to-day.
silver plate ; the seat was
Fig. 272 shows a military saddle which is a modified cowboy
at the bow
with
a
very
cowsaddle, and Fig. 274 shows a comparatively modern boy
has a bulge in
saddle. The up-to-date saddle of to-day
front, not shown on the diagram.
no
Li the olden days there were
of cruelty to animals, and
on
societiesfor the prevention
the ranges horses were
plenty;
his
therefore, when one
of the long-haired plainsmen, with
long riflein front of him on the long saddle, and the heavy
Spanish-American
trappings to the horse, killed the horse by
overwork,
another
were
he simply took off his saddle and trappings, caught
it and continued his journey;there
horse, mounted
why
plenty of horses
Later when the cowboy
"
on
the Southern
should he worry .-^
in, the cowboys
age came
ranges
used
themselves
the Spanish-American
550
Pack
Train
Outfit
189
SADDLES
outfit; the only blessing the poor
horse had
was
the blanket
under the saddle.
When the block wooden
abandoned
and the
stirrups were
thinner oval stirrups adopted, the latter were
protected by
long caps of leather, the dangling ends of which were
silver
heavy leather breeches
tipped. The cowboys themselves wore
called chaps (an abbreviation of the Spanish chaparejo).
Thus with the feet and legs protected they could ride through
the cactus plants and dash through the mesquite country
pened
withoutfearof being pricked by the thorns,no matter what happrotect
only did this leather armor
a
them from thorns and branches, but it also prevented many
broken leg resulting from kicks by burros, mules and horses.
to the horse.
Not
rolled coat or blanket, which the bronco busters on
the horse in
the lower ranges in early times lashed across
The
front of their seat, is the thing from which the bucking roll
was
evolved, and the buckskin bucking roll,we are told, is
bulged front saddle now
The old-fashioned cowboy
saddle has a narrow
about two decades ago
the daddy
of the swell
The
Migrated
firstone
or
Vidalia
used.
front, but
Saddle-tree
over
the plains, and
slowly from CaUfomia
to show the bulged front, and to change the
was
the
narrow
saddle to the bluff bow of the saddle as used
of the cow
to-day. It is claimed that while this protects the rider from
less, it has a tendency
more
or
to give a
injuries
not
bow
fellow the opportunity
bowed
the old narrow
began
to manufacture
of
as
firm
grip with his legs as did
Later, in Oregon, they
seat.
cowboy
"incurved
a
saddles," so that the rider's
legs could fitbetter under the front, and the Wyoming
saddle
makers caught the idea, so that to-day the vanishing race of
AND
CAMP-LORE
190
WOODCRAFT
it would have taken a brave
using saddles, which
to straddle in the early days, not because the saddle is
man
dangerous
but because it would have looked funny to the
cowboys
are
have been slow in giving
old-time boys, and they would not
expression to boisterous and discomforting merriment.
It is an odd thing, this law of growth or evolution, and it
law, and a fixed law, certain pecuUarities go together;
for instance, if one
goes systematically to work to produce
fan-tail pigeons, one
finds that he is also producing pigeons
is
a
with feathered legs. The breeders have also discovered that
in producing a chicken with silky white feathers they unwillingly
has this got
What
produce a fowl with black meat.
to do with saddles?
the
more
shrivel,
Only that the
same
law holds good here;
the horns
the front bulges in the saddle the more
developing a tendency to rake forward and upward;
stirrups also dwindle in size. The saddle, which the
writer possessed, has stirrups made of iron rings covered with
Uned with sheep's wool. We read
leather and the caps were
the
that
now
the
half-round
narrow
with the cow-punchers,
in
thrust all the way
oval stirrup is
which the cowboy
uses
a
favorite
w4th his foot
that the weight of the rider rests
the middle of the foot. This is as disturbing to the
upon
form" as was
idea of "proper
European
the Declaration of
Independence,
but
so
the
Declaration
has
of Independence
also has it been proved
its efficiency by its results; so
that for those who ride all day long the
proved
nearer
they
can
come
time relieving the
their feet, and at the same
feet of the total weight of the body byresting it on the saddle,
the easier it is to stay in the saddle for long stretches of time;
to standing
on
longer
comfortable the saddle, the
it without discomfort, and that is the reason
one
can
occupy
a
saddle should fitthe rider.
in other words, the
more
SADDLES
With
One
the horses were
remember
not, but it is not necessary
ways;
if you
educated in the West
Horses
Western
Western
use
must
191
were
Spanish bits with a ring on
the cruel, old jaw-breaking
I have one, but it only hangs on the studio wall as a
them.
But don't try a
of torture.
souvenir and a curious
to
use
object
straight bit on
at you;
.and
you
use
spit it out and laugh
bits, saddles, and cinch
horse; he may
Western
a
Western
the modern
will not go far wrong.
Pack
The
Of
course
Horse
Is another proposition, for here you
wall need
277, 278
(Figs.276,
a
pack sawbuck
this saddle you
and 279);over
can
swing your two saddle bags, called aKorjas(Fig.283).
Fig. 284 is after Stewart Edward White's diagram, and shows
lashed fast to the horse's back with a
how the
are
saddle
alforjas
latigo (Fig.285). Fig. 280
is the lash rope
In Chapter VH
which
the
man
is using.
we
tell how to
throw the diamond hitch. Fig. 282 shows the cowboy favorite
cooking utensil,the old Dutch oven,
and it is practically the
Fig. 284
above
same
model
as
the
one
once
belonging to Abraham
Lincoln.
A glance at the cross-section of the cover
shows you how the
edges are dented in to hold the hot ashes heaped on top of it
is being used. Fig. 281 is a sketch of
when the bake oven
two essentials for any sort of a trip: an axe
and a frying pan.
Of
whole book on horseback
work, saddles and pack saddles. The truth is that one could
or any
write a whole book on any subject
chapter in this book.
But my aim is to start you ofiFright; I beheve that the way
course,
one
to learn to do
your
you
book
a
could WTite
thing Is To
knowledge.
a
Do
It, and not depend upon
Therefore, when I write a book for
boys, I do the best I know
how
to make
you
understand
AND
CAMP-LORE
192
WOODCRAFT
what I am talking about, and to excite in your mind and heart
ever,
a desire to do the things talked of; you
must
remember, howthat no one ever
could learn to skate from a school of
book, but one
or
a
correspondence
could gain a great deal
of useful knowledge
about anything from
knowledge
that will be of great help when one
the things treated of in the book.
I
tell you
can
blanket,
and
you
with the aid of diagrams
follow my
diagrams
can
blanket; but in order to ride,skate, swim or
gain the skillby practice. A book, however,
useful book,
a
is trying to do
how
to pack
a
and pack your
dance, you must
can
tellyou
the
of the part of the things.
names
Names
For
instance
saddle-tree is made
are
of
Parts
(Fig. 272), T
of
Saddle
is the saddle-tree;
a
good
of five stout pieces of cottonwood
covered with rawhide; when
the pieces together more
be fastened by tongue
the rawhide
which
shrinks it draws
tightly and perfectly than they could
or
and groove, glue, screws
nails; in
fact, it makes
The horn is
one
sohd piece of the whole.
fastened on to the tree by its branched legs,and covered
with
leather or braided rawhide.
The shanks are covered first
and
attached to the tree and the thongs are tacked to the
is fitted on.
When
saddle-tree, after which the bulged cover
then
a
good
saddle-tree is finished it is
as
much
one
piece
as
is^
the pelvis of a skeleton.
P is the pummel,
A is the cantle, S is the side bar of the
strap side, B is the quarter strap
saddle-tree, C is a quarter
cantle, E is the stirrup buckle, F is the outer strap safe, G is
the cincha ring, H is the cincha cover; the cincha strap isthe cincha ring with the quarter
unlettered but it connects
strap
ring D;
J is the cap
or
leather stirrup
cover,
L is the
SADDLES
193
wcx)den stirrup,K is the horsehair cincha. Fig. 275 is one of
the saddle pads to fitunder the saddle. On Fig. 274 M is the
horn, N
the cantle, O the whang
leather, which
wiU call tie strings.
You will note that in Fig. 274 there
in Fig. 272 but
skirt of your
one.
saddle
You
seems
are
your
saddler
two
cinchas, and
in
Fi^. 274 the
will also note that
to be double, or even
triple, and
top of the skirt, and this is made
on
the stirrup rigging comes
front jockey,
up of the back jockey,
and side jockeyor seat.
aU about horseback; there is nothing
I can
more
tell you about the pack horse, but remember
not to swell up with pride because of your vast knowledge,
and try to ride an outlaw horse with an Eastern riding school
bit. But acknowledge
yourself a tenderfoot, a short horn, a
Now
then, you
know
friends to
shavetail, a Cheechako, and ask your Western
let you have a horse that knows all the tricks of his trade,
heart for a greenhorn.
but who has a compassionate
There
lots of such good
are
fellows among
the Western horses, and
kindly. I know it because I have tried
they will treat you
man
them, and as I said before, I make no boast of being a horseI get astride of a Western horse I lean
When
myseK.
over
I
so
am,
and whisper in his ear, and confess to him
and then put him on his honor to treat
far he has always done
IS
so.
justhow
me
green
white, and
XI
CHAPTER
CHOOSING
'ware
single
IN
SAFETY
OR
EYES
TO
KEEP
'ware
OF
HOW
TO
SWEEP
HOW
TO
MAKE
HOW
TO
DIVIDE
THE
BLOWS
SHACK
BEDS
CAMP
CAMP
WORK
PEGS
TO
PITCH
A
TENT
HOW
TO
DITCH
A
TENT
OF
SHEARS,
GINS
SINGLE-HANDED
AND
CAMP
IS
MOSQUITO
WIND
HOW
USE
GOOD
CROSSING
OF
WHEN
of
groups
NESTS
TELL
EVOLUTION
FOR
OPEN
WINDWARD
TO
small
SITE
FOREST
WHILE
ants'
TENT
or
WOODS
STREAMS
CROSS
HOW
trees
TOUR
KEEP
CAMP
A
TRIPODS
GOOD
HOLES
SITES
TREE3
CHAPTER
CHOOSING
When
or
grove
a
choosing
SITE
CAMP
A
site, if possible, choose a forest
First, because of the shade they
camp
trees.
of young
XI
secondly, because they protect you from storms,
thirdly, because they protect you from hghtning.
give you;
and
Single trees,
small groups of trees in open pastures are
exceedingly dangerous during a thunder storm ; tall trees on
the shores of a river or lake are particularly selected as targets
for thunder
in
thunder
a
or
bolts by
storm,
king.
the storm
to
next
a
But
house, is a
the safest place
forest. The reason
of this is that each wet tree is a lightning rod silently conducting
Do not
the electric fluid without causing explosions.
at the foot of a very tall tree, or an old tree with dead
camp
branches
on
it,for
and drop them
tree itselfmay
on
high wind may
break off the branches
your head with disastrous results; the big
a
fall even
when
Once
I pitched my
camp
Flathead Indian Reservation.
there is no
near
an
wind
immense
at all.
tree
A few days later we
on
the
returned
As we stopped and looked at the site where
old camp.
tents had been
our
pitched we looked at each other solemnly,
but said nothing, for there, prone upon the ground, lay that
to
our
giant veteran tree !
But young
trees do not
could not create the havoc
fall dowTi, and if they did they
bole of the
caused by the immense
patriarch of the forest when it comes
crashing to the earth.
A good scout must "Be Prepared," and to do so must remember
that safety
comes
first,and too close neighborhood
big tree is often unsafe.
197
to
a
CAMP-LORE
198
Remember
AND
to choose the best camp
travel all day, and
do not
WOODCRAFT
as
night
keep
in
the afternoon
your
place; but
Halt
and
early enough
to give time
site that
comes
on
stop at any
in order before dark.
In selecting camping
ground, look for
a
old
for likelyspots.
eyes open
to have
be found;
can
everything
snug
place where
good
Choose a high spot with a gentle
and wood are handy.
slope ifpossible ; guard your spring or water hole from animals,
for if the day is hot your dog will run ahead of the party and
jump into the middle of the spring to cool himself, and horses
water
and cattle will befoul the water.
If camping in the Western states
stream
on
the shores of
a
shallow
before
Ues along the trail, cross
the stream
it for days.
or
not be able to cross
you may
which
camp
making
A chinook wind
suddenly
melting
the
in the distant
snows
a
cloud-burst miles and miles up stream, may
in the
suddenly send down to you a dangerous flood even
known
I have
dry season.
of parties being detained
or
mountains,
for days
by
which came
logs sweeping
roaring floods of water,
the great bole of mud, sticks and
unannounced,
by their camp
and taking with it everything
of these
one
sudden
in its path.
A belt of dense timber between camp
will act
as
windward
and
a
swamp
As a rule, keep to
protection from mosquitoes.
of mosquito holes; the littleinsects travel with the
a
against it. 'Ware ant hills,rotten
with ants, for they make poor bedfellows and
where the food is kept.
wind, not
A
or
pond
bare spot
on
the earth, where
there
are
wood
are
no
a
infested
nuisance
dry leaves,
where the dust-covered leaves lie in
A windy place is generally
heaps the wind does not blow.
free from mosquitoes, but it is a poor place to build a fire;
is
a
wind-swept
spot;
CHOOSING
A
SITE
CAMP
199
small bank isa great protection from high wind and twisters.
During one tornado I had a camp
under the lee of a small
elevation; we only lost the fly of one tent out of a camp
of
a
fifty or
more,
while
in
more
exposed
uprooted and houses unroofed.
It must not be supposed that the camping
trees
were
because
season
Even
great
places nearby
vacation is over.
begins in the Wild Rice Moon,
the
stillhave
always been
we
a
is past
The
summer
if school
season
real camping
that is,September.
business takes all our time during the week,
Saturday has
week-ends in which to camp.
instituboys' day. Camping
is an American
tion,
or
because America
affords the greatest camping
ground
in the world.
The author is seated in his own
log house, built by himself,
Back of him there is
on
the shores of Big Tink Pond.
pitched
a
camp
of six
joyful,
noisy crowd
rows
of tents, which
are
filledwith
a
of youngsters.
It is here in the mountains of Pike County, Pennsylvania,
where the bluestone is stratifiedin horizontal layers, that one
from its very
study the camp
finished product of this century.
may
birth to the latest and
Everywhere
in these mountains
there are outcroppings
of the bluestone, and wherever the face of a ridge of this
stone is exposed to the elements, the rains or melting snows
from the earth on top of the stone and
a
trickle down over
the face of the cliff. Then, when
cold
snap turns the moisture into ice in every Httle crack in the
cause
the water
to drip
of the ice forces the sides of the cracks
in the rock until loose pieces from the
apart at the seams
undersides slide off, leaving small spaces over
which the rock
rock, the expansion
projects.The
littlecaves
thus made
make
footed mice and other small mammals,
retreats for white-
chipmunks
and
cave
200
rats.
When
which
snakes
sleep through
never
openings
large enough
WOODCRAFT
deeper they may
these become
The
are
AND
CAMP-LORE
'
smaller, and
then
coon,
in
course
the fox, and
dens for wolves and panthers,
made
the bear would "hole" up for the winter.
times
they
where
Time
dens in
the winter.
grow
for the
become
is not considered by Dame
Nature;
of time
in olden
or
she has
a
no
place
trains
and centuries roll by the littleopenings
in the bluestone become
big enough
to form a shelter for a
to catch, and
as
years
crouching man,
and the crouching man
in which to camp
when the Norsemen
braving
were
his toy
the unknown
boats,
was
ocean.
blundering
around
used them as a place
in their dragon ships
When
Columbus,
with
the W^est Indies, the
was
camping
crouching man
under the bluestone ledges of
There he built his campold Pike County, Pennsylvania.
fires and cooked his beaver and bear and deer and elk, using
dishes of pottery of his own
make and ornamented
with crude
baked.
designs traced in the clay before the dishes were
all this to be true history, because within a
short walk of the author's log house there are
overhanging
ledges of bluestone, and underneath
ourthese ledges we,
selves,
have crouched and camped,
and with sharp sticks
We
know
have dug up the ground from the layer of earth covering the
floor rock. And in this ground we have found bits of pottery,
the split bones
savage
camper
of the bones
"
of different wild animals
might
secure
the rich
"
marrow
split so that the
from the inside
arrowheads, bone awls and needles, tomahawks,
the skulls of beaver and spearheads; all these things have
been found under the overhanging bluestone.
Wherever
may
make a
such a bluestone ledge exists, one
by closing up the front of the cave
with sticks
good camp
against the overhanging
cliffand
thatching
the sticks with
A
CHOOSING
SITE
CAMP
201
the simplest form of
The Indians used such shelters before the advent
a lean-to.
he first
Daniel Boone
used them when
of the white man;
in
improvement
and, in spite of the great
visited Kentucky
browse
or
boughs,
balsam
thus making
ledge is stillused in Pennsylvania
fishermen and hunters for overnight camps.
or
But if one
uses
such a site for his overnight camp
tents, the overhanging
by
his
should not desecrate the ancient abode
week's-end camp, one
by introduciag under its venerable roof, modern
up-to-date
material, but should exercise ingenuity
cooking and camp
far as possible, the conveniences
as
and
and manufacture,
for the camp.
furniture necessary
in the woods,
he will tellthe practical things that confront him, even
though
he must
shop broom.
mention a white man's
In the firstplace, the most noticeable defect in the tenderfoot's
Since the author
is writing this in
a
camp
in which he handles his broom and
to a
be w^orn
A broom
wears
the broom
may
out of shape.
is no use
stub when properly used, but the lopsided broom
at all because the chump
who handled it always used it one
is the
work
way
manner
until the broom
a
affair,with
be.
may
permanent
became
a
useless, distorted, lopsided
listto starboard
or
port,
as
the
case
properly is an art, and every all-around outdoor
boy and man
should learn to sweep and to handle the broom
In the firstplace, turn
or
axe.
as skillfullyas he does his gun
To sweep
the broom
every
time you
notice
a
tendency
of the latter to
to a stub and
will wear
one-sided, then the broom
In the next place, do not swing the broom up
stillbe of use.
in the air with each sweep and throw the dust up in the clouds,
become
but
so
sweep
the floor or
that the end of the stroke keeps the broom
ground
near
AND
CAMP-LORE
202
Now
a
to make
about making beds. In all books on craft
wooddirected to secure
balsam boughs from which
beds, and there is no better forest bedding than
word
are
you
WOODCRAFT
your
the fragrant balsam
boughs, but unfortunately the mountain
the hunters call it,from which you pluck the feathers
as
goose,
bed, is not to be found in all localities.
A bag filledwith dry leaves, dry grass, hay or straw
will
to make
a
make
your
camp
very
confortable
in the hay
mattress;
but
we
are
not
always
belt and dry leaves are
sometimes
difficultto secure; a scout, however, must learn to
make a bed
wherever he happens to be. If there happens to be a swale
nearby
and
where
straw
brakes
and
ferns grow
luxuriantly,
can
one
gather an armful of these, and with them make a mattress.
The Interrupted fern, the Cinnamon,
the Royal fern, the
Lady
as
fern, the Marsh
material.
A camping
each
one
fern and all the larger ferns
should have
immediately
start
party
can
halt is made.
their work
at his own
are
useful
divided that
so
particular
job
One
chops up the firewood and
sees
that a plentiful supply of firewood is always on hand;
One makes c^mp,
usually he carries the water.
puts up the
the moment
a
the rubbish, fixes the beds, etc., while a
third attends strictly to kitchen work, preparing the meals,
and washing up the dishes.
With
the labor divided in this manner,
things run like
tents, clears away
is always neat and tidy. Roughing
it
clock work and camp
is making the best of it; only a slob and a chump
goes dirty
The real old time veteran
and has a sloppy -looking camp.
and sourdough is a model of neatness and order. But a clean,
is much
more
orderly camp
Some men
think
camper.
own
personal
important
than
a
clean-faced
so
much
of themselves and their
cleanliness that they forget their duty to the
A
CHOOSING
CAMP
SITE
203
in this proportion: firstto the
and lastly to oneself.
animals if any, secondly to the men,
Before pitching your tent, clear out a space for itto occupy;
rubbish and sticks, rake off the ground
forked stick. But do not be rude to your brother,
the stones,
pick up
a
with
is about
One's duty
others.
the ground pine; apologize for disturbing it; be gentle
the fronds of the fern; do not tear the trailing arbutus
up by its roots, or the plant of the almond
scented
flowers; ask pardon of the thallus of the hchen which
feet.
Why?
O!
with
vine
twin
you
because
well
they had firstright to the place, and because such httle civilities
trampling
are
under
to the natural
in accord
your
objectsaround
nature,
with
make
and
you
put
camping
"
own
your
a
much
mind
more
enjoyableaffair.
When
feel you
the breast of your
the sky, with his millions
mother, the earth, while your father,
of eyes is watching over you, and that you are surrounded by
your brother, the plants, the wilderness is no longer lonesome
you
sleeping
on
to the solitary traveler.
even
Another
has
reason
for taking
this point of view
is that it
humanizing
a
becoming
from
one
effect and tends to prevent
It also not only
wilderness Hun
and vandal.
hesitate to hack the trees unnecessarily, but
a
one
makes
encourages
As
are
my
the camper
good
pride in leaving a clean trail.
Muir, said to me:
"The
camping
to take
friend, John
be the longest and most
dangerous excursion
through the deepest woods or
up to the highest mountain,
across
the wildest torrents, glaciers or deserts, in order to
trip need
be
a
happy
calm
camper
or
not
but however
short or long, rough or smooth,
it should be one
in which the able, fearless
stormy,
sees
the most, learns the most, loves the most and
one;
leaves the cleanest track; whose
camp
grounds
are
never
CAMP-LORE
204
AND
WOODCRAFT
marred by anything unsightly, scarred trees
bones of animals."
or
It is not
advise the
use
than
other
familiar.
the
objectof
of any
particular type
make his own
taste.
There are
own
to
blood spots
advertise,
or
even
of outfitting apparatus
the plain, everyday
affairs with which all are
What
to do is to start the reader right,
we
want
then he may
his
this book
or
sing the praise of the
choice, selecting an outfit to suit
for instance, who will
two men,
no
sort of a tent, but there is perhaps
same
has not
used, and been very comfortable in,
It has its disadvantages, and so
the old style wall tent.
has a house, a shack or a shanty.
As a rule, the old wall
no
who
camper
tent is too
to carry
to pitch alone
man
one
heavy
"
with comfort and very
knows how.
unless one
Pegs
Tent
for almost
Are necessary
them
difficultfor
kind of a tent; you can
buy
lose them on the way to camp;
any
at the outfitter's and
have iron and steel tent pegs to help make camping
But ifyou are
expensive, and to scatter through the woods.
they
a
even
real sourdough
pegs.
and
will cut
your
own
tent
pegs, shaped
Fig. 286
circumstances
and individual taste.
the two principal kinds : the fork and the notched tent
For the wall tents one will need a ridge pole (Fig.288),
according
shows
you
two
the forks
to
forked sticks,
on
or
these should
the ridge pole;
rods, to support
be snubbed
off close so that they
on
the
against the canvas
top of the tent and endanger
the fabric; these poles should
be of a proper height; otherwise if the poles are too long, the
too
tent will not touch the ground
at all,or if the poles are
will not
thrust
themselves
up
the ground
short, the tent will wrinkle all over
his suspenders break.
trousers when
like a fellow's
A
CHOOSING
SITE
CAMP
207
See that the ground is comparatively level, but with a
slant in one direction or another so that water will drain oflP
in a
in case
of rain. Never, for instance, pitch your tent
basin of ground, unless you want to wake up some
Do not pitch your
night slopping around in a pool of water.
dead tree; it is liable to fall over
tent near
a standing
and
under green trees
crush you in the night. Avoid camping
hollow
or
dead
heavy
branches
on
Remember
them.
the
real
camper
always has an eye to safety first,not because he is a
is as brave a person as
coward, but because the real camper
you will find anywhere,
and no real brave person believes
with
in the carelessness which
tent
your
produces
protruding stones
over
blocks for you
on
you
spread your
you
when
common
use
sense,
it hurts
which
blankets
Of
gumption.
we
Do
which will make
toes at
to stub your
head to think, but
one's
accidents.
or
torture
to sleep. Use
all know that
all try it,nevertheless,
course,
must
pitch
stumbling-
night,
them
over
not
we
going to live in the big outdoors.
At a famous military academy
the splendid cavalrymen
gave a brilliantexhibition of putting up wall tents ; it required
following this
Immediately
four men
to put up each tent.
if we
are
to
tents, with one
scout
of the scouts took the same
took for the
each tent, and in less time than the cavalrymen
same
job,the twelve year old boys, single-handed, put up the
some
tents.
same
How
Spread
Pitch
TO
and
Ditch
Single-handed
all ready to erect, put your ridge
pole and your two uprights in place, and then drive some
tent stakes, using the flat of your
axe
with which to drive
them,
so
out
your
that you
287); drive
tent
will not
the two
end
split the tops
stakes A
and
of the stakes (Fig.
B (Fig.289) at an
AND
CAJVIP-LORE
208
WOODCRAFT
angle to the ends of the tent. After the tent stakes are arranged
forks of the
in Fig. 289,
like the ones
in a row,
adjustthe
inches from the ends of the ridge pole (Fig.288),
fast the two extreme
then make
end guy ropes A and B to
for the present "
the tent pegs; the others are unimportant
uprights two
after that is done, raise one
290),then
ropes.
guy
alone, because
up
(Fig.
(Fig.291);
will now
the weight is pulling against your
will hold your
guy
ropes
tent
steady until you can
ropes to the pegs upon the other side, not
fast the guy
tightly, because
too
of the way
up
upon
until the strain is even
find that your tent will stand
You
(Fig.292). This
make
pole part of the way
the other part
push
adjustthese things
gradually
your
tent
you
need
slack to straighten up
your
tent poles.
Next
that the back
see
pole is peri"endicular, after
to straighten up the front pole
guy
which it is a very easy matter
in Fig. 293.
and adjustthe guy rope so that it will stand stiffas
when you are cutting the ridge poles and the
be
uprights, to select fairly straight sticks, and they should
free as possible from rough
as
might
which
Remember,
projections,
injurethe
so
as
not
canvas;
to sag
or
also the poles should be as stiffas possible
cause
the roof to belly.
Ditching
Just
as
soon
as
your
tent
is erected and you feel like
how dry the weather
matter
resting, get busy on ditching; no
be at the time, put a ditch around the tent that will
may
from your living place. There is no
drain the water
away
ditch; it varies according to
positive rule for digging this
be so made
that
surface of ground, but the gutter should
the water
around
it
will run
away
(Fig.294).
from the tents and not to it,or stand
Fig. 295 shows how to make a tent by
14
A
CHOOSING
CAMP
211
SITE
it must
piece of tarpaulin; of course
have a tent pole to support the top, and the floor pieces may
Make
one
be drawn together in the center.
out of a piece
folding
a
floor cloth
or
how to do it, because
and you will learn
although the paper is small, the folds would be justthe same
large as a church.
as
as ifit was
of writing paper
ingenuity to
soft ground it often taxes one's
tent; an anchor is a weight of some
supply anchors for one's
be attached. Fig 296 shows
sort to which the guy ropes may
tent anchored by billetsof wood; these are
a
all supposed
In sandy
or
to be buried in the ground
trampled
down
their graves.
over
and
Fig. 297
in Fig. 308, and the ground
as
above
shows
them
to keep
the first throw
them
safe in
in the anchor
hitch, Fig. 298 the second throw, and Fig. 299 the complete
Fig. 303 shows the knot by which the
hitch for the anchor.
anchor rope is tied to the main line. Figs. 300, 301 and 302
show
when
the detail of tying this knot, which is simplicity itself,
Fig. 303 shows the
how, like most knots.
you know
anchor hitch complete.
Stones, bundles of fagots; or bags of sand all make useful
anchors; Fig. 304 is a stone; Fig. 305 are half billetsof wood.
Fig. 306 shows fagots of wood, Fig. 307 a bag of sand. All
to anchor your tent in the sands or loose ground.
may be
used
Shears,
Gins
or
Tripods
used for different forms of rustic supports for
the tents. Fig. 312 shows the ordinary shears. Fig. 313 shows
Are the
names
the tent supported by shears; you will also note that the
guy ropes for the tent (Fig.313) are
made fast to a rod
This has many
instead of to the pegs in the ground.
tages,
advanbecause of the tendency of the rope to tighten or shrink
whenever
it becomes
wet,
which
often makes
it necessary
CAMP-LORE
212
AND
WOODCRAFT
fellow to get up in the night to
adjustthe guy ropes and
the rain ispouring down, the thunder
redrive the pegs. When
for
a
crashing and the Ughtning
on
around
tent
upon
one's
the guy
fun to go poking
nightie in order that the
ground in one's
not be pulled out of the ground
the wet
pegs may
ropes,
flashing, it is no
the cold mass
head. It is always
and
ropes
the guy ropes
canvas
to loosen and
necessary
to the weather;
according
the
of wet
by the ing
shrinkallowed to fall
tighten
naturally the longer
they will shrink and the more
they
"willstretch as the weather varies. To prevent this, lay a rod
over
the ends of the guy rope between the pegs and the tent
When
(Fig.316A) and it will be an automatic
are
more
adjuster.
dry and stretch, the weight of this pole will hold
them dowTi and keep them taut; when the guy ropes shrink
hft the pole, but the latter will keep the tension on
they ^v-ill
the ropes
the
ropes
Fig. 313
are
and keep them
has the advantage
adjusted. The
of making
a
arrangement
of
clothes rack for your
bed clothes when you wish to air them, while the weight of
the suspended log keeps the tension on the ropes equalized.
Fig. 314 shows the shears made by the use of forked sticks.
Figs. 315 and
the ridge pole supported by shears,
and the ridge poles supported by forked sticks ; the advantage
of the shears in Fig. 315 is that it gives a clear opening to the
tent.
318
Fig. 316
show
exterior ridge pole supported by
fast. Fig. 317
the top of the tent is made
shows
an
shears to which
is the same
Fig. 318 shows the famous
without the tent.
Vreeland tent; in this case
the ridge pole is supported by a
be equally well supported
crotched upright stick, but may
by the shears as in Fig. 315. Fig. 319 shows the gin or tripod
by binding
the three sticks together. Fig. 320 shows
by the use of the forked sticks; these
the same
effect made
are
tepees.
or
useful in pitching wigwams
made
Common
Tents
of
the
Open
Country
A
CHOOSING
or
tent
with
a
SITE
215
of the ordinary forms of tents, the
Fig. 310 shows
tent and the canoe
tent.
fly extending out in front, thus giving the piazza
Fig. 309 shows
wall tent, the Baker
a
CAMP
front porch.
some
In the background
is a tepee tent.
Fig, 311
and the
shows two small Baker tents in the background,
These
Dan
Beard tent in the foreground.
the
comprise
principal forms, but the open-front tents to-day are much in
vogue
keep
with the campers.
out the insects and
whereas
A
allow
the old-fashioned way
netting in front will
in freely,
the air to come
mosquito
of closing the tent flap stops
conditions as bad as that of a
circulation of air and makes
in a big house, and the air becomes as foul as it
closed room
in the Courts
did in the littlered school houses and does now
of Justice,jails
and other places of entertainment.
CHAPTER
AND
AXE
OUR
GREATEST
SAW
AXEMAN
IMPORTANCE
THE
OF
KIND
WHAT
XII
OF
HOW
TO
SWING
HOW
TO
REMOVE
HOW
TO
TIGHTEN
AXE
TO
AXE
USE
AXE
AN
A
THE
HANDLE
AXE
BROKEN
IN
HANDLE
ACCIDENTS
THE
OF
BRAINS
ETIQUETTE
AXE
AN
THE
OF
AXE
HOW
TO
HOW
TO
HOW
TO
SWAMP
HOW
TO
MAKE
HOW
TO
HARDEN
HOW
TO
MAKE
A
FIREWOOD
HOD
HOW
TO
MAKE
A
CHOPPING
BLOCK
THE
AN
SHARPEN
"fall"
HOW
TO
MAKE
HOW
TO
USE
HOW
TO
SPLIT
HOW
TO
USE
OR
BEETLE
TO
SAWBUCK3
A
PARBUCKLE
A
A
LOG
SAWPIT
MALL
WOOD
GREEN
WAY
PROPER
TREE
a
A
AXE
CHOP
FOR
LOGS
THE
HEAD
XII
CHAPTER
SAW
AND
AXE
all good, loyal Americans, the axe
Abraham
tool, for our
greatest American,
To
is almost
a
Lincoln,
sacred
was
one
When he was President of the United
of our greatest axemen.
States he used to exercise by chopping wood, then laughingly
holding the axe in a horizontal position by
extended his arm
tremor
of the muscle
it and see if you
Try
American
The
stone
bone
and
Redmen
were
can
of the
movement
axe
"
some
a
stunt!
do it!
Indians, and practically all savages, used
implements,
the
and with such implements
wont
the birch bark
or
do without
This he would
end of the handle.
the extreme
canoe.
to build the most
American
If an
beautiful of all crafts,
Indian produced such
made of stones, flint and bones, a
with implements
boy should be able to do the
red-blooded American
with a sharp axe; therefore it should not only be his
wonders
good
same
pleasure but his duty to learn to be a skillfulaxeman.
Brother Jonathan, the imaginary
sented
character who reprethe American
almost invariably pictured
people, was
stick, because allearly Americans
but they were
were
also
skillfulin the use of the jack-knife,
skilled in the use of the axe,
and every boy of twelve years
with
a
jack-knife
whittling
of age knew
how
a
to handle
an
Importance
While
I
axe.
axe.
of
the
lecturing at the Teachers'
was
asked to give
a
Axe
College, Columbia
demonstration
It then and there suddenly occurred to
of the
that if these
of the
me
versity,
Uni-
use
219
CAMP-LORE
220
AND
WOODCRAFT
needed and asked for instructions in the use of
this typical American tool, a talk on the same
would
subject
be welcomed by the American boys.
men
grown
The
axe
is the
occupies the
axe
tool of the woodsmen;
position to the wnlderness man
one
necessary
same
the
that
the chest of tools does to the carpenter; with the axe the
cuts his firewood; with the axe he makes his traps;
woodsman
he spUts the shakes, clapboards, slabs and
with the axe
shingles from
the balsam
tree,
or
other wood
the
shakes, clapboards,
shingles the roof of his hogan, his barabara,
framework
his dugout,
to his sod shack
or
readily, and
which
with
splits
slabs he
or
or
makes
with them
his axe he cuts
or
With
of a bogken.
the bnch for his bu*ch bark pontiac, for his lean-to
it is most diflBcultfor one
an
axe
cabin. Without
builds the foundation
build
canoe,
may
a
raft
or
to fella tree to get the birch bark
or
his log
to
even
for
one's
"
A tree
the tree to make a dugout canoe.
be felled by fire,as the Indians of old used to "fall"
or
to "fall
them, but this takes
The
When
axe.
the
bound
Never
take
for
an
a
wearisome
Kind
a
of
Axe
real camp,
axe
time.
to
Use
take along with you a real
is too large and heavy for
which
It is also best to avoid an axe
you to swing with comfort.
which is too fight,as with such a tool you must use too much
labor to cut
the wood.
according to your
You
strength.
axe
should select your own
Pick up the axe, go through the
if its balance
of chopping and see if it feels right,
and sight along the top of the
suits you; hold up the axe
handle as you would along the barrel of a gun to see that
motions
your
handle is not warped.
AXE
AND
SAW
8"3
Axes may be had of weight and size to suit one's
In New England they use short-handled axes which
in the
popular
woods.
The
axe
handles
taste.
are
not
should be well
has a 19-inch
seasoned, second growth hickory; a }4caxe
handle and weighs two pounds,
A Y2 axe
has a 24-inch
handle and weighs two and a half pounds.
A ^^ axe has a
28-inch handle and weighs three pounds.
A full axe has a
36-inch handle and weighs five pounds.
Probably
for camp
the best axe
work,
the
carry
axe
on
your
back, is
one
with
a
when you must
30-inch second
hickory handle, weight about two and three-quarter
between two and three pounds. A
pounds, or somewhere
light axe of this kind will cut readily and eflPectively
provided
growth
it has
slender bit; that is, that it does not sheer off too
bluntly towards the cutting edge.
When
you look at the
top
a
of such
an
axe
and
it appears
slender and not bulky,
be wielded by a boy and is not too
it will cut well and can
light for a man
(Fig.322).
Fig. 321
shows
in the North
the long-handled Hudson
Bay
axe
used
It is made after the tomahawk
save
weight, but the blade is broad, you notice, to
give a wide cutting edge. The trouble with this axe is that
it is too Hght for satisfactory work.
Fig. 323 shows a belt
much
form to
country.
modified tomahawk
shape, only three of which are
in existence; one
in the possession of the late Colonel
was
Roosevelt, one in the possession of a famous English author,
axe
and
a
of
one
in the possession of the writer.
These
axes
were
they were
made for the gentlemen to whom
presented by the
President of a great tool works; they are made of the best
gray steel and are beautiful tools. Fig. 324 is an ordinary
belt axe
When
practicallythe same
it was
proposed to arm
as
those used by the Boy Scouts.
the Boy Scouts with guns, the
224
CAMP-LORE
writer put
in strenuous
in place of guns
referred to him
AND
WOODCRAFT
and suggested belt
objections
axes
finally
was
and arms
The uniform
as
a
was
committee
of one.
ica,
planned after that of the Scouts of the Boy Pioneers of Ameras
that carried by
and the belt axe adopted is the same
are
the Scouts of the Sons of Daniel Boone, which axes
modelled
;
the matter
Boone's
after Daniel
very heavy axe.
A
Grasp
handle,
even
then
tomahawk.
Swinging
the
Fig. 325
is
a
Axe
with the left hand, close to the end of the
closer than is shown in the diagram (Fig.326);
axe
with the right hand
axe,
own
About
Word
the
of costume
the handle close to the head of the
grasp
bring the
axe
over
up
shoulder and as you
to slide down
naturally
your
strike the blow, allow the right hand
(Fig.327),close to the left hand; learn to
reverse,
that is,
learn to grasp the lower end of the handle with the right hand
the top, so as to swing the axe from the
and the lefthand near
leftshoulder down, as easily as from the right shoulder.
To be a real axeman,
a genuine dyed-in-the-wool, blown-inthe-glass type,
each
time
you
make
stroke wnth the axe
lungs with a noise hke
a
emit the breath from your
Huh ! That, you know, sounds very professional and will duly
impress the other boys when they watch you chop, besides
you
must
which
it always
How
It
worked
out
TO
seems
to really help the force of the blow.
Remove
a
Broken
Axe
Handle
colored rail spUtter from Virginia, who
for the writer, that the latter learned how to bum
was
from
the broken
the blade of
vour
a
Bury
end of the handle from the axe head.
in the moist earth and build a fireover
axe
AND
AXE
SAW
225
the protruding butt (Fig.328); the moist earth will prevent
the heat from spoiling the temper
of your axe blade while
the heat from the fire will char and burn the wood so that it
can
easily be removed.
using a double-bitted axe, that is,one of those
very useful but villainous tools with two cutting edges, and
the handle breaks off,make a shallow trench in the dirt, put
If you
are
the moist soil over
each blade, leaving a hollow in the middle
handle comes
this
where the axe
and build your fire over
hollow
(Fig.329).
To
If your
axe
Tighten
handle
the
is dry and
Axe
Head
and the wood will swell and
Scoutmaster Fitzgerald of New York says,
over
night
to split the helve and make
matters
'
'Quitea number
slipping off the helve
have
trouble with the axe
and the firstthing they do is to drive
of scouts
loosens, soak it
tighten the head.
the head
nail which only tends
I have discovered
worse.
a
of fixing this. You will note that a wire
the head of the axe in the helve in the side view.
passes over
Then in the cross-section in the copper wire is twisted and a
a
practical way
littlestaple driven in to hold it in place." This may
for a belt axe but the hole in the handle will weaken
would not be advisable for a large axe (Fig.330).
answer
it and
Accidents
have said that the axe is a chest of tools, but it is a
dangerous chest of tools. While aboard a train coming from
one
the writer was
of the big lumber camps,
astonished to
We
find that although there
were
many,
15
many
were
wounded
but few sick men
aboard, there
in the car and none,
that he
men
AND
CAMP-LORE
226
WOODCRAFT
wounded by the
could find, wounded by fallingtrees; allwere
itselfor by fragments of knots and sticks flying from
axe
in the eyes or
blows of the axe and striking the axeman
other tender places.
You
Must
Supply
the
Brains
often warned my young friends to use great care
for the express
made
with firearms, because firearms are
will
purpose
of killing. A gun, having no brains of its own,
I have
kill its
father,
bear
his friends, his brother
owner,
justas
a
or
or
sister,mother
it will killa moose,
quickly and as surely as
Therefore it is necessary
panther.
or
a
for the gunner
to supply the brains for his gun.
The
same
is true with the
for the express
and bone
Edged
axeman.
of cutting, and
purpose
they
tools are
will cut
made
flesh
quickly and neatly as they will cut wood, unless
is skillfulin the use of his tool; that is, unless he
the user
supplies the brains which the tools themselves lack.
"
boys to supply the brains
So you see that it is up to you
as
"
do that, that is, when you
you
and when
acquire the skillin the use, and judgment in the handling,
be dangerous or fatal acciyou will avoid painful and may
dents,
for your
axes,
and at the same
the handling of your
time you
axe.
Not
will experience
only this but you
great
joy in
will acquire
and health in this most
vigorous and manly exercise.
are
not telling all this to frighten the reader but to
instilinto his mind a proper respect for edged tools,especially
muscle
We
the
axe.
Etiquette
1. An
who
scout,
has
axe
any
should
of
The
Axe
be sharp and no one
respected must
to be a pioneer, a sportsman
or
a
ambition
or
an
axe
carry a dull axe,
with the edge
to
be
AXE
AND
SAW
227
interest the reader to
blade. It may
nicked like a saw
know that the pencil I am
using with which to make these
was
sharpened with my
2. No one but a duffer and
notes
axe
without that other
3. It is as bad form
camp
a
Axes
the edge
grave offense.
5. Keep your own
willuse
another
man's
willing permission.
to ask for the loan of a favorite axe
it is to ask for the loan of
fishing rod or toothbrush.
turn
chump
man's
as
4. To
axe.
a
and
or
to
sportsman's
best gun
or
pet
Sheaths
nick another
man's
axe
is
a
very
cut
any
lying
object
sharp and clean, do not use it to
the ground where there is danger of
axe
on
the blade of the axe going through the objectand striking
stone; do not use it to cut roots of trees or bushes for the same
a
of knots in hemlock wood and in cold weather
beware of knots of any kind.
When
an
axe
not in use
should have its blade sheathed
331, 332, 333 and 334),or it should be struck
in leather (Figs.
reason.
Beware
into
a
log
or
(Fig.335).
stump
the ground or set up
feet of the camper.
How
On
It should
be leftupon
the legs and
never
against a tree to endanger
Fig. 341 shows how a firewood hod
TO
have
the trail we
is
Axe
Your
Sharpen
grindstones, and often have
no
filewith which to sharpen our
New
whetstone for the purpose.
to
a
use
WOODCRAFT
and used.
made
as
AND
CAMP-LORE
228
a
one
as
sharp
to put
on
wish; in that
be
edge we must
axe;
axes
sometimes
are
not
would
case
if
an
sure
to keep
we
we
always
a
use
course
re-
stone
grind-
the grindstone
in the firstplace, and in the second place we must
be careful not to throw the edge of the blade out of line.
wet
When
this
it will
"binding
strain" on the
blade which tends to stop the force of the blow. If the edges
are
at all out of line,the probabilities are one
will knock a
half
occurs
a
cause
to cut frozen
of the blade in the firstattempt
timber. The best axe in the world, with an edge badly out
of line,cannot
stand the strain of a blow on hard frozen
moon
While
wood.
every
out
grinding the
in
once
The
while to
a
Best
Time
see
to
axe
take
a
sight along the
edge
if it is true.
Cut
or
Prune
Trees
the sap is dormant, which I will explain for my
younger
readers is that time of year when the tree is not
full of juice.The reason
for this is that when
or
the sap
juiceis in the wood when cut, it will ferment, bubble and
Is when
fizzle the
as
same
sweet
cider
or
grape
juicewill
ferment,
and the fermentation will take all the "life" out of the
lumber and give it a tendency to decay; again to translate
for my
younger
readers, such wood
cut at the proper
season
wiU rot quicker than wood
of the year.
AND
AXE
pine trees, however,
With
SAW
231
this is not
the
always
case,
because the pitchy nature of the sap of the pine prevents it
from fermenting like beech sap; in fact, the pitch acts as a
Pine
and mimimifies, so to speak, the wood.
knots will last for a hundred years lying in the soft, moist
ground and for aught I know, longer, because they are fat
with pitch and the pitch prevents decay.
preservative
when cut in June is unfit for firewood the following
trees cut in August
winter, but authorities say that the same
and leftwith the branches stillon them for twenty or thirty
Beech
days, will make
firmer and
"HveUer"
timber
than
that cut
under any other conditions.
in ten minutes' time will cut down a
An expert lumberman
hardwood
foot in diameter, and it will not take him
tree one
four minutes to cut down a softwood tree of the same
over
size.
Clear
no
no
to chop
Everything
tree; in fact, before
a
chop down
anything, be careful to see that there are
Before attempting
attempting
Away
to
clothes linesoverhead, if you are chopping
if you are chopping in the forests see
or
vines, twigs,
or
branches
in your
backyard,
that there
within swing of your
axe.
are
By
one
of the
all such things you will remove
greatest causes
of accidents in the wilderness, for as slight a
thing as a littletwig can deflect,that is,turn, the blade of
from its course
the loss of a toe, a foot,
your axe
and cause
carefully removing
or
even
a
dangerous
leg. This is the
part
that swamping
reason
of the lumberman's
How
TO
"Fall"
If the tree, in falhng, must
is the most
work.
a
Tree
pass between
where there is danger of its"hanging,"
so
other trees
cut your kerf that
two
AND
CAMP-LORE
232
WOODCRAFT
the tree in falling wdll strike the ground nearest the smallest
furthest away.
Then, as
the one
of the trees, or nearest
the tree falls,and brushes the side of the smallest tree or the
furthest away, it will bounce away, thus giving the fallen
one
tree
an
to bump
opportunity
its way
down
to the place
the ground selected for it, in place of hanging
in the boughs of other trees.
Do
try to "fall"
not
a
between
tree
two
on
by its bough
others that
are
be successfully done, for
standing close together; it cannot
interlaced, and you
the tops of the three trees will become
to
will find it very diflScultand hazardous work to attempt
free your fallen tree from its entanglement ; probably it cannot
be done
down.
of the
The
axe
Where
an
open
or
without cutting
truth is,one
must
one
possible select
kerf
on
notch go half-way
a
the side toward
a
triflemore
kerf as wide
to fallin
be easily handled.
the landing place, let the
the prostrate trunk
or
be made
tree that may
can
through
the trunk.
Make
eter
the radius, that is,half the diamof the tree trunk (Fig.344),otherwise you will have your
pinched or wedged before you have the kerf done and
the notch
axe
mix
both of the other trees
brains with every stroke
will get into trouble.
space where
Cut your
or
one
or
as
to enlarge your
will find it necessary
notch or kerf. Score
firstat the top part of the proposed notch then at the bottom,
big chips as possible, and hew out the space between,
as
making
"
cutting the top parts of the notch at an angle but the
bottom
When
this notch or kerf
part nearly horizontal.
is cut to half or a littlemore
than half of the diameter of the
notch upon the opposite side of the tree at a
point a few inches higher than the notch already cut; when
this notch is cut far enough the tree \n]l begin to tremble
tree, cut another
and crack to
warn
you
to step to
one
side. Don't
get behind
AXE
SAW
AND
233
the tree; it may kick and killyou; step to one side and watch
things that may deflect
the tree as it falls;there are many
it in falling,and one's
safety liesin being alert and watching
for limbs which
down with sufficientforce to disable
break off and come
may
you; accidents of this kind frequently happen, but seldom
happen
common
or
sense
uses
or
never
where the axeman
it fall. Also keep your
eye
aloft to watch
due caution.
How
After
cut away
TO
Trim
Swamp
or
take charge of it and
teamall the branches, leaving the clean log for the sters
a
tree is felled,the swampers
do the swamping
by striking the
lower side of the branch with the blade of the axe, the side
towards the root of the tree, what might be called the underside,
to "snake."
They
towards the top of the tree.
and chopping upwards
Small branches will come
off with a single blow of the axe.
When
the tree has been swamped
and the long trunk lies
naked on the turf, it will, in all probabihty, be necessary to
cut it into logs of required lengths. K the trunk is a thick
one
it isbest to cut itby standing
apart
on
the tree trunk with legs
between
(Fig.336),and chopping
one's
feet, making
the kerf equal to the diameter of the log. Do this for two
: it is
reasons
much easier to stand on a log and cut it in two
that way
than to cut it part the way through the top side,
and then laboriously roll it over
and cut from the underside;
the notch wide CDough you can cut all
To split
the way through the log without wedging your axe.
up the log you should have
also when
you
make
A
Beetle
A thing usually to be found
hut and permanent
Mall,
or
among
woodsman'
the tools in the back-
camps;
of
course
we
do not
AND
CAMP-LORE
234
take the time
to
for
them
make
WOODCRAFT
an
overnight camp
or
a
handy
very
at a
camping
place, but they are
To make one select a hardwood tree, which,
stationary camp.
when stripped of its bark will measure
about five inches in
diameter.
The tree selected should not be one
that would
temporary
be a young oak, beech or hickory, which
spUt easily but may
inches in diameter at the butt.
with the bark on is six or seven
In chopping this tree down
leave a stump
tall enough from
is still
which to fashion your beetle, and while the stump
standing hew the top part until you have a handle scant two
feet in length, leaving for the hammer
butt of ten
join the
from
inches, counting
trunk.
Before
ground, dig all around
cutting
head,
the part
the
so
to speak,
the roots
where
stump
a
off above
the roots, carefully scraping away
the
all
and pebbles, then cut the roots off close up to the
for this is the hardest part of the wood and makes the
stump,
best mall head (Fig.337).
stones
How
Make
TO
the
Gluts
Farmers
or
wood,
ones
claim that the best wedges
locust wood; never
use
green
In the north
ones.
cannot
applewood
make
and
are
made of applewedges if seasoned
seasoned wedge is worth many
woods, or, in fact, in any woods,
be obtained, for one
may
green
Wedges
or
good
be obtained,
substitutes
even
but dogwood
when
used
and
green
ironwood
(Figs.338
357).
How
Many
America
of the
TO
Harden
Southern
Green
Indians
Wood
in the early history of
these green
with bits of cane;
arrow
points they hardened by slightly charring them with
in the
be hardened
the hot ashes of the fire. Gluts may
do not bum
same
them; try to heat them justsuffimanner;
tipped their
arrows
AXE
AND
SAW
237
dently to force the sap out and harden the surface. Where
dogwood, ironwood and applewood
are
not to be obtained,
your gluts of what is at hand; that is true woodcraft
make
(Fig.337).
A year
our
ago, while trailing a
moose,
lumber
a
across
camp
shack of board rived from balsam
Fig. 341 shows how to make
and how to
hods on farms or at permanent
camps.
aid
ran
we
that had been wiped out by fire,
heads among
the
picked up half a dozen axe
heads we
tracks. These axe
used as gluts to split
wood as long as we remained in that camp, and by their
the ruins of
and here we
moose
two
or
we
built
a
How
Make
TO
a
Chopping
logs.
use
firewood
Block
After you have cut the crotch and trimmed it down into
find it convenient to flatten
the form of Fig. 339, you may
the thing
one
on
side. This you
that is,by cutting
a
do by hewing
and scoring;
depth,
series of notches all of the same
and then splittingoff the wood between the notches, as one
a puncheon
(Fig.342). (A puncheon is a
would in making
log flattened
on
one
or
both
sides.) With
this flattened
by sinking another flattened log in the earth
and placing the chopping block on top, have a chopping
block hke that shown in Fig. 343. Or one may take the crotch,
crotch
one
may,
as in Fig. 339 and use
that, and
spike a piece of board across
the best chopping block or crotch block is the one shown in
Fig. 339, with the puncheon or slab spiked onto the ends of
the crotch.
the two ends of the crotch should be
if you have one, so as to give the proper
In this case
off with a saw,
flat surface to which to nail the slab. Then the
be split without danger to yourself or
wood may
cut
of the hatchet.
kindling
the edge
CAMP-LORE
238
AND
Chop
If you
are
an
using
the
it
WOODCRAFT
Right
Way
ordinary stick of wood
for a chopping
block, and the stick you are about to chop rests solidly on
top of the block where the axe strikes it will cut all right, but
if you
strike where the stick does not touch the chopping
block the blow will stun the hand holding the stick in a
If you hold your stick against
the chopping block with your foot, there is always danger ot
cutting off your toe; ifyou hold the stick with your hand and
disagreeable
very
manner.
strike it with the axe, there is danger
fingers. When
I say there is danger I
scouts
his thumb
cut
of cutting off your
it. One of our
mean
finger, and
off, another cut off one
one
of Canada cut off his great
in
toe. In hunting for Indian relics in an old camping cave
Pennsylvania, my companion, Mr. Elmer Gregor, made the
of my
friends in the North
gruesome
find of
a
woods
dried human
finger
near
the embers
of
an
accident
ancient campfire, telling the story of a camping
ages ago, but evidently after white man's
edged tools were
introduced.
wood
block and wish to cut your fireinto smaller pieces, you can hold the stick safely with
the hand if you use the axe as shown in Fig. 345. Tliis will
If you
give you
some
have
as
a
no
choppmg
result two
sticks, and the upper
one
will have
great splinters.
How
TO
Split Kindling
Wood
the
sphtting wood for the fire or kindling, make
firstblow as in Fig. 346, and the second blow in the same
place, but a trifleslanting as in Fig. 347; the slanting blow
wedges the wood apart and splits it. If the wood is small
When
and sphts readily, the slanting blow maybe
made
first.These
AXE
AND
SAW
2S9
only be indicated to the readers because there
If there
so
many
circumstances which govern the case.
knot in the wood, strike the axe right over
the knot as
things
are
is a
can
in Figs. 348 and 349.
If you are chopping
as
the grain do not strike pendicul
perin Fig. 350, because if the wood is hard the
across
back, but strike a slanting blow as in
Fig. 351, and the axe blade will bite deeply into the wood;
of a slant
again let us caution you that if you put too much
will simply bounce
axe
on
in striking the wood, it will cut out a shallow
materially impeding the force of the blow, and
axe
your
chip without
your
axe
will swing around
to the peril of yourself
else within reach; again this is a thing which you
or
anyone
must
learn
to practice.
In using the chopping block be very careful not to put a
log in front of the crotch as in Fig. 340, and then strike a
heavy blow with the axe, for the reason
that if you split the
down
wood with the firstblow your axe handle will come
heavily and suddenly upon the front log, and no matter how
be, it will break into fragments, as the
good a handle it may
writer has discovered by sad experience. A lost axe handle
in the woods
although
never
a
is
a
loss, and one
to be avoided, for
handle may
be fashioned at camp,
it
severe
makeshift
the purpose
answers
handle which
made
Holders
or
as
well
comes
Saw
as
the skillfullyand
with the
Bucks
for
tically
artis-
axe.
Logs
saplings about five inches in diameter at the
butts, bore holes near
the butts about six inches from the
end for legs, make a couple of stout legs about the size of an
Select two
inches long, split
old-fashioned drey pin, and about twenty
the ends carefully,sufficientlyto insert wedges therein, then
CAMP-LORE
240
AND
WOODCRAFT
drive the wedge and ends into the hole bored for the purpose.
When
the sticks are driven home the wedge will hold them
in place. You now
have a couple of "straddle bugs," that is,
poles, the small ends of which rest upon the ground and the
butt ends supported by two legs. In the top of the poles
bore a number
of holes for pins, make your pins a littlelonger
than the diameter of the log you
intend to saw;
the pins are
used exactly like the old-fashioned drey pins, that is, you
roll the log up the incline to the two straddle bugs and hold
pins in the nearest holes. Of
easily in and out of the holes
the logs in place by putting
the pins should work
course,
(Fig.357).
With
an
such
feet in diameter
roll a log two
then in
one
arrangement
up
man
upon
can
unaided easily
the buck; the log is
(Fig.357).
position to be cut up with a cross-cut saw
Another form of sawbuck
be made of a puncheon
may
stool
tion
(Fig.358),with holes bored diagonally in the top for the insera
of pins with which to hold the log in place while it is
But with this sawbuck
being sawed.
one
use
as
cannot
because of the difficultyin
heavy logs as with the first one
handling them.
trip up into the woods where
they stilluse the primitive pioneer methods
of handling and
vania,
cutting timber, and I note up there in Pike County, PennsylI have
justreturned
from
a
they make the sawbuck for logs by using a log of wood
a foot in diameter
and boring holes diagonally through
about
the log
near
each
drive the legs
end
(Fig.359); through
these holes they
that the ends of them protrude at the top
The sawand form a crotch to hold the wood to be sawed.
buck
is about ten or twelve feet long; consequently, in order
so
for shorter logs there are two sets of pegs driven
in holes bored for the purpose between the ends of the buck.
to provide
one
is handling
person
241
Parbuckle
The
When
SAW
AND
AXE
a
log it is sometimes
heavy
canthook, to roll it,but
with the lumberman's
in a rope and placed over
if a loop is made
a
a
or
stump
heavy stone (Fig.360),and the ends run under the log, even
difficult,even
a
boy
can
a
roll quite
the ends of the rope
heaxy
piece of timber
by pulling
on
(Fig.360).
To
Split
Log
a
in splittinga log is the
method used by all woodsmen
in sphtting bluestone, with this
same
as
used by quarrymen
hunts for a natural seam
difference: the quarryman
in the
The
while the lumberman
and drives the wedge in the seam,
in the form of a crack in the log by a blow from
makes a seam
his axe.
In the crack he drives the wedge (Figs.
352 and 353).
stone
But
if the log is
a
long
he must
one
by driving other wedges
do it by using two or more
axes
seam
or
lengthen
the crack or
gluts (Fig.353),or he may
(Fig.352).
If he ^\^shes to split the logs up into shakes, clapboards or
from
spUts, he first halves the log, that is,splitting it across
A to B (Fig.356),and then quarters it by splitting from C
to D, and
so
on
until he has the splits of the required size.
A
Sawpit
In the olden times, the good old times, when people did
hands, and thus acquired great skill
things with their own
with the use of their hands, boards were
sawed out from the
logs by placing the log on a scaffolding over a sawpit (Fig.
361)
In the good old times, the slow old times, the safe old
times,
was
a
house
was
not
built in
a
week
or
well seasoned, well selected, and
16
a
month
in many
; the timber
cases
such
CAJVIP-LORE
242
AND
WOODCRAFT
standing to-day ! On the next block where I live
the street, there
writing, and across
and from where I am
built in 1661.
It is
stands a house stilloccupied which was
houses
are
the house that Fox, the
quartered in when he was
preaching under the spreading oaks on Long Island. The
timbers of this house are stillsound and strong, although the
in nearby
woodwork
In the mountains
Quaker,was
modern houses is decaying.
of Kentucky
and Tennessee
they still
the sawpit, and the logs are held in place by jacks(Fig.
355),which are branches of trees hooked over the log and
use
the longest fork of the branch is then sprung
cross-piece
Of
course,
porting
under the sup-
(Fig.361).
the boy readers of this book
are
not
going to
of a sawpit; that is a real man's
work, a big He man's
work, but the boys of to-day should
know all these things; it ispart of history and they can better
be top sawyers
or
make
use
country when they know
understand the history of our own
how
laboriously, cheerily and cheerfully their ancestors
homesteads, and in the building
worked to build their own
homesteads
unconsciously built that
character of which their descendants are so proud; also they
built up a physique that was healthy, and a sturdy body for
which their descendants are particularly thankful, because
of
their
own
they
good health and good physique are hereditary, that is,boys,
if your parents, your grandparents and your great grandparents
were
all healthy, wholesome
people, you started your
lifeas
a
healthy, wholesome
child.
In this chapter the writer has emphasized the danger of
edged tools for beginners, but he did that to make them careful
in the use of the axe, not to discourage them in acquiring
that there is nothing in
skill with it. We must
remember
life that is not dangerous, and the greatest danger of all is
firearms, is not
not
tornadoes
Luxury;
AXE
AND
edged
tools, is not
SAW
or
243
wild beasts, is not
floods, but it is
or
earthquakes,
avalanches
expressed in boy language, itisice cream,
soda water,
candy, servants and automobiles; it is everything which tends
dependent upon others and soft in mind and
to make
a boy
muscle and to make him a sissy. But hardship, in the sense
privation and doing hard work hke chopping
trees and sawing logs, makes a rugged body, a clean, healthy
mind, and gives long hfe. So, boys, don't be afraid to build
of undergoing
your
wood
or
own
littleshack, shanty
for your
justto
mother,
show
shelter, to chop the kindling
to split up logs for the fun of doing it,
that you
know
or
how.
Don't
be afraid to be a
real Abe Lincoln!
real pioneer so that you may grow up to be a
If I am
talking to men,
they need no detailed definitionof
luxury; they know all about it,its cause
and its effect;they
that luxury kills a race
also know
and hardship preserves a
race.
The
American
for hardship's
be
a
success,
boy
should
be taught
sake, and then the Americans
and a lasting one.
to love hardship
as
a
race
will
Xm
CHAPTER
INDIAN
CHEROKEE
THE
OF
THE
STEALING
COUNCIL
ADVANTAGES
OF
TO
MAKE
HOW
TO
DIVIDE
COUNCIL
GHOST
WHAT
OP
SLTN-MAIDENS
FOUR
WALK
THE
COMPASS
FIRES
THE
COUNCIL
OVAL
GROUND
ELLIPSE
AN
THE
GROUND
COUNCIL
PATH
AND
OF
IN
TORCH
KNOWLEDGE
COLORS
DIFFERENT
POETRY
MEETING
THE
AND
MOUNTAINS
CEREMONIES
PATRIOTISM,
CAMP
WINDS,
THE
IMPRACTICAL
HOW
THE
EAST
INDIANS
FOUR
OF
POINTS
FIRE
FIRE
MEWAN
THE
OF
THE
FROM
FIRE
THE
OF
TOTEMS
COUNCIL
PALISADED
LEGENDS
BTrTHS
GROUND
COtTNCIL
INDIAN
INDIAN
BARBECUE
COUNCH,
MEETING
CAMP
FIRES
AND
GROUNDS
COUNCIL
STAND
AMERICANISM
AND
FIRES
FOB
FOUB
COURTS
FOUB
XIII
CHAPTER
COUNCIL
Now
that
axe
and dump
duffel bag in
our
Y. M.
a
camp,
learned about
have
FIRES
the serious part of
fire-building,cooking
hiking and woodcraft, about
work, we will leave the long trail and the hard trail
camping,
and
we
AND
GROUNDS
C, A. camp,
a
or
recreation camp,
a
school camp,
a
Boy
Scout
and after
we
arranged our cot to suit our own
is ship-shape for the night, it is
convenience and everything
"
time for us to get busy on our "good turn
and do something
have pitched
our
tent and
for the crowd.
Like the great Boy
also
the council fire is
burning
The council fires were
product of America.
discovered America. It was
this land when Columbus
a
allover
Scout Movement,
the council fires that the Indians gathered in solemn
conclave to consult and discuss the affairs of their tribes.
around
Originally the council ground was
surrounded by a paHin the center of a circular fort.
sade; that is, the fire was
this fire the old
of the tribe made their eloquent
fire the warriors danced the scalp
addresses; also around this
dance, the buffalo dance, and all their various
dance, the com
Around
men
religious dances.
Later the Cherokee
Indians changed the council fire into
a barbecue, where they roasted whole beefs in pits of glowing
tucky,
Kenwas
adopted by the politicians in
coals. This custom
and
the Kentucky
barbecues
became
very
famous;
might be called a by-product of the old
But
feast combined.
Indian council fires and a European
in 1799 the old Indian council firesbecame camp
meetings,
they
were
what
247
CAMP-LORE
248
AND
WOODCRAFT
and around the blazing fagots the pioneers gathered to engage
in rehgious revivals. It was
at one
of these meetings that
Daniel Boone's great friend, Simon Kenton, was
converted
and became
The camp
a
Methodist.
meetings were
originated by two brothers by
Bill McGee
the name
was
a Presbyterian,
of McGee.
and
John McGee
a Methodist
to Kentucky
minister. They came
from West
Tennessee.
preacher
John
McGee
Billy
(a pioneer
was
such
Sunday)
a
woods
great back-
that he drew
mense
im-
crowds of buckskin-clad men,
each of whom
carried
horn powder flask and a long barreled rifle.
a cow's
The sniaU buildings used for churches in the pioneer
settlements could not hold the crowd, so they gathered around
blazing council fires,and from this beginning came
the border with
religious revival which swept
the great
a
wave
of
rehgious enthusiasm.
It is a far call back to the old Indian council fire,and the
Iblazingcouncil firesof the pioneer camp meetings, but to-day
this land we are holding similar council fires,many
all over
of
and not a few with
hotels have their council fires;
them
ceremony,
conducted with much
religiousfervor. The summer
the great
famous
Camp
big game
Fire Club
of America, composed
of all the
hunters, have lately bought a tract of land
of holding their council firesin the open, and
the writer interrupted the writing of this chapter to attend
one
of the club's council fires. The military schools are
holding council fires,and everywhere
the Boy Scouts have
for the purpose
their council firesblazing;
and this is
even
the girls have fallen in line,
Therefore it is time that some
it should be,
regular plan was
made for these assemblies, and
as
of ceremony
grounds.
and
some
meaning
some
suggestion
given to the council
AND
GROUNDS
COUNCIL
The
FIRES
249
Origins
Indian
for suggestions,
searched the legends of the Red Man
have learned that the
and from various sources
Indian had a general belief that at the north there is a yellow
black mountain, at the east there is a white mountain
or
of
have
We
light, at the south there is a red mountain, and at the west
At the east and west there are
there is a blue mountain.
also holes in the sky, through
by day, and through which
us
but not
the
is
night. That
to the Red Men.
sleep by
may
which
news
the
sun
disappears
sun
to most
to light
comes
that
so
of my
we
readers,
In the "Dawn
gives
of the World," Dr. C. Hart Merriam
Myths
a
and Weird Tales told by the
collection of "The
Me wan
Indians of California," which are full of poetry and
suggestions
It seems
useful for the council fire work.
that when
the white-footed
other of the animal people,
the fire from which the sun
were
mouse
man,
and
trying to steal the
some
sun,
or
W^itmade, the robin man,
tab-bah, suspected these visitors to be sort of German
spies,
the fire,spreading his wings and tail
and so he hovered over
to protect
it. Now
if you
was
don't believe this you
look at the
robin's breast and you \\'iUsee that he stillcarries the red
hence
marks of the fire,which is proof enough for anyone;
of
will give the fire-keeper for our
council the name
Wit-tab-bah, the robin.
Since the north is presided over by the totem of the mountain
lion, or panther, we will give the officer occupying that
we
court
the Indian
name
of the mountain
The
lion, He-le-jah.
is the white timber wolf, Too-le-ze; the
color of that court is white, representing light. The totem
of the south court is the badger; the color is red and the
totem
of the east
AND
CAMP-LORE
250
Indian
is Too-winks.
name
WOODCRAFT
color of the west court is
bear; Kor-le is the Indian name
The
is the
blue and the totem
of the bear, and the title of the officerpresiding
over
the
blue totem.
yellow court is the throne of the presiding
of the troop, the headmaster of the
officer,the scoutmaster
of your
of your gang, the campmaster
school, the gangmaster
The
golden
the captain of your
or
camp,
or
The
team.
second in command
occupies the white court, the third the red court, and the
If your council is a mihtary school
fourth the blue court.
Ueutenthe commandant
occupies the yellow court, the
ant-colonel the white
and the first captain
the
court,
blue
the
have that straight in your heads
major
court.
the
Now
red
that
court
you
will proceed to lay out
we
the court.
of the fact that the general reader
author is aware
interested in scout camping, summer
be more
camping,
than in real wilderness work, but he
recreation camps
The
may
and
has tried to impress
matter,
upon
the boys
the fact that the knowledge
and
girls,too, for that
of real wilderness work
camping easier for them,
the near-at-home
interesting; it will also cause
them to
more
and very much
have a greater appreciation
enjoy the council fire better and
for everything pertaining to outdoor Ufe. The wilderness
even
will make
campfire
or
over
around
the solitary explorer or hunter hovers,
group of hunters assemble and spin their
enlarged to a big blazing fire becomes
which
which
yarns,
a
magnified and
the council fire around
which
gather
all the members
of
a
the pupils of an outdoor school, a troop or
troops of Boy Scouts ; therefore we have given the counmany
cil
inconvenient as well
fire serious study, because the most
recreation camp,
as
the most
romantic place to talk is at
could be
no
FIRES
253
Fire
Council
The
There
AND
GROUNDS
COUNCIL
impractical plan for
more
place to
a
it,and that
speak than a circlewith a big fire in the middle of
be
The audience must
is the plan of all the council grounds.
Master
seated on the circumference of the circle, and the
must
stand necessarily with his face to the
of Ceremonies
fire and his back to part of his audience, or his back to the
fire and consequently also to the part of the audience on
had occasion over
and
side of the fire. Having
other
the
over
fire,the writer has
again to address the scouts at a council
had all the discomforts impressed upon him many
times. As
and the
rule, the boys are enthusiastic, and so are the men,
fire; the
enthusiasm is most often displayed by the size of the
bigger the fire the greater the delight of the boys and the
monies.
difficultthe position of the orator or Master of Ceremore
a
be
All this may
circle the council grounds
and the fire-place located
How
After you
have
TO
are
near
laid out in an
oval
or
an
a
ellipse,
371).
end of the ellipse (Fig.
one
Describe
decided
if in place of
however,
overcome,
an
Ellipse
the size of your council
and B (Figs.363 and 365)
upon
stakes A
grounds, drive two
firmly into the ground; then take
a
cord, clothesline, or
some
kind of twine (Fig.36'2),
and tie the ends together, thus
forming a loop (Fig.363); put the loop over
the t^^'o stakes
A and B; next make a marker stake C (Fig.366),and with it
The ellipse
the slack of the line taut as in Fig. 364.
This is done by taking firm
is marked out as in Fig. 365.
draw
hold of the top of the stake and using
taut
while the marker
walks
around
care
to keep
the ground
the earth with the point of the marking
the line
scratching
stick, and allowing
AND
CAMP-LORE
254
the cord to slip smoothly
is being done (Fig.364).
What
WOODCRAFT
across
the stick while the marking
is
Ellipse?
an
be called a flattened circle. If you take
a tin can
and press the two sides of the open end of itinwards,
it wiW form an ellipse. The dictionary says that an ellipse is
An
ellipsemight
interextend to infinity and whose sections
Now
that
with the line of infinity are imagmary.
I hope you understand it, it is
is a very lucid explanation!
so simple, but it is justlike a dictionary to say such terrible
a
does not
conic which
things about a harmless elhpse. To tellthe truth, I thought
I knew all about an ellipseuntil I read this explanation; but
know what it looks like and if we do not
never
mind, we
know
what
it is,we
do know
that there
are
a
lot of things
besides ellipses that do not extend to infinity,and we also
know that an ellipse is a practical form for a council fire in
the dictionary calls it. This oval is
spite of the hard names
Hke
really shaped
a
audience
people
on
How
to
chance
the stage
TO
of a theatre and it gives the
what is doing on the stage, and the
the body
a
see
chance to
Divide
see
and address the audience.
Council
the
Fire
Ground
This infinity talk has suggested to us a good idea, so we
thank our highbrow dictionary while we lay our council
must
tending
ground out with the
axis (the longest diameter)ex-
major
due north and south, and the minor axis (theshortest
diameter)extending due east and west, like any other well
regulated council
or
the southern end S
arrange
lodge, and
we
will put the fire-placenear
(Fig.37l),while around
the seats, which may
the ellipsewe
be of logs or stumps
or
will
sections
COUNCIL
AND
GROUNDS
of logs set up on end, as I used in
be rough plank benches,
seats may
one
FIRES
of my
or
camps,
they may
or
255
the
be ponchos
to keep the
spread upon the ground with the shiny side down
from the audience as it squats tailor-fashion upon
dampness
the ponchos.
Four
The
Courts
by Fig. 367.
of shacks, such as are shown
He-le-jah(Fig.371),being the Court of Knowledge, is the
having
an
elevated platform, or pulpit, or
only court
Are
composed
speaker's stand (Fig,368). On each side of each court there
will call the camp
should be a torch; Fig. 369 is what we
will call the steamboat
meeting torch; Fig. 370 is what we
be made by a blacksmith. It is an iron basket
by iron chains, hung down from an iron band at
torch; it must
supported
the top of a staff;the latter is shod with an iron point so that
it may be thrust into the ground. These firebaskets I have
But homemade
in one of my camps.
torches
used with success
Fig. 369). A hand torch (Fig.
are to be preferred (see
373)may
be made
of pine, spruce
or
cedar slivers and used for processions
entering the council grounds; this gives a thrillingeffect.
In the diagram (Fig.370),the staff is short, but it should
be long enough to place the torch as high above the ground
as
a
chandeUer
is above
the floor at home.
shows
for the council fire. The
the ground ready to fight
the method of piling up the wood
kindling wood is firstplaced upon
at
as
a
is piled,
that the heavy wood
notice; over
be lighted
This fire should never
in the diagram.
moment's
shown
with
Fig. 372
a
match;
that is terrible bad
and steel or a rubbing stick to make
for such occasions.
Fig. 374 shows
how
to make
a
form.
The
use
of flint
fireis the proper
ceremony
firebox of sticks. This is
AND
CAMP-LORE
256
WOODCRAFT
is,a view from above,
aeroplane view of a fire box, that
looking down upon it. This box should be filled^vith sand,
an
or
clay
which the fireis built. Fig. 375 and Fig.
how to lash the framework
together. Fig. 377
dirt, upon
376
show you
framework.
shows how to put up the
Fig. 369 is the finished
torch.
idea of this torch is to have the light above the heads
The trouble with a fire upon the ground is
of the campers.
that while the flames give fight they also hide part of the
The
face. This
is always in someone's
the smoke
idea for this purpose.
It will
elevated torch is a brand new
crowd,
and
be adopted
the country
all over
and
credited to all sorts of
that it was
remember
and people, but you must
designed for the readers of this book.
If milled lumber is used in building the shacks
sources
for the
four courts, it should be camouflaged with paint or stain so
be roofed with boards and the
to look rustic. It may
as
boards
roofing
covered with tar paper, or any of the modern
in that case
the roof should be
materials to be had, but
the top of it, or, if poles
camouflaged by laying poles over
are
not
You
available, covering the top wnth sods.
see
the idea is this: we are ha\nng a Council
Fire
"
look wild and
and we want the thing to
something else
ifwe are compelled
rustic because that is part of the game, and
for our
to go to the lumberyard
material, which most of us
sible
conceal this fact as far as poswill have to do, then we must
In front of the South Court on Fig. 371
by camouflage.
not
"
is the fire-place made
of flat stones
Council
On
Fire
set in the earth.
Ceremonies
entering the council grounds always enter
east, salute Too-le-ze, the white wolf, then go
from
across
the
the
17
GROUNDS
COUNCIL
AND
FIRES
259
Court, and salute
to the West
with the sun
Kor-Ie, the bear; about face and march back to the South
Court and salute Too-winks, the badger; then about face and
Ghost
Walk
march
up
the
He-le-jah,
He-le-jahwho is
and salute
panther;
the
remam
standmg
officer,
to do;
gives you permission to retire,or gives you orders what
then go back, always moving along these walks like a soldier,
at
salute imtil
to your
commanding
seat.
the council ground Is a splendid place for
holding religious services. On such occasions the minister
North
Court on the
sits in the Court of Kjiowledge, the
On
Sundays
two torches
right-hand side of the presiding officer,and the
The one
in the daytime are replaced by flags or banners.
be Old
on
the right-hand side of the presiding officermust
Glory, the one on the left the flag of the school, the troop or
the club to which the council fire belongs.
be occupied by a
The center of the council fire may
for
"Liberty Pole," which is the good old American name
the flag pole, from which Old Glory flies. Never forget to
the colors and greet them with the greatest ceremonial
deference, for those colors possess a magic quality; they
inspirrepresent to you everything that is grand, noble and ing,
respect
and ifyou have any other kind of thoughts, this country
Remember
is no place for you.
that the council fire is
proud to be called Americans.
The walk, or path from the east to the west is the Ghost
Walk, or the Spirit's Walk; it is the path which Indians
American,
and
we
are
believe the spirittakes after leaving the body, an idea which
boys
was
consciously or unconsciously adopted by our brave
during the recent war and it explains what they meant
with bowed heads, they reported that their bunky,
friend had "gone West."
when,
pal
or
CAMP-LORE
260
Western
The
AND
WOODCRAFT
has the totem
Court
bear; the color of the court, however,
blue from the blue Pacific; the totem
animal of the black
is not black but blue,
isa blue mountain.
KnowlThe walk from the south to the north is the Path of edge;
traveling that trailis seeking further knowledge
anyone
object
of the benefits of woodcraft, nature and the big outdoors;
the totem animal of the North Court isthe American panther,
or
cougar
yellow
or
The
lion; the color of the North Court is
black, the latter representing the long arctic night.
mountain
has the badger for its totem
Court
Southern
and the red mountain
for the totem
animal,
object;red is its totem
color.
Thus
have white for the totem
we
meancolor of the east, ing
and purity; red for the south, meaning
violence, disturbance, auction, danger, revolution, love and
life. This color is both stimulating and disturbing to man,
light, peace
animal and plant.
Perhaps when
disturbing
our
Indians had
a
read of the turmoil that is constantly
border, we
think that the
may
southern
we
knowledge
of the real meaning
of red when
Red is
they made the totem
of the south a red mountain.
the ruling color, the king of color, the dominant
color, the
strong color, and symbolizes the blossoming of plants and is
the color of berries and fruit. Red tints the spring leaves
and stains the fall leaf. In the spring the thickets and tree
trunks are tinged with red ; they are blushing, so to speak, as
Ruskin says, "in order to show
the waiting of love."
Color.
color, a Man's
Red
is
emphatically a masculine
Blue is a feminine color; it stands for sentimental affections,
blue lighthas a depressing effectand creates nervousness.
Black
is the ogre
color; sometimes
among
the North
colors; it devours every other
Court is black; black stands for
GROUNDS
COUNCIL
AND
FIRES
261
and death, and yet the path to the north is the path of
knowledge.
It may
be that some
of the Indians used black
have noted that cUmate
for the north because they may
war
According to Frank
affects the color of birds and animals.
Chapman,
the famous
ornithologist at the Museum
of
York, the animals of the humid
Natural History in New
climate of the northwest are especially dark in color.
yellow for the north color, yellow means
laughter and mirth. Notwithstanding
the fact that we use
yellow as a sign for contagious disease, women
suffragists and
a
gathering cheerful and
cowardice, a yellow light makes
If you
use
in approaching
the North Court
for the four courts
Indian names
so
merry;
The
for the south
the north Kon-win.
east,
you
are
may
sing.
Too-le-ze, the
Kor-le, and for
for the
He-le-jahis the Indian name
Too-winks,
for the west
Hon that guards the north mountain.
mountain
Now then you have the symbolism; in other words, know
what these things stand for, and that will give a meaning
to your ceremony
around the council fire. Since red means
panther
or
lifeand black means
a deep significance
death, possibly the Indians have placed
on
the path from the Red Court to the
Black Court, from lifeto death! when they call it the Path of
At any rate, we will take it as we find it and
Knowledge.
adapt ourselves to the suggestions these meanings give us.
We will claim that colors are the spirits,fairiesor what
not who govern the council fire. Wit-tab-bah is the name
of
the fire itselfor the fire-place. When
near
the Southern
or
Red
Court,
the fireis built,placed
it gives the
chief, the
pies
who occucaptain, the superintendent, or the scoutmaster,
the North Court, a space in front of him big enough to
accommodate
his audience.
lightup, the council grounds
The
real way
is by having
to illuminate, or
AND
CAMP-LORE
262
Torch
Erected
the council grounds
and at the
appearance,
These
fire torches at
if kept replenished with dry
wood,
the four courts,
up
Fires
of the four courts.
each
at
WOODCRAFT
and give
a
will light
most
picturesque and wild
time will not interfere with the
same
will they scorch the back or face of the
Wit-tab-bah may
be used on occasions when the
speaker.
crowd is not large.
nor
ceremonies
No council fire anywhere
States should open without
within the borders of the United
flag,
the pledge to the American
and the recitingin unison by all present of the American
creed.
(See page 268.)
council should close with the singing of "America."
Especially should these ceremonies be gone through with
The
is composed
the assembly
when
because what George Washington
is as true to-day
as
it was
young
of many
people,
in
his
farewell
said
address
hundred years ago.
a
"Against the insidious wiles of foreign influences I
conjure
you to believe me, fellow citizens, the jealousy
of a free people
ought to be constantly awake, since history and experience
that foreign influence is one
prove
of republican government."
There is no reason
why
of the most
powerful
foes
should not have a lot of fun
be riotous fun,
even
at the council fires,and at times it may
but always American fun, and the patriotic spirit should never
for
a
be forgotten,
moment
links us
up
that
may,
we
we
in bonds
nor
of sympathy
yet
the poetic spirit which
with all created things
with seriousness, recite the
so
GROUNDS
COUNCIL
That
we
FIRES
beseech thee.
we
Beneath
may
walk reverently
Lah-pah our brothers, the trees.
That
may
On
we
Kis-so
263
Invocation
Indian
O Great Mystery,
AND
step lightly
kmsmen,
our
the grasses.
walk lovingly
Over Loo-poo-oi-yes our brothers, the rocks.
That we may rest trustfully
That
we
may
the 0-IeI-lebird sings
Beside Ho-ha-oe, the talking waters.
Where
or
"
this.
Weave
for
O Great Mystery,
us,
A bright blanket of wisdom;
Make
the warp the color of Father Sky,
Let He-koo-las, the sun-woman.
her bright hair for the weft.
And mingle with it the red and gold threads of evening.
O Great Mystery; O Mother Earth! O Father Sky!
Lend
We, your children, love the things you love;
Therefore, let the border of our blanket
Be bending Ku-yet-tah, the rainbow.
And the fringe be glittering Nuk-kah,
or
we
with abandon
*
the slashing rain.
the song of the elves,
sing, or chant
may
the fays, oh, we are the elves,
Who, laughing at everything, laugh at ourselves.
If Fortime's wheel is broke.
Oh,
we
are
Why,
we
can
Misfortime
But
we
a
put
hits
no
put
a
can
spoke in it.
stroke.
jokein it.
do our thinking.
owl
As he sitsawinking, blinking.
The
can
act from
We
intuition,
Fim
and mischief is our
Solemn duty, we have
What
Fun
do is for the fun of it;
is none
too light to prize.
we
Thought
Folly's
is naught
jolly,
wit
Laughter
*
From
unpublished
mission;
of it.
none
verses
but fancy's flight.
is wise.
after all is right.
by Captain
Harry
Beard.
XIV
CHAPTER
OF
RITUAL
OF
PHOGRAM
A
THE
COUNCIL
COUNCIL
FIRE
FIRE
INVOCATION
THE
APPEAL
PLEDGE
AND
CBEED
OF
ALL
AMEBICANS
CHAPTER
OF
RITUAL
The
ceremonies
XIV
COUNCIL
THE
of the Council
FIRE
Fire may
be conducted
to any extent
able.
desir-
with the accompaniment
of pageantry
At the Council Fire of the Dan Beard Outdoor
the oflBcers dress in costume
The Man
of
the real ones.
; not
the
masquerade
North,
who
School,
costumes
but
attends to the
Northern Lights, is garbed in the blanket clothes of a northern
The Man
East,
the
of
lumberman
and carries an axe.
be
maidens dwell, may
attends the fire where the sun
Pilgrim fathers. The
arrayed in the clothes of one
of our
tain,
Man
West, who attends the fire of the Blue Mounof
the
isdecked in the fringed buckskin clothes of the trapper,
who
South, who
The Man
the
of
mountaineer.
is dressed in the picthe fire of the Red Mountain,
turesque
plainsman,
guards
or
of a Mexican with a high-crowned sombrero.
seats of the different courts are draped with the colors of
costume
The
the courts.
Program
The
guests enter
of
man,
Fire.
then
on
a
of
a
scout,
a
frontiersman,
or
a
cil
according to the plan of the particular CounHerald faces the north from his stand in the
of the council ground
center
blast
The
Fire
and take their seats, then the Herald
enters dressed in the costume
medicine
Council
a
cow's
the south
With
assembly.
and blows
call, or a
assembly
horn, then wheels about and faces the east,
and then the west, and at each he blows
the last notes
Woodcrafters, Pioneers
and
the last call the Scouts,
students enter the circle,marching
single-file
around until the circleis complete, and they stand
blows a fanopposite where they are to sit. The Herald now
or
267/
268
CAMP-LORE
AND
WOODCRAFT
fare and the officersmarch
into the council ground with the
The officers group
themselves
colors and the color guard.
sioner,
around their Chief, the Scout Executive, the Scout Commisin authority at the North
or the man
the Headmaster
Court.
Invocation
Leader,
The
both hands
in
up
a
by the assembly,
for
Weave
Then
head officer,steps forward and throwing
gesture of appeal, in which he is imitated
or
he repeats:
O Great Mystery,
us,
etc.
(asalready given).
he cries:
Four Winds
Wind
of the Earth, we have saluted you!
our
snow
of the North, from whence come
and ice.
our
of the East, from whence come
clouds and rains.
Wind
of the West, from whence
Wind
of the South, from whence
Wind
Send
us
men
your
to guard
comes
comes
the mystic
our
sunshine.
our
warmth.
fires.
of the North, East, West and South,
in front of the Chief, and he directs them to
The
Men
See that the mystic firesare
now
step
blazing.
already been carefully prepared, are now
lighted by the fire-keepers under the direction of the men
of
the Four Winds, and the latter return and report to the Chief
fires,having
The
in the following
Chief
....
Man
manner
:
of the North, you
whose
mighty
axe
bites to the heart of
the pine.
Are the mystic Northern Lights burning at Kon-win?
Is He-le-jah,
the Mountain-lion, on guard on the yellow moimtain
North?
Man
of the
Chief, the Medicine fire has been lighted, the Mountain-lion
of the North
is guarding the yellow mountain
North,
of the
All is well.
....
RITUAL
Chief.
OF
THE
COUNCIL
FIRE
269
the East, is the Medicine Fire at Too-le-ze blazing?
.Man of
Is the White Wolf on guard at the White Mountain,
where the sun-maidens
dweU?
Man
.
.
of the East
on
guard.
Chief, Too-Ie-ze blazes in the East, the White
Wah-tab-bah,
Man
Chief
of the West,
fireat Kor-Ie blaze?
....
man
Wolf
is
the robin, shields the fire.
All is well.
of the plains and mountains,
does the mystic
Is the Black Bear guarding the Blue Mountain, where the sun
sets?
Man
West.
Kor-le
is
the
Black
Bear's
of
ablaze, the
growls maybe
.Chief,
heard in the torrent that guards the Blue Mountain.
.
Chief.
Has
.
.
.Man
the Red
.
All is well.
of the South, how blazes the fire at Too-winks?
Badger come
from its burrow
to stand guard
on
the Red
Mountain?
Man
of the South
Chief, Too-winks
flames to the sky.
The Red
Badger
is on guard.
All is well.
The Color Guard
marches up to in front of
the oflficers
and all stand at salute. The Color Guard with
in
colors about faces and the guests and all present
now
enters,
recite
unison:
The
Pledge
and
Creed
of
All
Americans
*T beheve in the people of the United States, I believe in
I believe in the prethe United States form of government,
amble
of the Declaration
of Independence,
I believe that all
by their
endowed
created equal, that they are
Creator with certain inalienable rights, among
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
men
are
"I believe in our
Grovernment
which
are
of the People, by the People
rived
deare
and for the People, a government
whose justpowers
from the consent
of the governed, a Sovereign Nation
Sovereign States, a Democracy
in a Republic, a perof many
fect
and inseparable.
"A Union which will live because of the vital
principles of
Union,
one
CAMP-LORE
270
Freedom,
AND
WOODCRAFT
Equality, Justice, Humanity
it contains, and for which
American
and Kindness which
Patriots have willingly
sacrificedtheir hves and fortunes.
"I therefore believe that in order to respect my own
manhood
love my coimtry, support
its Constitution and
I must
obey its Laws; also that I must respect its Flag, and defend
it against all enemies."
After which may come
the Scout oath, Pioneer oath or
is
Camp-fire oath, as the case may be. Then the command
given
to
"squat!"
followed by the command
ponchos,"
all the Scouts, Woodcrafters, Pioneers,
"spread
when
their ponchos,
the
and
the benches which have been provided
tailor-fashion upon
students squat
guests
or
seat themselves
on
for them.
Following
this
comes
the address by
the speakers, the
entertainments and exhibitions of woodcraft, scoutcraft, or
handicraft, the games, and other entertainment; then follows
to
After which all stand
the awarding of honors.
sing
"America."
repeats
Then
the Chief
or
Leader
steps
forward
and
the following
Appeal
O Great Mystery,
we
beseech thee
(as previously given)
in which
and ends up with the benediction,
phraseology :
"May
the Great Mystery
CHILDREN'S
uses
the Indian
put sunshine in all your
Good-night."
CENTRAL
he
CIRCULATION
ROOM
hearts.