,transcriber's ,note3 ,words printed in italics are noted with underscores3 italics4 ,words printed in small-caps have been converted to ,,all-,,caps4 ,,packing ,,and ,,portaging ,,packing ,,and ,,portaging ,,by ,,dillon ,,wallace ,author of ,the ,lure of the ,labrador ,wild1 ,the ,long ,labrador ,trail1 ,saddle and ,camp in the ,rockies1 ,across the ,mexican ,sierras1 etc4 ,illustration3 ,,outing ,,handbooks ,illustration ,,new ,,york ,,outing ,,publishing ,,company ,,mcmxii ,,copyright1 #aiab1 ,,by ,,outing ,,publishing ,,company ,all rights reserved ,,contents ,,chapter ,,page ,i4 ,,packing ,,and ,,the ,,outfit #i ,,ii4 ,,the ,,canoe ,,and ,,its ,,equipment #ab ,,iii4 ,,camp ,,equipment ,,for ,,the ,,canoe ,,trip #ae ,,iv4 ,,personal ,,equipment #bc ,v4 ,,food #ca ,,vi4 ,,the ,,portage #ch ,,vii4 ,,travel ,,with ,,saddle ,,and ,,pack ,,animals #ea ,,viii4 ,,saddle ,,and ,,pack ,,equipment #ef ,,ix4 ,,personal ,,outfit ,,for ,,the ,,saddle #fd ,x4 ,,adjusting ,,the ,,pack #ga ,,xi4 ,,some ,,practical ,,hitches #gg ,,xii4 ,,traveling ,,without ,a ,,pack ,,horse #aja ,,xiii4 ,,afoot ,,in ,,summer #ajf ,,xiv4 ,,with ,,snowshoes ,,and ,,toboggan #aaj ,,xv4 ,,with ,,dogs ,,and ,,komatik #abc ,,illustrations ,,page ,method of ,slinging ,load on ,aparejo #eh1 #ei ,sling for ,racking on ,crosstree ,saddle #gd ,squaw or ,crosstree ,hitch #gi1 #hj ,the ,crosstree ,diamond ,hitch #hb1 #hc ,united ,states ,army ,diamond ,hitch #he1 #hf ,lifting ,hitch #ic1 #id ,stirrup ,hitch #if ,saddle ,hitch #ig ,,packing ,,and ,,portaging ,,chapter ,i ,,packing ,,and ,,the ,,outfit ,ordinarily the verb to pack means to stow articles snugly into receptacles1 but in the parlance of the trail it often means to carry or transport the articles from place to place4 ,the pack in the language of the trail is the load a man or horse carries4 ,likewise1 a portage on a canoe route is a break between navigable waters1 over which canoe and outfit must be carried2 or the word may be used as a verb1 and one may say1 ,i will portage the canoe1 meaning ,i will carry the canoe4 ,in the course of the following pages these terms will doubtless all be used in their various significations4 ,save for the few who are able to employ a retinue of professional guides and packers to attend to the details of transportation1 the one chief problem that confronts the wilderness traveler is that of how to reduce the weight of his outfit to the minimum with the least possible sacrifice of comfort4 ,it is only the veriest tenderfoot that deliberately endures hardships or discomforts where hardships and discomforts are unnecessary4 ,experienced wilderness travelers always make themselves as comfortable as conditions will permit1 and there is no reason why one who hits the trail for sport1 recreation or health should do otherwise4 ,in a description1 then1 of the methods of packing and transporting outfits the tenderfoot and even the man whose feet are becoming calloused may welcome some hints as to the selection of compact1 light1 but1 at the same time1 efficient outfits4 ,these hints on outfitting1 therefore1 ,i shall give1 leaving out of consideration the details of camp making1 camp cookery and those phases of woodcraft that have no direct bearing upon the prime question of packing and transportation on the trail4 ,let us classify the various methods of wilderness travel under the following heads3 #a4 ,by ,canoe2 #b4 ,with ,saddle and ,pack ,animals2 #c4 ,afoot in ,summer2 #d4 ,on ,snowshoes2 #e4 ,with ,dogs and ,sledge4 ,taking these in order1 and giving our attention first to canoe travel1 it will be found convenient further to subdivide this branch of the subject and discuss in order3 7a7 ,the ,canoe and its ,equipment2 7b7 ,camp ,equipment for a ,canoe ,trip2 7c7 ,personal ,equipment2 7d7 ,food2 7e7 ,the ,portage4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,,the ,,canoe ,,and ,,its ,,equipment ,a sixteen-foot canoe with a width of at least #cc inches and a depth of at least #ab inches will accommodate two men1 an adequate camping outfit and a full ten weeks' provisions very nicely1 and at the same time not lie too deep in the water4 ,a fifteen-foot canoe1 unless it has a beam of at least #ce inches and a depth of #ab inches or more1 is unsuitable4 ,three men with their outfit and provisions will require an eighteen-foot canoe with a width of #ce inches or more and a depth of no less than #ac inches1 or a seventeen-foot canoe with a width of #cg inches and #ac inches deep4 ,the latter size is lighter by from ten to fifteen pounds than the former1 while the displacement is about equal4 ,the best all-around canoe for cruising and hard usage is the canvas-covered cedar canoe4 ,both ribs and planking should be of cedar1 and only full length planks should enter into the construction4 ,where short planking is used the canoe will sooner or later become hogged--that is1 the ends will sag downward from the middle4 ,in ,canada the ,peterborough canoe is more largely used than the canvas-covered4 ,these are to be had in both basswood and cedar4 ,cedar is brittle1 while basswood is tough1 but the latter absorbs water more readily than the former and in time will become more or less waterlogged4 ,cruising canoes should be supplied with a middle thwart for convenient portaging4 ,any canoe larger than sixteen feet should have three thwarts4 ,to lighten weight on the portage1 and provide more room for storing outfit1 it is advisable to remove the cane seats with which canvas canoes are usually provided4 ,this can be readily done by unscrewing the nuts beneath the gunwale which hold the seats in position4 ,good strong paddles--sufficiently strong to withstand the heavy strain to which cruising paddles are put--should be selected4 ,on the portage they must bear the full weight of the canoe2 they will frequently be utilized in poling up stream against stiff currents2 and in running rapids they will be subjected to rough usage4 ,on extended cruises it is advisable to carry one spare paddle to take the place of one that may be rendered useless4 ,experienced canoemen pole up minor rapids4 ,poles for this purpose can usually be cut at the point where they are needed1 but pole shoes--that is1 spikes fitted with ferrules--to fit on the ends of poles are a necessary adjunct to the outfit where poling is to be done4 ,without shoes to hold the pole firmly on the bottom of the stream the pole may slip and pitch the canoeman overboard4 ,the ferrules should be punctured with at least two nail holes1 by which they may be secured to the poles1 and a few nails should be carried for this purpose4 ,a hundred feet or so of half-inch rope should also be provided1 to be used as a tracking line and the various other uses for which rope may be required4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,,camp ,,equipment ,,for ,a ,,canoe ,,trip ,personal likes and prejudices have much to do with the form of tent chosen4 ,my own preference is for either the ,a or wedge tent1 with the ,hudson's ,bay model as second choice1 for general utility4 ,either of these is particularly adapted also to winter travel where the tent must often be pitched upon the snow4 ,if1 however1 the tent is only to be used in summer1 and particularly in canoe travel where a light1 easily erected model is desired1 the ,frazer tent is both ideal for comfort and is an exceedingly light weight model for portaging4 ,duck or drill tents are altogether too heavy and quite out of date4 ,they soak water and are an abomination on the portage4 ,the best tent is one of balloon silk1 tanalite1 or of extra light green waterproofed tent cloth4 ,the balloon silk tent is very slightly heavier than either of the others1 but is exceedingly durable4 ,for instance1 a #g-a_/c #g-a_/c foot ,a tent of either tanalite or extra light green waterproof tent cloth1 fitted with sod cloth1 complete1 weighs eight pounds1 while a similar tent of waterproof balloon silk weighs nine pounds4 ,a ,hudson's ,bay model1 #f #i feet1 weighs respectively seven and seven and one-half pounds4 ,these three cloths are not only waterproof and practically rot proof1 but do not soak water1 which is a feature for consideration where much portaging is to be done and camp is moved almost daily4 ,some dealers recommend that customers going into a fly or mosquito country have the tent door fitted with bobbinet4 ,the idea is good1 but cheese cloth is much cheaper and incomparably better than bobbinet4 ,the cheese-cloth door should be made rather full1 and divided at the center from tent peak to ground1 with numerous tie strings to bring the edges tight together when in use1 and other strings or tapes on either side1 where it is attached to the tent1 to reef or roll and tie it back out of the way when not needed4 ,when purchasing a light-weight tent1 see that the dealer supplies a bag of proper size in which to pack it4 ,a pack cloth #f #g feet in size1 of brown waterproof canvas weighing about #c-a_/b pounds1 makes an excellent covering for the tent floor at night4 ,on the portage blankets and odds and ends will be packed and carried on it4 ,if one end and the two sides of the pack cloth are fitted with snap buttons it may be converted into a snug sleeping bag with a pair of blankets folded lengthwise1 the bottom and sides of the blanket secured with blanket safety pins as a lining for the bag4 ,my standby for summer camping is a fine all-wool gray blanket #gb #gh inches in size and weighing #e-a_/b pounds4 ,this ,i have found sufficient even in frosty autumn weather--always1 in fact1 until the weather grows cold enough to freeze streams and close them to canoe navigation4 ,used as a lining for the improvised pack cloth sleeping bag1 this blanket is quite bedding enough and makes an exceedingly comfortable bed1 too4 ,a three-quarter axe with a #bd- or #bh-;inch handle makes a mighty good camp axe4 ,a full axe is heavy and inconvenient to portage and the lighter axe will serve every purpose in any country at any time4 ,personally ,i favor the ,hudson's ,bay axe4 ,this may be had fitted either with a #bd-;inch or #ah-;inch handle4 ,in the two-party outfit which we are discussing there should be two axes1 one of which may be fitted with the shorter handle1 but the other should have at least a #bd- and preferably a #bh-;inch handle4 ,every axe should have a leather sheath or scabbard for convenient packing4 ,the so-called pocket axes are too small to be of practical use4 ,the camper does not wish to miss the luxury of the big evening camp-fire1 and he can never provide for it with a small hatchet or toy pocket axe4 ,cooking utensils of aluminum alloy are the lightest and best for the trail4 ,tin and iron will rust1 enamel ware will chip1 and unalloyed aluminum is too soft and bends out of shape4 ,the best sporting goods dealers carry complete outfits of aluminum alloy4 ,i have used them in the frigid ,north and in the tropics1 in canoe1 sledging1 tramping and horseback journeys1 and can recommend them unequivocally1 save perhaps the frying pan4 ,the two-man cooking and dining outfit should contain the following utensils3 #a ,pot with cover #g #f-a_/b inches1 capacity three quarts4 #a ,coffee pot #f #f-a_/h inches1 capacity two quarts4 #a ,steel frying pan #i-g_/h #b inches1 with folding handle4 #a ,pan #i #c inches1 with folding handle1 for mixing- and dish-pan4 #b ,plates #h-g_/h inches diameter4 #b ,cups4 #b ,aluminum alloy forks4 #b ,dessert spoons4 #a ,large cooking spoon4 #a ,dish mop4 #b ,dish towels4 ,the regular aluminum alloy cup is too small for practical camp use4 ,there is an aluminum bowl1 however1 holding one pint1 but without a handle4 ,this is about the right size for a practical cup1 and ,i have a handle riveted on it and use it as a cup4 ,the top only of the handle should be attached1 that the cups may set one inside the other4 ,the heat conducting quality of aluminum makes it a question whether or not enamel cups are not preferable4 ,to pack the outfit snugly1 set the mixing pan into the frying pan1 the handles of both pans folded1 place the plates1 one on top of the other1 in the mixing pan1 the cooking pot on top of these1 and the coffee pot inside the cooking pot4 ,the cups will fit in the coffee pot4 ,the weight of this outfit complete is #e-a_/b pounds4 ,a waterproof canvas bag of proper size should be provided in which to pack the utensils4 ,forks and spoons1 wrapped in a dish towel1 will fit nicely in the canvas bag alongside the pots4 ,waterproof canvas is suggested for the bag1 not to protect the utensils but because anything but waterproofed material will absorb moisture and become watersoaked in rainy weather1 adding materially to the weight of the outfit4 ,one of the handiest aids to baking is the aluminum reflecting baker4 ,an aluminum baker #af #ah inches when open1 folds to a package #ab #ah inches and about two inches thick1 and fitted into a waterproof canvas case weighs1 case and all1 about four pounds4 ,broilers1 fire irons1 fire blowers or inspirators1 as they are sometimes called1 and many other things that are convenient enough but quite unnecessary1 should never burden the outfit4 ,even though the weight of some of them may be insignificant1 each additional claptrap makes one more thing to look after4 ,there are a thousand and one claptraps1 indeed1 that outfitters offer1 but which do not possess sufficient advantage to pay for the care and labor of transportation1 and my advice is1 leave them out1 one and all4 ,outfitters supply small packing bags of proper size to fit1 one on top of another1 into larger waterproof canvas bags4 ,these small bags are made preferably of balloon silk4 ,by using them the whole outfit may be snugly and safely packed for the portage4 ,in one of these small bags keep the general supply of matches1 though each canoeist should carry a separate supply for emergency in his individual kit4 ,in like manner two or three cakes of soap should be packed in another small bag4 ,floating soap is less likely to be lost than soap that sinks4 ,a dozen candles will be quite enough4 ,these if packed in a tin box of proper size will not be broken4 ,repair kits should be provided4 ,a file for sharpening axes and a whetstone for general use are of the first importance4 ,include also a pair of pincers1 a ball of stout twine and a few feet of copper wire4 ,a tool haft or handle with a variety of small tools inside is convenient4 ,either a stick of canoe cement1 a small supply of marine glue1 or a canoe repair outfit such as canoe manufacturers put up and which contain canvas1 white lead1 copper tacks1 calor and varnish will be found a valuable adjunct to the outfit should the canoe become damaged4 ,this tool and repair equipment should be packed in a strong canvas bag small enough to drop into the larger nine-inch waterproof bag4 ,a small leather medicine case with vials containing1 in tabloid form1 a cathartic1 an astringent 7lead and opium pills are good7 and bichloride of mercury1 suffices for the drug supply4 ,surgical necessities are3 ,some antiseptic bandages1 a package of linen gauze1 a spool of adhesive plaster and one-eighth pound of absorbent cotton1 wrapped in oiled silk4 ,in addition most campers find it convenient to have in their personal outfit a pair of small scissors4 ,these are absolutely necessary if one is to put on a bandage properly4 ,the regular surgical scissors1 the two blades of which hook together at the center1 are the most convenient sort1 both to use and to carry1 and have the keenest edge4 ,a pair of tweezers takes up but little room and is useful for extracting splinters or for holding a wad of absorbent cotton in swabbing out a wound1 as cotton will1 of course1 become septic if held in the fingers4 ,a small scalpel is better than the knife blade for opening up an infection1 as it is more convenient to handle and will make a deep short incision when desired4 ,these will all be packed in one of the small balloon silk bags4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,,personal ,,equipment ,each canoeist should have a personal kit or duffle bag of waterproof canvas4 ,these may be purchased from outfitters and are usually #cf inches deep and of #ab1 #ae1 #ah or #ba inches diameter4 ,the #ab-;inch bag1 however1 is amply large to accommodate all one needs in the way of clothing and other personal gear4 ,this1 as well as every other waterproof canvas packing bag mentioned1 excepting the cooking kit bag1 should be supplied with a handle on the bottom and one on the side4 ,these bags not only keep the contents dry1 but1 as previously stated1 do not absorb moisture to add to the weight1 a very essential feature where every unnecessary pound must be eliminated4 ,i was once capsized in a rapid and my duffle bag lay half a day in the water before it was recovered4 ,the contents were perfectly dry4 ,one suit of medium weight woolen underclothing in addition to the suit worn is ample for a short trip4 ,four extra pairs of thick woolen socks should be provided--the home-knit kind4 ,an excellent material for trousers to be worn on the trail is moleskin1 though for midsummer wear a good quality khaki is first rate4 ,moleskin1 however1 will withstand the hardest usage and to my mind is superior to khaki or any other material where wading is necessary and on cold or rainy days1 as it is very nearly windproof4 ,a good leather belt should be worn1 even though suspenders support the trousers4 ,the outer shirt should be of light weight gray or brown flannel and provided with pockets4 ,a blue flannel shirt of the best quality is all right4 ,the cheaper qualities of blue crock1 and this feature makes them objectionable4 ,if the outer shirt is too heavy it will be found cumbersome under the exertion of the portage4 ,a large1 roomy ,pontiac shirt to slip over the outer shirt and use as a sweater is much preferable to a sweater on the trail4 ,it is windproof and warm4 ,do not take a coat--the ,pontiac shirt will be both coat and sweater4 ,a coat is always in the way on a canoe trip and makes the pack that much heavier4 ,a pair of low leather or canvas wading shoes for river work and larrigans or shoe pacs for ordinary wear1 large enough to admit two pairs of woolen socks1 are best suited to canoeing4 ,heavy1 hobnailed mountaineer shoes or boots are not in place here4 ,heavy ,german socks1 supplied with garter and clasp to hold them in position1 are better than canvas leggings1 and protect the legs from chill at times when wading is necessary in icy waters4 ,any kind of an old slouch hat is suitable4 ,some canoeists take with them a suit of featherweight oilskin4 ,personally ,i have never worn rainproof garments when canoeing4 ,once ,i carried a so-called waterproof coat1 but it was not waterproof4 ,it leaked water like a sieve1 and was no protection even from the gentlest shower4 ,i am inclined1 however1 to favor featherweight oilskins1 though not while portaging--they would be found too warm--but when paddling in rainy weather1 or to wear on rainy days about camp4 ,if the trip is to extend into a black fly or mosquito region1 protection against the insects should be provided4 ,a head net of black bobbinet that will set down upon the shoulders1 with strings to tie under the arms1 is about the best arrangement for the head4 ,old loose kid gloves1 with the fingers cut off1 and farmers' satin elbow sleeves to fit under the wrist bands of the outer shirt will protect the wrists and hands4 ,the armlets should be well and tightly sewn upon the gloves1 for black flies are not content to attack where they alight1 and will explore for the slightest opening and discover some undefended spot4 ,they are1 too1 a hundred times more vicious than mosquitoes4 ,there are many receipts for fly dope1 but in a half hour after application perspiration will eliminate the virtue of most mixtures and a renewed application must be made4 ,nessmuk's receipt is perhaps as good as any1 and the formula is as follows3 ,oil of pine tar #c parts ,castor oil #b parts ,oil of pennyroyal #a part ,if when you were a child your father held your nose as an inducement for you to open your mouth while your mother poured castor oil down your throat1 the odor of the castor oil rising above the odors of the other ingredients will revive sad memories4 ,indeed it is claimed for this mixture that the dead will rise and flee from its compounded odor as they would flee from eternal torment4 ,it certainly should ward off such little creatures as black flies and mosquitoes4 ,another effective mixture is3 ,oil of tar #c parts ,sweet oil #c parts ,oil of pennyroyal #a part ,carbolic acid #c per cent4 ,an ,indian advised me once to carry a fat salt pork rind in my pocket1 and now and again rub the greasy side upon face and hands4 ,i tried it and found it nearly as good as the dopes4 ,unless one penetrates1 however1 far north ,in ,canada during black fly season these extraordinary precautions will scarcely be necessary4 ,there ,is nowhere ,in the ,united ,states a region where black flies are really very bad 7though perhaps ,i am drawing invidious comparisons in making the statement71 and even in interior ,newfoundland they are1 compared with the farther north1 tame and rather inoffensive though always troublesome4 ,the choice of fishing tackle1 guns and arms depends largely upon personal taste4 ,steel rods of the best quality will serve better than split bamboo on an extended trip where one1 continuously on the portage trail1 is often unable to properly dry the tackle4 ,the steady soaking of a split bamboo rod for a week is likely to loosen the sections and injure a fine rod4 ,a waterproof canvas or pantasote case is the right sort for the rod--leather cases are unpractical on a cruising trip4 ,leather gun cases1 too1 under like circumstances will become watersoaked1 and under any circumstances they are unnecessarily heavy4 ,use canvas cases therefore in consideration for your back4 ,they are light and in a season of rain immeasurably better than leather4 ,economize1 also1 on ammunition4 ,do your target practice before you hit the trail4 ,a hunter that cannot get his limit of big game with twenty rifle cartridges is an unsafe individual to turn loose in the woods4 ,for spruce grouse1 ptarmigan and other small game a ten-inch barrel1 #bb-;caliber single-shot pistol is an excellent arm1 provided one has had some previous experience in its use4 ,it is not a burden on the belt1 and a handful of cartridges in the pocket are not noticed4 ,pack your cartridges in a strong canvas bag1 your gun grease and accessories in another receptacle4 ,on the belt also carry a broad-pointed four-inch blade skinning knife of the ordinary butcher knife shape4 ,this will be your table knife1 as well as cooking and general utility knife4 ,in the pocket carry a stout jackknife1 a waterproof matchbox1 always kept well filled1 and a compass4 ,a film camera is more practical for the trail than a plate camera for many reasons1 one of which is weight4 ,plates are heavy and easily broken4 ,it is well to have each roll of films put up separately in a sealed1 water-tight tin4 ,dealers will supply them thus at five cents extra for each film roll4 ,a waterproof pantasote case1 too1 is better than leather1 for leather in a long-continued rain will become watersoaked1 as before stated4 ,if a plate camera is carried the plates may be packed in a small light wooden box--a starch box1 for instance4 ,the box will protect them under ordinary circumstances4 ,film rolls1 however1 may be carried in a small canvas bag that will slip into one of the larger waterproof bags4 ,my object in outlining outfit is rather to emphasize the possibilities of selecting a light and efficient outfit that may be easily packed and transported on the trail1 than to evolve an infallible check list2 therefore ,i shall not attempt to name in detail toilet articles1 tobacco and odds and ends4 ,take nothing1 however1 save those things you will surely find occasion to use1 unless ,i may suggest an extra pipe1 should your pipe be lost4 ,a small balloon silk bag will hold them1 together with a sewing case containing needles1 thread1 patches and some safety pins4 ,another will hold the hand towels and hand soap in daily use1 while an extra hand towel may be stowed in your duffle bag4 ,in concluding this chapter it may be pertinent to say that the novice on the trail is pretty certain to burden himself with many things he will seldom or never use4 ,take your outfitter into your confidence4 ,tell him what sort of a trip you contemplate and he will advise you4 ,first-class outfitters are usually practical out-of-door men and camping experts4 ,they have made an extended study of the subject1 for it is part of their business to do so4 ,therefore1 in selecting outfit1 it is both safe and wise to rely upon the advice of any responsible outfitter4 ,,chapter ,v ,,food ,the true wilderness voyager is willing to endure some discomforts on the trail1 to work hard and submit to black flies and other pests1 but as a reward he usually demands satisfying meals4 ,there is1 indeed1 no reason for him to deny himself a variety and a plenty1 unless his trip is to extend into months4 ,weight on the portage trail is always the consideration that cuts down the ration4 ,packing on one's back a ration to be used two or three months hence is discouraging4 ,i have evolved a two-week food supply for two men1 based upon the ,united ,states army ration1 varied as the result of my own experiences have dictated4 ,it offers not only great variety1 but is an exceedingly bountiful ration even for hungry men4 ,personal taste will suggest some eliminations or substitutions that may be made without material loss or change in weight4 ,if there is certainty of catching fish or killing game1 or if opportunity offers for purchasing fresh supplies along the trail1 reductions in quantity may be made accordingly4 ,for each additional man1 or for any period beyond two weeks1 a proportionate increase in quantity may be made4 ,bacon1 #f pounds4 ,salt fat pork1 #b pounds4 ,ham or canned meats1 #e pounds4 ,truegg 7egg powder71 #a pound 7equals #d dozen eggs47 ,trucream 7milk powder71 #a-a_/b pounds4 ,crisco1 #c pounds1 7#b cans74 ,fresh bread1 #b pounds4 ,flour1 #ab pounds4 ,corn meal 7yellow71 #a pound4 ,rolled oats1 #a pound4 ,rice1 #a pound4 ,baking powder1 #a_/b pound4 ,potatoes 7,dehydrated7 riced1 #b pounds 7equals #ad lbs4 fresh potatoes74 ,potatoes 7,dehydrated7 sliced1 #a pound 7equals #g lbs4 fresh potatoes74 ,carrots 7,dehydrated71 #a_/d pound 7equals #c lbs4 fresh carrots74 ,onions 7,dehydrated71 #a_/d pound 7equals #c-c_/d lbs4 fresh onions74 ,cranberries 7,dehydrated71 #a_/d pound 7equals #b-a_/b qts4 fresh fruit74 ,beans1 #b pounds4 ,green peas 7,dehydrated71 #a_/d pound 7equals #a-a_/d lbs4 fresh peas74 ,coffee 7ground71 #b pounds4 ,tea1 #a_/b pound4 ,cocoa1 #a_/b pound4 ,sugar 7granulated71 #e pounds4 ,preserves1 #a pound4 ,lemons1 #a_/b dozen4 ,lime tablets1 #a_/b pound4 ,prunes 7stoned71 #a pound4 ,raisins1 #a pound4 ,salt1 #a pound4 ,pepper1 #a_/d ounce4 ,this gives each man a nominal ration of #ad-a_/b pounds a week1 or about two pounds a day4 ,in reality1 however1 it is more bountiful than the summer garrison ration and far more liberal than the summer marching ration of the army4 ,this is brought about by the pretty general elimination of water1 largely through the substitution of dehydrated vegetables and fruits for fresh and canned goods4 ,the dehydrated products designated are in every particular equal to fresh products and far superior to canned goods4 ,dehydrated vegetables possess all the qualities1 in fact1 of fresh vegetables1 with only the large percentage of water removed4 ,water is introduced restoring them to original form usually by boiling4 ,no chemical is used as a preservative as is the case with all dried vegetables put up by foreign manufacturers4 ,it will be noticed that butter has been omitted and that ,crisco has been introduced in the place of lard and to be used in cooking instead of butter4 ,crisco is a product of edible vegetable oils4 ,it has the appearance of lard but can be heated to a much higher temperature without burning1 is fully equal to butter when used as shortening1 and dough bread1 fish or other articles of food fried in it will not absorb it so readily as they will lard1 nor will it transmit the flavor of one food to another4 ,for example1 fish may be fried in ,crisco1 and dough bread or anything else fried in the same ,crisco will have not the slightest flavor of fish4 ,it will keep fresh and sweet under conditions that turn lard and butter rancid4 ,butter quickly becomes strong1 and the heat of the sun keeps it in an oily1 unpalatable condition1 even when packed in air-tight tins4 ,the most lavish user of butter will discover that it is no hardship to go without it when in camp4 ,crisco1 put up in handy1 friction-top cans1 can be purchased from nearly any grocer4 ,coffee should be carried in friction-top tins4 ,on extended trips coffee is too bulky to carry save as a special treat4 ,a pound of tea will go as far as many pounds of coffee2 therefore on trips extending beyond three or four weeks the proportion of tea should be increased and that of coffee diminished4 ,on short trips1 however1 such as we are discussing1 there is no reason and most ,americans usually prefer it even when in camp4 ,each article of food should have its individual bag1 to fit into one of the larger waterproof canvas bags described1 though the bacon and fat pork1 each piece wrapped in paraffin 7waxed7 paper1 may be packed in one bag4 ,paraffin paper will protect other packages in the bag from grease4 ,several articles of small bulk and weight such as dehydrated carrots1 onions1 cranberries and green peas each in its original package or a small muslin bag suitable in size may be carried in a single balloon silk bag4 ,the small bags containing such articles as are not in daily and frequent use should be stowed in the bottoms of the canvas bags1 while those in constant demand should be at the top where they can be had without unpacking the entire bag4 ,every package or bag should be plainly labeled with the nature of its contents4 ,in labeling them use ink1 as pencil marks are too easily obliterated4 ,where a party is composed of a sufficient number of people to make it worth while the party ration for each day may be weighed out and packed in a separate receptacle1 thus making seven food packages for each week4 ,this1 however1 would be obviously unpractical where there are less than eight or ten members of the party4 ,no glass or crockeryware should be used1 not only because of its liability to break1 but because of its unnecessary weight4 ,a good way to carry the tin of baking powder is to sink it into the sack of flour4 ,the flour will protect it and preclude the possibility of the cover coming off and the contents spilling out4 ,do not carry prepared or self-raising flour on the trail4 ,for many reasons it is unpractical for trail use1 though perhaps most excellent in the kitchen at home4 ,throughout ,i have accentuated the advisability of waterproof covers for everything4 ,every ounce of water absorbed by tent1 bags1 or package covers1 adds to the tedium of the trail by so much unnecessary weight4 ,when flour carried in an ordinary sack ,is exposed to rain a paste will form next the cloth1 and presently harden into a crust that will protect the bulk of flour from injury4 ,but the flour used up in the process of crust forming is a decided waste1 and the paste1 retaining a degree of moisture1 increases weight4 ,i have suggested balloon silk for the small food bags to fit into the larger waterproofed canvas bags1 not only because it does not absorb moisture1 but because there will be no possibility of the contents sifting through the cloth4 ,if these or the cloth from which to make them cannot be readily obtained1 closely woven muslin will do4 ,should the canoeist desire to make his own bags and should he not find it convenient to purchase waterproofed canvas1 the ordinary canvas which he will use may be waterproofed by the following process3 ,in two gallons of boiling water dissolve three and one-half ounces of alum4 ,rain water is best1 though any soft water will do2 but it must be soft water to obtain the best results4 ,in another vessel dissolve four ounces of sugar of lead in two gallons of soft water4 ,unite the solutions when they have cleared by pouring into another vessel ,no4 #a first1 then ,no4 #b4 ,let the solution stand over night1 decant it into a tub1 free of any sediment that may have settled1 and it is ready for the canvas4 ,the cloth should be put into the solution1 thoroughly saturated with it and then lightly wrung out1 and hung up to dry4 ,this treatment will render canvas to a considerable extent1 though not completely1 waterproof4 ,muslin for the smaller food bags may be waterproofed by painting it with a saturate solution of turpentine and paraffin4 ,canned goods should be packed snugly in canvas bags1 with cans on end1 that the sides1 not the corners or edges1 will rest against the back in portaging4 ,camp chests in which to store food or other articles are carried by some canoeists1 but they add considerable weight to the outfit4 ,the best and most serviceable camp chest is one of indestructible fiber4 ,one with an inside measurement of #ah #bd #ab inches weighs twenty pounds4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,,the ,,portage ,there are several types of pack harness offered by outfitters1 but it is generally conceded that the best method of carrying heavy or medium-weight packs is with the tump line4 ,in tump line carrying the pack is supported by a broad band of leather passed across the head--high up on the forehead--thus throwing the weight upon the strong muscles of the neck1 with no shoulder straps or other support4 ,canadian voyageurs1 ,hudson's ,bay ,company packers and ,indians use the tump line to the exclusion of all shoulder-carrying devices4 ,indeed1 by no other method would it be possible for them to transport upon their backs through a rough country the heavy burdens which they are called upon to carry4 ,experienced packers with the tump line will sometimes portage loads of upwards of four hundred pounds4 ,in tests of skill ,i have seen a man carry in a single load the contents of three barrels of flour--#ehh pounds4 ,the tump line consists of a broad piece of leather some eighteen or twenty inches in length 7known as the head strap or headpiece71 with a leather thong usually about seven feet in length attached to each end1 the total length from the tip end of one thong to the tip end of the other thong averaging about sixteen feet4 ,sometimes the two thongs are sewn to the headpiece1 and again the line is a single strip of leather1 broadened in the center to form the headpiece4 ,the best tump lines1 however1 have the head strap as a separate piece with a buckle at each end by which the thongs are attached4 ,this arrangement admits of adjustment1 if necessary1 to suit the individual after the pack has been made up4 ,there is a knack in tump line carrying1 but the following directions for making up various packs will give the novice sufficient insight1 with a little experience1 to enable him to acquire the art4 ,when the pack is to be made up wholly of bags1 lay the tump line on the ground with the thongs parallel to each other and from sixteen to twenty inches apart1 depending upon the length of the bags to be packed4 ,place the bags across the thongs1 one bag upon another1 taking care that the thongs are not so near the ends of the bags as to render them liable to slip off when the pack is tied4 ,now lift the head strap above the top bag and secure the pack by drawing the loose end of each thong in turn tight around the bags and knotting it a few inches below the buckle that attaches its other end to the headpiece4 ,when a pack cloth is to be used1 spread the pack cloth upon the thongs of the tump line1 stretched upon the ground in the manner above described1 and in the center of the pack cloth lay folded blankets and other articles to be packed1 making the pile about two feet long1 and taking care that hard substances are in the center1 with blankets and soft things outside4 ,now turn the sides of the pack cloth over the pack and fold over the ends4 ,if a bag is to be included1 lay it upon the pack after the cloth has been folded1 and secure the whole as in the former case4 ,another method of making up a pack with the pack cloth1 common among ,canadian voyageurs1 is as follows3 ,spread the cloth upon the ground1 and lay the tump line across it1 the headpiece near one end and the thongs a foot from the sides4 ,fold the sides of the cloth inward over each thong4 ,now build up the pack in a neat pile about two feet long on the folded cloth1 taking care as before that hard things are placed in the middle4 ,fold the end of the pack cloth with protruding thongs over the pack1 take a half turn with the loose end of a thong around the other end near the headpiece1 draw it tight until the end is closely puckered1 then knot it and draw up the other thong and secure it in like manner4 ,now bring the free ends of the tump line to center of pack1 on top1 cross them and pass them around middle of pack and tie4 ,the knack of comfortable tump line carrying once the neck muscles have become developed and hardened to the work is in properly balancing the pack4 ,with the headpiece resting high up upon the forehead the pack should hang with its bottom no lower than the hips4 ,neither should it be too high4 ,a little experimenting will teach just where the proper balance is to be found4 ,if it is too high1 lengthen the line1 or if too low shorten it by means of the buckles which attach the thongs to the headpiece4 ,experienced packers pile additional bags or bundles on top of the pack1 the uppermost bundle standing higher than the head4 ,in my own experience ,i have found that an additional bag thus placed upon the pack and resting against the back of my neck helped balance the load4 ,my favorite bag for this purpose is a forty or fifty pound bag of flour1 sometimes surmounted by a lighter bundle which rested partly upon the flour and partly upon my head4 ,the tenderfoot will be quite content to limit his early loads to sixty or seventy pounds1 and even then his first portages will not be what he can conscientiously term experiences of unalloyed joy4 ,gradually1 however1 he will learn the knack of tump packing and at the end of a couple of weeks of daily experience will find himself able to negotiate a load of one hundred pounds with some ease4 ,all the various types of pack harness are supplied with straps by which the pack is secured and loops through which to slip the arms1 the pack being carried from the shoulders instead of the head4 ,with this sort of a pack1 as with the tump line1 care should be given to the proper adjustment1 with the bottom of the pack no lower than the hips4 ,fifty pounds is about as heavy a load as one can comfortably carry from the shoulders4 ,outfitters sometimes attach a headpiece to their pack harness--that is to say the harness is provided with both shoulder loops and tump line head strap4 ,the object is to secure a division of weight between shoulders and head4 ,this is a method employed by ,eskimos when hunting without dogs4 ,the ,eskimo hunter binds his pack with sealskin thongs1 and manipulates a single thong in such a manner as not only to secure the pack but to form arm loops and headpiece as well4 ,no matter what type of shoulder harness is employed1 a breast strap must be used to fasten together the arm loops in front or the loops will have a continual tendency to slip backward and off the shoulders4 ,this breast strap fastens the packer so securely to his pack that should he slip1 as is sometimes likely1 the pack will carry him down with it and the probability of injury is multiplied many times4 ,this alone is a very decided objection to all forms of pack harness4 ,if one slips with a tump line1 on the contrary1 a slight twist of the head will disengage and free one from the pack2 and if one is hunting the tump pack may readily be dropped at a moment's notice1 should game be sighted4 ,let me therefore urge the adoption of the tump line for all portage work where fifty pounds or more must be transported4 ,no experienced packer will use harness4 ,harness packing is indeed indicative of the tenderfoot who has never learned how1 unless on long cross country tramps with light loads4 ,but on a canoe trip1 if one would make progress1 big loads must be resorted to4 ,for instance1 if the canoeist has a two mile portage to negotiate and one hundred pounds of duffle he has but two miles to walk if he carries all his duffle at once1 but if he makes two loads of it he must walk six miles4 ,with the hundred pound load the portage may easily be covered in one hour4 ,with fifty pound loads three hours will be consumed1 for there will be time lost in making up the second pack4 ,axes1 guns and extra paddles may be thrust under the thongs of the tump line1 or carried in the hand4 ,never portage a rifle with a cartridge in the chamber1 and never portage a loaded shotgun4 ,to disregard this advice will be to take an unnecessary and foolhardy risk4 ,save in a rather stiff breeze1 one man can carry a canoe weighing less than one hundred pounds nearly as easily as two can carry it4 ,there is one best way of doing everything1 and the best and most practical way to carry a canoe is the ,indian's way4 ,tie one end of a stout string or thong securely to the middle thwart close to the gunwale1 and the other end to the same thwart close to the opposite gunwale with the string stretched taut from end to end of the thwart and on top of it4 ,slip the blades of two paddles1 lying side by side1 under the string1 the paddle handles lying on the forward thwart4 ,with the handles as close together as they will lie1 bind them with a piece of rope or thong to the center of the forward thwart4 ,spread the blades upon the middle thwart sufficiently wide apart to admit your head between them4 ,take a position on the left side of the canoe facing the stern4 ,just forward of the middle thwart grasp the gunwale on the opposite or right side of the canoe in your left hand and the gunwale on the near or left side in your right hand1 and1 lifting the canoe over your head1 let the flat side of the paddles directly forward of the middle thwart rest upon the shoulders1 your head between them4 ,it will be found that though you faced the stern in lifting the canoe you are now facing the bow1 and with the bow slightly elevated the canoe can be carried with ease and a view of the trail ahead will not be shut out4 ,should the flat paddle blades resting upon the shoulders be found uncomfortable1 as they doubtless will at the end of the first two or three hundred yards1 a ,pontiac shirt or sweater will serve as a protecting pad4 ,outfitters offer for sale yokes1 pneumatic pads and contrivances of various sorts as protections for the shoulders1 but these contrivances elevate the canoe from two to four inches above the shoulders and this increases the difficulty of steadying it on rough trail4 ,the sweater or ,pontiac shirt eases the cutting effect of the paddles just as well as any of the special portaging pads1 and the canoe can be handled more easily with it4 ,besides it makes one less thing to look after4 ,in a strong breeze it is often difficult for one man to handle a canoe1 for the wind striking it on the side will turn the portager around and he will find it impossible to keep his course in spite of his best efforts4 ,if the portage is a short one--two or three hundred yards--the canoe may be carried very well1 one man with the bow the other with the stern upon a shoulder1 the canoe on its side with the bottom next the portagers' heads1 that they may easily grasp the gunwale in one hand and steady the canoe with the other4 ,this position will soon be found exceedingly tiresome1 and on portages exceeding two or three hundred yards the paddles should be arranged with the blades on the after thwart and the handles lashed to the center of the middle thwart4 ,with this arrangement one man carries exactly as when portaging the canoe alone1 save that he stands under the canoe just forward of the after thwart instead of the middle thwart1 while the other man carries the bow upon one shoulder4 ,this is the easiest method of two-man portaging of which ,i know4 ,many odds and ends may be tucked in the canoe on the portage--fishing rods1 for example1 in cases1 with one end stuck in the bow and the other end tied to the forward thwart4 ,should a canvas canoe become punctured it may be repaired by one of the following methods3 ,if a stick of canoe cement is in the outfit1 heat the cement with a match and smear it over the puncture4 ,should the outfit contain a canoe repair kit1 cut a patch of canvas somewhat larger than the puncture1 apply a coat of white lead to the puncture and over a marginal space as large as the canvas patch1 press the patch firmly and evenly upon the white lead and tack it down with copper tacks4 ,to this apply calor1 and when dry complete the repairs with a coat of varnish4 ,should marine glue be used1 lay a sheet of it over the puncture1 heat the bottom of a cup or some other smooth metal utensil and rub it over the glue until the glue melts sufficiently to fill the puncture4 ,in a region where spruce gum can be had1 melt a quantity of gum in a frying pan with sufficient grease to take from the gum its brittle quality when cold4 ,while hot pour the gum upon the rupture1 letting it run well into the opening and smearing it smoothly over the outside4 ,peterborough canoes are also easily repaired with marine glue or gum4 ,in loading the canoe place the heavier bags in the bottom and middle of the canoe1 taking care so to distribute the weight that when fully loaded the canoe will lie on an even keel4 ,keep the load always as low down as possible4 ,every bag rising above the gunwales offers resistance to the wind1 and tends to make the load topheavy4 ,when but one man occupies a canoe1 however1 sufficient weight should be carried forward to counterbalance his weight in the stern4 ,lash everything fast1 particularly in rough water or when running rapids4 ,it does not pay to take chances4 ,with a companion ,i was once turned over in a rapid in an unexplored1 sparsely timbered wilderness several hundred miles from the nearest base of supplies--a ,hudson's ,bay trading post4 ,nearly all our food was lost1 as well as guns1 axes1 cooking utensils and many other necessities of travel4 ,the temperature stood close to zero1 snow covered the ground and during the greater part of the three weeks occupied in reaching the post we had to dig driftwood from under the snow1 and our ingenuity was taxed at times to the utmost in efforts to protect ourselves from the elements and travel with any degree of comfort4 ,nothing worse than an unpleasant ducking in icy waters would have resulted from our accident had we observed the rule of ordinary caution and lashed our outfit to the thwarts4 ,one end of a rope tied to the forward thwart1 the other end threaded through bag handles or pack lashings and secured to the after thwart1 will do the trick4 ,a short strap1 one end attached to a thwart1 the other end supplied with a snap to fasten on rifle or shotgun cases1 is a good way to secure the guns and still have them readily accessible4 ,if you would make speed be smart in unloading the canoe and making up your packs on the portage1 and equally smart in reloading the canoe4 ,delays in loading1 unloading and making up packs are the chief causes of slow progress4 ,when it is found necessary to track1 give the rear end of the tracking line a turn around the forward thwart1 on the land side of the canoe1 then pass the end back and secure it to the middle thwart4 ,this distributes the strain between the thwarts4 ,while one man at the farther end of the line tows the canoe1 the other man with a pole may walk upon the bank1 and keep the canoe clear of snags1 if the water is deep4 ,should the water be shallow it will usually be found necessary for him to wade and guide the bow through open channels4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,,travel ,,with ,,saddle ,,and ,,pack ,,animals ,under this head we shall consider3 7#a7 ,saddles and pack equipment2 7#b7 ,animals best adapted to pack work2 7#c7 ,outfit and provisions and how to pack them2 7#d7 ,how to throw some practical hitches2 7#e7 ,equipment of the traveler who has no pack animal and whose saddle horse is required to transport both rider and equipment4 ,comfort on the trail depends to a very large degree upon the animals of the outfit4 ,a mean horse is an abomination1 and a horse may be mean in many respects4 ,a bucking horse1 a horse that shies at stumps and other objects or at every moving thing1 or one that is frightened by sudden and unexpected sounds is not only an uncomfortable but unsafe animal to ride upon rugged mountain trails2 and a horse that will not stand without hitching1 or one that is hard to catch when hobbled and turned loose1 will cause no end of trouble4 ,in choosing a horse1 then1 avoid so far as possible one with these tendencies1 and also observe the manner in which he handles his feet4 ,he should not be subject to stumbling4 ,he should be sure-footed1 steady and reliable1 to qualify him for work on dangerous trails2 this is of the first importance4 ,a horse that does not keep his eyes on the trail and select his footing with care is wholly unsuited to mountain work4 ,he should be gunwise4 ,a gunwise horse will not be easily frightened by sudden and unexpected noises4 ,whether intended for mountain or plains work1 the horse should be a good camp animal--that is1 one that will not wander far from camp4 ,it is more than aggravating to find upon arising in the morning that your horse has disappeared and one always feels that time consumed in searching for a roving horse is time worse than wasted4 ,of course this tendency of an animal can be forestalled by picketing him1 but a picketed horse unless forage be particularly good will not do well1 for it rarely happens in these days of sheep-ravaged ranges that an animal can find sufficient food to meet his requirements within the limited length of a picket rope4 ,some horses need much persuasion before they can be induced to ford streams1 and ,i have had them lose their nerve and decline the descent of precipitous trails4 ,an animal possessing this trait of timidity is not suited to trail work1 for he is likely to cause trouble at a critical moment4 ,some horses are good foragers1 others are not4 ,a poor forager will become leg weary and break down much more quickly than the animal that takes advantage of every opportunity to graze or browse4 ,a horse just in from the open range should be round and full-bellied4 ,this is an indication that he is a good feeder4 ,generally speaking the chunky horse is the one best adapted to arduous trail work because he usually possesses greater powers of endurance than the longer1 lankier type4 ,all of the qualifications above enumerated should be borne in mind in selecting animals1 whether for saddle or pack use4 ,and of course the animals should be as sound as possible4 ,one should never start upon a journey with an animal that is lame or has cinch sores or galled back4 ,when mountain trails are to be negotiated a saddle horse weighing from nine hundred to a thousand pounds will be found better adapted to the work than a larger animal4 ,too large a horse is liable to be clumsy on the trail1 while too light a horse will of course tire under a heavy rider4 ,a small horse1 as a rule1 is better able to forage a living than a large horse1 and for this reason stands up better with a moderate load on long1 continuous journeys4 ,ponies weighing from eight hundred to eight hundred and fifty pounds will pack one hundred and fifty pounds easily1 and ponies of this size make much better pack animals than larger ones4 ,while for general saddle work ,i prefer a horse1 a mule is surer footed and therefore preferable on precipitous1 narrow mountain trails4 ,in the ,sierra ,madres of ,mexico ,i rode a mule over trails where ,i would scarcely have trusted a horse4 ,good saddle mules1 however1 are scarce4 ,i never saw a really good saddle-broke mule north of ,mexico1 though they are doubtless to be had4 ,mules have greater powers of endurance than horses1 and for many other reasons are superior as pack animals4 ,the chief objection to a mule is his timidity upon marshy trails4 ,his feet are much smaller than those of a horse1 he mires easily1 and he is fully aware of the fact4 ,a good mule1 nevertheless1 is the one best all-around pack animal4 ,burros are good where forage is scarce1 but they are slow4 ,when the burro decides that he has done a day's work he stops1 and that is the end of it4 ,he will not consult you1 and he will not take your advice4 ,when he fully decides that he will go no farther you may as well unpack and make camp with as good grace as you can muster1 and keep your temper4 ,i believe that burros have a well-organized labor union and they will not do one stroke of work beyond the limit prescribed by their organization4 ,but one must sometimes resort to them in desert travel4 ,they will pick their living and thrive on sage brush wastes where other animals would die1 and their ability to go long without water is truly remarkable4 ,on rough mountain trails they are even more sure-footed if possible than mules1 but like the mule it is difficult to force them over marshes or into rivers when fording is necessary4 ,in horse-raising localities in the ,west very good horses can be had at anywhere from thirty to seventy-five dollars4 ,the usual rate for horse rental is one dollar to one dollar and a half a day1 and it is therefore cheaper1 when the journey is to extend to a month or more1 to purchase the animals outright and sell them when you are finished with them for what they will bring4 ,rented animals are generally animals of low value and sometimes not very efficient1 and in the course of a month one pays in rental a good share of the value of the horse4 ,the risk is no greater1 for if a rented horse is injured while in a traveler's possession1 the owner holds him who has rented the animal responsible for the damage4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,,saddle ,,and ,,pack ,,equipment ,the riding saddle should be a double cinch1 horn saddle1 with wool-lined skirts and of ample weight to hold its position4 ,my own is a regular stock saddle weighing thirty-five pounds1 though for all ordinary use a twenty-five- or thirty-pound saddle will do just as well4 ,i prescribe the horn saddle because of its convenience4 ,one may sling upon it a camera1 binoculars or other articles in frequent demand1 and when it becomes necessary to lead a pack pony the lead rope may be attached to it4 ,for this latter purpose the horn is indeed indispensable4 ,in the light of personal experience with both single and double cinch saddles1 ,i recommend the latter unhesitatingly1 particularly for mountain work4 ,in steep ascents or descents it will not slide1 while a single cinch saddle is certain to do so no matter how tightly cinched1 and this shifting will sooner or later gall the horse's back4 ,in ,mexico the single cinch saddle is almost universally used1 but who ever saw a ,mexican's horse that was free from saddle sores8 ,the forward cinch should preferably be a hair cinch1 though the ordinary webbed sort1 both forward and rear1 does well enough4 ,the saddle blanket should be a thick1 good quality wool blanket4 ,in ,arizona ,navajo saddle blankets are popular1 and they are undoubtedly the best when obtainable4 ,a hair saddle pad or corona1 shaped to the animal's back and used in connection with the blanket1 is a pretty good insurance against galling1 and preferable to the felt pad1 for it is cooler4 ,a leather boot for rifle1 and saddle bags for toilet articles1 note books and odds and ends1 bridle1 halter rope1 a pair of cowboy spurs with large blunt rowels1 and a quirt to tickle delinquent pack horses will be needed4 ,the rifle boot has two sling straps4 ,the usual method of carrying it is to insert it between the stirrup leathers on the near side1 drop the sling strap at the top of the boot over the saddle pommel and buckle the sling strap at the bottom of the boot into the rear latigo ring4 ,by detaching the latter sling from the boot before buckling it to the ring1 the boot may be removed from or attached to the saddle by simply lifting the forward sling strap over the pommel1 without unbuckling4 ,in case the sling strap at the top of the boot be placed too far down1 it should be shifted higher up and secured to the boot with a leather loop which may be riveted to the boot4 ,illustration3 ,,method ,,of ,,slinging ,,load ,,on ,,aparejo 7,,fig4 #a47 ,rope is doubled and loop ,a thrown over horse's back to off side4 ,n4 ,b4--,in this and the following diagrams the pack is represented as spread out flat and viewed from above4 ,for the pack animals the ordinary cross-tree or sawbuck pack saddle is the most practical pack saddle for all-around use1 though the aparejo1 used by the army and generally throughout ,mexico1 is superior to the sawbuck when unwieldy packages of irregular size and shape are to be transported4 ,such packages must frequently be transported by army trains and they are the rule rather than the exception in ,mexico1 where freighting throughout wide regions must be done wholly on the backs of animals4 ,illustration3 7,,fig4 #b47 ,packs are now lifted into place and off packer brings loop ,a up around off side pack to top of load4 ,near packer passes end ,b through loop ,a and ties ends ,b and ,c together with square knot4 ,balance or break the packs and load is ready for hitch4 ,the aparejo is of ,arabian origin1 and the ,spaniards1 who adopted it from the ,moors1 introduced it into ,mexico4 ,in ,mexico there are two types of the aparejo in common use4 ,one made usually of the fiber of henequen1 which is woven into pockets which are stuffed with grass1 to form the pads1 is used on donkeys in comparatively light packing2 in the other type the pad casing is made of ,mexican tanned leather instead of henequen matting but also stuffed with grass4 ,this is used in heavier packing with mules1 in transporting machinery and supplies to mines and merchandise to inland settlements4 ,the cross-tree or sawbuck1 however1 is used almost exclusively in the ,united ,states by forest rangers1 cowboys1 prospectors and pack travelers generally1 and it is to this type of pack saddle that we shall direct our attention chiefly4 ,it may be interesting to note that this is a very ancient type of pack saddle1 of ,asiatic origin4 ,it consists of two saddle boards connected near each end--front and rear--by two cross-pieces1 the pommel and cantle forming a miniature sawbuck1 while the saddle boards are similar in shape to the ,mc,clellan saddle tree4 ,this is fitted with breeching1 quarter straps1 breast strap1 latigos and cinch4 ,as in the case of the riding saddle1 the sawbuck pack saddle should be supplied with the double cinch4 ,care should be taken that the saddle fits the animal for which intended4 ,a saddle either too wide or too narrow will be certain to cause a sore back4 ,each pack saddle should be accompanied by a heavy woolen saddle blanket1 which should be folded into three or four thicknesses1 for here even greater protection is necessary than with the riding saddle1 for the animal is to carry a dead weight4 ,the preferable method of carrying supplies with the sawbuck pack saddle is with kyacks1 basket panniers or the alforjas1 though with sling and lash ropes any sort of a bundle may be slung upon it4 ,when they can be obtained1 kyacks of indestructible fiber stand first for preference4 ,these are usually from twenty-two to twenty-four inches wide1 seventeen or eighteen inches high and about nine inches deep1 and are fitted with heavy leather loops for slinging on the saddle4 ,unless the horse is a large one1 the narrower1 or twenty-two inch1 should be selected4 ,basket panniers of similar size are lighter but not so well adapted to hard usage1 and are more expensive4 ,the alforjas is constructed of heavy duck and leather1 and of the same dimensions as the kyack4 ,they are much cheaper than either panniers or kyacks1 and are therefore more commonly used4 ,any outfitter can supply them4 ,they are slung upon the saddle in the same manner as kyacks4 ,a pair of the type decided upon will be required for each animal4 ,the next requirement is a half-inch lash rope4 ,this should be at least thirty-three1 but preferably forty feet in length4 ,in some respects a cotton rope is preferable to one of hemp1 though the latter is more commonly used1 and regulations prescribe it for army pack trains4 ,a good broad cinch should be provided1 fitted with a ring on one end to which is attached the lash or lair rope and a cinch hook on the other end4 ,there should be a pair of hobbles for each animal1 and a blind to put upon obstreperous pack animals when slinging and lashing the load4 ,these may be purchased throughout the ,west at almost any village store4 ,it is well also to carry a bell1 which should always be strapped around the neck of one of the horses when the animals are hobbled and turned loose to graze4 ,it will sometimes be necessary to picket one of the animals1 and for this purpose fifty or sixty feet of half or five-eighth inch rope will be required4 ,also sufficient leading rope should be provided for each pack animal1 and a halter rope for the saddle horse4 ,a lariat carried upon the saddle pommel will be found useful in a dozen ways1 and may be utilized for picketing horses4 ,all horses should be slick shod2 that is1 shod with uncalked shoes4 ,the shoes should be of soft iron1 not so light as to render them liable to bend before they are worn out1 and they should not extend beyond the hoof at side or rear4 ,some extra shoes of proper size for each animal1 a horseshoer's nippers1 rasp1 hammer and some nails should be included in the equipment4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,,personal ,,outfit ,,for ,,the ,,saddle ,the outfit recommended in ,chapters ,,iii and ,,iv in discussing camp and personal equipment for canoe trips is1 with the modifications and additions which we shall now consider1 equally well adapted to saddle and pack horse travel4 ,as previously stated1 our object is to describe methods of packing1 rather than to formulate an infallible check list4 ,with this in view an efficient outfit that may be easily packed and transported is outlined1 in a general way1 and therefore such articles of outfit mentioned in previous chapters as are obviously useful only in canoe travel will not be referred to in this connection4 ,the wedge1 the ,hudson ,bay1 the forest ranger and the lean-to tent are all good models for pack animal travel1 and easily erected4 ,whichever type is chosen1 if made of any one of the light-weight materials described1 will be found both satisfactory and easily packed4 ,for example1 a forest ranger's tent eight feet deep and eight feet wide weighs less than four pounds1 while a lean-to with approximately the same floor space weighs about three pounds4 ,in the more arid regions of the ,west one rarely finds it necessary to pitch a tent1 though it is handy to have one along and well worth carrying1 particularly should it be desired to remain more than one night at any point4 ,during the summer1 save in high altitudes1 one pair of light woolen blankets will be found ample bedding4 ,for all probable conditions of weather1 however1 in tent or in the open1 the sleeping bag is the most convenient and at the same time the most comfortable camp bed yet devised1 and it is so easily carried on the pack horse that ,i advise its adoption4 ,one made of close-woven waterproofed canvas is the most thoroughly practical bag for general use4 ,this should be lined with two pairs of light blankets1 that four thicknesses of blanket may be available for covering4 ,the blankets should be so arranged that they may be taken out and the bag turned for airing4 ,one may adapt such a bag to the temperature1 using as many or as few thicknesses of blanket as desired1 depending upon the number with which the bag is lined4 ,i recently saw a bag lined with four thicknesses of llama wool duffel 7providing two thicknesses for cover7 that weighed but eight pounds and furnished ample protection for any weather down to a zero temperature4 ,pack cloths or light tarpaulins #f #g feet1 used to cover and protect the packs1 will be needed for each pack animal1 and at night the bed may be spread upon them4 ,saddle bags make excellent pillows4 ,in traveling in an arid region canteens are a necessity4 ,there should be one large one for each traveler to be carried on the pack horse1 and a small one swung upon the saddle horn will be found convenient for ready use4 ,a folding water bucket of waterproofed canvas should also be included in the outfit4 ,the aluminum reflecting baker which has been described is far preferable to the ,dutch oven--a heavy iron kettle with iron cover--not only because it weighs far less and is much more easily packed1 but because it is more practical4 ,westerners are wedded to the ,dutch oven1 and this reference is merely made as a suggestion in case the question of choice between the two should arise4 ,if kyacks or alforjas are used the large water-proofed canvas duffle bags and food bags will not be required4 ,the smaller balloon silk or musline food bags1 however1 will be found fully as convenient in packing in the pack horse kyack as in the canvas bags on the canoe trip4 ,each rider should be provided with either a saddle slicker or a poncho1 which when not in use may be rolled and secured to the saddle directly behind the seat by means of tie strings attached to the saddle4 ,a poncho is preferable to a slicker1 because of the many uses to which it may be put4 ,on saddle journeys in cold1 windy weather a wind-proof canvas coat or a large1 roomy buckskin shirt is a comfort4 ,if a buckskin shirt is adapted1 have it made plain without fringe or frill4 ,wilderness dwellers formerly fringed their buckskin shirts1 not alone for ornament1 but to facilitate the drying of the garment when wet4 ,in the fringed shirt water1 instead of settling around the bottom of the shirt1 around the yoke and the seams of the sleeve1 will drain to the fringe which the wind quickly dries4 ,in our case1 however1 the poncho will protect the shirt from a wetting4 ,in summer1 in an arid or desert region of the ,southwest1 athletic summer underwear will be found entirely satisfactory4 ,whether this or light wool is to be worn1 however1 will depend entirely upon the season and the region to be visited4 ,in very warm weather a close-woven1 good quality khaki outer shirt is both comfortable and practical2 but on chilly autumn days a flannel shirt should take its place--gray1 brown1 blue--the color does not matter so long as it does not crock4 ,it is my custom to have one khaki and one flannel shirt in my outfit4 ,trousers should be of heavy khaki1 medium weight moleskin1 or other strong close-woven material4 ,full-length trousers1 with reinforced seat1 are preferable in some respects to riding breeches1 and may be worn with the regulation ,united ,states cavalry puttee leggings with shoes4 ,some riders prefer top boots1 such as ,arizona cowboys wear1 and but for their high heels which make walking uncomfortable they would be admirable4 ,high-laced1 medium-weight mountaineering shoes will eliminate the necessity of puttees1 and many prefer them to low-laced shoes and puttees4 ,in snowy1 cold weather ,i have found heavy ,german socks and ordinary shoes1 large enough to avoid the possibility of pinching the feet1 admirable footwear for the saddle4 ,but whatever is decided upon1 extra trousers1 extra leggings and extra shoes are superfluous4 ,one pair of each--the pair worn--is sufficient4 ,the hat should be of the ,western style1 with broad brim1 and of the best grade4 ,the brims of the cheaper ones are sure to sag after a little wear and exposure to a shower or two4 ,a good reliable hat may be had for five dollars that will stand several years of hard wear and may be renovated when soiled1 assuming again the freshness of a new hat4 ,i have one for which ,i paid fourteen pesos in ,monterey1 ,mexico1 in #aijg4 ,i have worn ,it pretty steadily since in camp and on the trail4 ,it has been twice renovated1 and to-day so nearly resembles a new hat that ,i am not ashamed to wear it about town4 ,heavy gauntlet buckskin gloves are a necessary protection1 not only against cold in frosty weather1 but against brush in summer4 ,the regulation ,united ,states cavalry glove is the best that ,i have discovered for all-around hard usage1 and will not harden after a wetting4 ,the saddle rifle should be short and light--not over twenty-four-inch barrel1 and not above seven pounds in weight4 ,a revolver is never needed1 though for target practice one offers a means of amusement4 ,unless going into permanent camp or into an isolated region1 it will hardly be found necessary to start out with more than one week's provisions4 ,before these are consumed settlements will be reached1 where fresh supplies may be purchased4 ,it is well to have along a few cans of baked beans and corned or roast beef1 that a hasty meal may be prepared when time does not allow a sufficient halt to permit the preparation of uncooked foods4 ,two or three dozen lemons should also be provided1 particularly in summer1 and in more or less arid regions4 ,provisions and general outfit should be neatly packed in small bags1 and evenly distributed in the kyacks4 ,,chapter ,x ,,adjusting ,,the ,,pack ,in saddling up1 be sure that the saddle blanket is folded large enough to protect the horse's sides from the pack1 when the pack is slung into place4 ,otherwise the kyacks or alforjas will be liable with constant chafing when the horse is in motion to cause sores4 ,not only where the saddle rests upon the blanket but where the pack rests upon the horse's sides there should be sufficient thicknesses of blanket to overcome friction1 and this demands a greater thickness than under the riding saddle1 for the pack load is a dead load4 ,after the pack saddle is thrown into place1 and before cinching it1 ease the blanket by pulling it up slightly under the center of the saddle--along the backbone of the animal4 ,this will overcome the tendency of the blanket to draw down and bind the horse's back too tightly when the saddle is cinched and the pack in place4 ,when packing the kyacks or alforjas particular care should be taken to have the pair for each horse evenly balanced as to weight4 ,if the load swung on one side of the horse is heavier than that on the opposite side1 there will be a continual drawing down of the pack saddle on the heavier side1 resulting almost certainly in injury to the animal4 ,inattention or willful carelessness on the part of packers in balancing the pack is five times out of six the cause which leads to sore-backed pack animals4 ,if two or more pack animals are used1 let such provisions and utensils as are in constant use and will be needed at once by the cook1 be packed on one animal4 ,hobbles and bell should also be carried on this animal4 ,this will be the first animal unpacked1 and while the other animals are being unpacked the cook may get busy1 and the packer will have hobbles and bell at hand to immediately attach to the animals4 ,attached to each end of the kyacks and alforjas is a leathern loop or sling strap4 ,by means of these loops kyacks and alforjas are hung to the saddle1 one loop fitting over the forward1 the other over the rear cruz1 or fork4 ,the kyacks should be so adjusted as to hang evenly one with the other4 ,that is to say1 one kyack should hang no lower upon the animal's side than the other1 and both should hang as high as possible4 ,the kyacks in place1 hobbles1 bell1 and such odds and ends as it may not be convenient to pack in the kyack1 may be laid on the center between the crosstrees and on top of the kyack1 and over all smoothly folded blankets1 sleeping bags1 or tent1 care being exercised to keep the pack as low and smooth as possible4 ,everything carefully placed and adjusted1 cover the pack with the pack cloth or tarpaulin1 folded to proper size to protect the whole pack1 but with no loose ends extending beyond it to catch upon brush or other obstructions4 ,if inconvenient to include within the pack1 the cooking outfit in its canvas case may be lashed to the top of pack after the final hitch has been tied4 ,all is ready now for the hitch that is to bind the pack into place4 ,frequently the traveler is not provided with either kyacks or alforjas1 and it becomes necessary to pack the load without the convenience of these receptacles4 ,before considering the hitches1 therefore1 let us describe methods of slinging the load in such cases upon the crosstree saddle4 ,the load which is to be slung from the crosstree should be arranged in two compact packages of equal weight1 one for each side of the animal4 ,boxes may be used1 but large1 strong sacks are preferable4 ,the large canvas duffle bags1 described in the chapter on canoe outfitting1 are well adapted to the purpose4 ,illustration3 ,,sling ,,for ,,packing ,,on ,,crosstree ,,saddle ,a is forward cruz1 ,b rear cruz of saddle4 ,,cc are loops which support packages4 ,d and ,e are ends or hauling parts of rope4 ,take the sling rope1 and1 standing on the near side1 throw one end over the horse's neck just forward of the saddle4 ,now at about the middle of the rope form two half hitches1 or a clove hitch1 on the forward cruz or fork of the saddle4 ,with the free end of the rope on the near side form a half hitch on the rear cruz1 allowing sufficient loop between the forward and rear cruz to receive the side pack1 with the free end of the rope falling under the loop4 ,now go to the off side and arrange the rope on that side in similar manner4 ,lift the offside pack into position with its forward end even with the forward fork1 lifting the pack well up to the forks4 ,hold the pack in position with the palm of the right hand against the center of the pack1 and with the left hand pass the loop along the lower side of the pack1 drawing in the slack with the free end of the rope1 which passes around the rear fork and under the center of the pack4 ,with the pack drawn snugly in position1 take a turn with the free end of the rope around the rope along the side of the pack4 ,this will hold the pack in position4 ,tie a bowline knot in the end of rope1 and at proper length for the bowline loop to reach the center and top of pack4 ,place loop where it may be easily reached from the near side4 ,now pass to the near side and sling the near pack in exactly similar manner1 save that no bowline knot is to be formed4 ,reach up and slip the end of the near rope1 which you are holding1 through the bowline loop1 draw tight and tie4 ,the following is another method of slinging packs1 frequently used by forest rangers3 ,throw the rope across the horse directly in front of the saddle1 and as in the previous method form two half hitches with the rope at its middle on the front fork1 but in this case permitting the ends to lie on the ground on either side the horse4 ,place the near pack in position and against the lower rope1 and holding it with one hand1 bring the rope up and over the pack with the other hand and throw a half hitch around the forward fork1 keeping the free end of the rope under4 ,draw the rope taut1 lifting the pack well up4 ,pass the running rope back and throw a half hitch around the rear fork1 the loose or running end of the rope on the under side1 as when forming the half hitch on the front fork4 ,now pass the running rope from under over the pack at the rear1 throw a half hitch over the rear fork1 take up all slack1 bring the loose end under and around the two ropes at their intersection between pack and rear fork1 and tie securely4 ,the pack on off side is slung in similar manner4 ,most mules1 and not infrequently horses as well1 have a constitutional dislike to receiving the pack4 ,if your pack animal displays any such tendency adjust the blind over his eyes and let it remain there until the hitch is thrown and the load tightened and secured4 ,the blind is usually an effective quieter4 ,,chapter ,,xi ,,some ,,practical ,,hitches ,whether the load is made up with kyacks1 alforjas1 or separate packs slung to the crosstree saddle as described in the preceding chapter it must be secured in place4 ,for this purpose various hitches are employed by packers1 each hitch well adapted to the particular conditions which evolved it4 ,our description will be confined to the following six hitches1 which furnish ample variety to suit the exigencies of ordinary circumstances3 7#a7 ,the crosstree or squaw hitch1 which is the father of all hitches because from it the diamond1 the double diamond and all pack-train hitches in present-day use were evolved4 7#b7 ,a diamond hitch1 adapted to the crosstree pack saddle4 ,this is a form of single diamond4 7#c7 ,the ,united ,states army diamond particularly adapted for use with the aparejo4 ,the true double diamond is a hitch rarely called for save in army work or freighting pack trains1 and will therefore be omitted4 ,there are several so-called double diamonds that might be described1 but these near-double diamonds possess little or no advantage over the single diamond1 and we shall pass them over as they are scarcely resorted to in ordinary pack work4 7#d7 ,the one-man or lifting hitch4 7#e7 ,the stirrup hitch1 to be used when the packer has rope but no cinch4 7#f7 ,the saddle hitch1 employed in slinging loads upon an ordinary riding saddle4 7#g7 ,the hitch for packing a sick or injured man4 ,,the ,,crosstree ,,hitch ,this hitch was introduced into the ,northwest by the early fur traders and adopted by the ,indians4 ,among ,indians1 women are the laborers1 and the crosstree hitch being the hitch almost exclusively employed by the squaws was presently dubbed by white men the squaw hitch4 ,it is a hitch very generally used by prospectors1 and for this reason is known in some localities as the prospector's hitch4 ,in other sections of the ,west1 where sheep herders commonly use it1 it is locally called the sheep herder's hitch4 ,it is a hitch easily thrown by one man1 holds well1 and is therefore a favorite4 ,illustration3 ,,squaw ,,or ,,crosstree ,,hitch 7,,fig4 #a47 ,rope engaged on cinch hook and bight of rope running from rear forward under standing rope4 ,illustration3 7,,fig4 #b47 ,loop of bight enlarged1 reversed and passed around bottom and lower corners of off side pack4 ,illustration3 7,,fig4 #c47 ,hitch formed and ready to tighten4 #a4 ,standing rope4 #b4 ,running rope4 #c4 ,rear rope--off side4 #d4 ,front rope--off side4 #e4 ,front rope--near side4 #f4 ,rear rope--near side4 #g4 ,marker4 ,with lash rope attached to cinch1 take a position on the near side of the animal facing the pack4 ,throw the cinch over the top and center of pack in such manner as to be easily reached under the horse's belly4 ,pick up cinch and engage the rope from in out upon the hook4 ,draw up slack1 taking care that the cinch rests properly upon the horse's belly4 ,grasp the running and standing rope in left hand above the hook1 to hold slack1 and with the right hand double the running rope and thrust the doubled portion under the standing rope from rear forward in a bight1 at top of pack4 ,enlarge the loop of the bight by drawing through enough slack rope to make the loop of sufficient size to be passed over and around the off side kyack or pack4 ,step to off side1 turn loop over1 and engage it around the ends and bottom of kyack1 from front to rear4 ,return to near side1 and pass the loose end of running rope around the forward end1 bottom and finally rear end of kyack4 ,draw the rope end1 from above down1 over and under the standing rear and running ropes1 at the top and center of the load1 and the hitch is ready to tighten4 ,to tighten the hitch1 grasp the running rope a little above the cinch hook1 and pull with all your strength1 taking up every inch of slack possible4 ,retain this slack by holding the standing and running rope together with left hand1 while with the right hand you reach to top of load and pull up slack where running rope passes under standing rope4 ,go to off side and draw in all slack1 following the rope around off side pack4 ,retaining slack1 return to near side1 and still following rope and taking up slack around front to rear of near side pack1 grasp end of rope1 already engaged as directed over and under standing rear and running rope1 pull hard1 bracing a foot against pack1 and tie4 ,two men1 one on each side of the horse1 can1 of course1 throw the hitch and tighten the load much more quickly than one4 ,tightening the load is just as important a feature of packing as evenly balancing the packs4 ,the result of an improperly tightened load will pretty certainly be a sore-backed horse4 ,,the ,,crosstree ,,diamond ,,hitch ,illustration3 7,,fig4 #a47 ,a turn is here taken around standing rope with loop of bight of running rope thrust under standing rope from rear to front1 as in ,fig4 #a1 illustrating ,squaw ,hitch4 ,take position on the near side of horse1 as when forming the crosstree hitch1 and throw cinch over horse1 engaging it on hook and adjusting it in exactly similar manner4 ,take in slack and retain it by grasping the standing and running ropes in left hand4 ,double running rope and thrust doubled portion under standing rope in a bight1 from rear forward at top and center of load4 ,take up all slack4 ,enlarge loop of bight by drawing through enough running rope to form a diamond of sufficient size to hold top of load4 ,now bring center of loop over and under standing rope1 from rear forward1 thus giving rope at each side of loop a complete turn around standing rope4 ,throw the disengaged portion of running rope to off side of horse1 and passing to the off side1 bringing the rope down along rear1 bottom1 and up front of kyack1 thrust loose rope end up through loop at top of pack4 ,take in slack and return to near side of horse4 ,engage running rope around front1 bottom and rear end of near side kyack or pack1 and thrust rope end over and under standing rope opposite center of loop4 ,take up slack and load in ready to tighten4 ,illustration3 ,,crosstree ,,diamond ,,hitch 7,,fig4 #b47 ,hitch formed ready to tighten4 ,tighten load by grasping running rope above hook and drawing as tight as possible4 ,hold slack with left hand1 gripping running and standing rope1 and take up slack at loop with right hand4 ,pass to off side and take up slack and tighten rear to front around kyack4 ,pass to near side1 tightening front to rear2 finally1 bracing a foot against the load pull on loose end1 and retaining all slack make final tie4 ,the above described diamond hitch is not the true diamond employed by government pack trains where the aparejo is used1 but it is a diamond evolved from the crosstree hitch1 and is particularly well adapted to the crosstree or sawbuck pack saddle1 is easily formed1 and holds the load securely1 which is the ultimate object of all hitches4 ,,the ,,united ,,states ,,army ,,diamond ,,hitch ,the single diamond hitch employed by army packers is the ideal hitch for securing a load upon an aparejo4 ,this is a two-man hitch1 though an expert can throw it alone4 ,one packer takes his position on the off side of the animal1 while the other with the coiled lash rope1 cinch attached1 remains on the near side4 ,the near packer1 retaining the cinch1 throws the coiled rope over the horse's haunch1 to rear4 ,the off packer picks up end of rope1 and receiving the hook end of cinch1 passed to him under horse's belly by near packer1 holds it together with end of rope in his left hand1 and stands erect4 ,illustration3 ,,united ,,states ,,army ,,diamond ,,hitch ,figures represent successive stages in formation4 ,near side towards right in each case4 ,line ,,pp in ,fig4 #a represents horse's back4 ,,aa 7,fig4 #c7 standing part of rope1 and ,a 7,fig4 #b7 the running rope4 ,,fig4 #a4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #b4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #c4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #d4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #e4 ,illustration3 ,,fig4 #f4 ,the near packer1 taking a position at the horse's neck1 grasps the rope about six feet from cinch1 and with an upward and backward motion1 drops it between the two packs1 one slung on either side of the aparejo4 ,still grasping the rope in his right hand just forward of the packs at the top1 he pulls forward between the packs sufficient running rope to permit him to bring his hand down to his side4 ,retaining the rope in his right hand he now reaches up with his left hand1 and with back of hand up and thumb under grasps running rope and draws sufficient rope forward to permit the left hand grasping the rope to come down to his side1 arm's length4 ,with the right elbow crooked the right hand1 still holding the rope1 is brought up about on a level with the chin1 and the left hand1 also retaining its hold on the rope1 thumb down1 is raised to hollow of the right arm1 with loop of rope between the hands lying outside the right arm4 ,now by a single swinging motion with both hands the rope in the right hand1 called the standing rope1 is thrown over the center of pack to the off packer who stands ready to receive it2 and the rope held in the left hand1 called the running rope1 over the horse's neck1 forward of the pack4 ,the off packer1 still standing with cinch hook and end of rope in left hand1 with his right hand grasps the standing rope as it comes over as high up as he can conveniently reach1 draws it down1 and holding the cinch hook in proper position below the aparejo draws down the standing rope and engages it upon the hook from in out4 ,the near packer now draws forward between the packs about six feet more rope1 which he throws to the rear of the near side pack4 ,this rope is now called the rear rope4 ,he next grasps the running rope at the horse's neck1 and with the off packer's assistance releases that portion of the running rope lying between the packs forward of the standing rope1 and brings it to the center of pack on near side1 next to and just back of the standing rope4 ,he now slips his right hand down the rope to a point half way between pack and aparejo boot1 and with the left hand reaches from forward between standing rope and aparejo and grasps the rope just above the right hand4 ,both hands are now slipped down the rope1 and with the same motion drawn apart1 one on each side of standing rope 7under which the rope being manipulated passes7 to the cinches4 ,with the hands about ten inches apart1 the section of rope between them1 which is held in a horizontal position1 is jammed down between the two cinches under the aparejo4 ,the off packer1 holding the running rope with his right hand above the hook1 places the left hand holding end of rope on top of running rope between his right hand and the hook1 and with thumb under running rope grasps both ropes and slips his hands up on running rope1 bringing it to center of load4 ,he now draws the end of the rope1 held by left hand1 forward until a foot or so falls upon the near side of the horse's neck4 ,the hitch is now formed1 ready to tighten4 ,to tighten1 the near packer with his left palm passing the side and center of the pack grasps the running rope at the rear of the standing rope1 at the same time bringing the running rope between the thumb and index finger of the left hand1 which he is using as a brace4 ,in this position he is prepared to hold slack as it is given him by the off packer4 ,the off packer grasps the running rope close down to the hook1 and1 bracing himself with a knee against the aparejo boot1 pulls with all his might1 taking two or more pulls1 if necessary1 and giving slack to near packer1 until no more slack can be taken on standing rope4 ,he now steps smartly to rear and throws the top rope forward of the pack4 ,the top rope is the rope leading up from the rear corner of the aparejo boot on near side to the side and center of off side pack4 ,after it is thrown forward it is called the front rope4 ,he now prepares to receive slack from near packer by grasping the rear rope where it lies between the packs4 ,the near packer1 who has been receiving the slack given him by the off packer1 carries his right hand1 with which he holds the slack at rear of standing rope1 to lower side of pack toward the aparejo1 and reaches under standing rope1 with left hand grasps rope above right hand1 drawing it forward under standing rope1 and employing both hands jams it upward in a bight between standing rope and pack4 ,care should be taken during this operation to retain all slack4 ,the near packer now engages around front boot of aparejo the free portion of the running rope below the bight just formed4 ,holding slack with left hand1 he grasps the rope to rear of cinch in right hand2 receiving slack from left hand he brings rope to rear of aparejo boot1 and with both hands carries rope smartly to upper corner of side pack1 always retaining slack4 ,the off packer receives slack1 pulling it in quickly hand over hand1 the near packer retaining his hold until the off packer has the rope taut4 ,the near packer now takes a position at the forward end of load1 facing the rear1 and grasps end of rope prepared to take slack from off packer4 ,the off packer1 after receiving slack from near packer as described takes a turn of the rope around each hand1 holding every inch of slack1 steps to the rear1 keeping in line with the horse's body1 and then facing forward throws his full weight back upon the rope4 ,retaining the slack with his left hand1 with his right hand he brings the free portion of running rope under and around the aparejo boot1 from rear to front1 passes forward of rope1 and facing the rear and grasping rope1 right hand above the left1 brings it smartly to upper corner of pack4 ,the near packer1 holding end of rope1 immediately draws in slack until he has about six feet of free rope1 which he throws over center of load to off side1 and then drawing in all remaining slack takes a turn of rope around each hand and throws his weight upon it1 and the off packer releases his hold4 ,holding the slack with the left hand1 the near packer releases his right hand and with it engages the free or running portion of rope under and around the aparejo boot to rear of load1 while the off packer steps to rear of load1 takes end of rope1 and while he draws in all slack1 neatly coils rope1 holding coil in right hand at lower side of pack1 and1 with palm of left hand braced against center of load1 receives slack from near packer4 ,grasping in his left hand the taut rope above the coils1 and lifting it sufficiently above the load to admit the coiled rope under it1 he swings the coils with his right hand from rear to front to top of load and brings the standing rope held in his left hand down on top of the coils to hold them4 ,he now takes a loop of the rope1 forces it between standing rope and pack1 in a bight1 and takes a turn of the loop around standing and running rope to secure it1 first joining the loop well up1 and the hitch is tightened4 ,,the ,,one-,,man ,,or ,,lifting ,,hitch ,this is a pretty good hitch sometimes where kyacks are not used and an irregular pack is swung upon the crosstree4 ,while it holds the pack very securely to the animal's back1 its tendency is to lift the corners that might cause friction upon the horse's sides4 ,standing on the near side of the horse1 throw cinch over the horse's back1 pick up cinch and engage rope upon cinch hook1 from in out1 as in previous hitches4 ,take up slack1 bring running rope up side of pack1 double and thrust loop or bight under standing rope from rear forward at top of pack1 to hold slack4 ,throw all loose rope to off side1 and pass around to off side yourself4 ,illustration3 7,,fig4 #a47 ,a--,cinch ,d--,running rope ,c--,standing rope ,e--,front rope ,b--,cinch hook ,f--,marker ,illustration3 ,,lifting ,,hitch 7,,fig4 #b47 ,grasp loop ,a in left hand and with right jam rope ,c ,c along and under rope ,b 7where latter passes beneath corner of pack7 to ,d1 as shown in ,fig4 #c4 ,illustration3 7,,fig4 #c47 ,off side of hitch completed4 ,illustration3 ,,lifting ,,hitch 7,,fig4 #d47 ,hitch formed ready to tighten4 ,draw loose end of running rope forward and from under standing rope at top of pack4 ,the effect of operations thus far is this3 ,the running rope passes up the near side1 from hook and to top of load and passes under standing rope1 which will serve effectually in final tightening of cinch to hold slack4 ,pass end of running rope over and under the forward end of off pack and backward under standing rope and pack4 ,now bring the rope forward over side of pack1 double1 and thrust the doubled portion over and under forward rope in a bight4 ,with left hand grasp double of rope at bight just to rear of forward rope where it passes over and under forward rope1 and with right hand slip running rope down and just to rear of standing rope4 ,take up slack4 ,by pulling hard upon loose end of running rope the ends of pack will be lifted slightly4 ,throw loose end over horse to near side1 and across middle of load4 ,pass to near side and manipulate rope as on off side4 ,tighten load4 ,secure the hitch by bringing loose end of rope over and under forward running and standing ropes1 and tie4 ,,stirrup ,,hitch ,this hitch is useful where the packer has lash rope but no cinch1 and may be employed on sawbuck saddle1 aparejo1 or where the load is hung upon an ordinary riding saddle4 ,it is a two-man hitch1 though one man may manipulate it4 ,illustration3 7,,fig4 #a47 ,rope is thrown across load with equal portion falling on each side4 ,loop ,a is formed on top of load1 and the ends ,,bb are passed through it to form large loops ,c and ,d4 ,illustration3 ,,stirrup ,,hitch 7,,fig4 #b47 ,loops ,c and ,d are passed under horse's belly and seized by packers on opposite sides4 ,each packer then draws end of rope which he is holding through loop which has been passed to him4 ,off packer forms bowline knot1 ,e1 and near packer passes his end of rope through this4 ,hitch is now ready to tighten4 ,pass the rope over the load1 with an equal division of rope on either side4 ,form a loop at center and top of load4 ,each packer will now place a foot upon the rope1 where it falls from loop to ground1 and pass his end of rope through loop from above down and draw through slack rope4 ,this forms a loop on either side in which the foot rests4 ,each packer will now bring forward and under the horse's belly the loop in which his foot rests1 passing the loop to the other packer at the same time disengaging his foot1 and will pass the loose end of rope which he holds through the loop which he receives4 ,the ropes on top of pack will now be spread to properly cover and secure the pack1 and all slack taken4 ,the off side packer now forms a bowline knot in the loose end of his rope1 the near side packer passes his loose end through the bowline loop4 ,to tighten the load the off side packer gives slack1 while the near side packer braces and draws in on loose end of rope1 tying at bowline loop to secure load4 ,,the ,,saddle ,,hitch ,illustration3 ,,saddle ,,hitch ,with rope arranged as shown throw deer across saddle1 enlarge loops ,a and ,b around haunches and neck4 ,bring ends ,c and ,d together1 form bowline knot on end ,d1 pass end ,c through it and tighten4 ,this is a particularly useful hitch when it becomes necessary to sling a deer to a riding saddle for transportation to camp4 ,throw the lash rope across the saddle seat1 an equal division of rope falling to either side4 ,double the rope where it crosses the cinch ring and thrust it through the cinch ring in a loop1 drawing through enough loose rope to form a good-sized loop4 ,this should be done on both sides4 ,lay the deer across saddle1 with head hanging on one side and haunches on the other side1 slip loop on one side over the deer's head1 and the loop on the other side over its haunches4 ,take in all slack4 ,form a bowline loop on end of off side rope1 and lay it on top of load4 ,this loop should be so adjusted as to reach the middle of the top of load4 ,passing to near side1 thread loose end of near side rope through the bowline loop4 ,tighten load by pulling on loose end1 and tie4 ,,how ,,to ,,pack ,a ,,sick ,,or ,,injured ,,man ,sometimes it occurs that a member of a party is so injured or becomes so ill as to be helpless1 and the problem of transporting him upon horseback presents itself4 ,this may be done in the following manner upon a crosstree or sawbuck saddle3 ,cut two straight sticks three feet long and about three inches in diameter4 ,fit one on either side of saddle snug against the forks4 ,lash securely to forks forward and rear1 with ends of sticks protruding an equal distance forward of and back of forward and rear forks4 ,it may be well to cut shallow notches in the sticks where they rest against the forks4 ,this will preclude lateral motion4 ,cut two sticks two feet long and three inches in diameter4 ,place one in front and one in rear at right angles to and across top of sticks already in position4 ,these cross-pieces are to be lashed to position one about two inches from forward ends1 the other two inches from rear ends of lengthwise sticks4 ,before lashing them into position cut notches to receive lash ropes at points of intersection1 that any tendency to slip or work loose may be overcome4 ,now cut two poles six feet long and three inches in diameter4 ,spread a pack cloth upon the ground1 and presuming the pack cloth is six feet wide1 place a pole on each outer end of it4 ,roll poles1 with pack cloth1 to center until there is a width of twenty inches between the outer edges of poles4 ,in this position lace cloth to each pole1 or if horseshoe or other nails are handy1 nail it to poles4 ,should the cloth be wider than length of poles1 fold in a margin on each end1 before rolling4 ,place litter on cross-pieces1 the flat of canvas on top4 ,notch1 and secure poles of stretcher at front and rear to cross-pieces4 ,lash down litter by means of the stirrup hitch4 ,,chapter ,,xii ,,traveling ,,without ,a ,,pack ,,horse ,the man who travels without a pack horse1 and carries his full equipment and provision supply upon his saddle must1 of necessity1 deny himself many things that under ordinary circumstances are deemed essentials4 ,he must indeed travel light1 and unless he is well inured to roughing it will be content to confine his activities to the warmer and less inclement months4 ,the food supply is the first consideration1 but nowadays one is certain to come every three or four days at the outside upon some point where fresh supplies may be purchased4 ,therefore1 twelve to fifteen pounds of provisions1 carefully selected from the ration already suggested1 will meet the utmost needs4 ,in selecting the ration it is well to eliminate all luxuries4 ,it may also be said that canned goods are too heavy1 where one is to pack more than a two-days' supply1 and bacon should be made the basis of the meat diet4 ,but then we are considering methods of packing and carrying1 rather than check lists4 ,limiting the quantity to fifteen pounds for a five-days' trip--and this is ample with judicious selection--the individual will be left to decide his ration for himself4 ,saddle bags will be found indispensable and in them will be ample room to carry the limited toilet articles required1 a hand towel1 one change of light woolen or summer underwear1 matches1 tobacco and rifle cartridges4 ,the best shelter is a lean-to tent1 made of extra light cloth4 ,this should be about seven feet long1 four and one-half feet high and four feet deep4 ,such a tent will weigh about three pounds4 ,the cooking outfit will be limited to essentials4 ,if it can be had an aluminum army or ,preston mess kit1 either of which weighs about two pounds1 a sheath knife with broad blade1 and a pint cup1 will fill all requirements4 ,if the mess kit cannot be procured1 a small frying pan with folding handle1 an aluminum or enamel plate and a dessert spoon with sheath knife1 and a pint cup1 will do nearly as well4 ,in this latter case coffee may be made in the cup4 ,a small canteen1 which may be hung upon the saddle horn1 should also be provided4 ,a small belt axe that weighs about two pounds1 with sheath1 a lariat and a few feet of rope will be required4 ,a single blanket or a pair of light blankets not exceeding five pounds in weight will constitute the only bedding that can be conveniently carried4 ,to pack the outfit spread tent flat upon the ground1 turning the triangular ends in to lie flat4 ,fold the tent once1 end for end4 ,this will make a rectangular pack cloth three and one-half feet long and about five and one-half feet wide4 ,fold your blanket to a size a little smaller than tent and spread it flat upon the tent4 ,arrange your provision packages on the blanket a foot or so from one end and with a margin of a foot or more on either side4 ,fold the end of blanket and tent up and over the packages and roll up blanket and tent together with a band close to the knob in center to hold the packages in place and prevent their working down toward ends of roll4 ,the provisions should be thoroughly protected in bags1 as previously suggested1 in order that they may not soil the blanket4 ,place the roll directly behind saddle seat with the bulge caused by the provision bulk resting against saddle seat1 the end of roll falling on either side1 and tie in position by means of leather tie strings attached to saddle on each side4 ,the tie should be made in both cases just below the bulge in roll4 ,the tent will protect blanket and provisions1 and if judgment has been used in the selection and arrangement of provisions the bulk should not be unduly or inconveniently large4 ,the cooking kit1 if enclosed in a canvas case with handle1 may be lashed to roll by passing lash string through the handle and over the top and around the kit4 ,a strap above the upper loop of the rifle boot and through the belt loop on the axe scabbard will hold the axe and another buckled around the rifle boot and lower end of handle will prevent a slapping motion of the handle4 ,the poncho1 neatly rolled1 may be carried on the pommel1 the center of the roll pressed against the back of the horn1 the ends drawn down and forward of the pommel on either side and secured with the leathern tie strings attached to the saddle4 ,when not in use sweater or ,pontiac shirt may be carried with the poncho4 ,the horse may be picketed with the lariat4 ,hobbles may be made as cowboys make them from rope4 ,a strand unraveled from half-inch rope brought once around one leg1 twisted rather tightly1 the ends brought around the other leg and secured in the twist between the legs1 makes a good hobble4 ,always fasten picket rope or hobble below the fetlock just above the hoof--never above the fetlock4 ,the outfit here outlined will weigh1 including rifle and a reasonable amount of ammunition1 from forty to forty-five pounds at the utmost1 and one may be very comfortable with it4 ,if game and fish can be caught and are to be depended upon1 the provisions may be cut down to a little flour1 bacon1 coffee and sugar1 and the traveler may tarry in the wilderness for a considerable time4 ,one may leave out the tent1 and in a warm climate even the blanket1 relying for shelter wholly upon the poncho4 ,an experienced man will often limit his cooking outfit to a cup and canteen4 ,a good strong reliable horse1 a good saddle equipment1 and enough plain food is all one really needs who has experience in wilderness travel4 ,such a man can make himself comfortable with exceedingly little4 ,,chapter ,,xiii ,,afoot ,,in ,,summer ,on the portage one may carry a pretty heavy pack and think nothing of it1 for the end of the portage and the relaxation of the paddle is just ahead4 ,the portage is merely an incident of the canoe trip4 ,the foot traveler1 however1 has no canoe to carry him and his outfit five or ten miles for every mile he carries his outfit4 ,he must carry both himself and his outfit the entire distance traversed4 ,this is obvious1 and it leads to the conclusion that the outfit must be accordingly reduced both in weight and bulk4 ,how heavy a load may be easily transported depends1 of course1 upon the man1 but it is safe to say that the inexperienced will find twenty-five pounds a heavy enough burden1 and within this limit must be included shelter1 bed1 and one week's provisions2 though ordinarily the tramper will be able to renew his supply of provisions almost daily4 ,under all ordinary circumstances a single woolen blanket weighing not to exceed three pounds will be found ample summer bedding4 ,a lean-to shelter tent seven feet long1 four feet wide and four feet high of one of the light tenting materials previously described1 weighs less than three pounds and furnishes ample and comfortable shelter4 ,blanket and tent may be carried easily in a roll1 the tent on the outside to protect the blanket4 ,to make the roll spread the tent upon the ground1 fold the blanket once1 end for end1 and spread it upon the tent1 the sides of the blanket 7not folded ends7 toward the ends of the tent4 ,fold in ends of tent over blanket and roll up4 ,double the roll and tie together a little above the ends with a stout string4 ,the roll1 dropped over the head with center resting upon one shoulder and the tied ends coming together near the hip on the opposite side1 may be carried with little inconvenience4 ,blankets are usually seventy-two inches wide1 therefore the roll should be about six feet in length before it is doubled and the ends tied4 ,a belt axe will be carried1 in a sheath1 upon the belt1 the remaining equipment and provisions in a ,nessmuk pack or a ruck sack4 ,the ,nessmuk pack1 sold by most outfitters1 is about #ab #bj #e inches in size and made of waterproofed canvas4 ,this will easily hold a nine-inch frying pan with folding handle1 an aluminum pan #g #c inches with folding handle1 a pint cup 7if you do not wish to carry the cup on your belt71 a spoon or two1 a cooking knife1 a dish cloth and a dish towel1 together with one week's provisions1 matches1 etc4 ,there will still be room for a small bag containing the few needed toilet articles and hand towel1 and another small bag containing one change of light-weight woolen underwear and two pairs of socks4 ,the cooking outfit indicated is limited1 but quite ample4 ,i have done very well for weeks at a time with no other cooking utensils than a pint cup and a sheath knife4 ,but here we cannot go into woodcraft or extreme concentration of rations and outfit4 ,we are considering1 rather1 comfortable or moderately comfortable outfits and how to pack or transport them4 ,tent1 blanket1 axe1 food and other equipment above suggested will1 if intelligently selected1 not go beyond the twenty-five pound limit4 ,the greatest weight will be in the food1 and each day will reduce this about two pounds4 ,if provisions can be purchased from day to day these1 of course1 need not be carried1 and the remaining load will be very light indeed4 ,i would suggest that a light sweater take the place of a coat as it will be found more comfortable and useful and may be carried on top of the pack or in the blanket roll1 for it will rarely be worn save in the evening camp4 ,a broad-brimmed felt hat1 an outer shirt of medium-weight flannel1 khaki trousers and strong but not too heavy shoes make a practical and comfortable costume4 ,woolen socks protect the feet from chafing4 ,some campers like long ,german stockings1 which serve also for leggings1 and wear thin cotton socks inside them4 ,in selecting shoes take into consideration the kind of socks or stockings to be worn1 and see that the shoes are amply large though not too large1 for shoes too large are nearly as uncomfortable as shoes too small4 ,,chapter ,,xiv ,,with ,,snowshoes ,,and ,,toboggan ,in the mode of travel here to be considered the voyageur1 equipped with snowshoes1 hauls his provisions and entire camping paraphernalia upon a toboggan or flat sled4 ,the toboggan 7,indian ta-bas-kan7 had its origin in the prehistoric past among the ,algonquin ,indians of northeastern ,america4 ,it was designed by them for the purpose of transporting goods over trackless1 unbeaten snow wastes where sleds with runners could not be used1 and for this purpose it is unequaled4 ,while for our purpose the conventionalized toboggan sold by outfitters and designed for hill sliding and general sport will answer very well1 the wilderness model in use by ,indians and trappers in our northern wilderness is a better designed and preferable type for the transportation of loads4 ,various lengths of toboggans are in use1 each intended for the particular purpose for which it was built4 ,the longest ,indian toboggan ,i ever saw was twelve feet in length1 but from six to eight feet is the ordinary length1 with a width of nine inches at the tip of the curved nose1 gradually increasing to fourteen inches wide where the curve ends and the sliding surface or bottom begins1 and tapering away to about six inches wide at the heel4 ,the conventionalized type averages from four to six feet in length with a uniform width of about fifteen inches from curve to heel4 ,some three or more crossbars1 depending upon the length of the toboggan1 are lashed at intervals across the top1 the forward one at the beginning of the curve where the nose begins to turn upward1 and on either side of the toboggan from front to rear side bar1 and fastened to the side bars at their ends are side ropes4 ,beaver-tail1 bear's-paw1 or swallow-tail snowshoes1 of ,indian make1 are the shapes best adapted to the sort of travel we are considering4 ,these models are all broad and comparatively short4 ,the web should be of good caribou babiche1 closely woven for use upon dry snow1 and indeed for all-around conditions4 ,while on wet1 soggy snow a coarse web may in some respects be preferable it will not compare in efficiency with the close web on loose snow1 or for all-around work under all sorts of conditions4 ,long1 narrow snowshoes may be very good for racing where the country is smooth1 but they are not suited to a rough1 wooded or broken country or to hummocky snow4 ,the best and most practical1 as well as the simplest sling or binding for the snowshoe is made as follows3 ,cut from an ,indian tanned buckskin a thong about half an inch wide and thirty inches in length4 ,thread one end of this1 from above down1 through the web at one side of the toe hole1 and from the bottom up at the opposite side4 ,pull it through until the two ends are even4 ,draw the thong up at the middle1 where it crosses the toe hole1 to make a loop large enough to admit the toe under it1 but not large enough to permit the toe to slide forward against the forward cross-bar4 ,wrap the two ends of the thong around center of loop two or three times bringing them forward over the top and drawing them under and back through the loop4 ,slip your toes under the loop1 bring the ends of the thong back1 one on either side of the foot1 and tie snugly in the hollow above your heel4 ,this sling will hold well1 will not chafe the foot1 and with it the snowshoe may be kicked free from the foot or adjusted to the foot in an instant4 ,should the thongs stretch in moist weather1 the sling may be tightened by simply taking an additional turn or two 7without untying7 around the toe loop4 ,i believe that lamp-wicking would answer as well as buckskin thongs1 though ,i have never used it because ,i have always carried an ample supply of buckskin4 ,the best underclothing for the winter trail is good weight--though not the heaviest--woolen4 ,two suits should be carried besides the suit worn4 ,underclothing should not fit the body too snugly4 ,it is better that it should be a size too large than an exact fit4 ,the outer shirt should be of flannel1 and of good quality1 though not too heavy4 ,hudson's ,bay ,company trappers wear good-weight moleskin trousers1 almost entirely to the exclusion of other fabrics1 and ,i adopted them several years ago as superior to any other4 ,they are wind-proof and warm and are particularly well adapted to the rough work of the trail4 ,the ordinary coat is not at all adapted to the northern wilderness in winter1 for it will not protect against drifting snow and driving blizzard4 ,in its stead the ,eskimo adickey should be worn4 ,any seamstress who can cut and make an ordinary work shirt can make an adickey if your outfitter cannot supply it4 ,this garment is slipped on over the head like a shirt1 and has a hood attached to draw over the cap as a neck and head protection4 ,the neck opening is large enough to permit the head to pass through it without the necessity of a buttoned opening in front1 for no matter how closely buttoned a garment may be drifting snow will find its way in4 ,in length the adickey reaches half way between hip and knees and is made circular at the bottom4 ,the hood should be of ample proportion to pull over the cap loosely1 with a drawstring encircling the front by which it may be drawn snugly to the face4 ,a fringe of muskrat or other fur around the face increases the comfort1 the fur acting as a protection against drifting snow4 ,while white ,hudson's ,bay ,company kersey cloth is a favorite fabric for this garment1 it may be made of any woolen blanket duffle or similar cloth4 ,over the kersey adickey another adickey of some smooth-surfaced1 strong material1 preferably moleskin1 should be worn4 ,this outside adickey should of course be just enough larger than the kersey or blanket adickey to fit over it easily4 ,the adickeys may be worn singly or together1 according to the demands of the weather4 ,a ,pontiac shirt1 to be worn under the adickeys in extremely cold weather1 should be included in the outfit4 ,this will serve1 too1 in camp1 when the adickeys are laid aside4 ,a round cap of fur or heavy cloth provided with flaps to turn down over the ears makes the best head protection4 ,the hoods of the two adickeys1 as before stated1 should be large enough to draw over this4 ,very important indeed is the question of foot dress4 ,not only must we aim to secure the greatest possible freedom and ease in walking1 but the ever-present danger of frostbite must also be guarded against4 ,socks should be of wool1 of the home-knit variety1 and besides the pair worn1 three or four extra pairs should be carried in the kit4 ,knit socks will not be sufficient protection1 however1 and where two or three pairs are worn they are certain to bunch or wrinkle1 with chafed and sore feet as a result4 ,all ,hudson's ,bay ,company stores keep in stock a white fuzzy woolen duffle of blanket thickness4 ,if you are making your start from a ,post purchase some of this duffle and have one of the women at the ,post make you a pair of knee-length stockings of the duffle to pull over your knit socks1 and two pairs of slippers of the same material1 one just large enough to fit over the foot of the long stockings1 the other just a little larger to fit over all4 ,these should be made of proper size1 to obviate wrinkles4 ,the larger outfitters carry in stock good wool duffle1 and will make these to fit properly4 ,in crisp1 cold weather1 when the snow never softens or gets moist even under the midday sun1 buckskin moccasins should be the outer footwear4 ,ordinary leather will freeze stiff1 stop the proper circulation of blood1 and certainly lead to frosted feet4 ,the moccasins should be made with high tops1 reaching above the ankles1 with buckskin strings to wrap around and secure them4 ,moccasins are light to pack1 and it is always well to carry a couple of extra pairs1 to have on hand in case of emergency4 ,leggings of moleskin 7or some other strong1 pliable cloth7 large enough to push the foot through protect the legs4 ,these should be knee high1 with a drawstring to secure them just below the knee4 ,ordinary canvas leggings will not do4 ,the leggings must be made in one piece1 without side buttons or other fastenings1 for otherwise snow will work through to the great discomfort of the wearer4 ,i have a pair of buckskin moccasins sewn to legs of harbor sealskin1 the hair side of the sealskin out4 ,this arrangement is preferable to separate leggings but sealskin legs are difficult to procure4 ,ordinarily ,i have found one pair of knit socks1 one pair of the long duffle stockings described above and one pair of the duffle slippers1 worn inside the buckskin moccasins1 quite sufficient4 ,the knit socks may be done away with entirely and also one pair of duffle slippers if rabbit-skin socks are to be had4 ,these are worn with the hair next the foot1 and are very warm and soft4 ,in weather when the snow softens and becomes wet at midday1 buckskin moccasins will not do1 for the least moisture penetrates buckskin4 ,in such weather sealskin boots are the best foot protection4 ,they are waterproof1 pliable and light4 ,sealskin boots for this purpose have neither soles nor heels4 ,they are simply sealskin moccasins with legs1 secured with drawstrings below the knee4 ,these are of ,eskimo make1 and not generally obtainable though they may be purchased in ,newfoundland4 ,oil-tanned moccasins1 or larrigans1 are the next best moist-snow foot gear4 ,buckskin mittens with one or two inner pairs of mittens of thick wool duffle1 will protect the hands in the coldest weather4 ,one pair should be a little smaller than the other1 that it may fit snugly into the larger pair without wrinkles1 and the larger pair of a size to fit in the same manner into the buckskin mittens4 ,when the weather is too warm for both pairs1 one pair may be removed4 ,a fringe of muskrat or other fur around the wrists of the buckskin mittens protects the wrists from drifting snow4 ,a pad of rabbit-skin worn across the forehead will protect it from intense cold4 ,hunting hoods of knit camel's hair worsted are a pretty good head protection1 particularly at night4 ,they cover the whole head except the face1 and may be drawn up over the chin4 ,mouth and nose must not be covered1 or the breath will quickly form a mass of ice upon the face4 ,one caution1 though it may seem a digression1 may be made3 ,if the nose or cheeks become frosted1 as will certainly happen sooner or later to one traveling in a very low temperature1 do not rub snow upon the frosted part4 ,snow rubbed on is pretty certain to fracture and remove sections of the skin4 ,the ,eskimo way is to hold or rub the frosted part with the bare hand until frost has been removed1 and is far superior4 ,the clothing outfit above described will be found ample4 ,extra trousers or other extra outer garments are not needed4 ,let all hang loosely upon the body4 ,nothing should fit snugly4 ,a pair of smoked or amber goggles should always be included in the winter outfit4 ,amber is more effective than smoked glass1 though ordinarily the latter will do4 ,the goggles should be fastened with a string to slip over the back of the head4 ,no metal should touch the flesh4 ,the best low temperature sleeping bag is one of caribou skin made with the hair inside4 ,under ordinary conditions1 however1 a waterproofed canvas bag lined with good woolen blankets will do as well1 though such a bag with sufficient blanket lining to give it warmth equal to that of the caribou skin bag would be much heavier and more bulky than the latter4 ,a bag lined with four thicknesses of llama wool duffle 7that is1 four thicknesses over and four beneath the sleeper71 however1 should not weigh more than ten pounds1 and would correspond in warmth to one lined with blankets weighing twenty pounds4 ,an ,a or wedge tent will be found the best model for winter travel4 ,a sheet-iron tent stove with bottom and telescoping pipe will make the tent warm and snug4 ,the tent should be fitted with an asbestos ring at the stovepipe hole as a protection4 ,a pack cloth or tarpaulin will serve as an adequate and comfortable tent floor4 ,it is never safe or advisable for one to travel in the wilderness alone1 for a sprained ankle or broken leg in an isolated region would be more than likely to result in death4 ,in the ,hudson ,bay country two pounds of flour1 one pound of fat pork1 with baking powder1 tea and sugar1 form the daily ration for a man4 ,it is well when possible to carry frozen fresh meat1 free from bone1 with a proportion of desiccated vegetables to vary the diet4 ,butter makes a tasty variety to the fat1 for it will remain sweet at this season4 ,prunes and chocolate are both worth while4 ,or if the journey is to be extended the menu may be simplified by the introduction of pemmican and the elimination of other articles4 ,pemmican is the best condensed food ever invented for cold weather work4 ,one pound of pemmican and a quarter pound of pilot biscuit1 as a daily ration1 will sustain a man at hard work1 though it will prove a monotonous diet4 ,the above is merely suggested as a basis4 ,it may be expanded or contracted as circumstances require without disturbing its mean value4 ,let it be remembered1 however1 that ordinary bread and other moist foodstuffs will freeze as hard as stone4 ,jerked venison and desiccated vegetables make tasty and sustaining additions to the ration1 and will not freeze4 ,a man is supposed to be able to haul at good speed upon a toboggan a load equal to his own weight4 ,therefore two men1 each weighing #aej pounds1 should between them haul #cjj pounds4 ,camp equipment1 tent axes1 guns1 bedding1 extra underclothing and all personal belongings of both1 if proper care be exercised in selection1 should weigh not to exceed #adj pounds4 ,add #hj pounds of food1 and we have #bbj pounds1 or a maximum load of #aaj pounds for each4 ,the tent and general camp outfit is indeed sufficient for four men4 ,it is presumed that the aluminum cooking outfit previously described will be chosen4 ,some eliminations1 as1 for example1 that of the folding baker1 might easily be made without serious loss of comfort4 ,to secure the load upon the toboggan1 arrange the bags in which it is packed evenly1 taking care that no part of the load extends beyond the sides of the toboggan4 ,adjust the tarpaulin or canvas ground cloth neatly over it4 ,secure one end of your lash rope to the side rope on one side at the rear4 ,bring the other end over and under the side rope opposite4 ,cross it back over the load and over and under side rope to front of next crossbar1 and so on to front crossbar1 taking slack as you proceed4 ,from front to rear criss-cross rope in same manner over load and under side ropes1 forming diamonds where the rope crosses itself on top of load4 ,bring the end of rope under side rope at rear1 take in all slack and tie4 ,,chapter ,,xv ,,with ,,dogs ,,and ,,komatik ,in considering equipment for dog and sledge traveling1 we must constantly bear in mind the necessity of keeping down weight and bulk4 ,not long since1 while visiting the establishment of a ,new ,york ,city outfitter1 ,i saw an equipment which a sportsman ambitious for experience with dogs and komatik 7sledge7 had selected for a month's journey which he was about to undertake4 ,exclusive of provisions there was enough material to weight down four eight-dog teams4 ,among other things was a specially designed tent stove that would have tipped the scales at upwards of one hundred pounds4 ,the would-be traveler declared with pride that he did not intend to have cold camps4 ,it certainly gave me cold feet to contemplate his outfit4 ,it was the most ridiculous and impracticable conglomerate aggregation of camping material that ,i have ever seen put together1 and ,i doubt if the would-be traveler ever found a sufficient number of dogs at any one point to transport it4 ,while it is the aim of every experienced camper to obtain the greatest degree of comfort of which circumstances will admit1 the voyager with dogs cannot hope to carry with him the luxuries of a metropolitan hotel1 and one soon learns how little after all is really necessary to make one comfortable4 ,how much weight a team of eight good dogs can haul depends upon the character of the country and the condition of the snow or ice4 ,under very favorable conditions ,i have seen such a team make good progress with twelve hundred pounds4 ,ordinarily1 however1 eight hundred pounds is a full load1 and if much rough ice1 hilly country or soft snow is encountered six hundred pounds will be found all too heavy4 ,i have heard of cases1 when traveling was exceptionally good1 of dogs covering upwards of one hundred miles a day4 ,the biggest day's travel ,i ever made with dogs was sixty miles1 but often ,i have toiled day after day1 pulling and hauling with the animals at the traces1 lifting the komatik over rough places1 or packing a trail for the team with my snowshoes1 to find myself rewarded with less than ten miles when camping time arrived4 ,in selecting outfit the region to be visited will be a factor to take into consideration4 ,it would be quite impossible to discuss adequately in a single chapter all the phases of dog travel to be provided for4 ,we shall therefore leave out of consideration polar outfitting1 or outfitting for other unusual work1 which the reader of this will scarcely be likely to undertake4 ,the clothing suggested in the chapter on snowshoe and toboggan travel is equally well suited to travel with dogs and komatik4 ,should the voyager's ambition1 however1 draw him within the sub-arctic regions or across the ,arctic ,circle some additional protection will be needed4 ,in the far ,arctic the natives wear trousers of either polar bear skin or caribou skin1 with an upper garment of caribou skin called1 in ,greenland1 the kulutar2 in ,labrador1 the kulutuk4 ,the only difference between the adickey and the kulutuk is that the one is made of cloth1 the other of caribou skin4 ,in ,ungava ,i supplied myself with caribou skin trousers1 which1 as is the custom there1 ,i drew on over my moleskin trousers in windy or intensely cold weather4 ,the kulutuk takes the place of the moleskin adickey4 ,that is to say1 the kersey adickey worn under the kulutuk will be found ample protection in any weather1 and often the kulutuk of itself will be found sufficient4 ,kulutuk and skin trousers are worn hair side out4 ,were they worn with the hairy side in1 they would accumulate moisture exuded by the body1 and the moisture would freeze1 presently transforming the hair into a mass of ice4 ,a friend of mine going to the ,arctic for the first time as a member of one of ,peary's early ,greenland expeditions1 turned his kulutuk inside out and donned it with the hairy side next the body4 ,the ,eskimos laughed1 and resenting their levity he assured them it was much warmer worn in that manner than as they wore it4 ,no1 said one of them1 if it were warmer worn that way the animals would wear their fur inside4 ,my friend quickly learned by experience the logic of the ,eskimo's argument4 ,deerskin kulutuk and trousers are not easily purchased1 though along any coast where seals are captured similar garments of sealskin may be procured1 which1 though not equal to deerskin garments1 answer very well4 ,the skin of the young harbor seal 7the ranger seal7 is best for the purpose1 as skins of other species are too thick and heavy4 ,when made of sealskin the upper garment is called a netsek4 ,i discovered when traveling among them that some of the ,moravian missionaries of the ,labrador coast wore a buckskin suit under their ordinary trousers and outer shirt4 ,such a suit is much lighter than deerskin trousers and kulutuk1 and serves nearly as well4 ,it is not difficult to purchase buckskin from which one may have such a suit made4 ,it is wind-proof and very light4 ,all skin garments1 including moccasins1 should be sewn with animal sinew4 ,ordinary thread will quickly break out and will not do4 ,thread-sewn moccasins are factory-made1 and will give very little service4 ,the types of snowshoes suggested in the chapter on snowshoe and toboggan travel are the types also best suited to dog and komatik work4 ,long snowshoes would be very much in the way when one has to go to the traces and haul with the dogs or lift and assist the komatik over rough places2 and this becomes the rule rather than the exception as one goes ,north4 ,let me insist that the web should be of good caribou babiche1 and not the ordinary rawhide used in many of the snowshoes offered for sale4 ,the former will not stretch when wet1 while the latter will stretch and bag so badly as to render the snowshoe practically useless4 ,it is well to wrap the frame on either side where the babiche is drawn around it1 with buckskin or sealskin4 ,otherwise even a slight crust upon the snow will in time cut the babiche strands4 ,wrapping the snowshoe in this manner will at least double its life4 ,what was said in reference to tent1 small sheet-iron stove and general camp and cooking outfit in the previous chapter will apply here1 as well as directions heretofore given for packing in waterproof bags4 ,in selecting the sleeping bag1 give first preference to one of deerskin4 ,in a barren region where firewood is not to be had1 it will be necessary to carry an alcohol or kerosene burner and stock of fuel4 ,the former is preferable on account of the low freezing point of alcohol4 ,alcohol or oil should be secured in tin cases4 ,it is regularly put up in this way by dealers4 ,in such a region1 too1 it may be necessary to carry snow knives with which to cut blocks of snow for the erection of snow igloos as shelter4 ,these knives resemble somewhat the machete4 ,one cannot1 however1 learn to build a snow igloo properly without long practice4 ,this phase of the work is merely referred to as interesting2 for anyone traveling in a country where snow house shelter is necessary will secure the assistance of a native1 who will attend to proper sledge outfitting at the point of departure4 ,on regular lines of dog travel opportunities to renew the provision supply will frequently occur1 and cabins for night shelter will be found4 ,therefore the food outfit will depend upon the country to be traversed4 ,where long stretches occur between supply points1 however1 fat pork1 pilot bread1 tea and sugar should form the basis4 ,the very best possible food1 however1 for this work is pemmican1 pilot bread1 tea and sugar4 ,of course a little coffee may be carried1 but it is bulky4 ,the traveler will make his selection carefully1 building around pork1 pilot bread and pemmican with other articles of food like desiccated vegetables from which water has been eliminated4 ,too much salt meat opens the door to scurvy1 unless sufficient variation in the way of vegetables1 fish1 or fresh meat is introduced4 ,dessicated cranberries are an excellent preventive4 ,a man can do good hard work day in and day out1 as already stated1 upon one pound of pemmican and a quarter pound of pilot bread as a daily ration1 and such a ration offers no danger of scurvy4 ,dog pemmican is the best dog food1 and the lightest1 for dogs will do pretty well upon one pound of pemmican each a day4 ,to do well the animals should be given plenty of fat1 when pemmican is not available1 though not a clear fat diet1 for that will make them sick4 ,three-quarters of a pound of fat and three-quarters of a pound of meat or fish is an ordinary ration4 ,dogs are fed but once a day--at night4 ,the number of dogs in a team varies1 but the average team is composed of seven or eight4 ,eight or nine is the most economical number so far as results are concerned4 ,in the ,northwest dogs are harnessed tandem4 ,this is the white man's method4 ,in the ,northeast they are harnessed fan fashion--the ,eskimo method4 ,that is to say1 each dog has an individual trace secured to the end of a single thong1 leading out from the bow of the komatik and called the bridle4 ,the individual traces are of various lengths4 ,the dog with the longest trace is the leader of the pack1 and particularly trained to respond to the driver's directions4 ,the other dogs will follow his lead4 ,for open country and sea ice travel the ,eskimo method is probably best1 as the work is more evenly distributed and the driver can always tell whether each dog is doing his share of the work1 but for narrow trails and woods travel the tandem method is more practicable4 ,dogs are good1 bad and indifferent4 ,one seldom has an opportunity to pick one's dogs discriminately1 and rarely may one purchase them outright unless contracted for a year in advance1 for the native dog owner seldom maintains animals in excess of his requirements in the ordinary routine of his life4 ,the traveler will usually be able1 however1 to hire a team by employing the owner to drive it1 and the owner of a team will get much more work out of his dogs than a stranger to the dogs can hope to do4 ,at least a year's experience is necessary to enable a white man to handle a dog team with anything approaching efficiency1 and even then one cannot hope to approach the performance of an ,eskimo4 ,the failure to enlist ,eskimos as dog drivers has been the real cause of the failure of many an ,arctic expedition4 ,it is advised1 then1 that the traveler employ at so much per day or for the trip driver and dogs4 ,it is an unsafe experiment to start off with a dog team unattended by an experienced man4 ,the owner of the team will supply also the necessary dog harness1 his own dog whip and general dog traveling paraphernalia1 including the komatik4 ,sledges or komatiks vary in different localities as to width1 length and minor methods of construction4 ,the average komatik is two feet wide and ten feet long but as stated1 they vary in different localities1 a uniform width being maintained to suit the local conditions of the region in which they are used4 ,for example1 wide and comparatively short komatiks are employed in ,quebec1 while the ,ungava komatik is but sixteen inches wide4 ,these latter komatiks are usually fifteen or sixteen feet in length1 however4 ,the runners stand ten inches high4 ,this is1 in fact1 the heaviest and most efficient komatik ,i have ever seen4 ,each runner is made from a single piece of timber and is from two and one-half to three inches thick4 ,it is designed for the roughest possible use1 and is1 ,i believe1 better adapted to this purpose than the ,greenland komatik because more substantially built4 ,the latter is peculiar in that it has upstands at the rear for guiding it4 ,crossbars1 extending an inch or so on either side of the runners and from one to two inches apart1 are lashed into place with rawhide4 ,when the rawhide shrinks the komatik becomes firm4 ,iron fastenings being rigid would break too readily1 particularly in intense cold1 to be reliable4 ,the traveler will do well1 therefore1 to purchase if he does not hire his komatik at the point of departure1 as in so doing he will secure one of correct design for the region to be traversed4 ,it is well to have a box made the width of the komatik two or three feet long1 and about fourteen inches deep to lash upon the rear end of the komatik in which cooking utensils and a portion of the food supply1 as well as odds and ends1 may be carried4 ,this should be supplied with a hinged cover1 and hook or clasp by which the cover may be securely fastened down4 ,the best lash for securing the load in position is one of sealskin1 though ordinary hemp rope will do4 ,before lashing1 the tarpaulin should be neatly folded over the top of load to protect it4 ,one end of the lash is secured to an end of the crossbar at the forward end of the load1 brought across the load and under the other end1 then across1 skipping a couple of crossbars1 and back again skipping a couple of crossbars1 thus threading it from side to side under the ends of every second or third crossbar to the rear bar1 where it is brought across the load to the opposite end of this crossbar and crisscrossed across the load again to the forward crossbar to be tied4 ,,the ,,end ,transcriber's note3 ,inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained4 ,punctuation has been normalized4 ,the following errors have been corrected3 99 p4 #df two or three hundreds fixed to 444 hundred 99 p4 #ea ,chapter ,,vii3 fixed numbering of topics 99 p4 #gb carelessless - carelessness 99 p4 #he change ,a#a to ,a to match the illustration 99 p4 #hg graps - grasps 99 p4 #hh betwee nthem - between them 99 p4 #ij fixed period instead of comma 99 p4 #ij graps - grasps 99 p4 #aai removed redundant of