88 The Mountaineer 



Therefore, having shifted all responsibility for lug- 

 gage, tickets, etc., upon the shoulders of the Outing 

 Committee, the merry company started on this memor- 

 able trip absolutely care free. 



A short railway journey ended at the town of 

 Baker at 9 :30 p. m. Our first temporary camp lay two 

 miles beyond, over a muddy road. It was a very dark 

 night and we literally plunged into inky blackness, punc- 

 tuated by improvised lanterns, called "bugs," constructed 

 of tin cans and candles. In spite of the mud and dark- 

 ness, a very cheerful company trudged on. 



"Why are the people up in front shouting?" we 

 query. In a moment we are shouting too, for a turn 

 in the road brings to our dazzled eyes a glorious camp 

 fire, and good things to eat set out most invitingly, and 

 presiding over all His Royal Highness Our Chef, Mr. 

 Carr. 



With a lusty cheer the advancing army surrounded 

 the camp and took possession in the name of "The 

 Mountaineers." 



After the invaders had put to rout a host of hot 

 doughnuts, biscuits, a large supply of rice and other 

 good things, we unpacked our dunnage bags. Perhaps 

 a newcomer looked a little anxiously at the grassy 

 meadow that was to be our sleeping quarters. I sus- 

 pect they were questioning the charm of such a 

 spacious boudoir. However, being very sportsmanlike, 

 nothing was said, and in a short time we were all 

 as snug as dolls in Christmas stockings, and no sound 

 was heard but the occasional snapping of the waning 

 camp fire. 



At dawn the bugle call aroused us and in two 

 hours breakfast was eaten, dunnage bags packed ready 

 for the pack train. 



Our pack train consisted of thirty-two sturdy, well 

 trained little beasts and we were indebted to the Stand- 

 ard Reduction and Development Company for them. 



