Travelling with Dogs in Northern Wilds 255 



trees. Cutting them into suitable lengths, 

 he thus prepared his wood. His flint and 

 steel, in his skilled hand, soon started the 

 fire. So when the rest of the party came 

 up, a roaring fire was ready for the kettles, 

 which were speedily brought into use. The 

 meal was quickly cooked and eaten and the 

 journey once more resumed. Thus on and 

 on we journeyed until the lengthening 

 shadows told the guide that it was about 

 time he began to look out for the camping- 

 place where the night was to be spent. 



The day's march was supposed to end 

 about an hour before the sun went down. 

 This gave ample time in which to prepare the 

 camp and make all the necessary arrange- 

 ments for there spending the night. The 

 two essentials for a good camp were abun- 

 dance of dry wood and a sheltered grove of 

 live spruce or balsam trees. When the 

 guide reached what thus suited his experi- 

 enced eye, the halt was called, and dogs, as 

 well as men, rejoiced at the welcome rest. 

 Yet there was a good deal to be done ere 

 there was any quiet rest. As each train 

 reached the place selected by the guide the 

 first duty of each driver was to unharness 

 his dogs. If he had the misfortune to have 



