39^ Appendices 



fully given by any respectable citizen not directly or 

 indirectly concerned with the sale. At such times good 

 letters of introduction are invaluable. The men at the 

 head of big enterprises, the railroad people, the bankers, 

 the contractors, will take particular pains to see that the 

 stranger within their gates is not swindled, provided 

 always that you appeal to their sense of hospitality. It 

 is possible to buy an " outfit/* use it for six months, and 

 sell it for nearly as much as you gave ; but such a piece of 

 luck falls to few. 



In conclusion, I emphasise once more the expediency of 

 borrowing experience. In Victoria, in Tacoma, in Seattle, 

 in Portland, and in San Francisco, men may be found 

 whose advice will save you not only money, but time and 

 trouble. Most Englishmen are so desperately anxious to 

 start into the wilderness that they grudge every minute 

 spent in making inquiries. Such greenhorns nearly 

 always return empty-handed, because they go empty- 

 headed. Long before we start on even small expeditions, 

 my brothers and I begin to make careful notes. For 

 instance, it is folly to take horses into a country where 

 the feed is short ; it is absolutely necessary to know 

 something of the topography of the district you wish to 

 hunt in : its rivers and streams, its mountains, woods, and 

 trails (if any). You are sure to pass through many big 

 ranches, and a letter to the owners will insure you a 

 welcome at least. If you can do no better, a card from 

 one of the merchants may prove an open sesame to price- 

 less stores of information. 



It is perhaps superfluous to remind the sportsman that 

 around the camp-fire all men are equal. And remember 

 that, be they many or few, your hired companions will 

 take their tone from the " boss." If you whine, so will 

 they ; if you curse, so will they ; if you loaf, so will they. 

 Insist from the first upon order and cleanliness. Each 



