192 FIFTY YEARS A HUNTER AND TRAPPER. 



locality, on a stream or in a valley of considerable size, or near 

 a public highway or some landmark that is readily recognized by 

 the trapper. Even thought it may be after nightfall, for the thrifty 

 trapper or hunter will oftener find himself on the trail after the 

 stars are shining than he will in camp before dark. Now it is 

 quite necessary that the camper should first acquaint himself with 

 these land marks for some distance either side of his camp (when 

 I say some distance I mean miles) and especially get the general 

 course or direction that the stream runs or other landmarks, for 

 this is where the real use of the pocket compass comes in play. 



Now when you start out place out a line of traps or on the 

 trail of a deer or other animal, all that there is to be done is to 

 know whether you are on the south, north or other direction, as 

 the case may be, from this valley or other landmarks. Now the 

 trapper or hunter soon becomes so accustomed to traveling in 

 the woods that when he makes up his mind to strike for camp, 

 he can tell about how long it will take him to reach this valley 

 that the camp is located in. When the time comes to go to 

 camp consult the compass, and as it is known what direction to take 

 to hit the camp, or at least the stream or other landmark on which 

 the camp is located. 



Yes, boys, if any one is in the habit of getting lost the 

 pocket compass is a very useful instrument in finding the way, 

 providing it is properly used. Let me say, however, that no mat- 

 ter how often "the shanty gets lost," don't lose your head, for if 

 you do, the compass or the landmarks will do you no good. 



