FOR A HUNDRED DOLLARS. 79 



the camp stove, the fuel is at hand, only needing to be 

 cut. I speak of these things lest any one should think 

 me regardless of their comfort. It is possible that some 

 desiderata may be omitted, but the main desires and 

 wants, at least, are provided for. In provisions there 

 may not be quite enough, but I think what I have enu 

 merated will cover the wants of a winter s stay. Fish 

 and game will very likely aid greatly in providing for 

 your wants ; but then fish are sometimes very perverse 

 and will not bite, and turkeys, quail, and deer will per 

 sist in secluding themselves in inaccessible places. That 

 ten dollars should be sufficient to cover all extra outlay 

 for provisions. Now I expect some cavilling person 

 will say, &quot; You haven t provided gun or boat, nor many 

 other things necessary to one s comfort in a land un 

 known to him.&quot; 



I know that. I didn t agree to ; merely promised to 

 take you to Florida and back, giving a month on the 

 water, two on land, for one hundred dollars. I have 

 done more than that. I have provided for your wants 

 for that period, not taking into consideration the fact that 

 your bare board at the North would cost you twice the 

 amount it will to camp. You haven t allowed for the 

 value of the cooking utensils, blankets, etc., after they 

 have served your purpose, and you do not consider, 

 though it is true as gospel, that you have, if an ordi 

 nary man, saved at least half the expense of clothing 

 a winter s residence at the North would necessitate. 

 Really the trip to Florida has cost you nothing, and with 

 a little more time and &quot; figgerin &quot; I might perhaps 

 show that you had made money by the venture. Any 

 way, you will come back with a renewed lease of life, and 

 rejoicing in regained strength, which of themselves, are 



