176 HUNTING TRIPS 



be difficult to tell which fork to fol- 

 low up every time the stream branched. A 

 man should always notice the position of the 

 sun, the direction from which the wind 

 blows, the slope of the water-courses, promi- 

 nent features in the landscape, and so forth, 

 and should keep in mind his own general 

 course ; and he had better err on the side of 

 caution rather than on that of boldness. 

 Getting lost is very uncomfortable, both for 

 the man himself and for those who have to 

 break up their work and hunt for him. Deep 

 woods or perfectly flat, open country are al- 

 most equally easy places in which to get lost ; 

 while if the country is moderately open and 

 level, with only here and there a prominent 

 and easily recognized hill or butte, a man can 

 safely go where he wishes, hardly paying any 

 heed to his course. But even here he should 

 know his general direction from camp, so as 

 to be able to steer for it with a compass if 

 a fog comes up. And if he leaves his horse 

 hidden in a gully or pocket while he goes 

 off to hunt on foot, he must recollect to keep 



