CAMPING OUT. 69 



with a billet of leather on each end of the bag, to which 

 you can buckle a long strap like a gun sling; this will be 

 found convenient to handle it by, or in carrying, by slinging 

 the bag on the shoulder. Don't forget the pillow, it is one 

 of the most important parts of the outfit. Don't think of 

 taking an overcoat; if the weather is cold, wear one of your 

 blankets Indian style, it will be found quite warm and very 

 much more convenient; with one gun and one fishing-rod, 

 and the outfit is complete. You will find plenty of room 

 yet in the bag, for fishing-tackle, ammunition, pipes and to-, 

 bacco, for quite an extended trip, 



Camping parties should consist of not more than 

 four persons. It is quite pleasant to have a number 

 of parties together,- but parties of not more than four 

 in number should be absolutely separate, and distinct. 

 Each party of four should be composed of congenial 

 companions; two even, will be found too many if either 

 of them are irritable, peevish, or fault finding. One 

 grumbler in camp will destroy the pleasure of the whole 

 trip. The man in camp is a very different being, from the 

 man in society, as a rule; .therefore, look well for genial 

 companions, as very much of the pleasure of the trip de- 

 pends upon it. It may be a delicate subject, but should be 

 talked over earnestly, and squarely, by parties starting out 

 on a camping tour for the first time. It will go a long ways 

 toward preventing much unpleasantness, if you have a clear 

 understanding that no petty quarrelling, grumbling, or 

 fault-finding, will be indulged in by any member of the 

 party. This kind of an understanding will put each man 

 on his guard; in other words, put him to thinking, and by 

 just thinking a little, many trifling affairs could be turned to 

 fun that might otherwise irritate. The camp work should 

 be about equally divided among the party, then each mem- 

 ber see for himself that he attends to his own part promptly 



