60 THE PLAINS. 



north of the map), he next takes the direction of his camp, 

 and estimates the probable distance. 



All this must be done with great care, for it is mere 

 waste of time to attempt it from a second position after 

 having failed from the first. Taking points far ahead on 

 the course decided upon, he goes directly upon them. If 

 the ground is very broken, some prominent point is 

 selected, as far ahead as possible, and on arriving at it the 

 compass should again be consulted to determine another 

 point in the line still in advance. If on travelling over 

 the estimated distance neither camp nor any recognised 

 ground has been discovered, the lost man may try firing 

 his gun several times in rapid succession, and then wait- 

 ing for an answering shot. If there is no answer, he had 

 better select the highest point in the vicinity, collect fuel 

 and try fire. Indians use smoke for signals ; white men fire. 



In those portions of the country, however, where 

 there are no Indians, white men use smoke ; it being 

 visible at much greater distance. 



It would not be safe to make a smoke if the presence 

 of Indians were suspected ; but when not in an Indian 

 country, the lost man makes a fire, smothers it occasionally 

 with grass, so as to make as much smoke as possible, and 

 waits for an answering smoke. If night overtakes him, 

 he keeps up as large and bright a flame as possible, until 

 an answering blaze shall appear. If all fail, he should 

 waste no further time in looking for his camp, but, adjust- 

 ing map and compass as heretofore described, make for 

 the nearest large stream and follow it up or down, as will 

 soonest bring him to settlements. 



No man should ever leave his camp or party without his 

 arms and a plentiful supply of ammunition and matches. 

 With these he can always manage to keep himself with- 

 out suffering, even on a solitary journey of a week or two. 

 In the present condition of the settlements, no man of 

 ordinarv intelligence ouaht to be ' out ' under such cir- 



/ o 



cumstances more than two or three days. 



