HUNTER'S AND TRAPPER'S OUTFIT. 17 



to work. If at any time there is a surplus of 

 traps, let the man who has charge of the skins 

 try his luck ; but it will be found that he will 

 have very little time to trap. 



There is one other way in which I have 

 done some very profitable trapping that is 

 working single-handed and boarding with the 

 farmers. All that a man needs for trapping 

 in this way, besides a few dollars for neces- 

 sary expenses, is one dozen beaver or otter 

 traps, one dozen coon traps, one dozen mink 

 traps, one small dug-out boat, one pair short- 

 legged gum boots, rubber lined ; one oil-skin 

 coat, one pocket compass, one forty-four 

 caliber Colt's improved pistol, a valise and 

 some old clothes. Go to most any one of the 

 small streams of the South or West, provided 

 it is large enough to float your boat, find a 

 boarding-place, and trap the stream and its 

 tributaries for three miles each way until the 

 game gets scarce ; then leave your skins with 

 the farmer, take your valise and traps, get in 



