226 WHAT TO DO IF LOST IN THE WOODS 



of having the snowshoe straps tied or strapped to 

 the foot and being unable to remove them without 

 the help of the hands. Such a danger presents 

 itself in going over weak ice, where if a person 

 breaks through he can never extricate himself 

 alone with his snowshoes on. If the accident 

 happens on a river where the current is strong he 

 will be dragged under. Two hunters were 

 drowned in this manner on the Ste. Marguerite 

 river. 



Ihti Hiring a 3Firje. Although lighting a fire 

 seems to be a very simple thing, there are 

 many occasions when it requires a good deal of 

 skill and experience to do it quickly and properly. 

 In heavy rain or a snowstorm, it is necessary 

 to have at hand sufficient materials to start a good 

 fire at once. Birch bark in this northern section 

 is the great lighter, and can be found almost 

 everywhere. Where this is not available, de- 

 cayed wood comes next, some kinds igniting like 

 powder. Obtain this from standing trees. Fall- 

 en timber is always more or less wet. Having 

 everything ready, lay one piece of wood down, 

 then your birch bark chips or anything else you 

 have as a lighter, then your small bits of wood, 

 and on these the larger ones, according to the size 

 of fire needed, being careful to leave air spaces 

 between. This is very essential, otherwise your 

 fire will not burn brightly. The laying of a first 



