IN A FISHING COUNTRY 



same weight in blankets. Adding a light 

 blanket you are still not overburdened, and 

 may have your rest at night without arising 

 to mend the fire at twelve, and two, and 

 four. In substitution for these coverings, 

 a down sleeping-bag is a marvellously 

 comfortable thing out of which to blink at 

 the chilly twinkling stars. Keep it dry, 

 for drying is a slow and troublesome job. 

 The other shop-made sleeping devices are 

 heavy to transport, with further disad- 

 vantages; a simple bag of water-proof 

 duck, holding the bed-clothes about you, 

 and fending ofif wind and wet, is both han- 

 dier and better. Make it with a smaller 

 bag at the head, for your traps and to serve 

 as pillow. But even this may outrun what 

 is permissible when travelling light. The 

 greatest possible warmth for weight is 

 found in a rabbit-skin robe; — hard to come 

 at now, since our squaws have turned 

 against chewing and weaving the strips of 

 fur. 



There is always room for a book or two. 

 Some authors might be flattered at know- 

 ing the trails they have staggered over. This 

 suggests a new literary touch-stone: books 

 worth carrying fifty miles on your back! 

 Some day I should like to apply it. There 

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