Things About Camp 25 



William proceeded to pour out upon the morning air the melodic 

 history of an elderly gentleman who appeared to be sadly up 

 against it, and who, in spite of his utmost efforts could accomplish 

 nothing to his satisfaction. 



"The old gentleman seems to have been in hard luck," com- 

 mented the artist. "Is that the regular matin song in camp?" 



"It is in some, and a good many more places not camps." 



These cryptics are here set down for the benefit of those who 

 may be wise to the things hidden from the non-initiate. A morn- 

 ing toilet in camp is distinctly an impromptu affair. One of the 

 two Jays, both being interested spectators, inquired of the artist: 



"The English always wash in cold water, don't they?" 



"It's a national institution," he was gravely assured. "Of 

 course, it kills a good many of them, but those that survive grow 

 up with remarkably hardy constitutions. Among some it is 

 reckoned more dangerous to drink it." 



The first breakfast in camp had something of the feeling of a 

 religious observance, which added to the savor of fried ham, pota- 

 toes, soda biscuit, jam, and coffee, all, of course, preceded by the 

 introductory oatmeal. 



Camp housekeeping is a simple matter. The flat dweller 

 does not realize how many things can be eliminated with no special 

 inconvenience until he comes where they are not to be had. The 

 messtent, its entrance facing the north, has for a table a few 

 planks, or more likely a few saplings, trimmed smooth on the 

 upper side with the axe, laid side by side upon cross pieces sup- 

 ported on posts driven into the ground to table height. Upon 

 these again is a length of oil cloth smoothly laid, on the farther 

 end of which are stacked the various bottles and cans containing 

 comestible comforts that fill up the chinks between the staples 

 of a meal. A couple of halved logs, supported on posts driven 

 in the ground either side of the table, furnish sufficiently com- 

 modious seats. With trunks, beds, rod and gun cases, and mis- 

 cellaneous impedimenta, or as would be said in the Coast 

 Chinook, "ictas," at the sides, it quickly acquires a populated and 

 homelike appearance. 



At its left side is the sleeping tent, its sides held and bound 

 with logs, and within, the piled hay that makes the foundation 

 of the nightly couch held within bounds by another log laid on 



