THE CAMP FIRE. 13 



tended hunt to explain, as they form the regular duties of camp 

 life. 



After the breakfast has been despatched, the one sauce-pan, one 

 soup-kettle, one coffee-pot, and four tin coffee-cups, and tin plates, 

 are neatly cleaned, the two little vagabond horses are caught and 

 led up with leading ropes around their necks. They are vicious, 

 ragged-looking little beasts, but invaluable as pack-horses. On 

 their backs we strap a couple of blankets folded in half ; over that 

 a little open framework, in which, and to which we may fasten 

 anything that is to be carried. This novel pack-saddle resembles 

 a kitchen chair turned upside down. In it is put the little box 

 containing our salt, pepper, vinegar, cloves, lard, all little matters, 

 but of great use — we familiarly called the box "the kitchen"; 

 a sack of onions, one of bacon, a small keg of powder, a bag of 

 shot, another of bullets, caps, needles, thread, scissors, etc., then a 

 joint of venison, or a turkey, or any article of food, the Doctor's 

 trophies, skins of birds, skulls of animals, or strange flowers or 

 sketch-books. Then the coffee-pot, frying-pan, etc., are hung on 

 the perpendicular legs of the saddle, two axes are strapped to the 

 sides, and the ponies move off after making two or three malicious 

 kicks at the dogs and bystanders. Mike leads the van with a cat- 

 like motion, his long rifle lying on his arm, and followed by his 

 dog. The negroes and the ponies bring up the rear. We passed 

 for the most of our time through an open pine-country with a 

 sandy soil. Here and there a grove of closer vegetation could be 

 seen, and now and then a pool of water, surrounded by oaks and 

 cypress, but generally the long vistas of slender trees would only 

 be interrupted by some climbing plant, or the high knolls that 

 traversed the country, following the general course of the drainage 

 of the water. We only made one march a day of about six hours, 

 and then selecting some spot for the beauty of its location, or the 

 abundance of its game, pitched our camp, built our fire, turned out 

 our ponies, and made ourselves as much at home as though we 

 never expected to change. There were many days that we never 

 broke camp, for the great abundance of game would entice us to 

 stay, and then our resting-place gradually assumed a comfortable 

 appearance. A tent of boughs carpeted with skins, a substantial 



