PREFACE 



than of unstable air-currents. Blindly groping for 

 a lead, ever bumping into insurmountable walls 

 yet there is a way out, and, foot by foot, the way 

 will be found. The explorer cannot survey and 

 level and keep exact field notes. It is folly to 

 expect a Cook or a Peary to take hair-splitting ob- 

 servation, in Arctic dress, and in a life and death 

 struggle for mere animal existence. The "Rah 

 Rah Boys" must come after the explorer, to locate 

 and level and primp up, and that is their business. 

 But before the great explorer, there is the humble 

 Esquimau, the woodsman, the voyageur, blunder- 

 ing ahead, making a portage or camp or perhaps 

 only jusf a blaze. And yet the woodsman's blaze 

 may help the great explorer when he is lost, and 

 lead him on to an unsuspected pass. 



What matters it who shall find? 



What has truth to do with personality? Shall 

 not a grain of truth be precious among a thousand 

 bushels of trash, and who shall say: "It is not 

 worth the winnowing"? 



With all its faults and incoherence, this little 

 book is submitted to you. Will you try to pick out 

 something to elaborate and put in shape for 

 proper use? H. C. E. 



