6 SrOKTIXG ADVENTURES 



chase whatever waggons and animals may be needed, as they 

 can be sold again when the season is over for nearly as much 

 as they cost in the first instance. Good mustangs can be 

 obtained at from fifteen to sixty dollars each ; but mules are 

 dear, they being rather scarce beyond the Rocky Mountains. 

 In the majority of cases it would be better to use pack animals 

 for transporting the baggage, as this gives greater mobility, 

 and they can traverse mountainous regions which waggons 

 cannot even enter. For travelling over hills or any rugged 

 country mules make the best riding animals, as they are hardy, 

 patient, and sure-footed ; but a mustang or an American horse 

 is better for the plains, its gait being much more easy and 

 regular than that of the long-eared quadruped. 



The best tent for camping purposes, during the summer at 

 least, is the wall tent with ily attached, as that is convenient 

 to pitch, easily folded, can be readily ventilated during sultry 

 weather-, and is of a shape that enables beds to be put up with 

 little trouble. It should be made of duck heavy enough to 

 keep out rain and the fierce rays of a noon-day sun; and poles 

 for it should always be carried along, as their weight is 

 nothing in comparison to the delay and annoyance of cutting 

 new ones at every encampment, even where wood is plentiful ; 

 whereas in many places it is so scarce that not a vestige of it 

 is visible for miles. In selecting a camp the first requisites 

 are that wood, water, and grass should be convenient, if it is 

 intended to remain there any length of time; if not, the 

 second element is the first matter that should receive attention, 

 and all others, except personal safety, should be sacrificed to 

 it. It is, fortunately, plentiful enough in the hunting regions 

 west of the Koeky Mountains, and if it takes its rise in a 

 granite formation it never runs dry. When a tent is pitched 

 its back should always be towards the wind, if there is no 

 shelter convenient ; but if there is, advantage should be taken 

 of it. It should occupy, if possible, a knoll or the crest of sloping 

 ground, and if a storm is threatened a trench a few inches 

 dcej) should be dug all round it to drain awav the rain ; and 

 the earth ought to be placed against the lower part of the 

 sides to prevent their bein^ lifted up by the wind or saturated 



