MOCCASINS, BUCKSKIN, ETC. 381 



approach wild deer without them. One can walk 

 farther in them with less fatigue, with less slipping on 

 rocks, hill-sides, dry grass, etc., and less danger of 

 spraining an ankle, tripping, or falling, than with any- 

 thing else that can be worn. In dry cold snow, when 

 worn with two or three pairs of woolen socks or a 

 doubled piece of heavy woolen blanket wrapped out- 

 side of one pair, they are absolutely unapproachable 

 for ease and comfort. And even in wet snow or wet 

 grass, mud, etc., they are as good as 'anything that 

 can be worn without making too much noise, except 

 india-rubber shoes. They will hold you on any slope 

 where anything but spiked shoes can hold you, and 

 are far better than those for running along rocks, 

 logs, etc. The uppers, if of good material, will last 

 as long as those of a good pair of boots. New soles 

 can be speedily cut out of old boot-legs, and put on 

 with an awl and buckskin thong. 



The best of all moccasins are those of buckskin. 

 As buying cannot always be depended upon except 

 buying poor ones one who expects to hunt much 

 should learn to make his own moccasins. This is a 

 very trifling matter for anyone of any ingenuity; and 

 with a little practice such a one can soon make them 

 as shapely as any he can buy. 



The easiest pattern to make is that of the Sioux 

 Indians. A piece of buckskin the exact length of the 

 foot and about seven and a half inches wide (for a No. 7 

 foot) is first cut out. This should be cut from the 

 rump or along the back of the hide. To insure even 

 cutting it should be laid on a board, the piece marked 

 out with a square and lead-pencil, perfectly square- 

 cornered, and then cut with a sharp knife so that 

 there is no pulling it out of shape. It is then folded 



