22 PRACTICAL TAXIDERMY. 



CHAPTER II. 



CAMPING. 



The comfort which the veteran camper takes in his 

 abode in the woods, strongly contrasts with the incon- 

 veniences experienced by the amateur. 



The former quietly " turns out " at daylight, knowing 

 just where to put his hand on a few dry twigs or a little 

 birch bark with which to start the fire, and in a few min- 

 utes the coffee-pot boils, and venison steaks or fish are 

 broiling over the fire. But little wood is employed, yet 

 the fire is compact and cooks quickly and "to a turn." 

 In the meantime, bedding has been rolled up, rifle clean- 

 ed, cartridges and traps selected, and route laid out. 

 As the last mouthful of breakfast disappears, the hunter 

 puts on his belt, reaches for his rifle, and then starts off 

 sanguine of a good day's sport. 



The amateur " turns out " late when the flies will allow 

 him to sleep no longer, and goes limping down to the 

 brook for a pail of water. He then calls for assistance to 

 make a fire, which, when made, is large enough to roast 

 an ox, and so hot that he cannot approach it. He stands 

 around hungry and impatient until he has a bed of coals, 

 then makes preparations to cook. He finds himself com- 

 pelled to splice a pole to the frying-pan, as the fire is still 

 too hot to approach, and he often places the coffee-kettle 

 on a stick that burns through and dumps the contents on 

 the fire. While looking about with consternation, the 

 meat burns, and one misfortune after another follows. 

 By the time breakfast is over, the sun is high in the 

 heavens, the deer have sought their beds, the fish have 

 ceased to bite, and the best of the day is gone. On a cold 

 rainy morning, his troubles increase, but if difficulties are 

 encountered with patience and perseverance, city "rust" 



