CHAP. VI.| Ils Equipment. 99 
it was so rickety that he had to tie the barrel to the stock 
with a piece of thick twine. He carried his powder in a 
horn, and measured out his charges with the bowl of a 
tobacco-pipe. His shot was contained in a brown - paper 
bag. A few insect bottles of middling size, some boxes for 
containing moths and butterflies, and a botanical book for 
putting his plants in, constituted his equipment. 
As he did not cease shoe-making until nine at night, 
nearly all his researches were made after that hour. He 
had to be back to his work in the morning at six. His 
wages were so sinall that he could not venture to abridge 
his working hours. It was indispensably necessary for him 
to husband carefully both his time and his money, so as to 
make the most of the one and the best of the other. And, 
in order the better to accomplish this, he resolved never to 
spend a moment idly, nor a penny uselessly. 
On returning home from his work at night, his usual 
course was to equip himself with his insect boxes and bot- 
tles, his botanical book, and his gun; and to set out with 
his supper in his hand or stowed away in his pocket. The 
nearest spring furnished him with sufficient drink. So long 
as it was light, he scoured the country, looking for moths, 
or beetles, or plants, or birds, or any living thing that came 
in his way. ; 
When it became so dark that he could no longer’ ob- 
serve, he dropped down by the side of a bank, or a bush, 
or a tree, whichever came handiest, and there he dozed or 
slept until the light returned. Then he got up, and again 
began his observations, which he continued until the time 
arrived when he had to return to his daily labor. It was no 
unusual circumstance for him—when he had wandered too 
far, and come upon some more than usually attractive spot 
—to strip himself of his gear, gun and all, which he would 
hide in some hole; and, thus lightened of every thing ex- 
cept his specimens, take to his heels, and run at the top of 
his speed, in order to be at his work at the proper time. 
