WILD TURKEY AND DEER SHOOTING. 237 



the ends of the spit being laid in the crutches of 

 the uprights,, the bird could be turned slowly 

 before the fire with little trouble. A pan placed 

 beneath caught the gravy and dripping, and with 

 this the turkey was basted from time to time. 

 It was a most excellent roast, and a wild turkey 

 cooked in this way before a big, quick fire 

 beats one that is baked in an oven all hollow. 

 We feasted well that evening, but in the night 

 we rather suffered, as I shall relate. 



We had to rely on a large fire in front of 

 the tent for warmth, as I had then no tent-stove. 

 Of late years I have always been provided with a 

 small, cheap stove and pipe, which could be put 

 up inside. The tent being then closed all round, 

 and a small fire kept up in the stove with hard 

 wood, it is as warm inside as in a house. Such 

 a plan is much better for convenience and com- 

 fort than my old system. The fire in front of 

 the tent has to be eight Or ten feet off, for fear 

 that the canvas may take fire if it is nearer, 

 and on a cold night it does not do much good. 

 In Missouri at that time the nights were very 

 cold. We had to lie with our heads under the 

 blankets to keep our ears from being frozen. In 

 the morning our boots were as stiff as if they had 



