May 7, 1-898.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
363 
densed milk (eA-aporated cream is good, but spoils after 
being frozen), canned butter (get the 2lb. hermetically 
sealed tins), coffee and cocoa, smoked beef, hardtack 
and dry salt pork. Many other things may of course 
be added, but most of the above articles are essential. 
The Canadian Mounted Police had an oatmeal biscuit 
prepared for dogs that was mighty good eating for men. 
It did not freeze, and was just the thing for lunch on a 
winter's day. Then there was a kind of egg powder, 
put up in Seattle, that struck me as being a good thing, 
though I did not have a chance of trying this. 
The hardtack should be put up in slb. tins; the salt, 
sugar, tea and coffee in oiled waterproof sacks or tins; 
and the fruit should also be similarly protected. In 
fact oiled sacks are good for all the articles named. A 
wetting is more to be feared for the sugar than any other 
one article, for no matter what precautions are taken 
. afterward it is sure to continue to lose weight by leach- 
ing. It is bad enough with salt, but salt can be dried. 
Flour never wets through, and in a 5olb. sack only 5 or 
61bs. is caked by an all-round wetting. This caked flour 
may be eaten, though it is of course impossible to get 
baking powder into it or bake raised bread. Oatmeal 
and cornmeal sour after a wetting, and beans must be 
driecl before they swell. Fruit may be saved by drying 
within a reasonable time. Properly cured bacon can 
stand repeated wettings without deteriorating in quality. 
The baking powder requires especial care, as it is very 
susceptil)le to the presence of moisture and easily loses 
its leavening qualities. 
For bedding furs should always be taken. One can 
get along in summer very well with blankets, but they 
will hardly answer for the intense winter cold. I have 
slept between 6olbs. of good quality blankets and had 
to wear gloves to keep my hands from freezing. In that 
Arctic cold blankets seem porous, "like so much mos- 
quito netting," as Frank Slavin expressed it, and adding 
to the pile over you seems to do very little good. If a 
man relies on blahkets alone he must pack around a 
tremendous weight of them when traveling in winter, 
and more blankets means less food. 
Fur robes, on the other hand, possess the maximum 
of warmth with the minimum of weight. The skins of 
the smaller animals, such as iynx, fox. badger, wolf and 
rabbit, are preferred to such heavy skins as those of 
bear, deer or buffalo. Lynx and rabbit skin robes are 
perhaps held in the highest esteem. The latter is the 
lightest of all furs. The rabbit skin robes were procured 
from Indians through the Hudson's Bay Company. They 
were made of the skins of the Northern hare, cut into 
narrow strips and woven together double, in such a 
way that the fur faced outward on both sides. One can 
push his fingers through these robes anywhere, and yet 
they seemed effectually to keep out the cold. The own- 
ers assured me that they were comfortable "lying out" 
in so-belo,\v weather, and other members of the parties 
with whidi ^hey traveled said that these men never 
seemed to mind the cold at night, and slept better than 
any one else. 
At first I could scarcely credit this, as the robes were 
very hght (a 6ft. square robe weights only gibs.), and 
often they were neither covered nor lined, and it seemed 
as though the cold could easily penetrate the meshes; but 
after seeing them in use and talking with Hudson Bay 
men who had been accustomed to them all their lives. 
I had to change my opinion. • The Hudson Bay men 
believe in using the robe without covering or lining, as 
they say it is warmer that way. They acknowledge, 
however, that if a man is at all particular as to his ap- 
pearance this will not do. as the hairs come out in the 
worst kind of a way. Generally they are lined with 
blanket material, though in one case silk was used. 
These rabbit skin robes are very cheap, but were hard 
to get in the Yukon last year. The cost is in the neigh- 
borhood of $10. The lynx skin and other robes were 
much more expensive, the price varying of course with 
the primeness of the fur. Coyote skins make good 
robes, and these may be had at very reasonable prices. 
The robe should be of good size. While one 6ft. 
square is large enough under some circumstances, a 
robe 6x9ft. or 8x9 is better. The Canadian Mounted 
Police require a robe 8x9ft. in size. 
Sleeping bags are good for use under favorable con- 
ditions, but they are hard to dry out, and this is a seri- 
ous objection in the Arctic climate of the Yukon. A 
single night will make the bedding very icy, for one 
has to bleep with his head covered, and the breath con- 
geals. Blankets soon become as stiff as boards, and 
constantly gain in weight. Then too. when turning in 
for the night this- ice in the bedding must be thawed 
out to some extent by bodily heat before the tempei-a- 
ture inside becomes very conducive to sleep. 
Waterproof sleeping bags of the best type, such as 
the Kenwood, are excellent for use in the fall and at 
times when the thermometer does not drop much below 
zero. 
In connection with the general outfit I should Uke 
'to say a word in praise of the folding canvas boats we 
itook along as a part of our outfit. While I should not 
recommend the use of such boats as freight carriers on 
account ot the necessity of mooring them off shore 
when the load is left in over night, I think they cannot 
:be excelled for prospecting or hunting or trips where 
only a light outfit is carried. Canvas boats will stand 
an incredible amount of rough usage and banging on 
rocks, but a hole will very soon be worn through the 
.bottom if they are left resting on a rock or with the 
'bow drawn up on a gravelly beach. When they cannot 
ibe anchored out clear of the shore the boats must be 
unloaded and afterward carried up on the beach 
Our boats were a large size Eureka model, made bv 
the Acme Manufacturing Co. They were only 12ft long 
but they had 44in. beam and were 23in. high, bow and 
stern. Amidships they were I5in. high. Eureka boats 
are built on a canoe model, and are excellent sea boats 
and when not loaded too heavily they row very easily' 
We shot the Canon and White Horse Rapids with these 
boats half decked and carried from 3S0 to 45olbs. of 
treigM. this load was necessary to steady the boats 
and keep them from tossing the rower out. With it 
^YX.ri-r^^ handled to perfection. The worst pitch 
of White Horse Rapids was avoided by running the 
boats into quieter water near the west bank. Our boats 
were the smallest that eyer swpcessfully shot these rapids', 
and the only ones, I believe, that Went through with a 
single occupant. The boats are very readily put to- 
gether or taken apart, and two when folded may be 
packed on a horse's back at one time. 
J. B. BURNHAM. 
sport in Spain, 
Correspondence of Forest aftd Stream. 
It ksLs b^efen said that the public taste for bull-fighting 
is dying out in Spain. T believe the opposite to be the 
fact! Among the first things I read in Madrid was an 
article about a project to bring an enormously large 
and powerful elephant from the Zoological Garden at 
Amsterdam to Madrid, and pit him against a tiger, a 
lion, a white bear, and against five bulls. 
The town was covered with flaming posters of the 
approaching "corrida" — six bulls from the famous "gan- 
aderias" (pasturages) of the lineal descendant of Co- 
lumbus. 
I know of no more magnificent spectacle than a bull 
fight. As to its morality, or its influence on a nation 
of amateurs at this sport — that for the moment I will 
not discuss. 
Those who believe that the sport is dying out should 
see such crowds as Rennyson and I beheld streaming 
from "la Puerta del Sol," filling the wide avenue, "Calle 
Alcala," and finding place in the circus with its room 
for 12,000 spectators. Everybody who can hire a wagon 
or a mule drives or rides at the greatest speed of which 
his animal is capable, in clouds of dust amid a hubbub 
of yelling. 
The driver is seated on the shafts, his legs dan.gling 
among the mules', which he can conveniently whip; and 
in the carryall are as many bo3'S and girls as can be 
seated, or hang on by their eyelids, chattering like mag- 
pies. It's a country circus and a Fourth of July multi- 
plied by a thousand. . 
The mules and donkeys are decorated with all sorts of 
ribbons, tassels and streamers. 
The day of the "corrida" is a holiday for everybody. 
A peasant and his wife astride on muleback — he carry- 
ing his "escopeta" (gun) slung on the shoulder — are 
coming in from the country; others are on tiny little 
donkeys, the riders' feet almost scraping the ground, 
like the pictures one sees in illustrated Bibles of loco- 
motion in Palestine; long wagons like hayricks, to 
which are harnessed six gayly and festively decorated 
mules; and such is the crush for seats that, to be sure 
of them, Ave took our tickets in advance. 
Ever}^ ticket is numbered and every seat is "reserved"; 
there are six great doors, and the people take their places 
without confusion. When we arrived the arena was full 
of people who had been looking at the bulls in the 
"toril." A detachment of soldiers enters the arena, and 
executing a half pivot swing, sweeps the crowd out. 
The bulls are suggestively bellowing; acquaintances 
are calling to each other across the arena, which is large 
enough for a regiment of cavalry to maneuver in ; ladies 
are plying their fans, making a rustling, sibilant sound 
like 10,000 butterflies; students in groups are shout- 
ing their college songs. 
One of their number asks a dignified old gentleman, 
just arriving, what time it is. He gives the hour, and 
they shout in chorus "Gracias," nearly startling the old 
fellow out of his wits, and everybody laughs — except the 
old gentleman. 
A brass band discourses excellent music; hawkers 
throw oranges to purchasers in every direction, and 
deftly catch in their hats the "cuartos" thrown in pay- 
ment. An orange goes astray, knocks off a man's silk 
hat; there is a grand general laugh, but the hatless one 
is furious. 
The audience commences to pound with their canes; 
the students sing: "Tittle's Up." 
The "alcalde'' (mayor), who presides, takes his chair 
in the box of the "Ayuntamiento" (City Councils) be- 
side the Royal Box. A lady faints, and instantly the 
12,000 people are on their feet, standing on the benches. 
A fellow with a speaking trumpet which makes a noise 
like a clap of thunder calls to a friend on the opposite 
side. Excitement runs high, the minute approaches, the 
noise is immense — a sullen roar — ^12,000 voices mingled. 
The music ceases; at a trumpet sound four mounted, 
armed guards enter the arena and slowly ride round it. 
inspecting if all is right, every Ijarner closed, the ground 
in perfect condition. 
Twelve thousand spectators look at the "alcalde's" box 
— the silence is absolute. 
The band strikes up; the gate under the Royal Box 
opens, and the "cuadrilla," all the "toreros" in gala 
costumes, enter in procession. 
They are greeted by an immense explosion of ap- 
plause. First come the "primas spadas" (sAvordsmen) 
dressed like Figaro in the "Barber of Seville," followed 
by "banderilleros," "capeadores," "picadores" and "chu- 
los." It AVould much exceed my limits to describe their 
costumes; CA^ery color and material, satin, silk, velvet, 
laces, fringes, ribbons, all increasing the harmonious ef- 
fect. 
I can imagine nothing more Olympian than their 
march around the arena. It was a blend of a military 
review, a band of masqueraders and coAvboys. They 
march with military precision, stop before the mayor's 
box and salute. The "alcalde" throws down the key 
to the bull stalls ("toril"), and all go out of the ring, 
except the "picadores," mounted and armed with long 
lances, and some "capeadores," Avith their red and yel- 
low capes. All eyes are fixed on the gate Avhere the 
bufl will enter— the silence is deathlike — the bulls bel- 
low, the bhndfolded horses tremble; the "picadores" 
show some anxiety and settle themseh'^es more firmly 
in their saddles and poise their lances; the trumpet 
sounds, the gate opens, an enormous bull, head and 
tail erect, rushes into the arena, and 12,000 throats sim- 
ply yell. 
My friend Rennyson, who had never seen a bullfight, 
turned pale. I confess shivers chased each other up and 
•doAvn my back. The bull rushed like an avalanche at the 
first "picador," who stuck his lance in its neck, but did 
not stop it; the bull struck the horse amidships, lifted 
him and the "picador" bodily from the ground, tossed 
;them Bghtly from his horns agg,inst th? barrier, then 
rushed at the second horse and the third with almost 
identical results. The three horses Avere killed in less 
than a minute. Then the bull ran out to the middle of 
the arena, horns and nose covered with blood, snorting,, 
pawing, and looking at the people as if to say; "Any- 
thing more I can do for you?" 
Everybody howled like a band of demons. 
The "chulos" (servants) ran and helped up the 
wounded "picadores," took the saddles and bridles off 
the dead horses, and to save the "picadores" who are 
struggling to free th einselA''es from the poor animals 
the "capeadores" run round the bull flaunting their red 
flags in his tace, provoking and tauntine; he runs after 
them in a whirlwind of dust, butts his head in his fury 
agamst the barrier, paws, bellows, again attacks the dead 
or dying horses, tries to fly over the barrier, and runs 
about frothing mad round the ring. 
In the meantime other mounted "picadores" have 
posted themselves at intervals, and Avhcn the bull per- 
ceives them he rushes at them frothing with fury. 
The "picador" jabs his lance into his shoulder and 
succeeds in holding him at bay. The bull leaves him 
and attacks the next horseman. 
Thunders of applause reward the "picador'i" Stlccess- 
ful resistance. The poor, disemboweled horsfe$ were dis- 
gusting to see. 
At a trumpet call all the "picadores" gallop out of 
the ring, and "chtdos" cover pools of blood Avith sand. 
NoAv comes the poetry of bullfighting, if I may be 
allowed so to explain myself. I mean the "banderil- 
leros." Their duty is to stick an arrow about r8in. 
long, and ribbon-decorated, having a barbed point, in 
each side of the bull's neck. To do this trick grace- 
fully he posts himself about twenty paces in front of 
the "toro," and then by gesticulating Avith his arms 
provokes the animal, who rushes at him; the "ban- 
derillero'' with lightning swiftness fastens an arrow 
in each side of his neck, and springs aside out of danger 
with the nimbleness of a panther. 
Should his foot slip, or he miscalculate the distance 
or hesitate, he would be speared like a fish. The bull 
belloAvs with pain, snorts and jumps, pursuing his tor- 
mentors, who, running for their lives, clear the barrier 
and are safe. Another man Avith "banderillas" enters 
the ring, plants two more arroAvs. and after him a third 
man does the same; the bull, pursuing, jumps the bar- 
rier after his tormentors, and bellowing, screaming hor- 
ribly, is in the corridor pounded with canes by the front 
seat spectators; then he runs round the corridor head 
up, looking at the crowd defiantly, and is at last chased 
again into the arena. 
All the spectators stand up, and AVildly gesticulating, 
yell like madmen.- The "banderilleros" and "capeadores" 
rencAv the attack; one twists his tail, another blinds 
him by throAving his "capa" over his horns, a third 
using his lance as a spring pole jumps over the bull's 
back, then throws his lance at the animal's, feet, in AA'hich 
it becomes entangled, and the bull snaps it like a pipe 
stem as he runs. All this Avas done Avith the grace of a 
dancing master, with the rapidity of a sleight-of-hand 
performer, Avhile the people enjoyed, laughed and ap- 
plauded. The "toro," now at Avhite heat of exaspera- 
tion, is considered "ripe for slaughter." 
NoAV comes the solemn part of this barbarous spec- 
tacle. 
The trumpet sounds, and the "prima spada" (swords- 
man) enters the arena, having in the one hand the 
"spada," in the other the red flag attached to a stick, 
presents himself before the maj'or's box, takes oft' his 
cap and makes the "alcalde" a speech in which he as- 
sures him of his homage and determination to kill the 
bull or die in the attempt. 
Tossing his cap in the air, he advances resolutely to- 
Avard the bull. Noav is the struggle! A young man 
of perhaps twenty-five, dressed like a dancing-master, 
silk stockings and slippers, alone, Avith no defense but 
a small, thin sword, against the terrible brute with 
horns sharp as poignards, exasperated Avith pain, blind- 
ed by wrath, looking hideous, frightfully bloody. But 
the eyes of the vast, breathless, excited multitude are on 
him, and 6,000 pretty hands of the sefioritas Avill applaud 
him. 
The bull, head doAvn, swift as an arroAV, plunges at 
him, the "spada" jumps aside straight up in air, heels 
together, and is rewarded by thunderous applause. The 
audacious "torero" advances again, taunts the bull Avith 
his "muleta" (red flag), which he flaps around his head 
and betAveen his horns, lets it fall and picks it up Avhile 
the monster is charging on him; attacks the quadruped 
ten times, and each instance escapes certain death by a 
quick jump aside. 
The supreme moment has arrived — -the audience yells: 
"Que lo mate! Que lo mate!" (kill him!) 
The "espada" stops, assumes a tragic pose, shakes his 
flag, holds his sword horizontally; a stillness of death 
reigns, the people appear as so many stones; the bull 
rushes; Ave see the silver flash of a sword, the poor 
thing staggers, falls on his knees, belching blood, and 
from every throat comes an infernal, unearthly yell, fol- 
lowed _ by deafening plaudits and cries of "Bueno! 
Viva!" The tumult is indescribable; all are standing 
up, gesticulating wildly; cries are universal; it is mo- 
mentary insanity; the ladies Avave their handkerchiefs, 
clap their hands; the band strikes up; the scene is past 
painting. The "spada" is again a hero! 
The spectators throw him cigars, hats, canes, purses, 
opera glasses — anything they have in their hands. Prep- 
arations for the next slaughter are begun; nothing 
stops the "sport," not even the death of a "torero." 
In this "corrida" we saAv six bulls and tAventy-one 
horses killed in the space of two hours and a half. 
Rennyson was amused, frightened, disgusted. Near 
us were children Avith their mothers, who laughed, ap- 
plauded and screamed with delight. Such sights Avould 
fill an American lady with supreme disgust, but drew 
the plaudits from the grand Spanish ladies Avho graced 
the occasion. 
Who can analyze the matter psychologically? You 
are horrified beyond measure Avith the atrocious bru- 
tality of killing the horses; you are astonished and 
delighted with the beauty of the display, and the won- 
drous agility, the charming fearlessness of the perform- 
ers; you feel as if you would faint when seeing the 
blood of the disemboweled horses; you yell and ap- 
plaiid the marvelous courage, the matchless dexteritv 
