316 
SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
or twice during a long tramp. Grease the shoes every 
few days with mutton fat or other grease. There is no 
such thing as waterproof leather, but it can be made so 
by being greased. After being wet, shoes should be well 
dried and greased, but should not be dried in a hot place, 
for this would ruin the leather. These may seem trifling 
details, but remember, “no army is stronger than its 
feet” 
Things to Remember 
Keep the feet straight when walking. If a Girl Scout 
notices the tracks of an Indian, the first hikers in this 
country, she will find them invariably straight forward. 
Scientists have agreed that the dancing school habit of 
turning out toes is one of the causes of flat feet, which 
disqualified so many men for army service. 
Start the walk slowly. Keep the pace of the slowest 
of the party. “Slow and easy goes far in a day.” Prac- 
tice deep breathing. Inhale for five steps, hold your 
breath for five counts, and let it out, again counting five. 
Take short steps when climbing. Do not run down 
hill. It causes stiffness, for which a hot bath and another 
walk the next day are the best cure. 
When lunch is carried it should be divided among the 
troop. Each Scout should carry her knapsack on her 
back, to leave the hands free. It is a great mistake to 
start on a hike with one's arms laden. 
Do not plan to go too great a distance in the time at 
your disposal. Remember that aside from the time you 
need for going and coming you expect to enjoy your- 
selves cooking and eating, and you need time for both. 
For an over-night hike, when you carry your equipment 
select a spot not more than two miles distant. 
Good things to carry in one's pocket are a drinking 
cup, a geological survey map (ten cents), a small pocket 
