 On the Trail, an Outdoor Book for Girls. On the Trail, an Outdoor Book for Girls, by Lena Beard. Presentation The joyous, exhilarating call of the wilderness and the forest camp is surely and steadily penetrating through the barriers of brick, stone, and concrete, through the more or less artificial life of town and city, and the American girl is listening eagerly. It is awakening in her longings for free, wholesome, and adventurous outdoor life, for the innocent delights of nature-loving thorough and bird-loving boroughs, sturdy, independent, self-reliant. She is now demanding outdoor books that are genuine and filled with practical information, books that tell how to do worthwhile things, that teach real woodcraft, and are not adapted to the girl supposed to be afraid of a caterpillar or to shudder at sight of a harmless snake. In answer to the demand, On the Trail has been written. The author's deep desire is to help girls respond to this new, insistent call by pointing out to them the open trail. It is their hope and wish that their girl readers may seek the charm of the wild and may find the same happiness in the life of the open that the American boy has enjoyed since the first settler built his little cabin on the shores of the New World. To forward this object, the why and how, the where and when of things of camp and trail have been embodied in this book. Thanks are due to Edward Cave, president and editor of Recreation, for kindly allowing the use of some of his wildlife photographs. Lena Beard, Adelia Bell Beard, Flushing, New York, March 16, 1915. End of presentation. Recording by Christine Layman, Recita, California. CHAPTER I. TRAIL. TRAILING. What the outdoor world can do for girls, how to find the trail and how to keep it. There is a something in you, as in everyone, every man, woman, girl and boy, that requires the tonic life of the wild. You may not know it, many do not, but there is a part of your nature that only the wild can reach, satisfy and develop. The much housed, overheated, overdressed and over-entertained life of most girls is artificial, and if one does not turn away from it and leave it for a while, one also becomes greatly artificial and must go through life not knowing the joy, the strength, the poise that real outdoor life can give. What is it about a true woodsman that instantly compels our respect, that sets him apart from the men who might be of his class in village or town and puts him in a class by himself, though he may be exteriorly rough and have little or no book education. The real Adirondack or the Northwood's guide, alert, clean-limbed, clear-eyed, hard-muscled, bearing his pack-basket or duffel-bag on his back, doing all the hard work of the camp, never loses his poise or the simple dignity which he shares with all the things of the wild. It is bread in him, is a part of himself and the life he leads, he is as conscious of his superior knowledge of the woods as an astronomer is of his knowledge of the stars and patiently tolerates the ignorance and awkwardness of the tender foot from the city. Not only a keen sense of humor can make this toleration possible, for I have seen things done by a city-dweller at camp that would enrage a woodsman unless the irresistibly funny side of it made him laugh his inward laugh that seldom reaches the surface. To live for a while in the wild strengthens the muscles of your mind as well as of your body. Flabby thoughts and flabby muscles depart together and are replaced by enthusiasm and vigor of purpose by strength of limb and chest and back. To have seems not so desirable as to be. When you have once come into sympathy with this world of the wild, which holds our cultivated artificial world in the hollow of its hand and gives it life, new joy, good, wholesome, heartfelt joy, will well up within you. New and absorbing interests will claim your attention. You will breathe deeper, stand straighter. The small, petty things of life will lose their seeming importance and great things will look larger and infinitely more worthwhile. You will know that the woods, the fields, the streams, and great waters bear wonderful messages for you, and little by little you will learn to read them. The majority of people who visit the up-to-date hotels of the Adirondacks, which their wily proprietors call camps, may think they see the wild and are living in it, but for them it is only a big picnic ground through which they rush with unseeing eyes and whose cloisters they invade with unfeeling hearts, seemingly for the one purpose of building a fire, cooking their lunch, eating it, and then hurrying back to the comforts of the hotel and the gaiety of hotel life. Illustration. One can generally pass around obstructions like this on the trail. At their careless and noisy approach the forest suddenly withdraws itself into its deep reserve and reveals no secrets. It is as if they entered an empty house and passed through deserted rooms, but all the time the intruders are stealthily watched by unseen, hostile, or frightened eyes. Every form of moving life is stilled and magically fades into its background. The tawny rabbit halts amid the dry leaves of a fallen tree. No one sees it. The sinuous weasel slips silently under a rock by the side of the trail and is unnoticed. The mother grouse crouches low amid the underbrush, and her little ones follow her example, but the careless company has no time to observe and drifts quickly by. Only the irrepressible red squirrel might be seen, but isn't, when he loses his balance and drops to a lower branch in his efforts to miss nothing of the excitement of the invasion. This is not romance. It is truth. To think sentimentally about nature, to sit by a babbling brook and try to put your supposed feelings into verse will not help you to know the wild. The only way to cultivate the sympathy and understanding which will enable you to feel its heartbeats is to go to it humbly, ready to see the wonders it can show, ready to appreciate and love its beauties, and ready to meet on friendly and cordial terms the animal life whose home it is. The wild world is, indeed, a wonderful world. How wonderful and interesting we learn only by degrees and actual experience. It is free, but not lawless. To enter it fully we must obey these laws which are slowly and silently impressed upon us. It is a wholesome, life-giving, inspiring world, and when you have learned to conform to its rules you are met on every hand by friendly messengers to guide you and teach you the ways of the wild, wild birds, wild fruits and plants, and gentle, furtive, wild animals. You cannot put their messages into words, but you can feel them, and then, suddenly, you no longer care for soft cushions and rugs, shaded lamps, dainty fare and finery, for paved streets and concrete walks. You want to plant your feet upon the earth in its natural state, however rugged or boggy it may be. You want your cushions to be of the soft moss beds of the piney woods, and, with the unparalleled sauce of a healthy, hearty appetite, you want to eat your dinner out of doors, cooked over the outdoor fire, and to drink water from a birch bark cup, brought cool and dripping from the bubbling spring. You want—oh, how you want to sleep on a springy bed of balsam bows, wrapped in soft, warm, woollen blankets with the sweet night air of all outdoors to breathe while you sleep. You want your flower garden, not with great and gorgeous masses of bloom in evident, orderly beds, but keeping always charming surprises for unexpected times and in unsuspected places. You want the flowers that grow without your help in ways you have not planned that hold the enchantment of the wilderness. Some people are born with this love for the wild, some attain it, but in either case the joy is there, and to find it you must seek it. Your chosen trail may lead through the primeval forests or into the great western deserts or plains, or it may reach only left over bits of the wild which can be found at no great distance from home. Even a bit of meadow or woodland, even an uncultivated field on the hilltop, will give you a taste of the wild, and if you strike the trail in the right spirit you will find upon arrival that these remnants of the wild world have much to show and to teach you. There are the sky, the clouds, the lungfuls of pure air, the growing things which send their roots where they will, and not in a man-ordered way. There is the wildlife that obeys no man's law, the insects, the birds, and small four-footed animals. On all sides you will find evidences of wildlife if you will look for it. Here you may make camp for a day and enjoy that day as much as if it were one of many in a several weeks camping trip. However, this is not to be a book of glittering generalities, but, as far as it can be made, one of practical helpfulness in outdoor life. Therefore, when you are told to strike the trail, you must also be told how to do it. When you strike the trail For any journey, by rail or by boat, one has a general idea of the direction to be taken, the character of the land or water to be crossed, and of what one will find at the end. So it should be in striking the trail. Learn all you can about the path you are to follow, whether it is plain or obscure, wet or dry, where it leads, and its length measured more by time than by actual miles. A smooth, even trail of five miles will not consume the time and strength that must be expended upon a trail of half that length which leads over uneven ground, varied by bogs and obstructed by rocks and fallen trees, or a trail that is all uphill climbing. If you are a novice and accustomed to walking only over smooth and level ground, you must allow more time for covering the distance than an experienced person would require, and must count upon the expenditure of more strength because your feet are not trained to the wilderness paths with their pitfalls and traps for the unwary, and every nerve and muscle will be strained to secure a safe foothold amid the tangled roots of the slippery, moss-covered logs over precipitous rocks that lie in your path. It will take time to pick your way over boggy places where the water oozes up through the thin, loamy soil as through a sponge, and experience alone will teach you which hummock of grass or moss will make a safe stepping place and will not sink beneath your weight and soak your feet with hidden water. Do not scorn to learn all you can about the trail you are to take, although your questions may call forth superior smiles. It is not that you hesitate to encounter difficulties, but that you may prepare for them. In unknown regions take a responsible guide with you, unless the trail is short, easily followed, and a frequented one. Do not go alone through lonely places, and, being on the trail, keep it and try no explorations of your own, at least not until you are quite familiar with the country and the ways of the wild. Difficulties of the Adirondack Trail Illustration, facsimile of drawing made by a trailer, not the author, after a day in the wilds of an Adirondack forest, not a good drawing, perhaps, but a good illustration. Blazing the Trail A woodsman usually blazes his trail by chipping with his axe the trees he passes, leaving white scars on their trunks, and to follow such a trail you stand at your first tree until you see the blaze on the next, then go to that and look for the one farther on. Going in this way from tree to tree you keep the trail, though it may, underfoot, be overgrown and indistinguishable. If you must make a trail of your own, blaze it, as you go, by bending down and breaking branches of trees, underbrush, and bushes. Let the broken branches be on the side of bush or tree in the direction you are going, but bent down away from that side, or toward the bush, so that the lighter underside of the leaves will show and make a plain trail. Make these signs conspicuous and close together, for in returning a dozen feet without the broken branch will sometimes confuse you, especially as everything has a different look when seen from the opposite side. By this same token it is a wise precaution to look back frequently as you go and impress the homeward-bound landmarks on your memory. If, in your wanderings, you have branched off and made ineffectual or blind trails which lead nowhere, and, in returning to camp, you are led astray by one of them, do not leave the false trail and strike out to make a new one, but turn back and follow the false trail to its beginning, for it must lead to the true trail again. Don't lose sight of your broken branches. Illustration Blazing the trail by bending down and breaking branches If you carry a hatchet or small axe, you can make a permanent trail by blazing the trees as the woodsmen do. Kephart advises blazing in this way. Make one blaze on the side of the tree away from the camp and two blazes on the side toward the camp. Then, when you return, you look for the one blaze. In leaving camp again to follow the same trail, you look for the two blazes. If you should lose the trail and reach it again, you will know to a certainty which direction to take, for two blazes mean camp on this side, one blaze away from camp on this side. To know an animal trail To know an animal trail from one made by men is quite important. It is easy to be led astray by animal trails, for they are often well-defined and, in some cases, well-beaten. To the uninitiated, the trails will appear the same, but there is a difference which, in a recent number of field and stream, Mr. Arthur Rice defines very clearly in this way. Men step on things, animals step over or around things. Then again an animal trail frequently passes under bushes and low branches of trees where men would cut or break their way through. To follow an animal trail is to be led sometimes to water, often to a bog or swamp, at times to the animal's den, which, in the case of a bear, might not be exactly pleasant. Illustration Returning to camp by the blazed trail, note the blazed trees. Lost in the woods We were in the wilderness of an Adirondack forest making camp for the day and wanted to see the beaver-dam, which, we were told, was on the edge of a nearby lake. The guide was busy cooking dinner and we would not wait for his leisure. But leaving the rest of the party we started off confidently, just two of us, down the perfectly plain trail. For a short distance there was a beaten path. Then, suddenly, the trail came to an abrupt end. We looked this side and that, no trail, no appearance of there ever having been one. With a careless wave of his arm the guide had said, Keep in that direction, that being to the left, to the left we therefore turned and stormed our way through thicket and bramble, breaking branches as we went, sliding down declivities, scrambling over fallen trees, dipping beneath low-hung branches, we finally came out upon the shore of the lake and found that we had struck the exact spot where the beaver-dam was located. It was only a short distance from camp and it had not taken us long to make it, but when we turned back we warmly welcomed the sight of our blazed trail, for all else was strange and unfamiliar. Going there had been glimpses of the water now and then to guide us, returning we had no landmarks. Even my sense of direction, usually to be relied on and upon which I had been tempted to depend solely, seemed to play me false when we reached a place where our blazing was lost sight of. The twilight stillness of the great forest enveloped us. There was no sign of our camp, no sound of voices. A few steps to our left the ground fell away in a steep precipice which, in going, we had passed unnoticed and which, for the moment, seemed to obstruct our way. Then, turning to the right, we saw a streak of light through the trees that looked, at first, like water where we felt sure no water could be if we were on the right path, but we soon recognized this as smoke kept in a low cloud by the trees, the smoke of our campfire. That was our beacon and we were soon on the trail again and back in camp. This is not told as an adventure, but to illustrate the fact that without a well-blazed trail it is easier to become lost in a strange forest than to find one's way. You may strike the trail with the one object in view of reaching your destination as quickly as possible. This will help you to become agile and sure-footed to cover long distances in a short time, but it will not allow of much observation until your mind has become alert and your eyes trained to see quickly the things of the forests and plains and to read their signs correctly. Unless there is necessity for haste, it is better to take more time and look about you as you go. To hurry over the trail is to lose much that is of interest and to pass by unseeingly things of great beauty. When you are new to the trail and must hurry you are intent only on what is just before you, usually the feet of your guide, or if you raise your eyes to glance ahead you notice objects simply as things to be reached and passed as quickly as possible. Unhurried trailing will repay you by showing you what the world of the wild contains. Walking slowly you can realize the solemn stillness of the forest can take in the effect of the grey light which enfolds all things like a veil of mystery. You can stop to examine the tiny leafed, creeping vines that cover the ground like moss and the structure of the soft mosses with fronds like ferns. You can catch the jewel-like gleam of the wood-flowers. You can breathe deeply and rejoice in the perfume of the balsam and pine. You can rest at intervals and wait quietly for evidences of the animal life that you know is lurking, unseen, all around you. And you can begin to perceive the protecting spirit of the wild that hovers over all. To walk securely as the woodsmen walk without tripping, stumbling, or slipping use the woodsmen's method of planting the entire foot on the ground with toes straight ahead not turned out. If you put your heel down first while crossing on a slippery log as in ordinary walking the natural result will be a fall. With your entire foot as a base upon which to rest the body is more easily balanced and the foot less likely to slip. When people slip and fall on the ice it is because the edge of the heel strikes the ice first and slides. The whole foot on the ice does not slip in the same way and very often not at all. Trailing does not consist merely in walking along a path or in making one for yourself. It has a larger meaning than that and embraces various lines of outdoor life while it always presupposes movement of some kind. In one sense going on the trail means going on the hunt. You may go on the trail for birds, animals, for insects, plants, or flowers. You may trail a party of friends ahead of you or follow a deer to its drinking place and in all these cases you must look for the signs of that which you seek. Footprints or Tracks Figure 4. Footprints of Animals In trailing animals look for footprints in soft earth, sand, or snow. The hind foot of the muskrat will leave a print in the mud like that of a little hand and with it will be the four-foot print showing but four short fingers and generally the streaks where the hard tail drags behind. Figure 4 shows what these look like. If you are familiar with the dog track you will know something about the footprints of the fox, wolf, and coyote for they are much alike. Figure 9 gives a clean track of the fox but often there is the imprint of hairs between and around the toes. A wolf track is larger and is like Figure 8. The footprint of a deer shows the cloven hoof with a difference between the bucks and the does. The doe's toes are pointed and when not spread the track is almost heart-shaped. Figure 7. While the buck has blunter, more rounded toes like Figure 10. Two round lobes are at the back of the foot. The other end points in the direction the deer has taken. Sometimes you will find deer tracks with the toes spread wide apart. That means the animal has been running. All animals' toes spread more or less when they run. A bear track is like Figure 11 but a large bear often leaves other evidences of his presence than his footprints. He will frequently turn a big log over or tear one open in his search for ants. He will stand on his hind legs and gnaw a hole in a dead tree or tall stump and a bee tree will bear the marks of his climbing on its trunk. It is interesting to find a tree with the scars of Bruins feet made prominent by small knobs where his claws have sunk into the bark. Each scar swells and stands out like one of his toes. When you see bark scraped off the trees some distance from the ground you may be sure that a horned animal has passed that way. Where the trees are not far apart a wide horned animal like the bull moose scrapes the bark with his antlers as he passes. The cat-like lynx leaves a cat-like track Figure 6 which shows no print of the claws and the lynx track is like Figure 2. Rabbits tracks are two large oblongs then two almost round marks. The oblongs are the print of the large hind feet which, with the peculiar gait of the rabbit always come first. The large hind feet tracks point the direction the animal has taken. Figure 1 is the track of the caribou and shows the print of the dew claws which are the two little toes up high at the back of the foot. It is when the earth is soft and the foot sinks in deeply that the dew claws leave a print or perhaps when the foot spreads wide in running. Figure 3 is the print of the foot of a red squirrel. Figure 5 is the fissures track and Figure 12 is that of a sheep. Pig tracks are much like those of sheep but wider. When you have learned to recognize the varying freshness of tracks you will know how far ahead the animal probably is. Other tracks you will learn as you become more familiar with the animals and you will also be able to identify the tracks of the wild birds. End of Section 1 Recording by Christine Layman Chapter 2 of On the Trail An Outdoor Book for Girls This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Jan Roder Mason, Ohio On the Trail An Outdoor Book for Girls Chapter 2 Woodcraft Trees Practical use of compass Direction of wind, star guiding What to do when lost in the woods How to chop wood How to fell trees Trees While on the trail you will find a knowledge of trees most useful and you should be able to recognize different species by their manner of growth their bark and foliage. Balsam fir One of the most important trees for the trailer to know is the balsam fir for of this the best of outdoor beds are made. In shape the tree is like our Christmas trees. In fact many Christmas trees are balsam fir. The sweet aromatic perfume of the balsam needles is a great aid in identifying it. The branches are flat and the needles appear to grow from the sides of the stem. The little twist at the base of the needle seems to seem to grow merely in the straight outstanding row on each side of the stem. Look closely and you will see the twist. The needles are flat and short hardly one inch in length they are grooved along the top and the ends are decidedly blunt. In color they are dark bluish green on the upper side and silvery white underneath. The bark is gray and you will find little gummy blisters on the tree trunk. From these the healing Canada balsam is obtained. The short cones often not over two inches in length, the longest seldom more than four inches stand erect on top of the small branches and when young are of a purplish color. From Maine to Minnesota the balsam fir grows in damp woods and mountain bogs and you will find it southward along the Allegheny Mountains from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. Spruce The spruce, red black and white differs in many respects from the balsam fir. The needles are sharp pointed not blunt and instead of being flat like the balsam fir they are four sided and cover the branchlet on all sides causing it to appear rounded or bushy and not flat. The spruce gum sought by many is found in the seams of the bark which unlike the smooth balsam fir is scaly and of a brown color. Early spring is the time to look for spruce gum. Spruce is a soft wood splits readily and is good for the frames and ribs of boats also for paddles and oars and the bark makes a covering for temporary shelters. Hemlock This tree is good for thatching a lean to when balsam fir is not to be found and its bark can be used in the way of shingles. The cones are small and hang down from the branches. They do not stand up alert like those of the balsam fir nor are they purple in color being rather of a bright red brown and when very young tan color it is not easy to split don't try it or your hatchet will suffer in consequences and the pieces will be twisted as a usual thing. The southern variety however often splits straight pine. The pine tree accommodates itself to almost any kind of soil high, low, moist or dry often growing along the edge of the water. The pine tree is sometimes used for making the skeleton of a canoe or other boats and the white pine the skin or covering of the skeleton boat but for you the pine will probably be most useful in furnishing pine knots and its soft wood for kindling your outdoor fire. The trees mentioned are bound in our northern forest the birch in its different varieties clearly ventures into the densest woods preferring to remain near or on its outskirts however none of these trees can find themselves strictly to one locality oaks, hickory, chestnut, maple and sycamore are among the useful woods for campers learn the quality and nature of the different trees each variety is distinct from the others some woods are easy to split such as the spruce, chestnut, balsam fir, etc some very strong as locus, oak, hickory, sugar maple, etc then there are the hard and soft woods mentioned in fire making when you once understand the characteristics of the different woods and their special qualifications becoming familiar with only two or three varieties at a time the trees will be able to help you according to their special powers you would not go to a musician to have a portrait painted for while the musician might give you wonderful music he would be helpless as far as painting a picture was concerned and so it is with trees they cannot all give the same thing if you want softwood it is wasting your time to go to hardwood trees to give you what they do not possess know the possibilities of trees and they will not fail you how to chop wood trailing and camping both mean wood chopping to some extent for shelters, fires, etc and the girl of today should understand as did the girls of our pioneer families how to handle properly a hatchet or in this case we will make it an there is a small hatchet modeled after the Daniel Boone Tomahawk generally known as the camp axe it is thicker narrower and has a sharper edge than an ordinary hatchet it comes of a size to wear on a belt and must be securely protected by a well fitted strong leather sheath otherwise it will endanger not only the life of the girl who carries it but also the lives of her companions with the camp axe hatchet you can cut down small trees, chop firewood blaze trees drive down pegs or steaks and chop kindling wood every time you want to use the hatchet take the precaution to examine it thoroughly and reassure yourself that the tool is in good condition and that the head is on firm and tight be positive of this great caution must be taken when chopping kindling wood as often serious accidents occur through ignorance or carelessness do not raise one end of a stick up on a log with the other end down on the ground and then strike the center of the stick a sharp blow with the sharp edge of your hatchet the stick will break but one end usually flies up with a vulnerable force and very often strikes the eye of a worker ruining the site forever take the blunt end of your hatchet and do not give a very hard blow on the stick you wish to break exert only force sufficient to break it partially merely enough to enable you to finish the work with your hands and possibly one knee it may require a little more time but your eyes will be unharmed and it makes it worthwhile often children use a heavy stone to break kindling woods with no disastrous results that I know of the heavy stone does not seem to cause the wood to fly upward how to chop logs practice on small slender logs chopping them in short lengths until you understand something of the woodsman art of logging up a tree then and not until then should you attempt to cut heavier wood if you are sure footed and absolutely certain that you can stand firmly on the log without teetering or swaying when leaning over do so you can then chop one side of the log halfway through and turn around and chop the other side until the second notch or kerf is cut through to the first one on the opposite side and the two pieces fall apart while working stand on the log with feet wide apart and chop the side of the log on the space in between your feet make your first chip quite long and have it equal in length of diameter of the log if the chip is short the opening of the kerf will be narrow and your hatchet will become wedged obliging you to double your labor by enlarging the kerf greater progress will be made by chopping diagonally across the grain of the wood and the work will be easier it is difficult to cut squarely against the grain and this is always avoided when possible after you have cut the first chip in logging up a tree chop on the base of the chip swinging your hatchet from the opposite direction and the chip will fall to the ground having successfully chopped off one piece of the log it will be a simple matter to cut off more chop slowly, easily and surely don't be in a hurry and exhaust yourself only a novice over exerts and tries to make a deep cut with the hatchet be careful of the blade of your hatchet keep it free from the ground when chopping to avoid striking snags, stones or other things liable to nick or dull the edge how to fell a tree plant yourself with chopping down only slender trees, mere saplings at first and as you acquire skill slightly heavier trees can be felled begin in the right way with your very first efforts and follow the woodsman's method having selected the tree you desire to cut down determine in which direction you want it to fall and mark that side but first make sure that when falling the tree will not lodge in another one nearby or drop on one of the camp shelters see that the way is free of hindrance before cutting the tree, also clear the way for the swing of your extended hatchet if there are obstacles such as vines, bushes, limbs or other trees or rocks which your hatchet might strike as you raise and lower it while at work, clear them all away making a generous open space on all sides, overhead on the right and left side and below the swing of the hatchet take no chance of having an accident as would occur should the hatchet become entangled or broken you may have noticed that the top surface of most stumps has a splintered ridge across its center and on one side of the ridge of the wood is lower than on the other of the manner in which the woodsman fell a tree if he wants the tree to fall toward the west, he marks the west side of the trunk then he marks the top and bottom of the space he intends chopping out, first the kerf or notch making the length of space a trifle longer than one half of the tree diameter the kerf is chopped out by cutting first from the top a then from the bottom b when the first kerf is finished and cut half way through the tree space for the kerf on the opposite side of the tree is marked a few inches higher than the first one and then it also is cut after you have chopped the two kerfs in a tree, you will know when it is about to fall by the creaking and the slight movement from its top step to one side of the falling tree never behind or in front of it either of the last two ways would probably mean death if in front the tree would fall on you and if at the back you would probably be terribly injured if not killed as trees often kick back with tremendous force as they go down so be on your guard, keep cool and deliberately step to the side of the tree and watch it fall choose a quiet day when there is no wind for tree felling you cannot control the wind and it may control your tree never allow your hatchet to lie on the ground a menace to everyone at camp but have a particular log or stump and always strike the blade in this wood leave your hatchet there where it will not be injured can do no harm and you will always know where to find it etiquette of the wild translated this means hands off the unwritten law of the woods is that personal property cached in trees underbrush beneath stones or hidden underground must never be taken, borrowed, used or molested left by owners sometimes fastened at the water's edge again suspended from trees and the temptation to borrow may be strong but remember such an act would be dishonorable and against the rules that govern the outdoor world provisions, tools and other articles found in the forest should be respected and allowed to remain where they are it is customary for campers to cash their belongings with the assurance that forest etiquette will be held in violet and their goods remain un molested everyone has the privilege of examining and enjoying the beauties of mosses berries and wild flowers but do not take these treasures from their homes to die and be thrown aside love them well enough to let them stay where they are for others also to enjoy unless you need specimens for some important special study a man who had always lived in the Adirondack forest and at present is proprietor of an Adirondack hotel recently reforested many acres of his wooded wild lands by planting through the forest young trees some not over one foot high and his indignation was great when he discovered that many of his guests went off on tramps returned laden with these baby trees which were easily pulled up by the roots because so lately planted finding your way by natural signs and the compass an important phase of woodcraft is the ability to find your way in the wilderness by means of natural signs as well as the compass if however you do not know at what point of the compass from you the camp lies the signs can be of no avail having this knowledge the signs will be invaluable get your bearings before leaving camp do not depend upon any member of the party but know for yourself if you have a map giving the topography of land surrounding the camp grounds consult it burn into your memory the direction from camp of outlying landmarks those near those as far off as you can see in all directions the morning you leave camp ascertain the direction of the wind and notice particularly the sun and shadows if it is early morning face the sun and you will be looking toward the east stretch out both arms at your sides and point with your index fingers your right finger will point to the south your left to the north and your back will be toward the west what landmarks do you see east of the camp south north west and from what point of the compass does the wind blow if it comes from the west and you trail eastward the wind will strike your back going away from camp and should strike your face returning provided its direction does not change again if you go east your camp will lie west of you and your homeward path must be westward consult your compass and know exactly which direction you take when leaving camp and blaze your trail as you go looking backward frequently to see how landmarks should appear as you face them returning with all these friends to guide you first the map shadows fourth wind fifth compass six your bent twig blazing there will be little if any danger of being lost but you must constantly keep on the alert and refer frequently to these guides especially when deflecting from the course first taken after leaving camp at every turning stop and take your bearings anew you cannot be too careful these signs are for daylight at night the north star will be your guide sunlight and shadow bear in mind that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west it will be comparatively easy to keep your right course by consulting the sun a fair idea may also be gained at the time of day by the length of shadows if you remember that shadows are long in the morning they grow shorter until midday when they again begin to lengthen growing longer and longer until night to find the direction of the sun on a cloudy day hold a flat splinter or your knife blade vertically so that it is absolutely straight up and down place the point of the blade on your thumbnail watch case or other glossy surface then turn the knife or splinter until the full shadow of the flat of the blade falls on the bright surface telling the location of the sun an open spot where the sun can cast a clear shadow and an hour when the sun is not immediately overhead will give best results wind the wind generally blows in the same direction all day and if you learn to understand its ways the wind will help you keep the right trail make a practice of testing the direction of the wind every morning notice the leaves on bush and tree in what direction they move place a few bits of paper on your open hand and watch in which way the wind carries them if there is no paper try the test with dry leaves, grass or anything light and easily carried by the breeze smoke will also show the direction of the wind if the wind is very faint put your finger in your mouth wet it on all sides and hold it up the side on which the wind blows will feel cool and tell you from which quarter the wind comes if on the east of your finger the wind blows from the east and so on keep testing the direction of the wind as you trail and if at any time it cools a different side of your finger you will know that you are not walking and must turn until the wet finger tells you which way to go the wind is a good guide so long as it keeps blowing in the same direction as when you left camp use of compass should you be on the trail and sudden storms cloud appear the sun cannot help you find your way the shadows have gone moss on tree trunks is not an infallible guide and you must turn to the compass to show you the way but unless you understand its language you will not know what it is telling you learn the language before going to camp it is not difficult mariners compass hold the compass out in a level position directly in front of you be sure it is level then decide to go north consult the compass and ascertain in which direction the north lies the compass needle points directly north with the north end of the needle this end is usually black sometimes pearl let your eye follow straight along the line pointed out by the needle as you look ahead select a landmark tree, rock, pond or whatever may lie in that direction choose an object quite a distance off on the imaginary line go directly toward it and when intervening objects follow the landmark refer to your compass if you have turned from the pathway north face around and readjust your steps in the right direction do not let over two minutes pass without making sure by the compass that you are going on the right path going directly north common compass practice using the compass for a guide until you understand it have faith in it and fearlessly trust to its guidance try going according to various points of the compass suppose you wish to go southeast the compass tells you this as plainly as the north try it naturally if you go to the southeast away from camp returning will be in exactly the opposite direction and coming back to camp you must walk northwest after learning to go in a straight line guided entirely by the compass try a zigzag path a group of girls will find it good sport to practice trailing with the compass and they will at the same time learn how to avoid being lost and how to help others find their way it is possible to make a compass of your watch besides keeping you company with your friendly nearness it's ticking and it's ready answers to your questions regarding time a watch in the woods and fields has another use for it can be used as a compass it will show just where the south is then by turning your back on the south you face the north and on your right is the east on your left is the west these are the rules with your watch in a horizontal position point the hour hand to the sun and if before noon half way between the hour hand and 12 is due north if it is afternoon calculate the opposite way for instance if at 8 a.m. you point the hour hand to the sun 10 will point to the south for that is half way between 8 and 12 if at 2 p.m. you point the hour hand to the sun look back to 12 and half the distance will be at 1 therefore 1 points to the south an easy way to get the direction of the sun without looking directly at it is by means of the shadow of a straight slender stick or grass stem thrown on the horizontal face of your watch hold the stick upright with the lower end touching the watch at the point of the hour hand then turn the watch until the shadow of the stick falls along the hour hand this will point the hand undeviatingly toward the sun mountain climbing the camper should go together to climb the mountain never one girl alone before starting find a strong stick to use as a staff stow away some luncheon in one of your pockets see that your camera is in perfect order ready to use at a moment's notice that your waterproof matchbox is in your pocket filled with safety matches your pocket knife safe with you also watch and compass and that the tin cup is on your belt your whistle being always hung around your neck will of course be there as usual when you're ready stand still and look about you once more to make sure of your bearings close your eyes and tell yourself exactly what you have seen after leaving camp and arriving at the foot of the mountain take your bearings anew and look up ahead and select a certain spot which you wish to reach on the upward hill having the definite object in view will help in making better progress and save your walking around in a circle which is always the tendency when in a strange place and intervening trees or elevations obstruct the view or when not sure of the way and trying to find it begin blazing the trail at your first step up the mountain side even though there may be a trail already you cannot be sure that it will continue it is much safer to depend on your own blazing often in trailing along the mountain you will find huge rocks and steep depressions or small lakes which you cannot cross over but must go around and in so doing perhaps strike off at an angle before making the detour search out some large landmark readily recognized after reaching the other side of the obstruction a tall peculiarly shaped tree or other natural feature now is a time to try earnestly to keep the landmark in sight as long as possible and to be able to recognize it when you see it again watch your compass and the sun that you may continue in the right direction after circling the obstruction go slowly in climbing take your time and don't get out of breath on many mountains the possibility of unexpected fog exists and safety requires that the party be linked together with a soft rope the same precaution should be taken when the trail is very rough and steep the camper at the head of the line should tie the rope in a bow line around her waist with knot on left side and eight or ten feet from her the next girl should link herself to the rope in the same manner then another girl and another until the entire party is on the rope the leader starts on the trail and the others holding fast to their staffs carefully follow each one cautious to keep the rope stretching out in front of her rather taught then if one girl stumbles the others brace themselves and keep her from falling when descending the mountain be careful to get a firm footing instead of facing the trail it is safer to turn sideways so that you can place the entire foot down and not risk the toes only or the heels often coming down either a steep hill or a mountain is more difficult than going up lost in the woods it is not at all probable that you will lose your way while on the trail but if you should find yourself lost in the woods or in the open the first thing to do is to remember that a brave girl does not get into a panic and so rob herself of judgment and the power to think clearly and act quickly believe firmly that you are safe then sit down quietly and think out a plan of finding your way try to remember from which direction you have come and to recall landmarks if you cannot do this do not be frightened and do not allow any thoughts of possible harm to get a foothold in your mind if there is a hill near from which you can see any distance climb that and get a good outlook you may be able to see the smoke of your campfire which after all cannot be so far away you may find a landmark that you do remember if you see nothing which you can recognize make a signal flag of your handkerchief and put it up high as high as you can your friends will be looking for that then give the lost signal one long blast with your whistle and after a short pause follow with two more blasts in quick succession if you have no whistle shout loud and long then wait a while keeping eyes and ears open to see and hear answering signals if there is none again shout the lost signal and continue the calls every little while for quite a time another call for help is the ascending smoke of three fires this of course is for daylight build your fires some distance apart 25 feet or more that the smoke from each may be clearly seen alone not mingled with the rest aim to create smoke rather than flame a slender column of smoke can be seen a long distance therefore the fires need not be large choose your fires as clear as space and as high in elevation as can be found and in the relief and excitement of the rescue do not forget to extinguish every spark before leaving the ground if you decide to keep moving blaze your trail as you go so that it may be followed and also that you may know if you cross it again yourself you can blaze the trail by breaking or bending small branches on trees and bushes or by small strips torn from your handkerchief and tied conspicuously on twigs if you are where there are trees or undergrowth build small piles of stones or little hills of earth at intervals to mark your trail if night overtakes you look for the north star that will help you know at what point of the compass your camp lies and if you remember whether your course in leaving camp was to the north south east or west you can calculate pretty accurately whether the camp is to the north east or west of you in case the night must be spent where you are go about making a shelter prepare as comfortable a bed as possible and do not be afraid you will probably be found before morning and you must be found in good physical condition if you can kindle a fire do it that will help to guide your friends and will ward off wild creatures that might startle you keep your fire going all night and take care that it does not spread it is better to remain quietly in one spot all night than to wander about in the dark and perhaps stumble upon dangerous places if when you find the points of the compass by the north star you mark them plainly on a stone or fallen log they will be a ready guide for you as soon as daylight breaks the last word on this subject is do not be afraid to find your way by the north star at night you will have the same reliable guide that has ever been a mariner's friend and if you do not know this guide lose no time in finding it Polaris or pole star is known generally as north star and this star is important to the outdoor girl at all times the north star marks the north its position never changes and seeing that star and knowing it you will always know the points of the compass face the north star and you face the north at your right hand is the east at your left hand is the west and at your back is the south the north star does not look very important because it is not very bright or very large and were it not for the help of the big dipper which everyone knows the north star would not be easy to find the diagram given on page 37 shows the relative position of the stars and will help you to find the north star the two stars forming the front side of the bowl of the great dipper point almost in a direct line to the north star which is the last one in the handle of the little dipper or the tail of the little bear which means the same thing end of chapter 2 chapter 3 information whether your camp is to be for one day, one week or a longer period of time the first question to be decided is where shall we go if you know of no suitable spot inquire of friends who are sleeping and sleeping in the open one or more of them will probably know of some acquaintance who will be glad to give the information write to the various newspapers magazines, railroads and outdoor societies for suggestions the geological survey of the united states at washington dc will furnish maps giving location and extent of forest and waterways also location and character of roads you can obtain the maps for almost any part of every state most public automobile houses supply maps of any desired region send letters of inquiry to these sources of information in this way you will probably learn of many just the right place localities select a number of desirable addresses investigate them and make your own choice of location remembering that the first three essentials for camp are good ground water and wood the rest is easy from these three from the foundation for camping location wherever you go choose a dry spot preferably in an open space near wooded land avoid howls where the water will run into your shelters in wet weather let your camp be so located that in case of rain the water will drain down away from it remember this you may find your camp a float upon a temporary lake or swamp should a storm arise water pure drinking water you must have is of vital importance so be sure to pitch your camp within near walking distance of a good spring securely covered well or other supply of pure water henry david throws method of obtaining clear water from a pond whose surface was covered with leaves etc to push this pail without tipping it in the least straight down under the water until the top edge was below the surface several inches then quickly lift it out doing this overflow would carry off all leaves and twigs leaving the remaining water in the pail clear and good but you must first be sure that the pond contains pure water under the floating debris always be cautious about drinking water from rivers, streams, ponds and lakes so they may appear ever so clear and tempting for the purity is by no means assured and to drink from these sources may cause serious illness unless you are absolutely sure that the water is free from impurities boil it then it will be safe to use for drinking and cooking next in importance to good water is good firewood and woodsy material for shelters and beds bear this in mind when deciding upon the site for your camp companions can make or mar the happiness in camp to savor to heaven your party only those girls who would take kindly to the camp spirit of friendly helpfulness those always ready to laugh and treat discomforts as jokes this means that though fun loving and full of buoyancy in life each girl will willingly do her part and assume her share of responsibilities safeguarding you should also count among your companions two or more camp directors possibly mothers with the girls, teachers or older friends of whom the parents approve who will enter heartily into all phases of outdoor life and while really being one with you in sport and work with the same time keep careful oversight and assure protection avoid localities where there is a possibility of tramps or undesirable characters of any description and do not wander from camp alone or unaccompanied by one of the directors if your camp is in the forest will be part of wisdom to secure also a reliable guide who knows the forest ways to start the day before you leave for your camping ground have everything in readiness that there may be no delay when it is time to go be prompt for you want to play fair and not keep the other girls waiting causing them to lose valuable time the stimulating exhilaration which comes with trailing through the forest to camp the keen delight of a venture, the charm of the wilderness the freedom and wonder of living in the woods all make for the health and happiness of the girl camper once experienced ever after with the advent of spring comes the call of the untrampled life in the big outdoors a one-day camp even a one-day camp fills the hours with more genuine lasting enjoyment than girls can find in other ways there is a charm about it which clings in your memory making a joy later of the mere thought and telling of the event that every moment of the day may be filled full of enjoyment for all have a good program some definite well thought out plans of activities and sports previously prepared and if possible let every girl know beforehand the person in charge, the party could be divided according to its size into different groups and as soon as the grounds are reached the groups should begin the fun of preparing for the camp dinner the party consists of eight two can gather firewood two build the fireplace two unpack the outfits place in the provisions and cooking utensils in order conveniently near the fire two can bring the drinking water and cooking water provisions and cooking utensils should be divided into as many packs count in the outfit for each one a tin cup preferably with open handle for wearing over belt in the one day camp very few cooking utensils are needed it may consist of two tin pales one for drinking water, the other for boiling water one coffee pot for cocoa one frying pan for flapjacks or eggs one large kitchen knife for general use one large spoon for string batter and cocoa camp dinner counting on a keen outdoor appetite one can of condensed milk unsweetened to be diluted with water according to directions on can butter and baking powder can dry flour mixed with salt and baking powder and required proportions for flapjacks packed in strong paper bag and carried in one of the tin pales bread and loaf wrapped in wax paper dry flour mixed with salt and baking powder required proportions for flapjacks packed in strong paper bag bread and loaf wrapped in wax paper potatoes washed and dried ready to cook packed in paper bag or carried in second tin pail pepper and salt each sealed in separate marked envelopes when needed, prefer it paper with big pin and use envelopes as shakers one egg for batter buried in the flour to prevent breaking and one small can of creamy maple sugar soft enough to spread on hot cakes or can of ordinary maple syrup the cleanup while resting after dinner is the time for storytelling then before taking part in sports of any kind every particle of debris even small bits of eggshell and paper should be gathered up and burned until not a vestige remains to be good sports thought must be taken for the next comers and the camping ground left in perfect order and so leave free from litter or debris of any kind when breaking camp be sure to soak the fire with water again and again it is criminal to leave any coals or even a spark of the fire smoldering be positive that the fire is out shelters and tents lean to for a fixed camp of longer or shorter duration your home will be under the shelter of bows, logs or canvas the home of green bows is considered by many the ideal of camp shelters this you can make for yourself it is a simple little two-sided slanting roof and back and open front shed made of the materials of the woods and generally known as a lean to sometimes as baker tent one of canvas there are three ways of erecting the front framework first is to find two trees standing about seven feet apart with convenient branches down low enough to support the horizontal top cross pole when laid in the crutches lacking the proper trees the second method is to get two strong straight forked poles of green wood and drive them down into the ground deep enough to make them stand firm and upright by themselves, required distance apart the third way is to reinforce the uprights by shorter forked steaks driven firmly into the ground embraced against the uprights often necessary having your uprights in place extending above ground five feet or more lay a top pole across fitting its ends into the forked tops of the uprights against this top pole rest five or six slender poles at regular distance apart one end of each against the top pole and the other end on the ground slanting outward and backward sufficiently to give a good slope allowing sleeping space underneath at right angles to the slanting poles lay across them other poles using the natural pegs or stumps left on the slanting poles by lobbed off branches as braces to hold the cross poles in place when building the frame be sure to place the slanting poles so that the little stumps left on them will turn up and that down that they may hold the cross poles try to have spaces between cross poles as regular as possible the log may be rolled up against the ground ends of the slanting poles to prevent their slipping so this is rarely necessary for this stand firm as a rule and then thatch it which will render the shelter better able to withstand a storm you may omit the bark using only the thatch as a covering put on very thick this should make the lean-to rain-proof with small tips of branches from trees preferably balsam hemlock or other evergreens begin thatching your shelter commence at the bottom of the lean-to and hook on the latch branches close together all the way across the lowest cross pole using the stumps these thatch branches as hooks to hold the thatch in place the lower thatches as you work along the next higher cross pole like shingles in a house and continue in this way overlapping each succeeding cross pole with an upper row of thatch until the top is reached fill in the sides thick with branches, bals or even small thick trees lean-to frame can be covered with your poncho in case of necessity but bals are much better permanent camp lean-to open camp another kind of lean-to intended for a permanent camp is in general use throughout the aridondacks it is built of substantial good size logs put together log cabin fashion open front slanting roof and low back this shelter has usually a broad floor raised a few inches above the ground and covered thick at least a foot deep with balsam over spread with blankets the soft floor forms a comfortable bed a log across the front of the floor keeps the balsam in place and forms a seat for the campers in the evenings when gathered for a social time before the fire the roof of the log lean-to boards are well-thatched poles which have first been overlaid with bark one of the most comfortable and delightful real forest camps which I have ever been in was a permanent camp in the aridondacks owned and run by one of the best aridondack guides the camp consisted of several shelters and two big permanent fireplaces over the ground space for the large tent outlined with logs was a strong substantial rustic frame built of material at hand in the forest and intended to last many seasons the shelter boasted of two springy woodsy beds made of slender logs laid crosswise and raised some inches from the ground these slender logs slanted down slightly from head to foot of the bed and edges of the bed were built high enough to hold the deep thick filling of balsam tips so generously deep as to do away with all consciousness of the underlining slender log foundation each bed was wide enough for two girls in the shelter ample to accommodate comfortably four campers there could have been one more bed when the tent would have sheltered six girls in the late fall the guide removed the waterproof tent covering and kept it in a safe dry place until needed leaving the beds and bare tent frame standing there was a smaller tent and also a lean-to in this camp the dining table contrived of logs and boards were sheltered by a square of canvas and a rustic frame camp dishes of white enamel ware were kept in a wooden box nailed to a close by tree in this box the guide had put shells resting them on wooden cleats the cupboard had a door that shut tight and fastened securely to keep out the little wild creatures of the woods pots, kettles, frying pan, etc hung on the stubs of a slender tree where branches and tap had been lobbed off the sealed foods were stowed away in a box cupboard and canned goods were cashed in a cave-like spot under a huge rock with openings secured by stones the walls of the substantial fireplace fully two feet high were of big stones the center filled in partway with earth and the cook fire was made on top of the earth so there was not the slightest danger of the fire spreading the soft, warm, cheerful colored camp blankets when not in use were stored carefully under cover of a waterproof tent-like storehouse the canvas sides dropped from the ridgepole both sides and flaps securely fastened and the entire storehouse made proof against intrusion this camp was located near a lake in the mountain forest and its charm was indescribably delightful tents tents in almost endless varieties of shapes are manufactured and sold by camp outfitters and sporting goods shops the tents range from small canoe tents accommodating one person only to the large wall tents for four or more people when using tents difficulties of transportation and extra weight can be overcome by having tent poles and pegs cut in the forest if you purchase tents full instructions for erection go with them write for illustrated catalogs to various outfitters and look the books over carefully before buying your choice will depend upon length of stay and location of camp you may be able to secure a discarded army tent that has never been used is in good condition and has been condemned merely for some unimportant blemish such tents are very serviceable and can be purchased at government auctions or from dealers who themselves have bought them from the government a large square seven by seven feet or more a balloon silk waterproof cloth or even heavy amblyt sheeting will be found most useful in camp so strong tape strings at the four corners and intervals along the sides for tying to shelters etc waterproof cloth will serve as a drop curtain in front of the lean to during a hard storm or as carpet cloth over ground of shelter also as an extra shelter either lean to or tent style any of the three materials can do duty as windbreak fly to shelter dining canopy may be used in other ways camp beds to drive joy and strength from your outing it is serious importance that you sleep well every night while at camp your camp bed must be comfortable to ensure a good night's rest a bow bed is one of the joys of the forest when it is well made and to put it together properly will cry about half an hour's time the delight of sleeping in a soft balsam bed perfumed with the the balsam will well replay for the time expended bow bed tips of balsam broken off with your fingers about 14 inches long make the best of beds the hemlock spruce and other evergreens can be used they are not obtainable the fan like branches from other trees may take their place of these you will need a large quantity in order to have the bed springy and soft always place the outdoor bed with the head well under cover and foot towards the opening of shelter or if without shelter toward the fire make the bed by arranging the branches shingle like in very thick overlapping rolls convex side up directly on the ground with thick ends of stems toward the foot push these ends into the ground so the tips will be raised slantily up make the rolls which will come under the hips extra thick and springy continue placing the layers in this manner into the space for single or double bed as the case may be covered with the first layer of your green mattress over it make another layer of branches versing the ends of these tips from those underneath by pushing the thick ends or branches of this top layer slantily into the under layer toward the head of the bed with foots toward the foot make more layers into the bed is about 2 feet thick and cover the mattress made with your poncho rubber side down and on top spread one of the sleeping blankets using the other one as a cover be sure to allow plenty of time for this work and have the bed dry and soft bag bed when the camp is located where there is no material for a bow bed each girl can carry with her a bag 3 feet wide and 6 and 1 half feet long made of strong cloth ticking soft khaki or like material to be filled with leaves, grass or other brows found on or near the campgrounds such a mattress made up with poncho and blankets is very satisfactory it must be well filled so that when you lie on the mattress it will not mash flat and hard cot bed for an entire summer camp, army cots which fold for packing are good and very comfortable the double thick quilt place on top for a mattress this morning good stores show a great variety of other beds cots and sleeping bags and align to them will bring illustrated catalogs or if in the city you can call and see the goods any of the beds I've described however can be used to advantage I hardly endorse the well made bow bed especially if a balsam pillows make a bag 1 half yard square of brown linen or cotton cloth when you reach camp gather the best brows you can find for filling but be careful about having the pillow too full keep it soft and comfortable there's no brows use clean underwear in its place fasten the open end of the bag together with large sized patent dress snappers one of the pleasantest phrases of a seasons camping trip for overnight hit the trail that leads to the chosen spot located some 2 or 3, perhaps 6 or 7 miles distant place absolutely dry where you can enjoy the fun of sleeping on the ground without shelter having merely the starry sky for a canopy each girl can select the spot where she is to sleep and free it from all twigs, stones, etc as the smallest and most insignificant in these will rob or oversleep and make the night most uncomfortable when the space is smooth mark the spot where the shoulders rest where in lying down in another spot immediately under the hips then dig a howl for each to fit in easily covering the sleeping space with poncho rubber side down and over this lay a folded blanket for a mattress using the second blanket as a cover your sleep will then probably be sound and refreshing guards establish watchers for this temporary camp and relays to keep guard through the night and care for the fire not allowing it to spread grow too hot or die down and go out there are 8 in the party the first 2 starting in at 10pm will keep visual until 12 midnight these may chance to see a porgy pine or other small wild animal but the little creatures will not come too near as long as your campfire is burning the next 2 watchers will be on duty until 2am and will doubtless hear if not see some of the wildlife of the forest the third couples turn last until 4am then the last 2 will be waken in time to see the sunrise listening to the twittering and singing of the wild birds and possibly catch a glimpse of wild deer with 6am comes broad daylight an ever to be remembered night in the open is past and gone these side trips bring you into closer touch with nature quicken your love for and a desire to know more of the wild and much to the light of the campers keeping guard through the hours of the night there comes a keen sense of the unusual novel experience of strangeness and adventure exercise while wholesome camping calls for sufficient physical exercise to cause the girl to be blissfully tired at night yet awaken refreshed and full of energy the next morning with a good appetite for breakfast so you become accustomed to the outdoor life it is best to curb your ambition to outdo the other girls in strength and endurance it is best not to over tax yourself by traveling too far on a long trail at one stretch while lifting too heavy a log, stone, or other way end of chapter 3 part 1 chapter 3 part 2 of on the trail an outdoor book for girls this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Mickey Lee Rich on the trail an outdoor book for girls by Lena Byrd chapter 3 camping part 2 the campfire the outdoor fire in camp bespeaks cheer, comfort and possibilities for a hot dinner all of which the camper appreciates how to build a fire choose an open space if possible for your fire beware of having it under tree branches too near a tent or in any other place that might prove dangerous start your fire with the tender nearest to hand dry leaves ferns, twigs, cones birch bark or pine knot slivers as the tender begins to burn the kindling wood of larger size always remembering that the air must circulate under and upward through the kindling no fire can live without air anymore than you can live without breathing smother a person and he will die smother a fire and it will die softwoods are best to use after lighting the tender they ignite easily and burn quickly such as pine, spruce, altar birch, soft maple balsam fir and others when the kindling is blazing put on still heavier wood until you have a good steady fire hardwood is better than soft when the fire is well going it burns longer and can usually be depended upon for a reliable fire not sending out sparks or sputtering as do many of the softwoods but burning well and giving a fine bed of hot coals the tree belonging exclusively to America and which is the best of the hardwoods comes first on the hardwood list this is hickory pecan, chestnut oak black birch, basket oaks white birch, maple, dogwood beech, red and yellow birch ash and apple wood when obtainable are excellent cook fire make the cook fire small and hot then you can work over it in comfort and not scorch both hands and face when trying to get near enough to cook as would be the case if the fire were large when in a hurry use dry bark as wood for cook fire hemlock pine hickory and other bark make a hot fire in a short time and water will boil quickly over a bark fire log cabin fire start this fire with two good size short sticks or logs place them about one foot apart parallel to each other at each end across these lay two smaller sticks and in the hollow square formed by the four sticks put the tender of cones, birch bark or dry leaves across the two upper sticks and over the tender make a grate by lying slender kindling sticks across from and resting on top of the two upper large sticks over the grate at right angles to the sticks forming it place more sticks of larger size continue in this way building the log cabin fire until the structure is one foot or so high each layer being placed at right angles to the one beneath it the fire must be lighted from beneath in the pile of tender I learned this method when on the pacific slope the fire burns quickly and the log cabin plan is a good one to follow when heating the bean hole as the fire can be built over the hole and in burning the red hot coals will fall down into it or the fire can be built directly in the hole both ways are used by campers fire in the rain to build the fire in the rain with no dry wood in sight seems a difficult problem but keep cheerful, hum your favorite tune and look for a pine knot or birch bark and an old dead stump or log in the center of the dead wood you will find dry wood dig it out and after starting the fire with either birch bark or pine knot use the dry wood as kindling when it begins to burn add larger pieces of wood and soon the fire will grow strong enough to burn wet wood if there happens to be a big rock in your camp build your fire on the sheltered side and directly against the stone which will act as a windbreak and keep the driving rain from extinguishing the fire a slightly shelving bank would also form a shelter for it a pine knot is always a good friend to the girl camper both in dry and wet weather but is especially friendly when it rains and everything is dripping wet you will find pine knots in wooded sections where pine trees grow or if you are located near water where there are no trees look for pine knots in driftwood washed ashore when secured cut thin slices down part way all around the elongated knot and circle it with many layers of shavings until the knot somewhat resembles a toy tree the inside will be absolutely dry and this branching knot will prove reliable and start your fire without fail birch bark will start a fire even when the bark is damp and it is one of the best things you can have as a starter for an outdoor rainy day fire take your cue from the forest guides and while in the woods always carry some dry birch bark in your pocket for a fire in case of rain camp fireplace one way to make the outdoor fireplace is to lay two green logs side by side on the ground in a narrow v-shape but open at both ends only a few inches at one end a foot or more at the other the fire is built between the logs and the frying pan and pail of water resting on both logs bridge across the fire should the widest space between the logs be needed place two slender green logs at right angles across the v-logs and have these short top across logs near enough together to hold the frying pan set on them c figure 26 when there are no green logs build the fireplace with three rectangular sides of stone open front and make the fire in the center the pots and pans rest across the fire on the stones if neither stones nor logs are available dig a circle of fresh earth as a safeguard and have the fire in its center here you will need two strong fork topped steaks driven down into the ground directly opposite each other one on each side of the circle rest the end of a stout green stick in the forked tops of the steaks and use it to hang pots and pails from when cooking a fire can also be safeguarded with a circle of stones placed close together another method of outdoor cooking may be seen on page 81 where leaning steaks are used from which to hang cooking utensils over the fire one more caution about possibilities of causing forest fire terrible widespread fires have resulted from what was supposed to be an extinguished outdoor fire do not trust it but when you are sure the campfire is out pour one more water over the fire and all around the unburned edge of surrounding ground then throw on fresh dirt until the fire space is covered be always on the safe side back up on a tree in the camp where all must see it a copy of the state laws regarding forest fires as shown in photograph front is peace on forest lands much of the ground is deep with tangled rootlets and fibers mixed in with the mold and a fire may be smoldering down underneath where you cannot see it have a care the permanent campfire place built to do service for several seasons is usually a big heavy green logs stone and earth the logs about three and one feet long are built log cabin fashion some twenty eight inches high with all crevices filled in and firmly padded with earth and stones big stones are anchored securely along the top of the earth covered log sides and back of the fireplace raising these higher than the front the space inside the walled fireplace is very nearly filled up with earth and the fire is built on this earth surfaces of logs which may have been left exposed where the fire is to be made are safeguarded with earth see figure twenty seven such a fireplace is big substantial firm and lasting many of them may be seen in the Adirondacks they usually face the camp shelter but are located a safe distance fully two yards from it fires built in these are generally used as social cheerfires but you can have the cheerfire even though the substantial fireplace be non-est if in the evening you pile more wood on the cookfire making it large enough for all to gather around and have a good time telling stories, laughing talking and singing an excellent rule in camp is to have always on hand plenty of firewood replenish the reserve stock every day as inroads are made upon it and have some sort of a shelter or covering where the wood will be kept dry and ready for immediate use camp cooking provisions in the woods one is generally hungry except immediately after a good meal and provisions and cooking are of vital interest to the camper the list of essentials is not very long and when the camp is a permanent one non-essentials may be added to the larger with advantage bread of some kind will be part of every meal and a few loaves freshly baked can be taken to camp to start with getting settled the quickest bread to cook is the delectable flapjack and it is quite exciting to toss it in the air see it turn over and catch it again if you can flapjack mix dry flour baking powder and salt together one good teaspoon of royal baking powder to every two cups of flour and one level teaspoon of salt to one quart which is four cups of flour to make the batter beat one egg and add one and a half cups of milk or one cup of milk and one half cup of water unsweetened condensed milk diluted according to directions on can may be used carefully and gradually stir in enough of the flour you have prepared to make a creamy batter be sure it is smooth and without lumps and then stir in one heaping teaspoon of sugar better still molasses to make the cakes brown grease the frying pan with a piece of fat pork or bacon have the pan hot and with a large spoon or a cup ladle out the batter into the pan forming three small cakes to be turned by a knife or one larger cake to be turned by tossing use the knife to lift the edges of the cake as they cook and when you see them a golden brown turn quickly or if the cake is large loosen it then lift the pan and quickly toss the cake up into the air in such a way that it will turn over and land safely brown side up on the pan unless you are skilled in tossing flapjacks don't risk wasting the cake by having it fall on the ground or in the fire but confine your effort to the small knife turning cakes serve them piping hot and if there are no plates each camper can deftly and quickly roll her flapjack into cylinder form of many layers and daintily and comfortably eat it while holding the roll between forefinger and thumb keep the frying pan well greased while cooking the cakes rubbing the pan with grease each time before pouring in fresh batter flapjacks are good with butter delicious with creamy maple sugar soft enough to spread smoothly over the butter the sugar comes in cans ordinary maple syrup can be used but it is apt to drip over the edges if the cake is held in the hand well cooked cold rice mixed with the delicate griddle cake and make a change from the regular flapjack biscuits biscuits are more easily made than raised bread and so are used largely in its place while in camp the proportions of flour and baking powder are the same as for flapjacks to 4 cups of flour mix 2 teaspoons of royal baking powder and 1 level teaspoon of salt add shortening about the size of an egg either lard or drippings divide the shortening into small bits and using the tips of your fingers rub it well into the dry flour just prepared then gradually stir in cold water to make a soft dough barely stiff enough to be rolled out 3 quarter inch thick on breadboard clean flat stone or large smooth piece of flattened bark whichever is used must be well floured as must also the rolling pin and biscuit cutter a clean glass bottle or smooth round stick may be used as a rolling pin and the cutter can be the baking powder can or the biscuits may be cut square or 4 inches long and 2 inches wide with a knife the dough may also be shaped into a loaf 3 quarter inch thick and baked in a pan by planting the pan in a bed of hot coals covering it with another pan or some substitute and placing a deep layer of hot coals all over the cover the biscuits should bake in about 15 minutes for a hurry meal each camper can take a strip of dough wind it spirally around a peeled thick stick which has first been heated and cook her own spiral biscuit by holding it over the fire and constantly turning the stick biscuits in common with everything cooked over a hot wood fire need constant watching that they may not burn test them with a clean splinter of wood thrust it into the biscuit when the dough cleans to the wood the biscuits are done Johnny cakes served hot, split open and buttered these Kentucky Johnny cakes with a cup of good coffee make a fine hearty breakfast very satisfying and good allow 1 half cup of cornmeal for each person and to every 4 cups of meal add 1 teaspoon of salt mix well then pour water which is boiling hard constantly to avoid having any lumps when the consistency is like soft mush have ready a frying pan almost full of hot drippings or lard dip your hands into cold water to enable you to handle the hot dough and taking up enough cornmeal dough to make a large sized biscuit pat it in your hands into a 3 quarter inch thick cake and gently drop it into the hot fat immediately make another cake drop it into the fat and continue until the frying pan is full as soon as one Johnny cake browns on the lower side turn it over remove each cake from the fat as soon as it's done and serve as they cook cornmeal must be thoroughly scalded with boiling water when making any kind of cornbread in order to have the bread soft and not dry and javy for baked cornbread add 2 full teaspoons of baking powder and stir in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon of salt have been thoroughly scalded and allowed to cool a little pour this cornmeal dough into a pan which has been generously greased and baked cornmeal needs a hot oven and takes longer to bake than wheat flour biscuits cornmeal mush cornmeal mush does not absolutely require fresh cream or milk when served it is good eaten with butter and very nourishing many like maple syrup or common molasses time is required to make well cooked mush at least 1 hour will be necessary to 2 quarts of boiling bubbling water add 1 teaspoon of salt and very slowly little by little add 2 cups of cornmeal stirring constantly and not allowing the water to cease boiling do not stop stirring until the mush has cooked about 10 minutes it may then be placed higher up from the fire where it will not scorch and boiling water added from time to time is needed to keep the mush of right consistency the cold mush may be made into a tempting dish if sliced 1 half inch thick and fried brown in pork fat many cold cooked cereals can be treated in the same way sprinkled with flour these will brown better Kentucky bread Kentucky bread is made of flour, salt and water it is generally known as beaten biscuit mix 2 scant teaspoons of salt with 1 quart of flour add enough cold water to make a stiff smooth dough and knead pull and pound the dough until it blisters the longer it is worked and beaten the better roll out very thin cut round or into squares and bake these biscuits may be quickly made and are simple and wholesome cocoa good cocoa may be made by substituting cold milk and cold water for hot follow directions on the can as to proportion and add the cold liquids after the cocoa is mixed into a smooth paste then boil either unsweetened condensed milk or milk powder can take the place of fresh milk coffee for every camper allow 1 tablespoon of ground coffee then 1 extra spoonful for the pot put the dry coffee into the coffee pot and to settle it add a crumbled eggshell then pour in a little cold water and stir all together when there are no eggshells use merely cold water add 1 cup full of cold water for each camper and 2 for the pot set the coffee pot over the fire and let it boil for a few moments take it from the fire and pour into the spout a little cold water then place the coffee pot not cook but settle tea allow 1 scant teaspoon of tea for each person scald the tea pot measure the tea into the pot and pour in as many cups of boiling water as there are spoonfuls of tea adding an extra cup full for the pot never let tea boil boiled potatoes wash potatoes cut out any dish and put them on to cook in cold water over the fire they are much better boiled while wearing their jackets allow from 1 half to 3 quarters of an hour for boiling test them with a sliver of wood that will pierce through the center when the potato is done when cooked pour off the boiling water set off the fire to one side where they will keep hot and raise 1 edge of the lid to allow the steam to escape serve while very hot baked potatoes wrap each potato in wet leaves and place them all on hot ash that lie over hot coals pour more hot ash on top of the potatoes and over the ashes place a deep bed of red hot coals it will require about 40 minutes or more for potatoes to bake take one out when you think they should be done if soft enough to yield to the pressure when squeezed between thumb and finger the potato is cooked choose potatoes as near of a size as possible then all will be baked to a turn at the same time bean soup and baked beans look over one quarter of dried beans take out all bits of foreign matter and injured beans then wash the beans in several waters and put them to soak overnight in fresh water next morning scald one and a half pound salt pork scrape it well rinse and with one teaspoon of dried onion or half of a fresh one put one to boil with the beans in cold water cook slowly for several hours when the water boils low add more boiling water and boil until beans are soft to make soup dip out a heaping cup full of the boiled beans mash them to a paste then pour the liquid from the boiled beans over the paste and stir until mixed if too thin add more beans if too thick add hot water until of the right consistency place the soup over the fire to reheat and serve very hot to bake beans remove the pork from the drained partially cooked beans score it across the top and replace it in the pot in mid-stuff and extending a trifle above the surface of the beans add one cup of hot water and securely cover the top of the pot with a lid or some substitute sink the pot well into the glowing coals and shovel hot coals over all add more hot water from time to time if necessary beans cooked in a bean hole rival those baked in other ways dig the hole about one and a half feet deep and wide build a fire in it and keep it burning briskly for hours the oven hole must be hot when the beans are ready rake the fire out of the hole then sink the pot down into the hole and cover well with hot coals and ashes placing them all over the sides and top of the pot over these shovel a thick layer of earth protecting the top with grass sod or thick blanket of leaves and bark that rain may not penetrate to the oven let the beans bake all night bacon slice bacon freshly cut as best do not bring it to camp in jars or cans but cut it as needed each girl may have the fun of cooking her own bacon cut long slender sticks with pronged ends sharpen the prongs and they will hold the bacon or use sticks with split ends and wedge in the bacon between the two sides of the split then toast it over the fire other small pieces of meat can be cooked in the same way bacon boiled with greens gives the vegetable a fine flavor as it also does string beans when cooked with them it may however be boiled alone for dinner and is good fried for breakfast game birds game birds can be baked in the embers have ready a bed of red hot coals covered with a thin layer of ashes and after drawing the bird dip it in water to wet the feathers then place it on the ash covered red coals cover the bird with more ashes and heap on quantities of red coals if the bird is small it should be baked in about one half hour when done strip off the skin carrying feathers with it and the bird will be clean and appetizing birds can also be roasted in the bean pot hole but in this way they must first be picked drawn and rinsed clean then cut into good sized pieces and placed in the pot with fat pork size of an egg for seasoning after pouring in enough water to cover quickly fasten the pot lid on securely and bury the pot in the glowing hot hole under a heap of red hot coals cover with earth the same as when baking beans fish fish cooked in the embers is very good and you need not first remove scales or fins but clean the fish season it with salt and pepper wrap it in fresh wet green leaves or wet blank paper not printed paper bury in the coals the same as a bird when done the skin scales and fins can all be pulled off together leaving the delicious hot fish ready to serve to boil a fish first scale and clean it then cut off head and tail if you have a piece of new cheesecloth to wrap the fish in it can be stuffed with dressing made of dry crumbs of bread or biscuits well seasoned with butter or bits of pork pepper and a very small piece of onion the cloth covering must be wrapped around and tied with white string when the fish is ready put it into boiling water to which has been added 1 tablespoon of vinegar and a little salt the vinegar tends to keep the meat firm and the dressing meets the fish more of a dinner dish both however can be omitted allow about 20 minutes for boiling a 3 pound fish the sooner a fish is cooked after being caught the better to scale a fish lay it on a flat stone or log hold it by the head and with a knife scrape off the scales scale each side and with a quick stroke cut off the head and lower fins the back fin must have incisions on each side in order to remove it trout are merely scraped and cleaned by drawing out the inside with head and gills do this by forcing your hand in and grasping tight hold it to clean most fish it is necessary to slit open the underside take out the inside wash the fish and wipe it dry with a clean cloth if the camping party is fond of fish and fish frequently forms part of a meal have a special clean cloth to use exclusively for drawing the fish provisions for one person for two weeks to be multiplied by number of campers and length of time if stay for over two weeks essential foods outdoor life seems to require certain kinds of foods these we will call essentials others in addition to them are in the nature of luxuries or non-essentials list essentials wheat flour six pounds corn meal two and a half pounds baking powder tea one half pound tea one eighth pound cocoa one half pound pork one pound bacon two and one half pounds salt one half pound pepper one ounce sugar three pounds butter one and one half pound milk dried one half pound lard three quarter pound egg powder one pound fruit dried one pound potatoes dried one and one half pounds beans one and one half pounds maple syrup one pint vinegar one quarter pint list for non-essentials rice two and one half pounds lemons one half dozen herbs worst one quarter pound soup tablets one quarter pound bakers chocolate slightly sweetened one half pound maple sugar one half pound ham five pounds nuts two pounds marmalade one half jar preserves one can citric acid one eighth pound onion dried one ounce cheese one pound potatoes fresh fourteen codfish one pound vegetables dried one half pound sanitation campfires and camp sanitation keep your camp scrupulously clean do not litter up the place your health and happiness greatly depend upon observing the laws of hygiene make sure after each meal that all kitchen refuse is collected and deposited in the big garbage hole previously dug for that purpose and well covered with a layer of fresh earth impress upon your mind that fresh earth is a disinfectant and keeps down all odors erect a framework with partially open side entrance for a retiring room use six strong forked top poles planted in an irregular square as uprights see figure 28 and across these lay slender poles fitting the ends well into the forked tops of the uprights see figure 28 halfway down from the top place more cross poles resting them on the crotches left on the uprights have these last cross poles as nearly the same distance from the ground as possible and over them hang thick branches hooking the branches on by the stubs on their heavy ends also hang thickly branches on the top cross poles using the stubs where smaller branches have been lopped off as hooks as on the lower row see figure 29 then peg down the bottom ends of the hanging branches to the ground with sharpened two bronze crotches cut from the branches the upper row of branches should overlap under row one foot or more make the seat by driving three stout stakes firmly into the ground two with the back one in the front and on these nail three cross pieces never throw dishwasher or any refuse near your tent or on the camp grounds burn or bury all trash remembering that earth and fire are your good servants and with their assistance you can have perfect camp cleanliness which will go a long way towards keeping away a variety of troublesome flies and make camp attractive and wholesome camp spirit thoughtfulness for others kindness the willingness to do your share of the work and more too the habit of making light of all discomforts cheerfulness under all circumstances and the determination never to sulk imagine you are slighted or find fault with people conditions or things to radiate goodwill take things as they come and enjoy them and do your full share of entertainment and fun making this is the true camp spirit