Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

28 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFThe without one dry match, the man totters crazllyall night, 'round and 'round, to keep from freezing.What could he be fit for next day?Of course, if the Swiss Family Robinson shouldget turned around in the forest primeval, they atonce would find a shallow cave, a projecting ledge,a great hollow tree, or some other natural shelterready-made on the spot. We often come acrosssuch natural harborages in the wilderness—when wedon't need them. (Three of us hunters once spreadand had roomour blankets inside a hollow cypressto spare.) But no special providence looks afterlost men.It would be so easy to make a comfortable "onenightstand" if you had a knapsack of supplies onyour back! Yes, you could get along very well ifonly you had a featherweight poncho, a i2-ouncetomahawk, and several big bites of grub (next timeyou go out alone you will have them). But to-dayyou just went off to one side after a crippled deer,or something, and your outfit comprises nothing buta gun and the contents of your pockets. Prettyprospect, isn't it?"Under the greenwood tree,Who loves to lie with me" . . .is all very nice on a summer's day; but under thegreenwood tree on a cold night in the big sticks, andthe Lord knows where, with no 7ne to share who^stroubles—oh, darn Shakespeare!Well, you must rustle. Just now you need fourthings.(i)—Water.(2) A fire that won't go out till morning.(3) A windbreak to keep the other side of youwarm.(4) A bed to rest your bones and to keep off thechill of the ground.And, my friend, you want to get these things withthe least expenditure of time and effort. Night ap-