Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

86 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTstarting point corresponding to your course, numberthis first stop "i," and note on the margin the numberof paces from o to i, as well as the time betweenthem. Then take a fresh bearing on some otherobject ahead, and continue the same w^ay.Time.—In the wilderness, where roads generallyare bad, if there are any at all, the distance traversedis of less consequence, for a mere route sketch,than the time taken to cover it. Your estimates ofdistance may be faulty, but your watch can be reliedupon.Time measurements also are good enough forrough mapping of open country and fairly straightcourses, where it is not necessary to count paces inorder to keep the general bearings correct.Judging Distances by Eye.—In thickets,swamps, blow-downs, steeps, and other places sorough that one can neither pace steadily nor judgedistance by time, a man going alone must estimateby eye only. It is remarkable how skilful men canbecome at this by assiduous practice. Riflemengenerally are good judges of distances by eye. Timbercruisers are better still. Amateurs should seldomtrust their estimates of distance in the woods andmountains, or over water, for intervals of over lOOyards.When two men travel together they can assisteach other in estimating. Let your partner walkaway lOO paces, then hold your pencil at arm'slength, and measure his apparent height on It frompencil tip down with your thumb-nail, as an artistdoes In landscape sketching. Mark that point withyour knife. Then let him go another lOO paces;measure and mark again. This scale can be usedthereafter wherever his full height Is visible.Pedometers save considerable trouble wheretrails are good or the country Is fairly level and open,but they are of no use In rough country, since theyrecord every step taken, regardless of whether It Isin the course or not.