Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

HOW TO WALK 137an Indian's or sailor's step is more nearly flat-footed.In the latter case the center of gravity is covered bythe whole foot. The poise is as secure as that of arope-walker. The toes are pointed straight forward,or even a trifle inward, so that the inside of the heel,the outside of the ball of the foot, and the smallertoes, all do their share of work and assist in balancing.Walking in this manner, one is not so likely,either, to trip over projecting roots, stones, and othertraps, as he would be if the feet formed hooks bypointing outward. The necessity is obvious in snowshoeing.A fellow sportsman, H. G. Dulog, once remarked:"If the Indian were turned to stone whilein the act of stepping, the statue would probablystand balanced on one foot. This gait gives thelimbs great control over his movements. He is alwayspoised. If a stick cracks under him it is becauseof his weight, and not by reason of the impact.He goes silently on, and with great economyof force. . . . His steady balance enables him toput his moving foot down as gently as you wouldlay an egg on the table."There is another advantage in walking with toespointing straight ahead Instead of outward: onegains ground at each stride. I have often noticedthat an Indian's stride gains in this manner, as wellas from the rolling motion of the hips. The whiteman acquires this habit, if he ever gets it, but anIndian is molded to it in the cradle. If you examinethe way In which a papoose is bound to itscradle-board, this will be made clear. Immediatelyafter birth the Infant Is stretched out on the board,its bowlegged little limbs are laid as straight aspossible, and the feet are placed exactly perpendicularand close together before being swaddled.Often the squaw removes the bandages and gentlydrags and works on the baby's limbs and spine tomake them as straight as possible. Then, in rebandaglng,care is always taken that the toes shall pointstraight forward.