Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

138 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTThe woodsman walks with a springy knee action.There is a "give" at eveiy step, and in going downhillthe knees are bent a good deal, as they are whenone carries a heavy burden. It is said of the Indian"he does not walk, he glides.'* No Indian glidesin boots, but put him in moccasins and the worddoes express his silent, rhythmical, tireless, surefootedprogress, an admirable example of precisionof movement and economy of effort. A white manacquires somewhat the same glide after getting usedto moccasins, and especially after some experienceon snowshoes, which compel him to walk with toespointed straight ahead or a little inward.Over-Strain.—^When carrying a pack on yourback, do not over-exert yourself. Halt wheneveryour breathing is very labored or exertion becomespainful. Nobody who understands horses wouldthink of driving them ahead when they show signsof distress, and there is quite as much common sensein treating yourself with the same consideration, ifyou want to travel far. Rig your pack at the startso it can be flung off whenever you sit down for amoment's rest; it pays. But don't halt more thanthree to five minutes. Long halts eat up daylight;they stiffen the muscles; and they cause chills andcolds. Over-exertion is particularly disastrous inmountain climbing.Not only in marching but in other labors, gosteadily but moderately. Do not chop to the pointof exhaustion, nor strain yourself in lifting or carrying.A feat of "showing off" is poor compensationfor a lame back.One who is unused to long marches may get alongpretty well the first day, but on the second morningit will seem as if he could not drag one foot afterthe other. This is the time when the above remarks