Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-12
NO. 1874.
THE PLEASURES OF raE WOODS.

There is strange charm for the dwell
er in town inaiving awhile hand in hand
with Nature all day long--in watching her
gradual changes, the birth of morning, the
sunrise newly dressed each day, the fading
twilight, the growth of storms. the lowell
ness OF form and color in wood or wave,
all delightful. and ever more so when
the camp circle chances to possess an ar
tist or two, and enough of science to
weight the talk little at times. II is
well also to have always some little pur-
pose in the woods beside pleasure. Some
men like the gun and the rod prefer the
latter, but l have friends who find unceas-
ing pleasure in their pursuit of botany.
Photography would be the best of wood
pursuits If only it involved less cumbrous
baggage; but for those who sketch, that
is surprising gain. A book or two of
geology Is also desirable, and / have
found it convenient and agreeable to carry
in small case compass and barometer
and minimum thermometer, and, if pos
slble, simple microscope. All these
little aids help to pass away the hours
which nothing can make heavy or weari-
some. l may add another hint too few
OF US sketch, and, as do not, have Al
ways carried notebook, in which have
found great delight, not merely in noting
the days pursuits, but in sketching with
the pencil in words the scenes through
which have passed. 1t is capital exer-
else, and it is curious to see how, when
you sit down and try to put in words just
what you see before you. it fixes the land
scape forever in your memory.
While speaking of mems ways in camp,
| should not neglect to say how much OF
Its enjoyment comes of the contact with
the guides. woodmen, and trappers, and
the simple minded, manly folk who live
on the outposts of civilization--.'the lords
of the axe and the rifle" One friend at
least who may read this paper will recall
our guide at the Pictured Rocks
gnarled, rugged old fellow, by turns a
lumberman on the wild Madawaska. a
beaver-hunter who believed in beavers
more than in men, sergeant in Berdan's
Sharpshooters, and now lake sailor, guide,
and funter-a keen eye with the rife,
gallant and cool In storms on the lake,
capital cook, and endlessly merry and full
OF good talk over the campfire at night.
He will recall, too, Mr.. S., our guide
on the north shore, with his keen scent of
the profitable pine tree, his amazing GER
tainty as wood-guide, and his
quaint tales of "finds" among the pine
woods or the mineral wealth on the shores
of lake and river. The forests Of Maine
are full of the finest specimens of such
men; nor do | know any better thing
than to float down the lovely Allegash with
Dan Kennedy, guide and woodman, in the
stern of the canoe, and to hear with the
plash of his paddle his clever chat of bear
and moose and numbering and the ways of
fish, and scornful talk of "Kanucks" and
"Injins."
AS well as to say here that he who means
to live awhile in the woods will do well to
be careful as to whom he chooses as
guide. In Maine especially the least ex-
erclse OF caution or little inquiry will
ensure a successful choice. AS to COM
panions, cheerful, pleasant, and unselfish,
one can rarely 60 astray in choosing; but
since in many wood-journeys the trav-
eler's life is or may be in peril, or be put
TO great Inconvenience and discomfort, if
he has not for guide an experienced per-
son, too much care canDot be used. Some
OF my friends will recall how narrow an
escape we once made on Lake Superior,
owing largely to an incompetent sailor;
and on the other hand | remember with
constant pleasure the dextrous and gallant
fellows who have been with me again and
again on the quick waters of the Allegash
and the great st. Johns.
do not wish or pretend to give direc-
tons as to the needed outfit for camp-life,
which may be better learned from any OF
the many books which described the fish
ing of North America There are. how
ever, one or two things which, as a ply
Sician pointing out a too-little-used means
of heath-getting, | cannot afford to pass
over, since in the books alluded TO they
are scarcely mentioned. AS regards
clothing, never 90 into the woods with
out flannel garments. 1t is we'll. no mat
ter how cool it be, to partially undress at
night, relying upon rubber blanket be-
meath, and two good wooden blankets. one
over and one under you, for warmth. A
caoutchou pillow is also great gain, both
as a headrest at night and to sit on in the
daytime, especially in boat or canoe 1t
is well also to make it rule of the party
no matter how cold be the water, to bathe
daily. In fishing-camps generally there
is some neglect of cleanliness-the debris
of meals lett about and lack of care in
daily airing the blankets. 1t is wise,
therefore, to shift the tents every three or
four days to new ground--a preeaution
which is rarely unsod, should never be
neglected. Camp Cure" By S.
Weir MAcheH an Lippencotfs Magazine
Ia 81