The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-10-17


think that tho Quintessence Of camp
Ing 10 reached when one knows the
game thoroughly enough to be able
to draw from Nature alone all the
comforts that civilization affords, in
addition to the thousand joys which
no civilization can give. 1t is far
easier to do this than one would sup
pose, for the reason that most OF the
drawbacks OF camp life come from neg
lect OF simple cleanliness and ordin-
AIRY bodily comforts, such as homo
sapiens has become accustomed to
from his cradle.
The subject Of camping is really so
vast that 1t cannot be even approach.
Cd In a single article. 1t strikes at
the very roots Of life. At Its best 1t
holds up q mirror to us all. showing
how far civilization and overpopula-
ton have combined to separate us
from the easy formula of life which
driven thousands to starvation within
Z stones throw of the fabulously rich.
whereas Nature gave every man the
equal strength of his own two hands.
which were once ample to win him
livelihood and happiness.
When one Is after travelling game,
Or on a canoe trip. or such nomadic
camp life. the less OF everything
taken along the better. A good sleep
Ing bag Is preferable to tent; sim
gle skillet will provide the utensil to
cook with; and rife. Ratchet and knife
are really all the necessities that can
be mentioned. even once went on a
camp where took nothing along. ex-
cept a notebook and two sheets OF
blank music paper. A bully tramp over
the mountains It was. too. and l slept
In piles OF leaves raked up in dry ra-
vines that we're already filled a solid
loot deep with dry leaves. had on
canvas hunting suit. SLOUGH hat. and
CATERS. In the shooting coat pockets
were Z Dutch weinerwurst. half
dozen hardtacks. three potatoes. and
I hunk Of bacon. In the dltty-bag.
without which never take any trip.
were little primer-boxes filled with
butter, salt. tea and sugar. and there
we're also variety Of hooks and lines.
I steel 'possom hook and pickerel
hook for frogging. 1t was the only
tramp in which l had no itinerary.
hadn't any idea Of getting anywhere.
and could stop whenever and as long
u pleased. think l was all one
Afternoon going two miles around the
dank Of one mountain. down into 4
ravine and up the brook to the spring.
where l camped for the night. was
gone two days; bagged most Of tho
species Of trees Of the middle states
sast Of the Appalachians In the note
book. and scrawled the music-sheets
70 full Of wriggly black notes that the
publisher got cross-eyed trying to
read the copy. Such a camp-tramp
, cannot last more than two days, or
vou are apt to spend the night hug
, ging . tree, while the rain deluges
Everything throughout the woods.
For tho light weekend camps. or
ashing trips not lasting over ten days,
, always take q small tent.
, But the acme Of camp life Is to ar.
range to spend the whole summer out
81 doors. beside some favorite lake OF
, DIVER To most Of US this must be
I ,omewhere within committing dis
, lance Of some large city. To a few
/ It 10 given to be able to live thus In
good game country. leaving the bust
less cares for the winter months. II
, this kind OF camp Of which | wish
J particularly to speak. for It Is an idea
} 1fe.
As a matter Of fact. the bungalow
n the woods should be the cleaner
. and natter of the two. II you car
: get q board floor, so much the better
l out be very sure that none OF the
boards reach out under the walls o.
he tent. 20 that the water can follow
e hem inside. The best way Is to rem
y -FOUR ground. or buy 1t outright witt
4 Is much Of the surrounding woods al
you can AFFORD. and buy or build 1
small bungalow. II you have tht
h homing instinct you will get to Low,
n that little shack like you do your boy
b hood town. and will put In all sort
II spare hours and rainy days In i'm
proving It and making It more com
d Portable. The cheapest one know o
o ID to take half dozen rolls OF ready
, roofing and some by inch hemlocl
II loist into the woods and then bull,
the shack yourself 1t Is surprisin,
how far into the backwoods you cal
n get with this stun. given a couple O
d canoes and day or SOS time
Q Pick out picturesque site. wher
It the outlook will be q pleasur
Tor many serene hour L
some. and back the shack up agains
II rocky slope or steep turn of tn
t. mountainside with . southerly on,
y ook. You will find that the eight O
ZEN feet back Of the house. berwee
and the wall. will soon grow int
It valuable "linter" and may some da
D. lfford possibility Of held-stone chin
. aey when you have the time and
sanoe load Of quicklime brought on
rom the clearings. The frame pal
d els will work out much as the sketcl
. they are Of the width OF the roofin,
e e6 inchen and feet hi1h dia rona,o.