be dry underneath the bark in all weathers, is
procured by snaj)ping off the small dead branches,
or stubs of branches, that are left on the trunks of
medium-sized trees. Do not pick up twigs from the
ground, but choose those, among the downwood,
that are held up free from the ground. Where a
tree is found that has been shivered by lightning,
or one that has broken off without uprooting^ good
splinters of dry wood will be found. In every
laurel thicket there is plenty of dead laurel, and,
since it is of sprangling growth, most of the
branches will be free from the ground and snap-
dry. They ignite readily and give out intense heat.
It is a good test of one's resourcefulness to
make a fire out of doors in rainy weather. The
best way to go about it depends upon local con-
ditions. Dry fuel and a place to build the fire
can often be found under big uptilted logs, shelv-
ing rocks, and similar natural shelters, or in the
core of an old stump. In default of these, look
for a dead softwood tree that leans to the south.
The wood and bark on the under side will be dry
— chop some off, split it fine, and build your fire
under the shelter of the trunk.
To light a match in the wind, face the wind.
Cup your hands, with their backs toward the wind,
and hold the match with its head pointing to-
ward the rear of the cup — i. e., toward the wind.
Remove the right hand just long enough to strike
the match on something very close by; then in-
stantly resume the former position. The flame
will run up the match stick, instead of being
blown away from it, and so will have something
to feed on.
Never leave a fire, or even a spark, behind you.
Put it out.
CHAPTER IV.
DRESSING AND KEEPING GAME AND
FISH.
IT is not necessary to hang a deer np to skin
and butcher it; but that is the more cleanly
way. One man, unassisted, can hang a
pretty heavy animal in the following way: Drag
it headforemost to a sapling that is just limber
enough to bend near the ground when you climb
it. Cut three poles, ten or twelve feet long, with
crotches near the ends. Climb the sapling and
trim oif the top, leaving the stub of one stout
branch near the top. Tie your belt into a loop
around the deer's antlers or throat. Bend the
sapling down until you can slip the loop over the
end of the sapling. The latter, acting as a spring-
pole, will lift part of the deer's weight. Then
place the crotches of the poles under the fork of
the sapling, the butts of the poles radiating out-
ward, thus forming a tripod. Push first on one
pole, then on another, and so raise the carcass
free from the ground.
If you do not intend to butcher the deer imme-
diately, raise it up out of reach of roving dogs and
"varmints," and put a smudge under it of rotten
wood, well banked with stones and earth so that it
cannot blow around and set the woods afire. The
smudge will help to keep away blow-flies and
birds of prey, and will guide you back to the place.
36
DRESSING GAME. 37
Page 17
Presented as published in 1910. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
be dry underneath the bark in all weathers, is procured by snapping off the small dead branches, or stubs of branches, that are left on the trunks of medium-sized trees. Do not pick up twigs from the ground, but choose those, among the downwood, that are held up free from the ground. Where a tree is found that has been shivered by lightning, or one that has broken off without uprooting, good splinters of dry wood will be found. In every laurel thicket there is plenty of dead laurel, and, since it is of sprangling growth, most of the branches will be free from the ground and snapdry. They ignite readily and give out intense heat.
It is a good test of one's resourcefulness to make a fire out of doors in rainy weather. The best way to go about it depends upon local conditions. Dry fuel and a place to build the fire can often be found under big uptilted logs, shelving rocks, and similar natural shelters, or in the core of an old stump. In default of these, look for a dead softwood tree that leans to the south. The wood and bark on the under side will be dry — chop some off, split it fine, and build your fire under the shelter of the trunk.
To light a match in the wind, face the wind. Cup your hands, with their backs toward the wind, and hold the match with its head pointing toward the rear of the cup — i. e., toward the wind. Remove the right hand just long enough to strike the match on something very close by; then instantly resume the former position. The flame will run up the match stick, instead of being blown away from it, and so will have something to feed on.
Never leave a fire, or even a spark, behind you. Put it out.
CHAPTER IV.
DRESSING AND KEEPING GAME AND
FISH.
IT is not necessary to hang a deer np to skin and butcher it; but that is the more cleanly way. One man, unassisted, can hang a pretty heavy animal in the following way: Drag it headforemost to a sapling that is just limber enough to bend near the ground when you climb it. Cut three poles, ten or twelve feet long, with crotches near the ends. Climb the sapling and trim oif the top, leaving the stub of one stout branch near the top. Tie your belt into a loop around the deer's antlers or throat. Bend the sapling down until you can slip the loop over the end of the sapling. The latter, acting as a springpole, will lift part of the deer's weight. Then place the crotches of the poles under the fork of the sapling, the butts of the poles radiating outward, thus forming a tripod. Push first on one pole, then on another, and so raise the carcass free from the ground.
If you do not intend to butcher the deer immediately, raise it up out of reach of roving dogs and "varmints," and put a smudge under it of rotten wood, well banked with stones and earth so that it cannot blow around and set the woods afire. The smudge will help to keep away blow-flies and birds of prey, and will guide you back to the place.