How to Camp Out | Page 6

of the wagon has high sides, it will not be a very difficult
task to make a cloth cover that will shed water, and you will then have
what is almost as good as a tent: you can also put things under the
wagon. You must have a cover of some sort for your wagon-load while
on the march, to prevent injury from showers that overtake you, and to
keep out dust and mud. A tent-fly will answer for this purpose.
You want also to carry a few carriage-bolts, some nails, tacks, straps, a
hand-saw, and axle-wrench or monkey-wrench. I have always found
use for a sail-needle and twine; and I carry them now, even when I go
for a few days, and carry all on my person.
The first drawback that appears, when you begin to plan for a horse and
wagon, is the expense. You can overcome this in part by adding
members to your company; but then you meet what is perhaps a still
more serious difficulty,--the management of a large party.
Another inconvenience of large numbers is that each member must
limit his baggage. You are apt to accumulate too great bulk for the
wagon, rather than too great weight for the horse.
Where there are many there must be a captain,--some one that the
others are responsible to, and who commands their respect. It is
necessary that those who join such a party should understand that they
ought to yield to him, whether they like it or not.
The captain should always consult the wishes of the others, and should
never let selfish considerations influence him. Every day his decisions
as to what the party shall do will tend to make some one dissatisfied;
and although it is the duty of the dissatisfied ones to yield, yet, since
submission to another's will is so hard, the captain must try to prevent
any "feeling," and above all to avoid even the appearance of tyranny.
System and order become quite essential as our numbers increase, and
it is well to have the members take daily turns at the several duties; and

during that day the captain must hold each man to a strict performance
of his special trust, and allow no shirking.
After a few days some of the party will show a willingness to accept
particular burdens all of the time; and, if these burdens are the more
disagreeable ones, the captain will do well to make the detail
permanent.
Nothing tends to make ill feeling more than having to do another's
work; and, where there are many in a party, each one is apt to leave
something for others to do. The captain must be on the watch for these
things, and try to prevent them. It is well for him, and for all, to know
that he who has been a "good fellow" and genial companion at home
may prove quite otherwise during a tour of camping. Besides this, it is
hardly possible for a dozen young men to be gone a fortnight on a trip
of this kind without some quarrelling; and, as this mars the sport so
much, all should be careful not to give or take offence. If you are
starting out on your first tour, keep this fact constantly in mind.
Perhaps I can illustrate this division of labor.
We will suppose a party of twelve with one horse and an open wagon,
four tents, a stove, and other baggage. First, number the party, and
assign to each the duties for the first day.
1. Captain. Care of horse and wagon; loading and unloading wagon. 2.
Jack. Loading and unloading wagon. 3. Joe. Captain's assistant and
errand-boy; currying horse. 4. Mr. Smith. Cooking and purchasing. 5.
Sam. Wood, water, fire, setting of table. 6. Tom. " " " " " 7. Mr. Jones.
8. Henry. 9. Bob. 10. Senior. 11. William. 12. Jake.
The party is thus arranged in four squads of three men each, the oldest
at the heads. One half of the party is actively engaged for to-day, while
the other half has little to do of a general nature, except that all must
take turns in leading the horse, and marching behind the wagon. It is
essential that this be done, and it is best that only the stronger members
lead the horse.

To-morrow No. 7 takes No. 1's place, No. 8 takes No. 2's, and so on;
and the first six have their semi-holiday.
In a few days each man will have shown a special willingness for some
duty, which by common consent and the captain's approval he is
permitted to take. The party then is re-organized as follows:--
1. Captain. General oversight; provider of food and provender. 2. Jack.
Washing and the care of dishes. 3. Joe.