In the woods always be careful about spreading fire, a forest fire may result and destroy not only the camp but your hunting and camping grounds and deprive others of their rightful enjoyments and heritage. Such carelessness is considered a crime among woodsmen and in some states is a direct violation of the law. Bear in mind several simple rules for fire prevention:--never throw a match in dry leaves: never leave a fire burning when there is no one to watch it, for a gust of wind may start a bad fire from a bed of half dead embers. In locating camp always build the camp fire in the open if possible or on sand or soil but never on forest loam. Note the direction of the wind and try to build the fire just to windward of a brook, road or green grassy plat which would act as natural barriers to a spreading conflagration. In fighting fire, pour water on the flames themselves, soak it, drown it or cover with earth. If the ground is of loam or peaty nature souse it also. If it is spreading use boughs dipped in water to beat flames with or use a wet blanket or even a shirt if necessary rather than let the fire leap from your control. Having properly started your cooking fire you are now ready to unpack the grub bags. The cook kit is to be rinsed out well, the kettle filled with water and put over the fire; fill the fry pan with meat ration and start your batter for cakes. At the conclusion of the meal clean up the dishes at once so that the hours of relaxation before sleep may be unharassed by the drugery of undone scullion’s work. The dishes are wiped with tufts of grass, washed in clear water and thoroughly dried before the fire. CHAPTER IX THE OUTDOOR BED QUESTION To one who has never done any camping the choice of a bed is one that nettles him and he will have doubts about being comfortable with the outfits recommended by those of experience. Upon no article of wilderness equipment is there so much diversity of opinion expressed nor upon which more experimentation is lavished by the average enthusiast than the camp bed. From the cumbersome bedstead of civilization to the necessarily extremely portable bed of the movable camp is a far cry. In spite of all experiences the latter is found to be best patterned after principles of the former. Just the method of adaptation is the problem that confronts us. The tenderfoot styles himself a woodsman by displaying willingness to sleep on a poorly prepared bed, even boasting of the smallness and lightness of this part of his outfit. He is out to “rough it,” you know. The seasoned campaigner on the other hand prides himself on the comfort of his nightly abode. The native Indian can and often does sleep on a hard bed and you can simulate him when you are accustomed to it but probably you will not have the time to get used to this on the short vacation you will have.