nal position, and every thing that would be likely
to attract an Indian's attention removed from the locality. If an
India-rubber or gutta-percha cloth is disposable, it should be used to
envelop the articles in the cache.

Another plan of making a cache is to dig the hole inside a tent, and
occupy the tent for some days after the goods are deposited. This
effaces the marks of excavation.

The mountain traders were formerly in the habit of building fires over
their caches, but the Indians have become so familiar with this
practice that I should think it no longer safe.

Another method of caching which is sometimes resorted to is to place
the articles in the top of an evergreen tree, such as the pine,
hemlock, or spruce. The thick boughs are so arranged around the
packages that they can not be seen from beneath, and they are tied to a
limb to prevent them from being blown out by the wind. This will only
answer for such articles as will not become injured by the weather.

Caves or holes in the rocks that are protected from the rains are also
secure deposits for caching goods, but in every case care must be taken
to obliterate all tracks or other indications of men having been near
them. These caches will be more secure when made at some distance from
roads or trails, and in places where Indians would not be likely to
pass.

To find a cache again, the bearing and distance from the centre of it
to some prominent object, such as a mound, rock, or tree, should be
carefully determined and recorded, so that any one, on returning to the
spot, would have no difficulty in ascertaining its position.

DISPOSITION OF FIRE-ARMS.

The mountaineers and trappers exercise a very wise precaution, on
laying down for the night, by placing their arms and ammunition by
their sides, where they can be seized at a moment's notice. This rule
is never departed from, and they are therefore seldom liable to be
surprised. In Parkyns's "Abyssinia," I find the following remarks upon
this subject:

"When getting sleepy, you return your rifle between your legs, roll
over, and go to sleep. Some people may think this is a queer place for
a rifle; but, on the contrary, it is the position of all others where
utility and comfort are most combined. The butt rests on the arm, and
serves as a pillow for the head; the muzzle points between the knees,
and the arms encircle the lock and breech, so that you have a smooth
pillow, and are always prepared to