e no aesthetic devotee of the fly-rod will lay down the book in
disgust when I confess to a weakness for frogging. I admit that it is
not high-toned sport; and yet I have got a good deal of amusement out
of it. The persistence with which a large batrachian will snap at a bit
of red flannel after being several times hooked on the same lure and
the comical way in which he will scuttle off with a quick succession of
short jumps after each release; the cheerful manner in which, after
each bout, he will tune up his deep, bass pipe--ready for another
greedy snap at an ibis fly or red rag is rather funny. And his hind
legs, rolled in meal and nicely browned, are preferable to trout or
venison.

CHAPTER III
Getting Lost--Camping Out--Roughing It Or Smoothing
It--Insects--Camps, And How To Make Them

WITH a large majority of prospective tourists and outers, "camping
out" is a leading factor in the summer vacation. And during the long
winter months they are prone to collect in little knots and talk much
of camps, fishing, hunting and "roughing it." The last phrase is very
popular and always cropping out in the talks on matters pertaining to a
vacation in the woods. I dislike the phrase. We do not go to the green
woods and crystal waters to rough it, we go to smooth it. We get it
rough enough at home; in towns and cities; in shops, offices, stores,
banks anywhere that we may be placed--with the necessity always present
of being on time and up to our work; of providing for the dependent
ones; of keeping up, catching up, or getting left. "Alas for the
lifelong battle, whose bravest slogan is bread."

As for the few fortunate ones who have no call to take a hand in any
strife or struggle, who not only have all the time there is, but a
great deal that they cannot dispose of with any satisfaction to
themselves or anybody else--I am not writing for them; but only to
those of the world's workers who go, or would like to go, every summer
to the woods. And to these I would say, don't rough it; make it as
smooth, as restful and pleasurable as you can.

To this end you need pleasant days and peaceful nights. You cannot
afford to be tormented and poisoned by insects, nor kept awake at night
by cold and damp, nor to exhaust your strength by hard tramps and heavy
loads. Take it easy and always keep cool. Nine men out of ten, on
finding themselves lost in the woods, fly into a panic and quarrel with
the compass. Never do that. The compass