you are likely to be called on to ride at
some speed through thorny brush, or unless you expect to ride very wet
indeed, they are a useless affectation. The cowboy needs them because he
does a great deal of riding of the two kinds just mentioned. Probably
you will not. I have had perhaps a dozen occasions to put them on. If
you must have them, get either oil-tanned or hair chaps. Either of these
sheds water like a tin roof. The hair chaps will not last long in a
thorny country.

[Sidenote: Gloves]

You will need furthermore a pair of gloves of some sort, not for
constant wear, nor merely for warmth, but to protect you in the
handling of pack ropes, lead ropes, and cooking utensils. A good
buckskin gauntlet is serviceable, as the cuffs keep the cold breezes
from playing along your forearm to your shoulder, and exclude the dust.
When you can get hold of the army gauntlet, as you sometimes can in the
military stores, buy them. Lacking genuine buckskin, the lighter grades
of "asbestos" yellow tan are the best. They cost about two dollars. To
my notion a better rig is an ordinary pair of short gloves, supplemented
by the close-fitting leather cuffs of a cowboy's outfit. The latter hold
the wrist snugly, exclude absolutely chill and dirt, and in addition
save wear and soiling of the shirt cuff. They do not pick up twigs,
leaves, and rubbish funnel wise, as a gauntlet cuff is apt to do.

That, I think, completes your wearing apparel. Let us now take up the
contents of your pockets, and your other personal belongings.

_SUMMARY_

_Minimum for comfort_

Felt hat
Silk kerchief
Waistcoat
Buckskin shirt or sweater
Gray flannel shirt
2 undershirts and drawers
Trousers--buckskin over khaki
3 pairs heavy socks
{3 pairs moccasins
{ or
{1 pair boots
{1 pair moccasins
Gloves and leather cuffs

_Maximum_

Felt hat
Silk kerchief
Waistcoat
Buckskin shirt and sweater
Gray flannel shirt
2 undershirts, 3 drawers (includes one suit you wear)
Trousers
4 pairs socks
1 pair boots
Moccasins
Slicker
Gloves and leather cuffs

CHAPTER IV

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

(_Continued_)

[Sidenote: Matches]

MATCHES, knife, and a compass are the three