distance from the bank, and by weighting a canteen, tying a string to
it and another to the stopper, have brought up cool water from the river
bed.

"Disease germs are of animal, not vegetable origin. Still waters are not
necessarily unwholesome, even though there is rotten vegetation in them.
The water of cedar and cypress swamps is good to drink wherever there is
a deep pool of it, unless polluted from some outside source. Lake water
is safe if no settlements are on its border; but even so large a body as
Lake Champlain has been condemned by state boards of health because of
the sewage that runs into it.

"When a stream is in flood it is likely to be contaminated by decayed
animal matter.

"_Alkaline Water_--When traveling in an alkali country carry some
vinegar or limes or lemons, or (better) a glass stoppered bottle of
hydrochloric acid. One teaspoonful of hydrochloric (muriatic)
neutralizes about a gallon of water, and if there should be a little
excess it will do no harm but rather assist digestion. In default of
acid you may add a little Jamaica ginger and sugar to the water, making
a weak ginger tea.

"_Muddy Water_--I used to clarify Mississippi water by stirring corn
meal in it and letting it settle, or by stirring a lump of alum in it
until the mud began to precipitate, and then decanting the clear water.
Lacking these, one can take a good handful of grass, tie it roughly in
the form of a cone six or eight inches high, invert it, pour water
slowly into the grass and a runnel of comparatively clear water will
trickle down through the small end.

"_Stagnant Water_--A traveler may be reduced to the extremity of using
stagnant or even putrid water; but this should never be done without
first boiling it. Some charred wood from the camp fire should be boiled
with the water; then skim off the scum, strain, and set in water aside
to cool. Boiling sterilizes, and charcoal deodorizes. * * *"

[Illustration: COOKING THE FIRST MEAL]

Arriving at Camp

As soon as the camp site is decided upon locate the tent. (This should
be done in advance when the party is of any size). Each tent should be
about twenty-five feet from the next, on a dry place and easy to drain
in case of rain, and so placed as to have the sun in the morning and the
shade in the afternoon. Each tent should be trenched and placed some
distance from the water supply and from the latrine.

Tents

"For fixed camps, situated where there are