It is impossible to include lists of outfit, in any reasonable space,
that shall suit the various requirements of men engaged in expeditions of
different magnitudes, who adopt different modes of locomotion, and who
visit different countries and climates. I have therefore thought it best
to describe only one outfit as a specimen, selecting for my example the
desiderata for South Africa. In that country the traveller has, or had a
few years ago, to take everything with him, for there were no civilised
settlers, and the natural products of the country are of as little value
in supplying his wants as those of any country can be. Again, South
African wants are typical of those likely to be felt in every part of a
large proportion of the region where rude travel is likely to be
experienced, as in North Africa, in Australia, in Southern Siberia, and
even in the prairies and pampas of North and South America. To make such
an expedition effective all the articles included in the following lists
may be considered as essential; I trust, on the other hand, that no
article of real importance is omitted.
Stores for general use.--These are to a great degree independent of the
duration of the journey.
Small Stores, various: -- lbs.
One or two very small soft-steel axes; a small file to
sharpen them; a few additional tools (see chapter on
Timber); spare butcher's knives..............................8
A dozen awls for wood and for leather, two of them in
handles; two gimlets; a dozen sail-needles; three palms;
a ball of sewing-twine; bit of beeswax; sewing-needles,
assorted; a ball of black and white thread; buttons; two
tailors' thimbles (see chapter on Cord, String, and
Thread)......................................................3
Two penknives; small metal saw; bit of Turkey gone; large
scissors; corkscrew..........................................1 1/2
Spring balances, from 1/4 lb. to 5 lbs. and from 1 lb. to
50 lbs. (or else a hand steelyard............................1 1/2
Fish-hooks of many sorts; cobbler's was; black silk; gut;
two or more fishing-lines and floats; a large ball of
line; thin brass wire, for springes (see chapters on
Fishing and Trapping)........................................2
Ball of wicks, for lamps; candle-mould (see chapter on
Candles); a few corks; lump of sulphur; amadou (see
chapter on Fire).............................................1 1/2
Medicines (see chapter on Medicine); a scalpel; a blunt-
pointed bistoury; and good forceps for thorns................1
A small iron, and an ironing-flannel; clothes-brush;
bottle of Benzine or other scouring drops....................3
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