The Indian exercises much ingenuity in selecting a suitable camp site.
The first essentials are water and fuel; next comes sanitation and
drainage, protection from the elements and from ready discovery by
possible foes; finally, beauty of situation.
In midsummer, when Indians camp together in great numbers, they
invariably choose an extensive plateau, either on the secondary bank of
a river or lake, or upon the level bottom lands of some large stream. At
this time of the year the ground is dry, and there is no danger from
floods. For the winter camp, they prefer a protected site in deep woods,
near a large river or lake.
In the case of a small party or a solitary traveler, concealment is the
first principle to be observed. Seclusion gives a sense of security, but
one does not need to sacrifice to it his aesthetic sense. The Indian is
adept in selecting a most beautiful spot which commands all approaches,
or a hidden cove, guarded by curving shores, but very near a
long-distance view which he keeps for his look-out.
In the heat of the summer he often pitches his teepee upon a high, rocky
point, to get away from the mosquitoes, but takes care that he is
protected by other heights in such a way that any one approaching must
come very near before he discovers the camp. There are usually concealed
approaches at the back and sides that afford a retreat in case of
danger, and also serve as short cuts on his return from hunting or
trapping.
In his forest life, it is a matter of course with him to leave the
teepee poles just as they stand, removing only the covering. This is not
only a matter of convenience, but it may cause the enemy to delay and
maneuver when they first sight the camp, thus giving him more time to
retreat. Often the war-party discovers its mistake only after its
intended victims have been gone for some hours. In case of a hasty
retreat, the tent is left standing undisturbed and the log fire burning
within, so that the smoke may be maintained as long as possible after
the departure of the inmates. This was a convenient ruse in the old
days.
It is best in camping to build small fires. This rule is observed by all
Indians. Smoke may be seen at a great distance, especially on a clear
day, and may be scented by the ordinary Indian a long way off, if the
wind is right. Only in cold weather or for special purposes does the
Indian indulge in a huge fire, and in no case does he ever leave it
without seeing that it is entirely extinguished. If possible, he builds
it upon the rocks, so that the ashes may be removed by wind and rain,
and the ground show no disfigurement.
When a party camp together, the tents are pitched in a circle. The
entrance to the circle is always toward the watering-place, and the
council lodge is placed opposite the entrance. If the party is a large
one, there may be more than one circle, each band or clan having its
own.
When a camp is to break up, it is decreed on the day before, the next
camp site having already been explored and selected by men appointed for
that purpose. One of these men may be named to guide the caravan to the
chosen spot. The start is made before daybreak, and the packing done
most expeditiously and in accordance with a well understood system,
whether wagons, ponies, dogs, canoes, or men are used to transport
belongings from place to place. There is nothing slovenly or haphazard
about the Indian's domestic economy, and packing is an interesting and
important feature of camp-craft.
In the first place, if you are to transport your own equipment, you must
use the carrying strap, which consists of two strings, each four to five
feet long, attached strongly to each end of the flat chest and head
pieces, which are about two inches wide and long enough to encircle the
head and shoulders. The goods are secured in a well-balanced roll or
bundle, and this bundle should not be carried too low. Place it to suit
your strength and comfort, and do not let it sway or swing. It may be
advisable to drop it and rest now and then, if the load is heavy or the
distance considerable. The Indians can easily carry in this manner all
that is required for an outing.
If you have packhorses, your goods must be made into bundles of
convenient size and shape to balance one another on the two sides of the
animal, and well secured with strong straps. Before the Indian obtained
horses from the Spanish colonists, he traveled but a short day's
journey, and carried with him only absolute necessities. All household
effects had to be transported on the back, or by means of the dog
travois. In fact, the travois was his primitive vehicle for many years
after the advent of the horse. It consists merely of the tent poles and
an oval basket, netted from strips of rawhide, which is also used as a
door for the teepee. One pony can carry at most eight poles, four on a
side. These are bound to the saddle, the tips forming an angle above the
horse's head, and the free ends drag on the ground below the basket,
which contains all the household goods, and sometimes young children.