xpect to meet on the trap line. Then each one takes a
different line of traps, and circumstances has happened since you
left camp in the morning that it changes the entire program. It also
often happens that you get into camp at a different time than what
you expected and wish to go out again and take up another line of
traps, and you should try to keep one another informed as to about
what section you are working in.

Always endeavor to carry out the plans as near as possible the way
they were planned before leaving camp in the morning. Of all things,
do not accept of a man who is lazy or void of manly principles as a
partner, for sooner or later you will drop him. Then it will make no
difference how much you have done for him or how much you have
befriended him in times past, he will do you all the dirt he is
capable of doing.

If you want to know all about a man, go camping with him. Probably
you think you know him already, but if you have never camped on the
trail with him, you do not. It may be that he is your near neighbor
or he may have been a partner in business, but if you have not camped
with him, you have yet to learn him. It is not a hard job to believe
a man a good fellow when at home, but when you have camped with him
on the trail, then you will know him. When your companion wishes to
annoy any game, which you may find in your traps for the mere purpose
of hearing the animal moan with pain; will shoot birds and animals
just for the purpose of killing if you have a team with you, and your
companion will ride up the steep hills where other men would walk;
will neglect his beasts of burden in any way, this man you should
never choose as your camping or trapping partner. But when you find
one who will never wantonly torture a dumb animal and is kind to his
beasts of burden, always giving it all the advantages and kind
treatment possible, this man you needn't fear to accept as a trapping
partner for in this man you will find "a friend indeed when in need."

CHAPTER XXIV.

A Few Words on Deadfalls.

Comrades, as I have been asked to give my idea on the deadfall as a
practical trap in taking the fur bearing animals, will say that I do
not consider it a useless contrivance as some of the boys of the trap
line claim. On the contrary, I consider it to be a very successful
trap in taking many of the fur bearers such as will readily take bait
including the skunk, mink, coon, opossum, rabbit, muskrat, etc.