CHAPTER VI.

COOKING, AND THE CARE OF FOOD.


When living in the open air the appetite is so good, and the pleasure of
getting your own meals is so great, that, whatever may be cooked, it is
excellent.

[Illustration]

You will need a frying-pan and a coffee-pot, even if you are carrying
all your baggage upon your back. You can do a great deal of good cooking
with these two utensils, after having had experience; and it is
experience, rather than recipes and instructions, that you need.
Soldiers in the field used to unsolder their tin canteens, and make two
frying-pans of them; and I have seen a deep pressed-tin plate used by
having two loops riveted on the edges opposite each other to run a
handle through. Food fried in such plates needs careful attention and a
low fire; and, as the plates themselves are somewhat delicate, they
cannot be used roughly.

[Illustration]

It is far better to carry a real frying-pan, especially if there are
three or more in your party. If you have transportation, or are going
into a permanent camp, do not think of the tin article.

A coffee-pot with a bail and handle is better than one with a handle