The ripples in a desert of sand are
equally good as guides; or the wind itself, if it happens to be blowing,
especially to a person pushing through a tangled belt of forest. Before
leaving a well-known track, and striking out at night into the broad open
plain, notice well which way the wind blows as regards the course you are
about to pursue.
Flight of Birds.--I have read somewhere that in the old days coasting
sailors occasionally took pigeons with them, and when they had lost their
bearings they let one fly, which it did at once to the land.
To follow a Track at Night.--Where the track is well marked, showers of
sparks, ably struck with a flint and steel, are sufficient to show it,
without taking the pains of making a flame.
Smell of an Old Track.--The earth of an old and well-trodden road has a
perceptible smell, from the dung and trampling of animals passing over
it, especially near to encampments. It is usual at night, when a guide
doubts whether or no he is in the track, to take up handfuls of dirt and
smell it. It is notorious that cattle can smell out a road.
MARKS FOR THE WAY-SIDE.
Marks on Trees--Cutting Marks.--A very excellent "tree-line" is made by
cutting deep notches in a line of trees, starting from some conspicuous
object, so that the notches will face the men that are to be guided by
it: the trees must be so selected that three, or at least two of them,
are in sight at once.
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