Cover of Part Two.

"THE IMPORTANCE OF TRACKING"

"Tracking, or following up tracks, is called by different names in different countries. Thus, in South Africa, you would talk only of "spooring", that is, following up the "spoor"; in India, it would be following the "pugs", or "pugging"; in North America, it is also called "trailing".

"General Dodge of the American Army, described how he once had to pursue a party of Red Indians who had murdered some people. The murderers had nearly a week's start, and had gone away on horseback. Except for one, they were all riding unshod horses.

"General Dodge got a splendid tracking-scout named Espinosa to help him. After tracking the Indians for many miles, Espinosa suddenly got off his horse and pulled four horseshoes out of a hidden crevice in the rocks. The rider of the shod horse had evidently pulled them off so that they should not leave a track.

"For six days Dodge and his men pursued the band, and for a great part of the time there was no sign visible to an ordinary eye. After going for 150 miles they eventually overtook and captured the whole party. It was entirely due to Espinosa's good tracking.

"It is one of the principal ways by which Scouts gain information and hunters find their game. But to become a good tracker you must begin young and practise it at all times when you are out walking, whether in town or country.

"If at first you constantly remind yourself to do it, you will soon find that you do it as a habit without having to remind yourself. It is a very useful habit, and makes the dullest walk interesting.

"Hunters when they are looking about in a country to find game first look for any tracks, old or new, to see if there are any animals in the country. Then they study the newer marks to find out where the animals are hiding themselves. Then, after they have found a t'. fresh track, they follow it up till they find the animal and kill.

"Afterwards they often have to retrace their own tracks to find their , way back to camp. War scouts do much the same as regards their enemies."

"Campfire Yarn No. 12. Spooring."
Baden-Powell, Scouting for Boys, 1908.

		Scouting for Boys Introduction & Contents
		The Baden-Powell Library
		Return to the Baden-Powell Home Page

Return to the Pine Tree Web Home Page

Your feedback, comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Please write to: Lewis P. Orans

Copyright © Lewis P. Orans, 1998
Last Modified: 10:00AM on April 4, 1998