"At this camp I had the unique experience of showing all these seasoned Westerners that it was possible to make a fire by the friction of two sticks. This has long been a specialty of mine; I use a thong and a bow as the simplest way"

Ernest Thompson Seton was a biologist and author who wrote about his experiences in the outdoors. In this quote, he is describing a camp he attended where he had the ability to demonstrate his skill in making a fire by the friction of two sticks. This is an ancient technique that has been utilized for centuries, and Seton had the ability to show the other campers that it was possible to make a fire without using matches or a lighter. He explains that he uses a thong and a bow as the most basic way to produce a spark and fire up the fire. This quote reveals Seton's knowledge and ability in the outdoors, and his ability to teach others about the natural world. It likewise shows his respect for the conventional methods of fire-making, and his gratitude for the abilities of those who have actually come prior to him.