Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

'lUMAHAWK SHELTERS 227build the camp in a hollow between steep ridges.In that case, make it face across the hollow, not upnor down, because the night draughts sweep down aravine and reverse currents draw up it.To complete the slab camp, add side logs on theinside, and a foot-log for the bed, the latter being,say, fifteen inches thick, so as to serve as a "deacon'sseat." The roof should project far enough in frontto shelter the deacon and elders when they are busyholding down the aforesaid log.Back of this a browse bed, not less than a footdeep; in front, a jolly fire of big logs: then whocares where the mercury may go?In winter, cover the roof with a layer of evergreenboughs, so that snow shall not melt on it from theheat of the camp-fire. A drift six feet high wouldonly make such a camp the snugger against wmdand cold.Log Camps.—a favorite type of open facedcamp, is shown in Fig. 66. Logs are laid on top ofeach other, at sides and rear of camp, to a height ofabout three feet, being flattened a little so as to make^ r 1.1close joints. The back corners may be notched, asin a log house, but it is easier to butt the logs byhalving their ends (Fig. 66.^) and spiking them together.ridge pole,Two stakes are set up in front to hold theand the front ends of the logs are spikedto them. As many rafters as needed are nailed tothe ridge pole infront and the top log at the rear.The roof usually is of canvas, but bark or splits mayThebe used by adding cross pieces to hold them.triangular sides may be enclosed, or left open assmoke vents, bushy boughs being leaned up againstthe windward side when desired.The stakes need not be set in the ground, but ifit is preferred to do so, the stakes being of greentimber, select such poles as are durable in the soil,and roast the sap out of their lower ends until thesurface is charred, as this will help keep them fromrotting.In covering such a shelter,put on the sidmg firs^