nd head-log are indispensable. These should be
about 5 inches in diameter and of a length to just reach from outside
to outside of posts. They should be squared at ends and the foot-log
placed against the front post, outside and held firmly in place by two
wooden pins. The head-log is fastened the same way, except that it goes
against the inside of the back posts; and the frame is complete. Round
off all sharp angles or corners with knife and hatchet and proceed to
spread and fasten the cloth. Lay the roof on evenly and tack it truly
to the front cross-rod, using about a dozen six-ounce tacks. Stretch
the cloth to its bearings and tack it at the back end in the same
manner. Stretch it sidewise and tack the sides to the side poles, fore
and aft. Tack front and back ends of sides to the front and back posts.
Bring down the 2 foot flap of roof at back end of shanty; stretch and
tack it snugly to the back posts--and your sylvan house is done. It is
rain-proof, wind-proof, warm and comfortable. The foot and head logs
define the limits of your forest dwelling; within which you may pile
fragrant hemlock browse as thick as you please and renew it from day to
day. It is the perfect camp.

You may put it up with less care and labor and make it do very well.
But I have tried to explain how to do it in the best manner; to make it
all sufficient for an entire season. And it takes longer to tell it on
paper than to do it.

When I go to the woods with a partner and we arrive at our camping
ground, I like him to get his fishing rig together and start out for a
half day's exercise with his favorite flies, leaving me to make the
camp according to my own notions of woodcraft. If he will come back
about dusk with a few pounds of trout, I will have a pleasant camp and
a bright fire for him. And if he has enjoyed wading an icy stream more
than I have making the camp--he has had a good day.

Perhaps it may not be out of place to say that the camp, made as
above, calls for fifteen bits of timber, posts, rods, etc., a few
shingle nails and some sixpenny wrought nails, with a paper of
six-ounce tacks. Nails and tacks will weigh about five ounces and are
always useful. In tacking the cloth, turn the raw edge in until you
have four thicknesses, as a single thickness is apt to tear. If you
desire to strike camp, it takes about ten minutes to draw and save all
the nails and tacks, fold the cloth smoothly and deposit the whole in
your knapsack. If