downing] 



THE SUMMER OUTING 



239 



If a couple of pockets made of the same water-proof material 

 are sewed to the outside of the pack — not the side to be worn 

 against the back, and the mouths of these pockets are covered with 

 flaps that button down, they will be found very convenient to carry 

 small utensils. The ruck sack when packed will easily carry twenty- 

 five to thirty pounds of provisions. The straps are very prone to 

 cut into the shoulder unless they are provided with shouder pads. 

 Cut a strip of thin sole leather a foot long and three inches wide. 

 Near the center of either end, cut a cross slit so that the strap of the 



Tt it 



Fig. 6. Pack strap spread out. The face shown here 

 should be turned down to the floor when loading. 



ruck sack may pass through these slits. Such a shoulder pad on 

 each strap will prevent the burden from becoming uncomfortable. 

 The pack straps are made as follows. (Fig. 6.) Lay down on the 

 floor two five-foot straps about the weight of ordinary trunk straps. 

 Put on each of these straps shoulder pads similar to those already 

 described for the ruck sack. These are to be laid parallel to each 

 other, and twelve inches apart. The buckles on these straps are to 

 be at corresponding ends of the straps. Two feet from the buckle 

 ends, lay' another strap seven feet long and two feet below it lay a 

 second cross strap, the buckles at corresponding ends, the straps 

 parallel, and at right angles to the first straps. Rivet these straps 

 firmly together at the four points where they cross. When the 

 pack is made up, it is held in this harness. 



