MY COMPANIONS 15 



length than some eighteen feet for the sides, and twelve 

 feet for the ends, he will be looked at with broad stares, 

 and have to endure a good deal of chaff. The rule is to 

 add a second hut to the first if more room is required ; 

 and this is work for time and leisure, not for first 

 occupancy. 



The foundation being prepared, two side logs are first 

 laid on it and firmly secured, and then notched at the 

 ends in such a way that when the end logs, also notched, 

 are fitted to them they are locked fast. Two more side 

 logs are then laid, then two end ones, and so on alter- 

 nately, all being carefully notched and fitted, so that the 

 structure is of great strength, and cannot possibly be dis- 

 placed by the weight of any lateral pressure. The largest 

 logs are placed at the bottom, then those of medium size, 

 and the smallest at the top. The sides are raised to a 

 height of about ten to fourteen feet, and the sloping roof 

 is formed of the larger branches from the felled trees, 

 covered with shingles (the stripped bark of the logs). If 

 this shingle roof is skilfully constructed, no wet can 

 penetrate, but it is often covered with turf as an addi- 

 tional protection. 



The corners of the hut, where the logs meet, are not 

 completely closed, because it is impossible to make the 

 logs fit tightly at those places. There are, also, usually 

 many interstices between the logs forming the walls. All 

 these air-holes have to be closed, and this is usually done 

 with moss mixed with tenacious mud from the nearest 

 swamp. 



The walls up, the roof on, and the chinks " chunked," 

 your friends make themselves merry at your expense 

 with as much whisky as you choose to provide, shake 

 hands, and depart. Such fancy bits of architecture as 

 doors, windows, and chimneys are your work, and you 

 must do them alone and unassisted, unless you care to 

 employ somebody to do them for you. This was often 

 not possible in the back settlements ; and I can say, from 



