256 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



inches at the butt and about nine feet long, are thrust 

 through five-inch-wide pockets sewed on the under- 

 side of the ground-cloth (for the middle pockets, the 

 others being made by folding the edges under) and 

 extending from the back of the tent to within about 

 a foot of the front edge; a pocket along either side 

 of the middle, about sixteen inches apart. This left 

 a center aisle, which by sewing in two triangular side 

 gores and a rectangular piece at the back, gave a 

 trough or gutter between the two beds when the beds 

 were raised at the head about ten inches above the 

 ground, at the back of the tent. The front ends of 

 the stretcher-poles simply were embedded in the 

 ground, flush with the surface, and held apart here 

 by stakes driven into the ground flush with their top 

 sides. Thus one can stand or walk on the canvas 

 of the center aisle with the solid ground underfoot, 

 when the rear ends of the poles are elevated. 



In setting up, the beds are stretched taut sideways, 

 and the poles held apart at the back, by large nails 

 driven against their sides and into a thicker, cross- 

 pole resting upon stones and atop of which the 

 stretcher-poles are supported. They project about 

 two feet beyond the tent rear wall. This arrange- 

 ment is shown in the photo of the rear of the tent, 

 as also are the extension-flaps at bottom of back and 

 sides of the tent which prevent wind from blowing 

 under the beds when used as stretcher-beds. 



In any form of bed off the ground, the camper 



