264 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



ciple makes at once the easiest to erect, lightest, and 

 most comfortable form of temporary night-shelter 

 known to the writer. All you need is a single 

 stretcher-bed canvas (they are stocked in the out- 

 fitting shops), a poncho or similar square of water- 

 proof material, and a blanket; or a second poncho 

 with two edges grommeted to lace together may be 

 used over the stretcher-bed poles. You cut two 

 saplings for these stretcher poles; and four more, 

 smaller poles with which to make two pairs of shears, 

 about four feet high and with a three-foot base. 



Stretcher-bed temporary shelter 



The shears are driven into the ground about four and 

 one-half feet apart. The stretcher-poles lie outside 

 the shears, elevated enough to clear the ground 

 nicely. As the weight of the stretcher occupant then 

 tends to spread his bed, it automatically is kept taut. 

 A rope serves as ridge and at the same time stays the 

 whole thing at the ends, where it is securely staked 



