HAMMOCK NIGHTS 209 



I have learned that it is their pleasure to dehige 

 me with rainstorms at unpropitious moments, 

 also to send me, with my hammock, to eminently 

 desirable countries, which, however, are barren 

 of trees and scourged of every respectable shrub. 

 That the showers may not find me unprepared, 

 I pack with my hamaca an extra length of rope, 

 to be stretched taut from foot-post to head-post, 

 that a tarpaulin or canvas may be slung over it. 

 When a treeless country is presented to me in 

 prospect, I have two stout stakes prepared, and 

 I do not move forward without them. 



It is a wonderful thing to see an experienced 

 hammocker take his stakes, first one, then the 

 other, and plunge them into the ground three or 

 four times, measuring at one glance the exact 

 distance and angle, and securing magically that 

 mysterious "give" so essential to well-being and 

 comfort. Any one can sink them like fence- 

 posts, so that they stand deep and rigid, a re- 

 proach and an accusation ; but it requires a par- 

 ticular skill to judge by the pull whether or not 

 they will hold through the night and at the same 

 time yield with gentle and supple swing to the 

 least movement of the sleeper. A Carib knows, 

 instantly, worthy and unworthy ground. I have 



