WOODCRAFT 253 



at the ends; light poles are stuck into the 

 ground and fixed to the pole on either side, 

 then thatched with heather broom, fir boughs, 

 or fern in fact, with anything that is handy. 

 A couple of rough thatched wattle-hurdles do 

 duty for doors at either end. 



For bedding fir branches are used for the 

 first layer small ones, of course ; then heather 

 or fern as a luxury ; and if you are near a 

 bog swamp and there is sure to be one not 

 far away a sheaf or two of tussock-grass is 

 littered down on the top of that. The camp- 

 kettle is slung, a trench dug to carry off the 

 water if it rains, and there you are. I speak from 

 happy experience, for some of my staunchest 

 allies in past times were woodmen. " Snacks" 

 were the order of the day, substantial ones for 

 breakfast and dinner ; but the evening was the 

 time for a square meal. One would be told 

 off to get ready for the others, and there 

 was sure to be lots of tea, strong and well 

 sweetened, freshly made. Then savoury frizzles 

 done over the wood embers would make their 

 appearance, and hot baked potatoes were done 

 to a turn. There is nothing like work in the 

 life-giving scent of the woods for creating 

 healthy appetites. 



