20 A MANUAL FOR NORTHERN WOODSMEN 



1. RUNNING A COMPASS LINE 



Set up the compass at the point from which the line is to 

 start; level the plate; free the needle, and when it has 

 settled, set the course to be run. It is desirable on starting 

 a line to let the needle settle two or more times independ- 

 ently. 



An assistant, called the rodman or flagman, then goes 

 ahead with a pointed rod or flag, and, following him, go 

 the axemen, clearing out the bushes and other obstruc- 

 tions in such a manner as to secure both a clear line of 

 sight and a path for the chain. The rodman may use an 

 axe. He guides himself at first by the compass sights, later 

 by signals from the compassman or by the range of the line. 

 The axemen guide their work by him. 



When the rodman has gone ahead a convenient distance, 

 at signal from the compassman or acting on his own judg- 

 ment, he selects a spot for a second setting of the compass, 

 attention being paid both to firm setting and clear ground 

 for the instrument, and to facility in getting sight ahead. 

 On uneven ground summits commonly meet best this last 

 requirement. 



When setting the rod, the rodman should face the com- 

 pass, holding the rod plumb and directly in front of him. He 

 sticks it as directed by the compassman, who assures him- 

 self at the time that everything about the instrument is 

 right. Before taking up the compass, the man in charge 

 of it sets a stake near by and in line to be used in backsight. 

 The needle is then lifted, and the compass taken up and 

 carried forward to be set up at the point marked by the 

 rodman. If a Jacob-staff is used instead of a tripod, the 

 compass should be set up ahead of the rod with its cen- 

 ter in line, the exact position of the foot of the staff being 

 of no consequence. 



The compass is then levelled again with its N mark 

 ahead as before and the sights turned on the object left 

 at the starting point. The needle is then freed, and if, 

 when it settles, the bearing reads the same as before, the 

 surveyor is assured that there is no local disturbance, and 

 may proceed confidently. The rod and axemen soon learn 



