THE LOG CANOE OR DUG-OUT. 127 



canoe is measured off on the ground, and at each end of the 

 space two stakes are driven firmly into the earth, close to- 

 gether. The ends of the bark are then folded on the mid- 

 dle line, with the inside of the bark outward, and inserted 

 between the stakes. These ends should extend beyond the 

 stakes far enough to allow a strip of bark to be folded over 

 them, and the whole firmly sewed together. This makes a 

 rude form of the canoe. Underneath each end, near the 

 stakes, a small log is placed, for the canoe to rest upon, and 

 to let the bottom form an appropriate curve downwards. 

 The gunwale is then placed in position, the bark fitted be- 

 tween the strips, and the whole sewed together with a wind- 

 ing stitch, regularly, or in sections, the entire length. Next 

 the inside of the canoe is lined with strips of cedar, from one 

 fourth to one half of an inch thick, and an inch or more 

 wide, placed longitudinally and fastened in place with pine 

 pitch. These strips may be several feet long, and should 

 neatly lap where their ends meet. Knees or ribs are then 

 made. These are strips of ash, or any wood that is firm and 

 elastic, and should be about one fourth of an inch thick, and 

 from one to two inches wide. They are placed crosswise of 

 the canoe, bent down to the bottom and sides, and their ends 

 securely fastened under the gunwales. They should be placed 

 close together or with alternate spaces between them, the 

 whole length of the canoe. They strengthen the canoe, keep 

 it in shape, and keep the lining in its place. When all this is 

 done, the whole inside of the canoe and all the seams are 

 smeared with pitch, and two or three cross-pieces are placed 

 between the gunwales to keep the sides in shape. The 

 sewing is all done with a square or three-cornered awl, using 

 fibrous cedar, spruce, or tamarack roots, soaked in hot water, 

 for thread. 



THE LOG CANOE OR DUG-OUT. 



This is a kind of boat often built by the trapper. Its con- 

 struction is simple ; it may be made quite light ; it is strong, 

 serviceable, and durable. A log canoe may be made of pine, 

 whitewood, butternut, black-ash, basswood, or cotton-wood. 

 The best are made of pine. A log suitable for this purpose 



