FOREST AND STREAM 
1131 
and finally ironed with a very hot iron, which 
gave a uniform smooth result, spreading the 
paraffine evenly all over and into the fabric. 
In utilizing the stretcher-bed feature of this 
tent four saplings, about two and a half inches 
at the butt and cut about eight or nine feet in 
length, are thrust through five-inch wide pockets 
sewed on the ui.derside of the ground-cloth (for 
the middle pockets, the others being made by 
folding over the edges) and extending from the 
back of the tent to within about a foot of the 
front edge; a pocket along either side, and near 
the middle about 16 inches apart. This left a 
center aisle, which by sewing in two triangular 
side gores, and a rectangular piece at the back, 
gave a trough or gutter between the two beds, 
when the head ends of the stretcher-beds were 
raised eight inches from the ground, at the 
back. The front ends of the stretcher-poles were 
simply imbedded in the ground flush with the 
surface. Thus one could walk or stand on the 
canvas of the center aislj with the solid ground 
underfoot, when the rear ends of the poles were 
lifted clear of the ground. 
In setting up, the beds were stretched as taut 
as possible sideways, and the poles held apart 
at the back by large nails driven against their 
sides and into a thicker cross pole resting upon 
stones and on top of which the stretcher-poles 
were supported, and projected some two feet be¬ 
yond the rear tent wall. This arrangement is 
seen in the photo showing rear of tent, and also 
the extension flaps f sides and back to prevent 
wind blowing under the beds when the stretcher- 
beds are in use. 
Of course these beds would sag some, but to 
make sure of comfortable results the ground 
underneath the middle of each bed was hollowed 
out lengthwise to a depth of about three inches 
and extending from the front ends of beds about 
three-fourths- of the distance to the .head. These 
hollows were filled with hemlock browse. The 
old army entrenching tool did this work handily 
and served well the purpose of camp shovel in 
ditching the tents, etc. When I obtained this 
the dealer said he had two or three more left—• 
better hustle after it if you want one. 
Plenty of trouble, perhaps you are thinking, 
for the sake of comfortable sleeping. Well, son, 
when your uncle is out on a two weeks’ camping 
trip, if there is one thing that he’s going to do, 
it is to sleep comfortably or he will know the 
reason why.—And say, speaking of trouble, did 
you ever attempt to make a really comfortable 
one of those browse affairs? Did you? That’s 
work. And did we sleep comfortably in our beds? 
—Did we? Ask “Denny the Axman,” 62 years 
young and good for a 20-mile hike any day— 
he’ll answer. 
In using the tent for only a night or two of 
camping, the stretcher-bed feature need not be 
used; the tent being set up with the bottom 
flat and laid over leaves, browse or grass. In 
this way it will easily sleep three. Used for two, 
luxuriating in the stretcher-beds, there is the 
center aisle affording room for storage of con¬ 
siderable duffle. As the beds are six inches less 
than the full length of tent, there is also handy 
storage room at the foot of each bed. 
One may stand at full height well within the 
door of this tent, for changing clothes, etc., and 
he has headroom to sit up in his bed. Yet the 
walls are so steep that a good quality of un¬ 
bleached muslin, treated with the alum and lead 
solutions, is effectively waterproof, even if the 
material be rubbed against on the inside. The 
writer and his tent-mate “Denny”—and may every 
camper have his equal for wearing qualities— 
weathered on this trip a continuous 36-hour 
downpour which raised the Neversink 22 inches, 
higher than it was in the early spring. 
On the inside of the tent rear wall are four 
pockets and there are two more on either side 
wall alongside the head of the beds, for miscel¬ 
laneous articles of clothing, etc. The “swellings” 
in the accompanying photographs show that they 
were appreciatively utilized. 
Across the top edge of the rear wall and from 
thence extending from the rear corners to the 
peak is a continuous piece of braided cotton rope, 
with small galvanized iron thimbles at these 
three corners. This rope triangle bears all the 
chief strain of the ropes holding the tent, and 
it is sewed to the inside of the roof at the edges. 
About two feet from the peak it is left unattached 
for a space to admit of the insertion of a pot¬ 
hook for suspending a folding candle lantern. 
At the peak and corners the muslin is reinforced 
by khaki patches. 
The main guy-ropes are two single ropes lead¬ 
ing from the top corners of the rear wall, and a 
double rope leading from the peak over a pair 
of sapling shears and secured at either side out 
in front. By easy manipulation of the shears 
and of the tautening sticks placed under the rear 
guys, slack may be quickly taken up when re¬ 
quired. 
The weight of the completed ground-cloth is 
about 10 pounds, making fifteen or sixteen pounds 
for the completed tent, and 25 to 26 pounds for 
whole outfit including the ten pounds of blankets, 
which one man may readily carry in a packstrap, 
while his campanion lugs the grub. 
Oh, about those newspapers! The added 
weight is insignificant, and spread out between 
the blankets and the canvas, under and over the 
sleeper, they are effective for much added warmth 
in chilly weather. Sheepskin sleeping slippers 
are another great comfort; so is a sleeping hood 
at times, and never go on a camping trip without 
an old pair of easy slippers or moccasins to wear 
about camp. Another pointer on the theme of 
keeping warm in extra chilly weather. The 
time that you will feel cold is about 3 A.M., and 
the place will be your back, between waist and 
shoulders. A sheepskin vest can be bought for 
from two to three dollars, and is a good invest¬ 
ment; also good for automobiling in winter, 
especially for the doctor when he gets up out of 
a warm bed in the early hours to face the chill 
blast. 
Other little details of the tent are a doormat 
made of an extra piece of canvas, fifteen inches 
by three feet, secured to the front of aisle just 
within the door by hooks and eyes, to save the 
ground-cloth proper from muddy feet; and two 
straps sewed at the head of each bed under which 
to slip the pillows so they will stay put, said 
pillows consisting of flour bags stuffed with bal¬ 
sam, hemlock or p-ine needles, browse or even or¬ 
dinary leaves or grass. Mention should also btf 
made here of the little pockets at the back and at 
the front corners of the window-flaps, for the in¬ 
sertion of twigs to hold the flaps out flat when 
raised. The adjusting cords lead through but¬ 
tonholed eyelet holes to inside of tent and are 
secured as desired by taking a half-hitch around 
bits of twig which lie against the inside wall. 
We believe we have only to mention that along 
the line of strain at the sides of the triangle 
Plan of Combined Tent, Ground Cloth, Stretcher-Beds and Sleeping Bags. 
