SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
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strips of green bark over it and overlapping them at 
the edges. 
“Fire in a Trench — In time of drought when every- 
thing is tinder-dry, or in windy weather, especially if 
the ground be strewn with dead leaves or pine needles, 
build your fire in a trench. This is the best way, too, 
if fuel is scarce and you must depend on brushwood, 
as a trench conserves heat. 
“Dig the trench in line with the prevailing wind. 
The point is to get a good draught. Make the wind- 
ward end somewhat wider than the rest, and deeper, 
sloping the trench upward to the far end. Line the 
sides with flat rocks if they are to be found, as they 
hold heat a long time and keep the sides from crumbling 
in. Lay other rocks, or a pair of green poles, along 
the edges to support vessels. A little chimney of flat 
stones or sod, at the leeward end, will make the fire 
draw well. If there is some sheet-iron to cover the 
trench a quite practical stove is made, but an open 
trench will do very well if properly managed. 
“ The Indian’s Fire — Best where fuel is scarce, or 
when one has only a small hatchet with which to cut 
night wood. Fell and trim a lot of hardwood saplings. 
Lay three or four of them on the ground, butts on top 
of each other, tips radiating from this center like the 
spokes of a wheel. On and around this build a small 
hot fire. Place butts of other saplings on this, radiating 
like the others. As the wood burns away, shove the 
sticks in toward the center, butts on top of each other 
as before. This saves much chopping, and economizes 
fuel. Build a little wind break behind you and lie close 
to the fire. Doubtless you have heard the Indian’s 
dictum (southern Indians express it just as the north- 
ern ones do): ‘White man heap fool; make um big 
