148
Art of Travel.
are made of bamboos, joined together with a similar but
rather more complicated stitch. I may remark that soldiers
might be trained to a
great deal of hutting
practice in a very in
expensive way, if they
were drilled at putting
together huts, whose
roofs and walls were a- made of planks lashed together by this simple hitch, and whose supports were short scaffolding poles planted in deep holes, dug, as explained in the chapter on " NY, ells," with the hand and a small stick. The poles, planks, and cords might be used over and over again for an indefinite time. Further, bedsteads could be made in a similar way, by short cross-planks lashed together, and resting on a framework of horizontal poles, lashed to uprights planted in the ground. The soldier's bedding would not be injured by being used on these bedsteads, as much as if it were laid on the bare ground. Many kinds of designs and experiments in hutting could be practised without expense in this simple way.
Tarpaulings are very suitable for roofs. Those made after the method used by sailors are much superior to others in softness and durability. The plan is as follows:-As soon as the canvas has been sewn together, it is thoroughly wetted with sea-water ; and, while still wet, it is smeared over on one of its sides with tar and grease, boiled together-about two parts tar and one of grease. After being hung up till it is dry, it is turned ; and the other side, being a second time. well wetted, is at once painted over with the tar and grease, just as the first side had been before. The sailors say that " the tar dries in, as the water dries out;" a saying which I confess I cannot understand.
Other Materials I will merely mention these by name, for they require no explanation, They are fascines or faggots ;
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