For thatching you can use thick spruce branches, or grass, reeds,
sods, slabs of wood or bark (called "shingles"), or small twigs of
heather closely woven in.
It is generally advisable to lay a few branches and stout poles over
the thatch when finished in order to keep it on if a gale springs up.
[Illustration: FRAMEWORK.]
If you want to build a complete hut, you can make a lean-to from each
side on the same ridge-pole; but the single lean-to, with its fire in
front of it, is quite good enough for most people.
Another way to build a shelter hut is to lean a ridge-pole or backbone
from the ground into the fork of a small tree about 5 ft. above the
ground, the butt of the pole being about 4 ft. to windward of the
tree. Then put up a few side poles leaning against this, and roof over
in the same way as for a lean-to. Build your fire just in front of
this, and you will have a very safe and cosy little house.
[Illustration: THATCHING.]
In country where there are no trees to make poles with, like parts of
South Africa, where there is only a lot of small thorn bush and long
grass, you can make "scherms," or loose thorn bushes piled in a heap
and made into a small horse-shoe, arched over, back to wind, and
covered or roughly thatched with grass.
These, with a fire in front, make very good shelter against cold wind
or against sun, and, if covered with a canvas waggon-sail or
tarpaulin, make a good enough protection against rain and against very
hot sun. A "scherm" can be made with heather or gorse--only look out
for its catching fire!
[Illustration: A SHELTER HUT.]
Remember that to make a tent or hut cool in hot sun put on more
roof--put blankets over the top of your tent, and bank up the sides
near the ground. But if you want to make your tent or hut warm, take
care to thicken the walls at the foot to prevent draughts coming in
along the floor.
Also never forget that your floor is on raised ground, not in a hollow
that will become a pool in wet weather.
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