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.
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