How Girls Can Help Their Country Part 15

Hairbrush and comb and tooth-brush.

3 Towels.

Haversack.

2 Pillow-cases.

Soap and wash rag or sponge.

Bathing suit.

1 Plate.

1 Cup and saucer.

"Hussif" fitted with needles, thread, scissors.

Paper pad and envelopes and pencil.

Knife and fork.

Teaspoon and large spoon.

2 Woolen blankets.

SCOUTCRAFT

Useful Knots

Everyone should be able to tie knots. A knowledge of knots is useful in every trade or calling, and forms an important part of a Girl Scout's training.

As it may happen some day that a life may depend on a knot being properly tied you ought to know the proper way.

THE BOWLINE is a loop that will not slip after the first grip. First make a loop, then pa.s.s the end up through it, round the back of the standing part, and down through the loop again. It is often used as a halter for horses.

THE RUNNING BOWLINE. This is the nautical slip knot. First make the loop as in the ordinary bowline but allow a good length of end (A). Pa.s.s it round the standing part and up through the loop, and continue as in the ordinary bowline.

THE REEF KNOT. It is used to join two dry ropes of the same thickness.

It will not slip, and can be easily untied when wanted. Do not confuse it with the "Granny" knot. It is the _only_ knot used in First Aid work.

THE CLOVE HITCH is made with two half-hitches. When fastened to a pole and pulled tight it can slip neither up nor down. Greatly used in pioneering work.

THE HALF-HITCH. Pa.s.s the end round a pole, then round the standing part, then through below itself again.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Bowline.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Running Bowline.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Half Hitch.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Reef Knot.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Clove Hitch.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fisherman's Knot.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Round Turn and Two Half-Hitches.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sheep Shank.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Slip Knot.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sheet Bend.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Middleman's Knot.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Overhand Loop Knot.]

THE FISHERMAN'S KNOT. Make this knot by tying a simple knot on rope B with the end of rope A, then tie a similar knot on rope A with the end of rope B. Pull the standing parts and the knots will remain fast.

ROUND TURN AND TWO HALF-HITCHES. It is used for making fast a rope so that the strain will not jamb hitches.

THE SHEET BEND. Used for uniting two dry ropes of different thicknesses.

First form a loop, then pa.s.s the end of the other rope up through the loop, round the back of the end and standing part of loop, and through below itself.

THE SHEEP-SHANK. A Scout should never cut rope unless absolutely necessary. To shorten a guy rope on tent or marquee, gather the rope in the form of two long loops and pa.s.s a half-hitch over each loop. It remains firm under a good strain and can be easily undone when required.

MIDDLEMAN'S KNOT. Somewhat similar to the fisherman's knot but in this case only one rope is used. Can safely be used as a halter.

THE SLIP KNOT. You sometimes want to release a knot quickly so this knot is used. It is simply the reef knot with one of the ends (A) pushed through one of the loops. To release, pull end A.

OVERHAND LOOP KNOT. When pulling a rope you may wish to gain more purchase on it or you may wish to insert a short stick to pull with. Use the loop knot shown in our diagram.

IMPORTANT. Many of the knots shown on these pages are open so that you may more easily see their working, but when in use they should always be drawn taut.

The Mariner's Compa.s.s

Boxing the compa.s.s consists in enumerating the points beginning with north and working around the circle as follows:

North North by East North, Northeast Northeast by North Northeast Northeast by East East, Northeast East by North East East by South East, Southeast Southeast by East Southeast Southeast by South South, Southeast South by East South South by West South, Southwest Southwest by South Southwest Southwest by West West, Southwest West by South West West by North West, Northwest Northwest by West Northwest Northwest by North North, Northwest North by West North

[Ill.u.s.tration]

How to Read a Map

Conventional Signs & Lettering Used in Field Sketching

[Ill.u.s.tration: CONVENTIONAL SIGNS ETC]

Conventional Signs enable you to give information on a sketch or map in a simple manner which is easily understood. In addition to the sign it is often necessary to give an additional description, _e. g._, whether a railway is double or single, the width of roads, the nature of woods (oak, pine, etc.), etc.

[Ill.u.s.tration: CONVENTIONAL SIGNS ETC]

Whatever lettering is used should be legible and not interfere with the detail of the sketch. All lettering should be horizontal, except the names of roads, railways, rivers, and ca.n.a.ls, which should be written along them.