The upper and lower ends of the uprights were
then connected with slabs, called stringpieces.
[Illustration: Fig. 183. Framework of the Cave.]
[Illustration: Fig. 184. The Siding and Flooring.]
The sides were now boarded up with upright slabs nailed to the
stringpieces. An opening 3 feet 6 inches high was left in the forward wall
for a passageway. Several slabs were now placed on the edge across the
bottom of the cave, to serve as floor beams, upon which a flooring of
slabs was laid. Next the rafters were set in place, one on each upright
slab. Slots were cut in the ends of the uprights to receive the rafters,
which were slabs placed on edge. As the forward uprights were 2 feet
shorter than the rear ones, the rafters were given a good slant, so that
the roof would properly shed any water that might soak in through the
ground above.
[Illustration: Fig. 185. Notching in the Rafters.]
The roof was laid on the same way that we had made the roof of our tree
house; that is, a slab was first nailed at the forward end of the rafters
with its edge projecting far enough to make a good eave; then the second
slab was nailed on, with its edge overlapping the first, and a third with
its edge overlapping the second, and so on with the rest.
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