But when it came to the reindeer skin we were
balked, until we happened to run across a piece of rubber sheeting at the
village store. This was a lucky find, for I doubt if one country store in
a hundred carries such stock. The piece was just large enough to cover the
blanket bag and allow for an ample flap to cover the head. To be sure,
this furnished a shelter for only one person, and there were six in the
society. It was clear that the treasury could not afford the expense of
six sleeping bags; but as such a device would be useful only under very
unusual circumstances we decided that two sleeping bags would be all the
society would need. We had been rather curious to explore the country back
of the hills on the Pennsylvania side of the river, and with some light
provisions and these sleeping bags strapped to the back a couple of boys
could make quite an extended tour, unmindful of weather conditions. On
real hot nights a fellow could get into the quilt bag and sleep on the
blanket and waterproof bag. In cold weather the combination of all three
bags provided sufficient warmth. The rubber bag would protect the sleeper
from any moisture in the ground, and would also keep him thoroughly dry,
even in a pouring rain.
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