XXI
RAILROAD-TIE SHACKS, BARREL SHACKS, AND CHIMEHUEVIS
No observing person has travelled far upon the American railroads without noticing, alongside the tracks, the queer little houses built of railroad ties by Italian laborers. These shacks are known by the name of dagoes ([Fig. 136]) and are made in different forms, according to the ingenuity of the builder. The simplest form is the tent-shaped shown in [Fig. 136], with the ends of the ties rested together in the form of a tent and with no other support but their own weight (see the diagram to the right, [Fig. 136]). I would not advise boys to build this style, because it might make a trap to fall in upon them with serious results, but if they use a ridge-pole like the one shown in [Fig. 139] and against it rest the ties they will do away with the danger of being caught in a deadfall trap. Of course, it is understood that the ridge-pole itself must first be secure.
Railroad ties being flat ([Fig. 137]), they may be built up into solid walls ([Fig. 137]) and make neat sides for a little house; or they may be set up on edge ([Fig. 138]) and secured in place by stakes driven upon each side of them; or they may be made into the form of an open Adirondack camp (Figs. 139 and [140]) by resting the ties on a ridge-pole supported by a pair of "shears" at each end; the shears, as you will observe, consist of two sticks bound together near the top and then spread apart to receive the ridge-pole in the crotch.
[Fig. 136.] [Fig. 137.] [Fig. 138.] [Fig. 139.] [Fig. 140.] [Fig. 141.] [Fig. 142.] [Fig. 143.]
Railroad-tie shacks, barrel shack, and a Chimehuevis.
All of these structures are usually covered with dirt and sod, and they make very comfortable little camps.
In the Southwest a simple shelter, the "Chimehuevis," is made by enclosing a room in upright poles ([Fig. 141]) and then surrounding it with a circle of poles supporting a log or pole roof covered with sod, making a good camp for hot weather.