Notes on Making Teepee
The slimmer the poles are at the top where they cross the smaller the opening in the canvas and the less danger of rain coming in.
In regions where there is much rain it is well to cut the projecting poles very short and put over them a "storm cap," "bull boat" or "shield" made of canvas on a rod bent in a three-foot circle. This device was used by the Mandans over the smoke-hole of their lodges during the heavy rains.
[155] That night the boys were showing their handiwork to the hired hands. Si Lee, a middle-aged man with a vast waistband, after looking on with ill-concealed but good-natured scorn, said:
"Why didn't ye put the patches inside?"
"Didn't think of it," was Yan's answer.
"Coz we're goin' to live inside, an' need the room," said Sam.
"Why did ye make ten stitches in going round that hole; ye could just as easy have done it in four," and Si sniffed as he pointed to great, ungainly stitches an inch long. "I call that waste labour."