"It might be done with a climbing ring," answered the Professor.
"What is that?"
"The cocoanut hunters and others put a hoop around a tree, and then get inside of the hoop, with the back against the hoop, so that the feet can get a purchase against the tree, and in that way the trees are scaled with the greatest agility."
"Well, if the savages can do it, I can."
"It might be well to make the trial, as even thirty or forty feet would give a fair view of the country. Before making the hoop we should select a tree most suitable for observation."
An oak tree with a bare trunk up to the first large limb was finally selected. The diameter was fully two feet at the base.
"With a tree of this size the hoop should be about three and a half feet in diameter."
"What material shall we make it out of?"
"If we can find a small hickory sapling it will be the most serviceable, because its natural strength and stiffness will permit us to use a small and light pole."
A search was made, and after a time several were cut and brought to the tree. The thick end of the sapling was cut or pared off along one side so it would bend in the direction of the slice, and this was put about the tree and the ends brought together and lapped. Thongs were then used to splice the lapped ends, and small nails driven in at intervals to assure security.