many times, and the Professor
divined his meaning. "I have a notion to try prospecting from one of
these trees. We can, no doubt, see more from them than we can learn in a
day's travel. But trees of that kind are pretty hard to climb."

"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.

The use of hoops of this kind requires practice, and the natives use
their bare feet against the tree, which prevents slipping. Harry,
however, had shoes; not a very good thing to use against the bark, and
after numerous trials both boys found the task a trying one. Their bare
feet were too tender to use against the rough bark, and as a last resort
one of the old pair of shoes was brought out, and studded with nails.

The climber gets inside the hoop, with the latter around the tree, and
resting against the small of the back, or a little higher up. The feet
are then braced against the tree, and the hoop grasped by both hands. In
climbing the body is suddenly moved toward the tree, and this motion
temporarily releases the outward pressure against the hoop, and at the
same moment the hoop is moved upwardly about a foot. One or both feet
then make an upw