In just over ten minutes, the frame of a simple, triangular shelter was complete.
Securing both ends of the main beam had used up two of his ropes, and the four he had left weren't enough to finish the structure. So, he simply leaned the slanting branches on either side against the main beam instead of tying them down. He wedged them in place with pine trunks, using their weight to keep them from rolling.
He hadn't found any vines nearby, and twisting grass into rope would take too long. He had to think of another way to secure everything.
His gaze swept over the pile of slender branches in front of him, then settled on his remaining bark ropes for a moment. Suddenly, an idea struck him.
'Right, what was I thinking? I just need to secure them, not support a heavy load. There's no need to keep the ropes braided. If I unravel them, I'll double the number I have!'
