So he exchanged half his lumber for wheat, and devoted his leisure
during the summer to the construction of a raft with the remainder.
This raft contained the very choice of the mill's output for that
season--squared timbers, planks, and boards enough to load a ship. It
was provided with two long sweeps, or steering oars, at each end, with
a roomy shanty for the accommodation of the crew, and with two other
buildings for the stowing of cargo. The floors of these structures
were raised a foot above the deck of the raft, and were made
water-tight, so that when waves or swells from passing steamboats broke
over the raft, their contents would not be injured. In front of the
central building, or "shanty," was a bed of sand six feet square,
enclosed by wooden sides, on which the camp-fires were to be built.
Much of the cooking would also be done here. Besides this there was a
small stove in the "shanty" for use during cold or wet weather.
The "shanty" had a door and three windows, and was in other ways made
unusually comfortable. The Major said that after four years of
roughing it, he now meant to take his comfort wherever he could find
it, even though it was only on a raft. So the _Venture's_ "shanty" was
very different from the rude lean-to or shelter of rough boards, such
as was to be seen on most of the timber rafts of the great river.
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