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THE WIDTH OF A RIVEF^How it May be Measured With theBrim of Your Hat.To measure the width of any ordinary stream, or even of a good-sized river, it is necessary to make use of only your eyes and the brim of your hat. That seems queer, doesn’t it? But it’s true, and here is tlffe way to do it:Select a part of the river bank where the ground runs back level, and, standing at the water's edge, fix your eyes on the opposite bank. Now, move your hat down over your brow until the edge of the brim is exactly on a line with the water line on the other side.This will give you a visual angle that may be used on any level surface, and if, as has been suggested, the ground on your side of the river be fiat, you may lay off a corresponding distance on it. To do this, you have only to hold your head perfectly steady, after getting the angle with your hat-brim, supporting your chin with your hand, if necessary, and turn slowly around until your back is toward the river.Now, take careful note of where your hat-brim cuts the level surface of the ground as you look out over the latter, and from where you stand to that point will be the width of the river—a distance that may readily be measured by stepping. If you are careful in all these details you can come within a few feet of the river’s width.
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