Securing the Gate Latch

I pushed past the bottom gap of the screen door and moved out into the open backyard. Indoor perimeters have been cleared, so checking external perimeter boundaries was the logical next step. Near the base of the wooden fence, a heavy brass drop latch dangled loose, knocked askew by a fallen twig. I wedged my shoulder against the weathered post to inspect the hinge. The pivot pin had drifted, held back only by dried grass. Using the handle of my field knife, I levered the twig clear and nudged the heavy iron catch back into its notched slot until it rested flat. Exterior access line stabilized.