True Bearing

I stepped out onto the cedar deck, where a heavy brass pocket compass lay resting on the weathered picnic table. Its silvered dial was housed beneath a clear beveled lens, holding an arrow-tipped needle suspended on a center pivot. Leaning forward, I braced my palms against the cool milled edge of the casing to observe the bearing. The needle oscillated through a brief, disciplined arc before settling firmly toward magnetic north. To test the dampening assembly, I nudged a small steel cotter pin near the outer rim, watching the needle deflect smoothly by several degrees to register the field. A dependable guide for any expedition.