rip from the remaining
pier to the ground on the opposite side (Fig. 125). If you wish, the two
end strips can be longer than those shown in the photograph, and slant
from the piers down to the ground on a level with the water. The banks
in the photograph are built up with boxes and covered with green cloth.
For each of the two archways, take two thin sticks of wood and stand
them at the top outward edge of the pier, with ends braced together at
the top, and spread out at the bottom, as in the photograph.
Use either natural or tissue-paper trees stuck into empty spools for
foliage, or little toy trees, if you happen to have them among the
children's store toys.
Though the bridge is not intended to be over real water, you might try
the experiment and strengthen the hollow piers by filling them with
stones, when building the bridge out-of-doors.
[Illustration: FIG. 126--Kindling-wood rafts that will float on real
water.]
Fig. 126 shows two little
=Kindling-Wood Rafts=
which will float on real water. Have the slender sticks for the raft all
of the same length, and use about sixteen or eighteen sticks for each
raft. Weave them together with a string. Begin by tying the centre of a
long string around each end of a stick, which should be about eight
inches in length (Fig. 127).
Place one end of a second stick up against one tie, allowing one string
to come over and the other string under the second stick (Fig. 128).
Cross the two lengths of the string over the second stick, bringing the
lower string up and the upper string down (Fig. 129); then lay another
stick up against the crossed strings, carrying the strings in turn over
this stick (Fig. 130). Again, bring the lower string up and the upper
string down, before placing another stick. Continue crossing the string
and adding kindling wood until the raft is of the desired length. Tie
the ends of the string securely on the last stick, and weave the
opposite loose ends of the sticks together in the same way, tying the
string firmly together on the last stick. Clip off the ends of the
string and the raft will then be ready for the water, and will carry
either passengers or freight.
[Illustration: FIG. 127--Begin the raft in this way.]
[Illustration: FIG. 128--Lay a second stick up against the tie.]
[Illustration: FIG. 129--Cross the strings around the second stick.]
[Illustration: FIG. 130--Cross the strings around the third stick.]
Put up log-hou
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