it is owing to these
sticks. This is the way that the labourers move the largest trees,
which, without this contrivance, they would not be able to stir." "I am
very much surprised at this," said Tommy; "I never should have imagined
that the sticks would have given us more strength than we had before."

Just as he had said this, through a violent effort, both their sticks
broke short in the middle. "This is no great loss," observed Tommy, "for
the ends will do just as well as the whole sticks."

They then tried to shove the ball again with the truncheons which
remained in their hands; but, to the new surprise of Tommy, they found
they were unable to stir it. "That is very curious indeed," said Tommy;
"I find that only long sticks are of any use." "That," said Harry, "I
could have told you before, but I had a mind you should find it out
yourself. The longer the stick is, provided it is sufficiently strong,
and you can manage it, the more easily will you succeed." "This is
really very curious," replied Tommy; "but I see some of Mr Barlow's
labourers at work a little way off, let us go to them, and desire them
to cut us two longer sticks, that we may try their effect."

They then went up to the men who were at work, but here a new subject of
admiration presented itself to Tommy's mind. There was a root of a
prodigious oak tree, so large and heavy, that half-a-dozen horses would
scarcely have been able to draw it along; besides, it was so tough and
knotty, that the sharpest axe could hardly make any impression upon it.
This a couple of old men were attempting to cleave in pieces, in order
to make billets for Mr Barlow's fire.

Tommy, who thought their strength totally disproportionate to such an
undertaking, could not help pitying them; and observing, that certainly
Mr Barlow "did not know what they were about, or he would have prevented
such poor weak old men from fatiguing themselves about what they never
could perform." "Do you think so?" replied Harry; "what would you then
say, if you were to see me, little as I am, perform this wonderful task,
with the assistance of one of these good people?" So he took up a wooden
mallet--an instrument which, although much larger, resembles a
hammer--and began beating the root, which he did for some time, without
making the least impression. Tommy, who imagined that, for this time,
his friend Harry was caught, began to smile, and told him, "that he
would break a hundred mallets to p