“Well,” said James, “I should like to make some gunpowder very much.”
So the boys went away towards the house, to get the wood to make their charcoal.
QUESTIONS.
What objection did Mr. Holiday make at first, to having the heaps set on fire? How was Rollo arrested when he was in pursuit of Jonas? What were the heaps composed of which Jonas was going to set on fire? In what condition were they in respect to inflammability? Was there anything besides their dryness which made them particularly inflammable at this time? Describe Rollo’s attempt to set a heap on fire. What course did Jonas pursue? Describe the appearances exhibited when the fire began to run. How did Rollo’s father explain to the boys the causes which made the fire run in the grass that afternoon more than at any other time? Describe the mode which Jonas adopted to stop the progress of the fire in the grass. Did he always stop it as soon as it first began to run? Why not?
CHAPTER V.
THEORY AND PRACTICE.
There is a great difference between understanding theoretically how a thing is done, and being able actually to do it; for, in practice, various difficulties are apt to occur, which are not foreseen by one who knows only the theory. Rollo and James found this to be the case, in their efforts to make charcoal. Rollo felt very confident that he understood the whole process perfectly, and that he should find no difficulty whatever in carrying it through successfully. He was not aware how many difficulties occur in the practical execution of what appears beforehand to be attended with no difficulty at all.
“Are you sure you can make charcoal?” said James.
“Yes,” said Rollo, “I know I can. Jonas told me everything which I must do. First, we must get some short sticks of wood.”