"This fire drill make fire," he said again.
"Does this really work?" somebody asked.
"We were supposed to learn how to use these in scouts," said Mrs. Stogbuchner, as Baartock worked the bow back and forth. "But none of us could make them work."
Before she could say anything else, the bark that Baartock had put next to the block was starting to smoke. Then it was smoking a lot, and Baartock dropped the fire drill and picked up the bark and started to blow on it. And it burst into flame.
He dropped the burning bark on the ground, and picked up the bow and stick. "Fire drill," he said.
"But how does it work?" somebody wanted to know.
"Wood get hot. Make fire," Baartock explained. He held out the bottom wood block, which was still hot. The class gathered in closely to feel how hot it was. Mrs. Jackson was making sure that the burning bark was all put out.
Just then it started to rain, big heavy drops.
"Everybody back inside," called Mrs. Stogbuchner. "Don't line up. Just get inside quickly."
Everybody ran for the classroom door. Baartock quickly gathered up his fire drill and he and Mrs. Jackson hurried after the class.