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]).
| Fig. 127—Begin the raft in this way. | Fig. 128—Lay a second stick up against the tie. |
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.
| Fig. 129—Cross the strings around the second stick. | Fig. 130—Cross the strings around the third stick. |
Put up log-houses for the toy people to live in. Select two different lengths of kindling wood for
The Houses
that the buildings may be longer one way than the other. They will look better and be more comfortable than if square.
Place two long sticks of kindling wood a short distance apart and running parallel; across these sticks lay two shorter ones, bridging the space at each end between the long sticks, then place two long sticks over the ends of the two short ones; keep building in this way until the little house is seven or eight layers high.