of any firm, strong, hollow cylinder. A slender pasteboard mailing tube, or a stick of bamboo, or a section of some shrub from which you can push the pith, leaving a hollow case, will answer the purpose. Have the hollow stick about eight inches long, and for a ramrod cut a smooth, round stick an inch or two longer. Be sure that the ramrod slides easily through the tube while fitting snugly.
Fig. 302. Fig. 302 shows the ramrod in the pistol. Get a large raw potato and cut off several thick slices to use for bullets. Punch a slice with one end of the pistol,
Fig. 303. then with the other, leaving the potato bullets in it exactly as they came from the slice. When you are ready to fire, place the ramrod against the bullet in one end of the pistol and suddenly push the ramrod with force through the tube, sending the first bullet flying, and as it leaves the pistol a loud report will follow. Fig. 303 shows the potato slice and the bullets which have been used. Should you be able to find corks which exactly fit the pistol you could use them instead of potato. Fasten each cork to the end of a string and tie the string firmly around the centre of
Fig. 304.
Fig. 305. the pistol. Remember that the success of the pistol depends upon keeping the air bottled up tight in the tube by having the bullets fit tight. If the air is allowed to escape, no report will be heard; the bullets will not pop. But never fear; you will be able to make the pistol; have confidence, patience, and care, and your work will turn out well.
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