The Scientific American Boy; Or, The Camp at Willow Clump Island Chapter 25

There is one more piece of work done by our society which yet remains to be described, and that is the cantilever bridge. This we all voted to be the greatest of our achievements on the island. To be sure, it was Uncle Ed’s design, but I think we justly deserve credit for the masterful way in which it was erected. In our search for types of bridges before building the king post bridge, we came across a simple cantilever bridge that didn’t look very difficult to construct. To be sure, none of us knew a thing about stresses and strains, and ingenious though we were, Bill realized that the task of designing a cantilever bridge was far beyond him. Nevertheless, we were sure we could build one if only we had a good set of plans. A letter was therefore mailed to Uncle Ed, asking him for the required details. The answer came promptly from Western Australia, asking us to send him the exact width of the water we wished to span, the depth of the water, the distance from the top of one bank to the top of the other, and the exact height of the banks above water level. We decided we would build the bridge across the mouth of the lagoon. The distance here between the two banks measured a little over 60 feet. The banks 293 were very precipitous, and rose 13-1/2 feet above the level of the water. All these details, together with soundings of the bottom, all the way across, were sent to Uncle Ed, and on the day after our railway was completed quite a bulky package was received in answer. It contained complete directions for building the bridge of wooden frames, which were so designed that they needed merely to be hooked together to form the bridge, though to make the structure perfectly safe Uncle Ed cautioned us to tie the frames together wherever they met.

I am half afraid to tell my readers how to build this bridge, as it required the utmost care, and had to be built just so to avoid disaster. Bridge building is a serious business, and I would not advise any one to attempt building this, of all bridges, who does not propose to follow instructions implicitly. Uncle Ed told us that if we built it properly, and with sound timbers, we would find the bridge strong enough to support a dozen boys, but he warned us not to crowd more than that number on it.

Frames for the Cantilever Bridge.

Fig. 305. A Frame (make four).

The frames with which the cantilever bridge was built were made of saplings from 3 to 4 inches in diameter. We procured them from Mr. Schreiner’s lands up the river. In making the frames the sticks were fastened together with 1/2-inch bolts 6 inches long. It was quite a strain on our pocketbooks to buy these bolts, but Uncle Ed had written 294 that nails or spikes would be useless to stand the strains of so large a bridge, and that if we
Fig. 306. B Frame (make four). could not get any bolts we had better give up the idea of building a cantilever bridge. To make sure that we made no mistakes, Uncle Ed had made a drawing of each different size of frame we would need, designating each with a different letter, and then these same letters were marked on a general view of the bridge, so that we would know exactly where the frames belonged. These drawings are reproduced here in Figs. 305 to 316 and 318. We had to
Fig. 307. C Frame (make four). make four frames each, of the A, B, C and E sizes, two each of the F, G and L 295 sizes and one each of the H, I, J and K sizes. Of the D frames two were made with the ends cut away on the outer half, as illustrated in Fig. 308, and two were cut away at the inner side, the reason for which will appear presently. When fastening the timbers together we cut notches in each stick, as shown in Fig. 317. The depth of each notch was just one-quarter the diameter of the stick; that is, the notch was 3/4 of an inch deep in a 3-inch stick and 1 inch deep in a 4-inch stick. Care was taken not to exceed this depth, for fear of weakening the sticks. In the case of frame D, the sticks were not notched or mortised together. It will be noticed that the measurements are given to the inner edges of the sticks in some cases, and to the outer edges in others. The reason for this, as Uncle Ed explained it, was because the
Fig. 308. D Frame (make four). thickness of our sticks would vary considerably, and it was important that many of the measurements be exact, otherwise the frames would not fit into each 296 other as they should. Another thing to which he called our attention was the fact that frames A, B, E, F, H, K and L were stiffened with cross braces, while the rest were not. The braced frames, he wrote, were those which would be under a compression strain, while the others would be under tension; that is, when any weight was placed on the bridge it would push against the ends of the braced frames, trying to crush them, but would pull on the unbraced frames, trying to tear them apart. In fact, the bridge would have been just as strong had we used heavy iron wire in place of the unbraced frames, and the only reason Uncle Ed did not recommend our doing so was because we had no simple way of stretching the wire taut.

Fig. 309. E Frame (make four).

Fig. 310. F Frame (make two).

Fig. 311. G Frame (make two).

Fig. 312. H Frame (make one).

Fig. 313. I Frame (make one).

Fig. 314. J Frame (make one).

Fishing off the Cantilever Bridge.

The Cantilever Bridge in Reddy’s Back Yard.

Erecting the Towers.

Fig. 315. K Frame (make one).

299We built the complete set of frames before attempting to erect the bridge. Then we began by building the towers. Two A frames were set on end and spaced 4 feet apart at the top and 5 feet apart at the bottom, measuring not from the inner but from the outer edges of the frames. In this position they were connected by short spars, notched in place.
Fig. 316. L Frame (make two). The notches for these connecting spars will be seen in Fig. 305 on the main or vertical timbers of frame A, just below the upper and middle cross sticks and above the lower cross sticks. The upper connecting spars were wedged tightly under the cross sticks, and served as an additional support for them. Diagonal braces were nailed from one frame to the other, as illustrated in Fig. 318. The towers were built
Fig. 317. Notching the Sticks Together. 300 on opposite banks, at the mouth of the lagoon, and when completed we lowered them carefully down the banks into the water. According to directions they were to be set just 30 feet apart, measuring from the center of one tower to the center of the other. The water was quite shallow where the towers rested, but the bottom was pretty firm. Holes were dug in the bottom for the legs of the tower to set into, and then large stones were piled around each leg to provide a firm foundation for the towers.

Setting Up the Frames.

Fig. 318. View of Part of the Bridge, with Letters Indicating the Various Frames.

A B frame was now hauled out to one of the towers and lifted by its narrower end, with fall and tackle, until its lower tie piece rested on the projecting ends of the center crosspieces of the tower. The upper end of the frame was held against the top of the tower, while a C frame was hooked over the upper ends of the tower legs; then frame B was allowed to swing outward until its smaller end locked with the outer end of frame C. It will be observed in Fig. 306 that the upper crosspiece or tie piece of frame B was fastened to one side of the vertical sticks and the lower tie piece to the other side. This was done purposely, so that when the frame was set in position the bottom tie piece would be on the lower side of the frame and the top piece would lie on the upper side, as shown in Fig 318, or, better still, in 301 Fig. 319. The rest of the frames were all arranged to be set in place with their tie pieces on the lower side, or facing the towers, as will be clearly understood by examining the illustrations. As soon as the B and C frames were set up on one side of the tower, another pair of B and C frames was set up on the other side of the same tower. A cantilever bridge must always be built out on both sides of the tower at the same time, otherwise it will be overbalanced on one side and topple over. After the B and C frames were in place we took two D frames, with oppositely cut ends, and rested their tie sticks on the top of the tower, just under the ends of the C frames. The ends of the two D frames overlapped at the center of the tower, and, as one was cut away at the outer side and the other at the inner side, they fitted neatly together and were fastened with bolts. The D frames were 302 supported near their outer ends with E frames, which rested on the B and C frames. Fig. 319 shows an E frame set in position on the landward side of the tower, while two of the boys are climbing out on the opposite B and C frames preparatory to setting up the other E frame. A cross stick was now bolted to each D frame, just beyond the upper ends of the E sticks. This done, the frame F was hooked in between the ends of B and C, at the shoreward side of the tower, and its outer ends were supported by frame G, which was hooked over frame D and the upper ends of frame E. The frame L was then rested on the ends of frame F and G, and supported the shore end of frame D. A stick nailed across frame D on 303 each side of the upper ends of frame L served to hold the latter in place.

Binding and Anchoring the Structure.

Fig. 319. Preparing to Put an E Frame in Place.

As the different frames were coupled together, we bound the overlapping ends with soft iron wire. The place where frames B, C, E and F came together was quite a vital point, and we took pains to make the wire binding at this place doubly strong. As soon as the L frame was in place we anchored the bridge to shore by running wires from the ends of the D frame and the ends of the G frame to stakes driven into the banks. The frames on the second tower were now similarly erected and anchored, after which we were ready to put in the center panels of the bridge.

The Center Panels of the Bridge.

304First, the frame H was wedged into place and thoroughly fastened by a liberal winding of wire. Next the frames I and J were set in place, and in order to do this we had to remove the upper tie pieces of these frames. Then one frame was hooked in the other, and the two were carried out on the scow under the center of the bridge. Ropes were tied to the ends of the two frames, and they were lifted together, like a wide V, to the position shown in Fig. 318, after which the tie pieces were bolted on again, resting against the ends of the E frames. As an additional security, two sticks were bolted to the under side of the frame H, one at each side of the I and J frames. The bridge was then completed by wedging the frame K under the ends of the D frames, and also placing a stick across each tower under the joints of the D frames. We planned to run our gravity railway across this bridge, moving our platform and trestle to the opposite bank; so instead of flooring our bridge with slabs, we fastened ties across at intervals of 15 or 18 inches. These ties were sticks 3 inches in diameter, which were secured to 305 the D frames.

A Serious Interruption.

Fig. 320. A General View of our Cantilever Bridge.

We were just preparing to lay the tracks across the bridge when we met with a serious interruption. Mr. Halliday had told us that a few days before our arrival that summer Mr. Smith, the owner of the island, and another man had paid 306 a visit to the place. Jim Halliday himself had rowed them over, and learned from their conversation that Mr. Smith was trying to sell the island, and that the stranger, a Mr. Gill, was a prospective purchaser. All summer long we had been dreading the return of this customer, though, as time passed without his putting in an appearance, we almost forgot the incident. But now, at the end of August, just as we had about completed our cantilever bridge, who should arrive but this very man Gill and three other men with a large tent and camping outfit. It was a sorrowful crowd of boys that watched the wagon with their belongings ford the shallow water over to our island. We felt that the island was ours by right of discovery and occupation, but we were powerless to force our claims. And what if they did not insist on our leaving the island? It would not be the same place with strangers around to meddle with our things.

Dispossessed.

But the new owner of the island was even more of a boor than we had anticipated. As soon as he landed he wanted to know what we were doing on his property, and peremptorily ordered us off. Bill answered that we were camping there, and politely asked if we couldn’t stay out the summer. But Gill would not listen to the idea. We must get off the island that very day or he would see to it that we did.

I tell you it made us boil. We were just itching to give the pompous little man the sound thrashing he deserved, but 307 knew that we would stand a very small show against his three powerful companions. At any rate, we were determined not to leave at once. Instead, we repaired to Kite Island, taking our belongings with us. Then we cut away the suspension, spar and pontoon bridges, so that we would not be annoyed by any of the Gill crowd. We were resolved that they should not benefit by any of the things we had built.

At the dead of night we paddled back to Willow Clump Island, crept past the slumbering intruders and waded out to the old water wheel. After a good deal of exertion we managed to dislodge the smaller tower, letting the wheel drop into the river and float away. Then we made for the cantilever bridge. It didn’t take us very long to cut away the wire bindings, unhook the frames and drop them into the lagoon. But the task was quite a perilous one, as the night was pitch black. Finally, nothing remained of the bridge but the two towers, which were left as monuments to mark the spot where our last piece of engineering on the island was done.

Building the Cantilever Bridge over Cedar Brook.

Farewell to Willow Clump Island.

We spent several days on Kite Island, knowing that we were safe from intrusion, because the Gill crowd had but one boat, and that was on the Jersey side of the island. We felt confident that they would not take the trouble of wading around Point Lookout with their boats, as we had done; nevertheless, to prevent a surprise, we kept a sentry posted on the Lake Placid side of the island and gathered a pile of 308 stones for ammunition. But our fun was spoiled, and we finally decided to break camp and bid farewell forever to Willow Clump Island and its vicinity. Our goods were ferried over to Jim Halliday’s farm, where we were given shelter. The windmill, as I have already stated, was sold to a farmer at Lumberville, and we were kept busy for several days carting it over and setting it up in place. When everything had been done we stole back to Kite Island and set fire to the log cabin. The next day Mr. Schreiner took us home in a couple of his wagons. Thus ended our “investigation, exploration and exploitation of Willow Clump Island.” The work of two summers was practically all destroyed in a few days.

Reddy’s Cantilever Bridge.

I believe I have given a careful account of everything that was recorded in the chronicles of the society. We were too discouraged to undertake anything new in the two weeks before school opened. I presume I might mention here Reddy’s cantilever bridge, which, however, had really nothing to do with the S. S. I. E. E. of W. C. I., because our society was formally disbanded the day before Bill and I returned to school. About a month after leaving home I received a letter from Reddy inclosing three interesting photographs, which are reproduced herewith. Reddy certainly had the bridge fever, because soon after we had left he started to work, with the rest of the boys, on a cantilever bridge across Cedar Brook. The brook was entirely unsuited to such a 309 structure, because the banks were very low; but he made the towers quite short and built an inclined roadway leading up to the top of them. The legs of the towers were driven firmly into the bank, making them so solid that he thought it would be perfectly safe to build the frames out over the brook without building them at the same time on the shore side. But he had made a miscalculation, for when a couple of the boys had crawled out on the B and C frames to set up an E frame the structure commenced to sag. The trouble was remedied by propping up the tower with a stout stick driven into the river bottom and wedged under the upper tie piece of the tower. The towers were really too short to make a well proportioned bridge, for the panels had to be made very long and narrow, so as to reach across. But on the whole it was a very creditable structure when completed, though it had only half as long a span as our cantilever bridge over the lagoon.

INDEX

A

“A” tent, 207
Abbreviations, wigwag, 146
Accident, railway, the first, 290
Ainu snow shoe, 41
Alarm clock, a unique, 63
Alphabet, wigwag, 145
Alpine stock, 198
Anchoring cantilever bridge, 303
Annex, the, 50
Arctic expedition, 193
Armchair, barrel, 227
Axles of railroad car, 285

B

Bags, sleeping, 203
Banquets, midnight, 179
Barrel armchair, 227
Barrel filter, 68
Barrel hoop snow shoe, 36
Barrel stave hammock, 226
Barrel stave snow shoe, 36
Bat’s wings, 33
Bed, a camp, 209
Bed in shower, 210
Belly band, elastic, 235
Bending wood, 39
Bicycle wheels, mounting frame on, 219
Big Bug Club, 177
“Bill,” 17
Bill’s cave, 224
Bill’s skate sail, 21
Binding cantilever bridge, 303
Blades of wind wheel, 278
Boat, ice, 159
Boat mooring, tramp-proof, 142
Boat, scow, 59
Box kite, diamond, 236
Box, the black walnut, 19
Brake for wind wheel, 278
Bridge building, 95
Bridge, cantilever, 292
Bridge, king post, 105
Bridge, king rod, 102
Bridge, pontoon, 101
Bridge, Reddy’s cantilever, 308
Bridge, spar, 95
Bridge, stiffening, 104
Bridge, suspension, 99
Bridge wreck, 66
Bucket, the canvas, 251
Buckets for water wheel, 246
Bunks, 270

C

Camp bed, 209
Camp bed in shower, 210
Camp, breaking, 158
Camp chair, a, 208
Camp fire, a costly, 200
Camp fire, kindling, 194
Canoe, Indian paddling, 121
Canoe lee boards, 119
Canoe rudder, 115
Canoe, the sailing, 111
Canoe sails, 117
Canoe, scooter, 190
Canoe, stretching on canvas, 114
Canoes, canvas, 109
Cantilever bridge, 292
Cantilever bridge, anchoring, 303
Cantilever bridge, binding frames, 303
Cantilever bridge, center panels, 304
Cantilever bridge, frames for, 293
Cantilever bridge, Reddy’s, 308
Cantilever bridge, setting up frames of, 300
Cantilever bridge towers, 299
Canvas bucket, 251
Canvas canoes, 109
Canvas, stretching on canoe, 114
Canvas tent, 46
Car axles, 285
Car for gravity railroad, 284
Car, mounting wheels on, 286
Carpenter’s miter box, 288
Cave, Bill’s, 224
Cave, covering the, 177
Cave, excavating for, 173
Cave, framing, 174
Cave-in, a, 171
Center panels of cantilever bridge, 304
Chain, surveyor’s, 77
Chair, a camp, 208
Chair seat snow shoe, 35
Cheek blocks, 162
Chinks in log cabin, stopping up, 272
Christmas vacation, 19
Clamp for crank shaft, 276
Clapboards, nailing on, 135
Cleat, a, 163
Climbing, mountain, 198
Clock, a unique alarm, 63
Club, the Big Bug, 177
Club pin, 180
Club, the Subterranean, 171
Code, International Telegraph, 155
Combination lock, 181
Council of war, 139
Crank shaft, the, 276
Creepers, ice, 170
Crossbow, 55
Crossbow trigger, 57
Cutting out disk, 78

D

Danish sail, 30
Derrick, the, 131
Diamond box kite, 236
Digging the well, 274
Disk, cutting out, 78
Disk, sighting, 79
Dispossessed, 306
Diving tree, 84
Door hinges, 269
Door latch, 269
Doors, sliding, 136
Double mirror heliograph, 156
Double surprise, 140
Drill, fire, 69
Drowned, how to restore, alone, 92
Drowned, restoring the, 89

E

Easter vacation, 224
Elastic belly band, 235
Expedition, Arctic, 193
Expedition, logging, 255
Expedition, preparing for, 53
Exploration, preliminary, 66

F

Farewell to Willow Clump Island, 307
Fastener, brass, 58
Filter, the barrel, 68
Filter barrel, cooling the, 250
Filter, the small, 67
Fire drill, 69
Fireplace of log cabin, 265
Fireplace, outdoor, 195
Fireplace, stone-paved, 196
Fissure, path up the, 129
Flanged wheels, 285
Fly, ridge pole, 54
Fly for tent, 54
Fly, umbrella with, 211
Focusing heliograph instrument, 153
Frame on bicycle wheels, 219
Frames for cantilever bridge, 293
Frames of cantilever bridge, setting up, 300
Friend in time of trouble, 201

G

Goblins’ Dancing Platform, 126
Grass hut, 124
Gravity railroad, 283

H

Halliday, Jim, 194
Hammock, barrel stave, 226
Harness, pack, 212
Heliograph, the, 147
Heliograph, double mirror, 156
Heliograph instrument, focusing, 153
Heliograph screen, 151
Heliograph sight rod, 150
Heliograph signaling, 154
Heliograph, single mirror, 148
Hinge for spars, 30
Hinges, door, 269
House building, 124
House, log, 254
House, the tree, 132
Hut, cold night in, 197
Hut, log, 254
Hut, straw, 124

I

Ice boat, the, 159
Ice boats, sledges and toboggans, 158
Ice, craft strikes the, 184
Ice creepers, 170
Indian paddling canoe, 121
Instrument, double mirror, 156
Instrument, single mirror, 148
Instrument, surveying, 73
International Telegraph Code, 155
Iroquois snow shoe, 39
Island, mapping the, 82
Island, off to the, 63
Island, trip to the, 64

J

Jacob’s Ladder, 129
Jaws of boom, 162
Jib-sail for ice boat, 164
Jib-sail for scooter scow, 187
Jim Halliday, 194

K

King post bridge, 105
King rod truss, 102
Kite, diamond box, 236
Kite Island, 83
Kite, Malay, 5-foot, 231
Kite, Malay, 8-foot, 233
Kites, putting to work, 235
Kites, tailless, 229
Klepalo, the, 70

L

Ladder, the Jacob’s, 129
Ladders, rope, 130
Lagoon, the, 83
Lake Placid, 83
Land yacht, 215
Land yacht, a sail on, 222
Lanteen sail for canoe, 117
Lanteen skate sail, 29
Latch, door, 269
Latch string, 270
Lee boards, canoe, 119
“Leg-of-mutton” sail, 220
Levels, spirit, 74
Lock combination, 181
Log cabin, 251
Log cabin, building the, 259
Log cabin door hinges, 269
Log cabin door latch, 269
Log cabin door and window frames, 263
Log cabin fireplace, 265
Log cabin, floor of, 267
Log cabin, foundation of, 254
Log cabin, roof of, 262
Log cabin, stopping up chinks, 272
Log cabin window sash, 270
Log raft, 256
Logging expedition, 255

M

Mainsail for canoe, 117
Mainsail for ice boat, 162
Malay kite, 5-foot, 231
Malay kite, 8-foot, 233
Mapping the island, 82
Mast of land yacht, stepping, 218
Mast step, ice boat, 161
Mast step, leather, 30
Mast step, wooden, 30
Megaphone, 57
Megaphone mouthpiece, 58
Midnight banquets, 179
Mill-race, the, 88
Mirror instrument, heliograph, 148
Miter box, carpenter’s, 288
Mizzen sail of canoe, 118
Mooring, tramp-proof boat, 142
Mountain climbing, 198
Mouthpiece of megaphone, 58
“Mummy case,” 204

N

Needle, weaving, 39
Night, cold, in the hut, 197
Nightmare, a, 211
Noria, 241
Norwegian ski, 42
Numerals, wigwag, 145

O

Oar, the, 61
Off to the island, 63
Organizing the society, 25
Outdoor fireplace, 195
Outfits, tramping, 203

P

Pack harness, 212
Paddling canoe, Indian, 121
Paddles for water wheel, 246
Panels, center, of cantilever bridge, 304
Path up the fissure, 129
Patient, how to work over, alone, 93
Pin, the club, 180
Plank, swimming on, 86
Platform, Goblins’ Dancing, 126
Point Lookout, 83
Pole, ridge, 48
Poncho, 210
Pontoon bridge, 101
Poor shelter, a, 199
Preparing for the expedition, 53
Protractor, the, 76
Provisions and supplies, 54
Pump, the, 279
Pump, action of, 281
Pump valves, the, 280

R

Raft, log, 256
Raft, sail-rigged, 258
Railroad car, 284
Railroad car axles, 285
Railroad flanged wheels, 285
Railroad, gravity, 283
Railway track, the, 287
Railway accident, the first, 290
Railway, rope, 97
Railway spikes, 50
Rapids, shooting the, 88
Receiving trough for water wheel, 247
Records of the S. S. I. E. E. of W. C. I., 19
Reddy’s cantilever bridge, 308
Rennwolf, the, 168
Restoring the drowned, 89
Ridge pole, 48
Ridge pole, fly, 54
Riveting, 213
Rod, heliograph sight, 150
Rod, surveyor’s, 78
Rope ladders, 130
Rope railway, 97
Rowlocks, sockets for, 60
Rudder, canoe, 115
Rudder shoe, ice boat, 160
Runner shoe, ice boat, 160
Runners of scooter canoe, 190
Runners of sledge, 165
Rustic table, 66

S

S. S. I. E. E. of W. C. I., records of, 19
Sail, jib, for scooter, 187
Sail, “leg-of-mutton,” 220
Sail, mizzen, of canoe, 118
Sail-rigged raft, 258
Sail, sprit, for scooter, 186
Sail stitch, 46
Sail through the country, 222
Sailing canoe, the, 111
Sailor’s stitch, 221
Sails, canoe, 117
Sails for ice boat, 162
Sandwiches, straw, 227
Schreiner, a visit from Mr., 110
Scooter canoe, 190
Scooter sailing, 188
Scooter scow, 185
Scooters, 183
Scow, the, 59
Scow, a sail in, 184
Scow, scooter, 185
Scow, stolen, 138
Screen, heliograph, 151
Seat, swing, 97
Shaft, the crank, 276
Shelter, a poor, 199
Shooting the rapids, 88
Sight rod, 150
Sighting blocks, 74
Sighting disk, 79
Signaling, heliograph, 154
Signals, wigwag, 144
Simple method of surveying, 79
Single mirror heliograph, 148
Sioux snow shoe, 37
Skate sail, bat’s wings, 33
Skate sail, Bill’s, 21
Skate sail, Danish, 30
Skate sail, double Swedish, 26
Skate sail, lanteen, 29
Skate sail, single Swedish, 28
Skate sails, 26
Ski, Norwegian, 42
Ski sticks, 43
Skids, 262
Slabs, 101
Sledge, the, 165
Sleeping bags, 203
Sliding doors, 136
Snotter, 187
Snow shoe, Ainu, 41
Snow shoe, barrel hoop, 36
Snow shoe, barrel stave, 36
Snow shoe, chair seat, 35
Snow shoe, Iroquois, 39
Snow shoe, Sioux, 37
Snow shoe, Swiss, 43
Snow shoes, 35
Society, meeting of, 189
Society, organizing the, 25
Spar bridge, 95
Spars, hinge for, 30
Spikes, railway, 50
Spiral spring, 153
Spirit levels, 74
Spring, spiral, 153
Sprit sail, 186
Stepping mast of land yacht, 218
Stitch, the sail, 46
Stitch, sailor’s, 221
Stick, ski, 43
Stiffening the bridge, 104
Stone-paved fireplace, 196
Stone wall, how to build, 266
Straw hut, 124
Straw sandwiches, 227
Subterranean Club, 171
Summer toboggan, 229
Supplies and provisions, 54
Surprise, a double, 140
Surveying, 73
Surveying, first lesson in, 79
Surveying instrument, 73
Surveying, a simple method of, 79
Surveying for water wheel, 241
Surveyor’s chain, 77
Surveyor’s rod, 78
Suspension bridge, 99
Swamp shoe, 43
Swedish sail, double, 26
Swedish sail, single, 28
Swimming, 84
Swimming on a plank, 86
Swing seat, 97
Swiss snow shoe, 43

T

Table, a rustic, 66
Tailless kites, 229
Telegraph Code, International, 155
Tent, the “A”, 207
Tent, annex, 50
Tent, canvas wall, 46
Tent fly, 54
Tent making, 44
Testing the track, 291
Thole pins, 61
Tie block, wood, 49
Tie, wire, 50
Tiger’s Tail, 83
Tiller, ice boat, 161
Tiller of land yacht, 219
Toboggan, the, 167
Toboggan, the summer, 229
Tower, the windmill, 275
Towers of the cantilever bridge, 299
Towers for water wheel, 243
Towers of water wheel, setting up, 248
Track, laying the, 289
Track, the railway, 287
Track, testing the, 291
Tramping outfits, 203
Tramp-proof boat mooring, 142
Tramps, trouble with, 138
Tree, diving, 84
Tree house, the, 132
Trigger for crossbow, 57
Trip to the island, 64
Tripod, the, 75
Trouble with tramps, 138
Trunk, the old, 18
Truss, king rod, 102
Turnbuckle, a simple, 216

U

Umbrella with fly, 211
Umbrella rib crossbow, 55
Uncle Ed, word from, 45
Uncle Ed’s departure, 109

V

Vacation, Christmas, 19
Vacation, Easter, 224
Valves, the pump, 280
Van Syckel, interview with, 189
Vengeance, 139
Visit from Mr. Schreiner, 110

W

Wall, how to build, 266
Wall tent, 46
Water wheel, 241
Water wheel buckets, 246
Water wheel, construction of, 245
Water wheel, Mr. Halliday’s, 252
Water wheel, mounting the, 249
Water wheel paddles, 246
Water wheel receiving trough, 247
Water wheel, surveying for, 241
Water wheel, towers for, 243
Water wheel towers, setting up, 248
War, council of, 139
Weaving needle, 39
Well, digging the, 274
Wheel, the wind, 276
Wheels for gravity railroad, 285
Wheels, mounting, on car, 286
Wheels, mounting frame on, 219
Wigwag abbreviations, 146
Wigwag alphabet, 145
Wigwag numerals, 145
Wigwag signals, 144
Wigwagging and heliographing, 144
Wigwagging at night, 147
Willow Clump Island, 23
Willow Clump Island, farewell to, 307
Willow Clump Island in winter, 194
Wind wheel, 276
Wind wheel blades, 278
Wind wheel brake, 278
Windmill, 273
Windmill tower, 275
Window hinge, 270
Window sash, log cabin, 270
Wings, bat’s, 33
Wire tie, 50
Wood, bending, 39
Wood tie block, 49
Word from Uncle Ed, 45

Y

Yacht, land, 215
Yacht, land, frame of, 216

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