FISHING THROUGH THE ICE 163 



no difficulty about this. Next, with a brace and 

 bit bore two holes, one at each end, at A ; then 

 with a chisel take out the middle of each board, 

 as shown. Now procure some stout iron wire ; 

 but previously to bending it there is a lead 

 sinker to go on the upper end, at B. This 

 sinker is best made by boring into the end of 

 a piece of green hard wood, and driving a nail 

 down into the centre of the hole for a cylindrical 

 mould. One mould will cast a dozen or more 

 sinkers, and the lead can be melted in a ladle over 

 the cook-stove fire without causing inconvenience. 

 The wire now is cut into lengths exactly the 

 length of the space in the middle of the board, 

 and one loop is twisted at C. Through this a 

 nail is driven, including both sides of the board ; 

 and the wire should now swing freely round and 

 round on this nail, as on an axle. A lead is now 

 slipped on the upper arm of the lead (B), and a 

 hook is formed in the wire (D). To the end of 

 the other arm is tied a piece of old red cotton or 

 woollen cloth, and about forty feet of stout braided 

 linen line should be attached to the middle of the 

 "tip-up " at E. To the other end of the line, of 

 course, the hook is tied, which is preferably a Vir- 



