180 



WOOD STOCKING. 



two days/' he said, and we have not got at 

 the tap-root yet." 



The tap-root/' I explained, is that which 

 strikes perpendicularly down from the middle 

 of the great root ; and, in the shape of a tap, 

 or spigot, often descends some feet. This, of 

 course, is the most difficult to get at and to 

 cut." 



Then, I suppose, they put gunpowder un- 

 derneath, to blow it up ?" said Frederick. 



No, no. Mister !" said Jack Heavem ; that 

 wouldn't do no more good than lighting a pipe 

 aneath it." 



Because, I suppose," said I, it could 

 obtain plenty of vent all round." 



Just so. Sir," said the man. When we 

 split 'em with powder, we bore into the solidest 

 part we can find, and plug it up as tight as a 

 post. We thought to have split this sheer 



