They first of all put in the charge; then they put in a wooden rod, just the thickness of the fuse they use; then they dropped in a little dry dust round it, which they pressed down very carefully, with a small wooden rod; then they damped some dust, and hammered that down hard.

After putting in about half an inch of this, they used dust slightly moistened, beating it down as before.

When it was quite full, they pulled out the centre stick, and put the fuse into the hole that it left." "We have not got any fuse," Stanley said, "but I think that if we take a narrow strip of cloth, moisten it, and rub gunpowder into it; let it dry, and then roll it up, it would be all right.

Then we could lay a train of damp powder to it, set the end alight, and bolt." "I should think that that would do," Harry agreed, "but you would have to bolt very sharp for, if it went off before you got to the bottom of the steps, it might be very awkward." "I don't think the effect of the shock will be as great as that, Harry.

It may crack the stone, but I should hardly think it would send anything flying out of the hole.".