The stock
of our crossbow was cut out of a board of soft wood 1 inch thick to as
near the shape of a gun as we could get it. A hole was drilled through the
muzzle end to receive the bow, and then the bowstring was tied fast. Along
the upper edge of the barrel a V-shaped channel was cut. The channel was
not very deep, only enough to receive a tenpenny nail with the head
projecting half-way above the sides. A notch was cut across the barrel,
through this channel, at the trigger end, and a trigger made of heavy iron
wire, bent to the shape shown in Fig. 51, was hinged to the gun by a bolt
which passed clear through the stock and through both eyes of the trigger.
By using two nuts on the bolt, and tightening one against the other, they
were prevented from working loose and coming off. When we wanted to fire
the gun the bowstring was drawn back, and held by slipping it into the
notch, and a nail was laid in the channel with its head against the
bowstring. Then, on pulling the trigger, the bowstring was lifted out of
the notch, and sent the nail off sailing. The long-grooved barrel insured
a very good aim.
[Illustration: Fig. 50. Binding the Bow.]
[Illustration: Drifting down the Scheiners' Brook.
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