A cross stick
was also fastened between the rails and runners at the forward end. On the
floor beams we nailed a flooring of 1/2-inch slats, 2 inches wide and 6
feet long. At the rear end these slats projected 8 inches beyond the last
space block and over them a cross slat was nailed. A stick of hickory
4-1/2 feet long was soaked in hot water, as described on page 39, and was
bent to an U-shape. The ends were then fitted over the first cross stick,
and under the first floor supports, and securely nailed in place. Another
stick of hickory 6 feet long was similarly bent, and the ends slipped over
the rear cross slats and fitted against the rear space blocks, in which
position the stick was securely nailed. It was our intention to shoe the
runners with strips of brass, but these were not procurable in our
village, and we had no time to go down to Millville. However, the village
blacksmith came to our rescue and shod our sledge with sleigh runner iron.
We had planned to make two more devices for our winter sports--a toboggan
and a peculiar looking contrivance called a "rennwolf," a picture of which
Dutchy happened to unearth in one of his father's books. Unfortunately
Bill and I had to return to school before either of these was completed.
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