COASTING; SLEDS OF MANY KINDS--THE TOBOGGAN
Long before the strong, light, machine-made sled was put on the market
or even thought of, the American boy was his own sled-maker, and if
this sled was not so sightly, it certainly got there as effectively as
does its modern rival.
The best of the old-time sleds were made by cutting down a small oak,
beech, or maple tree that had a promising curve at the root. This was
dressed, then sawed down the middle, so as to make the two runners.
Through each runner six holes were bored from the top, each pair of
holes about two inches apart. Into the holes were driven wooden pegs
to hold the three benches. The pegs were long enough to go through the
two stringers that ran in line with the runners. Over this the frame
was laid. The bottoms of the runners, when the material could be had,
were shod with thick hoop iron, the nails being counter-sunk. In
the center curve of the runners, holes were bored for the drawing
rope, and all was ready for the snow.
A quicker way was to saw out the proper length for runners from an
inch, hardwood board, curve the fronts by means of a draw-knife, then
connect the runners by braces, and cover with a frame of lighter
material. These sleds, when shod at the blacksmith shop with half-
curved iron shoes, were things to delight in, and two of them,
properly hitched, made a fine "bob."
The bob sled is superior in every way to the old long sled which
delighted the grandfathers of the present boys. The old-fashioned
sleds were steered by the boy in front kicking with his heels on the
frozen snow, or the boy at the stern by dragging one foot behind as a
rudder. This answers very well for the common sled, but when the sled
is seven, eight, or ten feet long, and loaded underneath with pig iron
to give it weight, the boy in front who steers has a difficult and
exceedingly dangerous task, especially if the hill is steep and icy;
and it is next to impossible to steer such a craft from the stern by
dragging one foot behind.
The double-runner is much lighter and very much easier to steer on
account of the front sled being arranged so that it can be moved
independently of the rear sled, for a turn to the right or the left
causes the "bob" to take the direction indicated by the front runners;
but double-runners steered with a wheel, lever or yoke in front, are
very dangerous, as the steersman, in case of an accident, is thrown
against the steering apparatus, usually with serious results.
The safety double-runner does away with serious results, having a
bridle with which it is steered. It also does away with the danger of
collision by having an automatic brake that will stop it, in times of
danger, within the distance of its own length. These are qualities
which will be appreciated by all who "slide down hill," as we called
it when I was a lad, or who are fond of coasting, as our school-
readers called it then, and as every one calls it now.
Double-runners, or bob sleds, can be made at home, but the work
requires so much varied material, so many tools, and so much skill
that I shall not tell how the thing is done. A number of boys, who
desire to own a bob sled in partnership, can have the work done by a
wagon-maker, who knows just how, and has all the material to hand.
Such sleds, and they are usually well made, can be purchased at
reasonable prices and of any size from establishments that deal in
such articles. These can be found in any of our large cities. The safe
and sane sled, for the ordinary youngster, and the average hill, is
that which has a capacity for two--one is still better--and which is
steered by sitting astern and keeping one leg back to act as a runner.
TOBOGGANING
The toboggan is much used in Canada, where the Indians taught the
first whites how to make and use it, and has become popular in the
northern states, particularly along the Great Lakes. It is made of
smooth, closely joined, flexible boards, turned up in front by being
steam heated. The toboggan lies flat on the ground and may be of any
length from six to twelve or even more feet.
The passengers squat on furs or other coverings laid flat on the
toboggan. The steerer sits behind and controls the direction by a
trailing pole and sometimes with one foot.
Many Canadian cities have constructed toboggan slides for the use of
the people. The most famous of these is at Montreal. This slide has a
"joust" or obstruction at the bottom, which causes the toboggan and
its occupants to leap into the air in a way that delights the experts
and brings alarm to those who are taking their first ride. But the
healthy boy does not limit his winter sports to skates and sleds.
Without either of these appliances no end of fun can be had in the
snow itself.
It would be a waste of time to describe snowballing, which may be made
to afford pleasure, but which as too often done brings discomfort to
the ones unexpectedly attacked.
A SNOW BATTLE
Now, a snow battle, if properly managed, is a different matter, and
calls for that endurance and tact that distinguishes the true soldier.
The two selected captains toss up in the usual manner for first choice
of men. Then alternately, as in a spelling bee, each chooses a soldier
until all are taken. The taw lines are then drawn, about thirty feet
apart, and two flag staffs with colored handkerchiefs for flags are
erected in each camp. To bear the enemy's flag to your own camp, that
is, over the taw line, wins the victory for your side. Tackling is
allowed, as in football, and is limited by the same rules. No boy
bearing the mark of a snowball on chest or back is allowed to take
further part in the game, as he is considered to be a dead soldier,
but the dead soldiers may coach their comrades as often as they
please. No tripping, no striking, no ice balls, and no "soakers" (wet
snowballs) are allowed.
Snow tag is another good game. Count out for "It." While "It" takes
his place at the hub of the wheel, the other players scatter around
the circumference or rim, and the word "ready" is given. "It" then
darts out one of the "spoke" paths and endeavors to tag some one of
the other boys, and the fun begins. Two cannot pass each other on the
narrow paths, and the fleeing boys often step on each others' heels,
trip and tumble head first into the deep snow, forming an easy prey
for "It"; but again the lads will dance around in a most provoking
manner, and as "It" darts up one spoke toward the rim, the players
dart down the other toward the hub, and show great skill in eluding
"It."