Provide a small stout brass tube, about six inches long, and half an
inch in diameter, closed at one end, and fitted with a hollow air-tight
piston, containing in its cavity a scrap of amadou, or German tinder.
Suddenly drive the piston into the tube by a strong jerk of the hands;
and the compression of the air in the tube will give out so much heat
as to light the tinder; and upon quickly drawing out the piston, the
glowing tinder will kindle a match.