ge of the first slat. Bring one end of each string over and one
under the second slat, cross them, and add the third slat. Continue
weaving in this way until the hammock is of sufficient length, then tie
the strings securely at the outer edge of the last slat.

After you have put in the last board bring the slats up very close
together and draw the strings firm and tight. Tie the double lengths of
string together at each end of the hammock, making two long loops by
which to hang up the hammock.

CHAPTER XI

LITTLE TWIG PEOPLE

HAVE you seen the little people who live up in the trees? Little twig
people who dance and swing and bob about, who nod and bow and flutter
hither and yon; some astride funny twig horses, others dangling head
down, many waiting to run a race when a stiff breeze comes along, and
all as merry as merry can be, tossing their long, thin arms and legs in
the air just for the fun of it. Perhaps some of these queer folk are
outside your window now, and it may be near enough to the ground for
even the littlest boys and girls to reach if they stand on their toes.
Here are several of the twig people who came down and posed for their
photographs. We will give each one a name.

Fig. 145 is Miss Daffy-down-dilly, who has just come to town and is
feeling very bashful about it.

Fig. 148 is Jack-be-nimble Jack-be-quick, who thinks he can jump over
any candlestick, high or low.

Fig. 151 is the Little Crooked Man who ran a crooked mile.

Fig. 152 is Little Miss Muffet, who is so terribly afraid of the spider.

Fig. 153 is Peter White, who follows his nose wherever he goes.

Fig. 154 is Doctor Foster, who went to Gloster in a shower of rain, and
he is stepping very high to avoid falling into the puddle we have all
heard about.

The little twig people do not look quite as real when separated from the
tree as when you see them dancing in the breeze, so it is necessary to
help out their appearance with paper heads and hands and feet.

Use care in selecting your twigs, for they are not all alike. Some are
quite choice and unique, others more commonplace and less amusing.
Suitable ones may be found in plenty.

[Illustration: FIG. 136--The black bands on the twigs show where they
should be trimmed off.]

[Illustration: FIG. 137--Fastening the twig.]

When a small branch is broken from a tree or bush, you will find that
some of the twigs attached look like queer, crooked, little legs, and
some,