some cartridges of dynamite with a wooden rammer.
Then the cartridge, with the detonator inside of it; and the fuse,
extending from its mouth, was placed in contact with the charge under
the tree. The hole was next closed up with some earth, leaving about a
foot of the fuse outside. The light was then applied, and we retired to
a safe distance. In a few moments the charge exploded. The tree seemed
to rise from its bed. All the earth under it was blown out, and the
roots were torn up and broken, with the exception of four of the
largest, which were fully ten inches in diameter. A small charge of
dynamite inserted under each of these completed the work, and the old
giant, slowly bowing forward, laid his venerable head upon the ground.

Another charge was next placed in the soil under some loose and decayed
roots, which were easily broken to pieces, so as to permit of their
removal. Thus, in a short time and at little cost, were trees and roots
and boulders torn up and shattered.

"But is dynamite not very dangerous, Mr Jones?" asked my mother, as we
walked slowly homeward.

"Not at all dangerous,--at least not worth speaking of," replied the
manager; "nitro-glycerine by itself is indeed very dangerous, being
easily exploded by concussion or mere vibration; but when mixed with
infusorial earth and thus converted into dynamite, it is one of the
safest explosives in existence--not quite so safe, indeed, as
gun-cotton, but much more so than gunpowder. Any sort of fire will
explode gunpowder, but any sort of fire will not explode dynamite; it
will only cause it to burn. It requires a detonator to explode it with
violence. Without its detonator, dynamite is a sleeping giant."

"Ay, mother," said I, taking up the subject, "the case stands thus:
gunpowder is a big athlete, who slumbers lightly; any spark can wake him
to violent action: but dynamite is a bigger athlete, who sleeps so
soundly that a spark or flame can only rouse him to moderate rage; it
requires a special shake to make him wide-awake, but when thus roused
his fury is terrific, as you have just seen. And now," I added, as we
drew near the house, "we will change the subject, because I have this
morning received two letters, which demand the united consideration of
our whole party. I will therefore call up Bella and Nicholas, who have
fallen behind, as usual. Mr Jones will excuse my talking of family
matters for a few minutes, as replies must be sent