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202   TWELVE YEARS A SLAVE

ly to the woods.  This was to construct a fish trap.  Having in my mind, conceived the manner in which it could be done, the next Sunday I set about putting it into practical execution.  It may be impossible for me to convey to the reader a full and correct idea of its construction, but the following will serve as a general description:
A frame between two and three feet square is made, and of a greater of less height, according to the depth of water.  Boards or slate are nailed on three sides of this frame, not so closely, however, as to prevent the water circulating freely through it.  A door is fitted into the fourth side, in such manner that it will easily slide up and down in the grooves cut in the two posts.  A moveable bottom is then so fitted that it can be raised to the top of the frame without difficulty.  In the centre of the movable bottom an auger hole is bored, and into this one end of a handle or round stick is fastened on the under side so loosely that it will turn.  The handle ascends from the centre of the movable bottom to the top of the frame, or as mush higher as is desirable.  Up and down this handle, in a great many places, are gimlet holes, through which small sticks are inserted, extending to opposite sides of the frame.  So many of these small sticks are running out from the handle in all directions, that a dish of any considerable dimensions cannot pass through without hitting one of them.  The frame is then placed in the water and made stationary.