The Time Travelers' Handbook Read Online Free PDF Page A

powder cans together to make pipes.
    The tunnelers dug for up to six hours at a time. At first, they worked in their undershirts and long johns, but in the damp tunnel, their clothes got wet and smelly. In the end, they decided it was easier to wear nothing at all.
    Hitches
    One of the prisoners explains to you that the biggest problem they had was getting rid of all the sand that was dug out as the tunnels were built. The Germans had discovered earlier tunnels had been built by spotting the white sand on the blackish gray earth in the camp compound. This time, there were 250 tons of sand to hide.
    Finally, the planners came up with a great method that got rid of almost half the sand. Men known as “penguins” stuck one-and-a-half-foot long, sausage-shaped bags made out of towels down each of their trouser legs. The bags were filled with sand and were held by a sort of sling around the prisoner’s neck.
    The prisoner—often wearing a coat to hide the bulky bags—would then walk over to another prisoner who was working in the camp garden. He would stand in the dirt and release the sand. Then the gardener would quickly cover the white sand with soil.
    Nerves
    Now that the night of the escape has come and the plan is under way, the prisoners are tense and nervous. They feel that time is against them. It’s the coldest March in 30 years, and the trapdoor at the far end of the tunnel has iced up, slowing things down.

    They dig the last two feet to the surface, but find they are about 10 feet away from the edge of the forest. There’s a real danger that men will be spotted running across the open ground to the trees. Then, someone has a good idea. They rig up a rope that stretches from behind a bush into the tunnel. One prisoner hides behind the bush. He can see the German sentries on guard. He will give one tug on the rope when it’s OK for the next prisoner to run from the tunnel to the forest. Two tugs means to stay put inside.
    Some men are panicking in the tunnel because of the long wait. One knocks out a wooden support with his suitcase by mistake and lots of sand falls down. Then, the lights in the tunnel suddenly go out, so it’s pitch black.
    Despite all these hitches, however, you count 76 men escaping through the tunnel and beginning their long journey to freedom. You wish them luck as they scatter in all directions into the dark night. Then you press EJECT.

How To Defend A Medieval Castle
    You land with a jolt to find yourself balancing precariously on the high wall of Hawarden Castle in Wales. A soldier pulls you down from the wall, but as you start to thank him, you see a pretty scary sight. The castle, which stands on top of a hill, is under siege. The sword-wielding army of a Welsh prince named Dafydd ap Gruffudd ap Llywelyn has surrounded the castle and is attacking relentlessly.
    The soldier who grabbed you tells you that he and his fellow soldiers have been fighting the Welsh for many years—since 1067, in fact. They built castles along the border with Wales, but failed to completely conquer the Welsh. The mountainous, rugged terrain of Wales and the fierce fighting of the Welsh denied them victory.
    The Call To Arms
    It’s only recently, in 1277 under the rule of King Edward I, that the conquest of Wales was completed. To cement his victory and maintain control of the land, Edward has built several massive stone castles, including this one. Unfortunately, the Welsh are still angry and keep revolting against the invaders. This is their strongest revolt yet.
    The soldier thrusts a crossbow into your hands and tells you to prepare for battle. To your left and right are men armed with bows and arrows, crossbows, or leather pouches filled with stones.

    As the attacking army advances up the hill, the soldier quickly shows you how to use the shape of the wall to your advantage.
    The wall has been built with a series of square holes cut into the top of it called