LODGES AND CANOES. 253 
This elastic back to the wood acts as would an 
india-rubber band; the bow when bent takes an 
arrow about a yard in length, which it propels 
with a force equal, for a short range, to that of 
arifle bullet. When an Indian shoots, five or six 
arrows are held in the left hand, and as the string, 
which is made of tendon, is hauled back, the right 
hand brings with it an arrow; this one fired,. 
another arrow is seized, and as rapidly as one 
could reasonably count, the six arrows held in the 
left hand are discharged. Had I my choice of 
weapons I should much rather encounter a savage 
armed with a trade gun than with a bow and 
arrows. Spare arrows are carried in a quiver 
made from the skin of their medicine animal, 
or ‘’Tamanowash.’ ’ 
Flint heads for the arrows were once exclu- 
sively used, but since the Indians have acquired 
a knowledge of iron they employ it in preference 
to stone. But the trade gun has now in a great 
measure superseded the use of the bow and 
arrows. 
Their lodges and canoes differ very much. 
The coast tribes live generally during winter in 
large sheds made of plank; three or four sheds 
often contain a whole colony, and constitute an 
Indian village. These sheds are before des- 
