BOWS AND ARROWS 33 



were laid sufficient palm leaves to make a rain-proof shelter. 

 The front and sides were left completely unprotected, the 

 earth below was covered with more palm leaves, and a small 

 fire was burning on the ground below an upper corner of each 

 roof. 



The only food they appeared to be supplied with was 

 obtained from the large trees beneath which the camp stood — 

 a small round fruit with a green skin, and a pleasantly-flavoured 

 pulpy flesh ; a large quantity of dark - coloured beeswax was 

 lying about, so honey was probably plentiful and easily 

 obtained. 



By signs, we gave the men to understand that we wished 

 to purchase bows and arrows, and while these were being 

 produced from some hiding - place in the jungle, whither the 

 natives requested us not to accompany them, the women and 

 children regaled themselves with a parcel of sugar which had 

 been brought for their special benefit. 



We eagerly bought up all visible belongings that could 

 be carried off. Among these were small pots made from the 

 joints of the giant bamboo, conical baskets of rattan fibre, and 

 large buckets carved from solid wood, any cracks being sewn 

 up with rattan and luted with wax ; all these were furnished 

 with slings for ease in carrying. 



The bows were not of the kind regarded as typical of the 

 Andamanese, but are fashioned in the style to which we are 

 accustomed at home, with this peculiarity — that instead of the 

 rounded side or " belly " being nearest the string, it is away 

 from the archer when the weapon is held ready for use. They 

 are about 5 feet long, and of a material resembling rosewood ; 

 the tips are cut away, so as to leave a shoulder for the string 

 to rest on, and below these points the bow is whipped for an 

 inch with fine cord. The string is of twisted fibre, with a loop 

 at either end, made by taking a half- hitch and then twisting 

 in the loose end for a short distance. 



Arrows have the shaft of bamboo, to which is attached a 

 long point of hard wood, and the joint is whipped. Some 



C 



