THE BOW AND ARROW. 283 
The arms of the wild Indians are chiefly 
the bow and arrows, with the use of which 
they become remarkably expert. A dextrous 
Savage will lay a wager, at short shots, against 
many riflemen. Indeed, there is hardly any 
more effective weapon than the bow and ar- 
row in the hands of an expert archer. While 
the musketeer will load and fire ence, the 
bowman will discharge a dozen arrows, and 
that, at distances under fifty yards, with an 
accuracy nearly equal to the rifle. In a charge, 
they are eminently serviceable; for the In- 
dian seems to discharge his arrows with about 
as much certainty when running at full speed 
as when standing. 
The usual length of the Indian bow is 
about three feet, though it is sometimes as 
much as four. It is generally made of elastic 
wood, yet elk’s horn is occasionally used. 
Those of the latter are made of two of the 
longest and straightest shafts, which, being 
shaved down to the necessary proportions, 
are united by lapping their ends together and 
inding them firmly with sinew. Bows have 
also been made, in the same manner, of a pair 
of buffalo ribs; but as well these as those of 
elk-horn, are rather items of curiosity than of 
service : at least, they are not equal to bows 
of the bois-d’arc tree. Even the backs of the 
wooden bows are often lined the whole length 
with a broad strip of sinew, and the whole 
wrapped with shreds of the same. The ar- 
rows are generally about thirty inches long, 
and pointed with iron, though the primitive 
