FIRST JOURNEY. 



55 



surprise the deer, or rouse the tapir from his marshy 

 retreat, he carries his bow and arrows, which are very 

 different from the weapons already described. 



The bow is generally from six to seven feet long, 



The bow an( ^ S ^ run g W ^ n a COr ^ s P un of the 



used for the silk-grass. The forests of Guiana furnish 



chase. 



many species of hard wood, tough and 

 elastic, out of which beautiful and excellent bows are 

 formed. 



The arrows are from four to five feet in 

 Arrows. length, made of a yellow reed without a 

 knot or joint. It is found in great plenty up and 

 down throughout Guiana. A piece of hard wood, 

 about nine inches long, is inserted into the end of the 

 reed, and fastened with cotton well waxed. A square 

 hole, an inch deep, is then made in the end of this 

 piece of hard wood, done tight round with cotton to 

 keep it from splitting. Into this square hole is fitted 

 a spike of Coucourite wood, poisoned, and which may 

 be kept there or taken out at pleasure. A joint of 

 bamboo, about as thick as your finger, is fitted on 

 over the poisoned spike, to prevent accidents and 

 defend it from the rain, and is taken off when the 

 arrow is about to be used. Lastly, two feathers are 

 fastened on the other end of the reed, to steady it in 

 its flight. 



Besides his bow and arrows, the Indian carries a 

 little box, made of bamboo, which holds a dozen or 

 fifteen poisoned spikes, six inches long. They are 

 poisoned in the following manner : — A small 



Smkes. . . _ 



piece of wood is dipped m the poison, and 

 with this they give the spike a first coat. It is then 

 -exposed to the sun or fire. After it is dry, it receives 



