62 
string by means of the thumb and first three fingers, thumb above the 
string and fingers below. This grasping position has a dainty appearance 
and requires more adeptness and strength of fingers than can usually be 
applied by one unfamiliar with the art. The extreme range is possibly 
200 yards; 193 yards was recorded in a competitive test, but the maximum 
range for accurate shooting is little more than half that distance. 
Arrows are made of a particular kind of spruce when obtainable. 
It is clear-grained, whitish, and probably second growth. The arrows 
are 2\ to 3 feet long and are made with the drawknife. A final smoothing 
is obtained by rubbing them between two flat pieces of dry wood. The 
diameter of the arrows is between f and \ inch in the thickest part, and 
they taper to both ends. The thickest part is generally a little closer to 
the front. The arrow is notched for the bow-string and the tips protrude 
a little to facilitate grasping, except in children's arrows, which are not 
constructed carefully in this respect. The notch itself is slightly more 
than string depth. Next to the notch are three lines of cut and split 
feathers, trimmed, and stretching in straight lines from to 3 inches. 
In order to get these of proper stiffness they are taken near the bottom of 
the natural feather. The feather is split in half and the heart or thick 
part is shaven off. The cut and trimmed feathers are tied on at their 
ends with sinew. Eagles’ feathers are preferred, but those of any big birds 
such as hawks or geese are used. 
In recent years nails have been employed for arrow-points, or files cut 
into heart-shaped blades. The nail is put into a bored hole, and the wood 
tapered down and bound with sinew. The heart-shaped head has a 
pointed haft and is attached to the arrow in the same manner. A blunt 
head in the form of a chisel was also used as preferable against certain 
small birds such as ptarmigan and spruce hens. The shocking power 
was an asset, and not so many arrows were lost. In ancient times, it is 
said, a bone point, such as is used in the fish spear, took the place of the 
nail, and the heart and chisel-shaped blades of iron are copies of stone, 
bone, or native copper pieces. The arrows were carried in a skin quiver 
suspended under the left arm. Wentzel says (1890, I, page 90) that the 
Beaver (Slave) bow, which was also made of wdllow, had fixed in the end 
a small, pointed bone furnished with a barb, and also that their arrows 
had flint points. 
A spear was probably also used as a weapon. 
No memory of any armour or shields is to be found among the Satu- 
dene today, nor are they mentioned by Keith at Great Bear lake. Wentzel 
(1890, I, page 92), however, says cf the Beaver (Slave) that “from their 
neck down to their thighs, they wear a mat made of willow switches; it 
covers the whole front and guards against arrows, as it is close matted for 
that purpose. Besides this, they carry a shield on their left arm; this is 
a board 10 inches long.” He also says that they wore “a cap decorated 
with feathers before and behind” and that “sometimes bear claws sewed 
to a piece of leather served the purpose.” It may be interesting to note, 
also, that shields are mentioned as being used by the Chipewyan companions 
of Hearne, and Mason was informed that plates of native copper were 
buckled together and used by the Yellowknives as armour in fights against 
the Eskimo (See Hearne, 1795, page 176, and Mason, MSS.). 
