Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-24
PLAYING INDIAN.
Archery, Scalp Locks, Bear Dance.

| Copyright. 1904, by Katharine n. Birdsall.)
| Whatever delightful times you have had
| In woodcraft camps during the summer,
| try to have at least taste of them during
| the autumn. When the summer showers
are past and the equinoctial rains are over
we are likely to have a period of October
calms-gentle, hazy days, ending with the
| Indian summer. Don't mind the frosty
nights. An extra blanket keeps you warm,
and the pleasure of the campfire is then
| at it's best.
The renewed popularity of archery as an
outdoor sport must be very welcome to
| woodcrafters. Their practice in the woods
and in camp will give them clear advan-
| tage, and ought to make them champions
| on the shooting ranges wherever they have
| a chance to compete. This awakened in
| terest is at the same time reason why
T., every woodcrafter should do his level best
to master the bow and arrow. 1t is q high
| er accomplishment to shoot well in archery
| than to be able to make high scores with
pistol or rifle. Besides 1t is much finer as
an outdoor exercise, and is one in which
girls as well as boys can join.
Here are the exploits in archery accord
ing to Mr. Seton's standards:
Make 80 score, six times in succession,
with twelve arrows and three-foot target
at forty yards, for coup; ditto, 70 score, for
grand coup.
Shoot so fast as to have six arrows in
the air at once for coup; seven for grand
coup.
Send an arrow $50 yards for coup, 200 for
grand coup.
To hit the burlap deer in the heart at
sixty yards first shot counts a coup; at
seventy five yards counts grand coup.
Every Moderator should own one or
more excellent bows, and a good culver
full Of trustworthy arrows. The skilled
Indian warrior OF hunter not only knew
his bow and trusted It, but he knew his ar
rows one from the other Even Sam and
Yam, you remember, found suitable names
for their arrows, such as Boomerang"
'Farkiller, "Windsplitter,'' "Jabberwock,"
Sure DEATH" Joker
A fellow who is at all handy with tools
aEi can get a block of white pine ash,
twenty-siX inches long and free of knots,
can make arrows as good better than
those he buys, and he will think a great
deal more of them
To answer several inquiries about how to
make bows and arrows the information is
repeated here very briefly.
For arrows drive slended wire nails into
the end of the block, into what will be the
heads OF the arrows Then split the block
into strips three-quarters of an inch thick,
after which plane or white each strip
down to the required size. Finish with
glass and sandpaper. But be sure that the
worthless. Bind the head with fine wire or
with waxed cord to prevent splitting.
Put the three feathers on with glue or
thread, or, better STILL with both A SIM
pie arrow of hickory or ash, with it's end
scorched to harden it, ought to shoot well.
Make your bow Of ash or hickory we'll
seasoned and free from knots. The stick
for bow should also be split out not
sawed thrifty woodcrafter will have
| two or three good pieces of bow timber
constantly in reserve, seasoning some
where along the rafters Of barn or wood
shed or garnet. Get bows ready now for
next summers outing.
The split piece should be one and a half
to two inches square. 1t can be dressed
down to- the proper pliability either be-
fore 1t Is laid away to dry or after. But do
not spoil a good bow by using it before the
wood is well seasoned.
One thing that has not been mentioned in
these articles is the correct position when
shooting. Suppose a line to be drawn from
the target to the point where you stand
Place both heels on this line. In such a
position your left side will be turned to-
ward the target. The bow Is held vertical;
the cord is drawn with three fingers, the
arrow resting between the first finger and
| the second. When the cord is fully drawn
the right thumb is close to the right cheek
Not only should every tribe have a good
three-foot target, but every brave who can
find even short shooting range should
have one. If you can't buy one, make It,
The materials an armful of straw
four-foot circle of strong muslin a piece
of sacking or burlap, long coarse needle
some strong, thin Irvine and a little paint
Plat the straw into a three-ply braid two
inches thick. Coil this up, sewing the
coils securely together as you CO. Cover
the whole coil, both sides with sacking
and then cover one side with the muslin
On this mark off and paint a bulls eye
and four circles. The points that may be