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PRICE 15 Cts.

ARCHERY RULES

[Illustration: C. F. A. HINRICHS. N.Y.]

C. F. A. HINRICHS,
_No. 29 to 33 Park Place_,
NEW YORK.

Archery.

It is scarcely needful to say anything in praise of Archery. It holds
its place as the first of English sports, and is rapidly becoming
popular in America. It trains the eye, imparts a good and graceful
carriage, expands the chest, and gives plenty of walking exercise
without fatigue; moreover, it is equally adapted for both sexes.

THE EQUIPMENT OF THE ARCHER.

The first thing we have to consider is what constitutes the necessary
outfit for an archer--how it should be chosen, and how taken care of.
Before choosing his outfit, the archer should find a good maker, and
obtain from him a list of prices; having done so, he will be able to
determine what expense he is willing to go to, and then to apply the
following hints in choosing his apparatus. Let us, however, entreat
him not to sacrifice all his hopes of future success to a desire to
get cheap things; let him rely upon it that things obtained at a fair
cost from a good maker are twice as cheap as those whose only
recommendation is their low price.

The following list will show _about_ what is a fair price, and may be
a guide to our readers in future selections.

EQUIPMENTS FOR LADIES.

    Fine Backed Bows, 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 ft.,    $4.50 to 6.00 each.

    Lemon Wood Bows, 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 ft.,     $4.00 to $5.00 each.

    Lance Wood Bows, 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 ft.
    (to weight),                             $2.75 to $4.00 each.

    Lance Wood Bows 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 ft.
    (ordinary),                              75c. to $2.25 each.

    Practising Arrows, 25 inch,              $1.50 to $3.50 per doz.

    Finest French Arrows, 25 inch, (we can
    highly recommend this kind),             $3.50 to $5.00 per doz.

    Old Deal Arrows, 25 inch,                $5.50 to $7.00 per doz.

    Best Footed Arrows, 25 inch,             $8.50 to $11.00 per doz.

    Best Flemish Bow-Strings,                25c. to 50c. each.

    Quivers,                                 $1.50 to $2.75 each.

    Arm Guards,                              $1.25 to $2.00 each.

    Shooting Glove,                          63c. to $1.50 each.

    Tips for Bows,                           50c. per pair.

    Tassel                                   50c. to 75c. each.

    Targets,                                 $1.00 to $7.00 each.

    Target Stands,                           $2.50 to $5.00 each.

    Bow Covers (green baize),                75c. each.

    Scoring Cards and Tablets, Ivory and
    Ebony Prickers, &c.,                     25c. to $2.00 each.

EQUIPMENTS FOR GENTLEMEN.

    Fine Backed Bows, 6 ft.,                 $9.00 to 12.00 each.

    Lemon Wood Bows, 6 ft.,                  $5.00 to $6.00 each.

    Lance Wood Bows, 6 ft. (to weight),      $4.00 to $5.00 each.

    Lance Wood Bows, 6 ft. (ordinary),       $1.50 to $2.50 each.

    Practising Arrows, 28 inch,              $2.00 to $4.00 per doz.

    Finest French Arrows, 28 inch, (we can
    highly recommend this kind),             $5.00 to $6.00 per doz.

    Old Deal Arrows, 28 inch,                $6.00 to $7.50 per doz.

    Best Footed Arrows, 28 inch,             $9.00 to $12.00 per doz.

    Best Flemish Bow-Strings,                25c. to 50c. each.

    Quivers,                                 $2.50 to $3.50 each.

    Arm Guards,                              $1.00 to $2.00 each.

    Shooting Glove,                          75c. to $2.00 each.

    Tips for Bows,                           75c. per pair.

    Tassel,                                  50c. to 75c. each.

    Targets,                                 $1.00 to $7.00 each.

    Target Stands,                           $2.50 to $5.00 each.

    Bow Covers (green baize),                75c. each.

    Scoring Cards and Tablets, Ivory and
    Ebony Prickers, &c., from                25c. to $2.00 each.

NOTE.--Backed Bows are far superior to the Self ones as regards
elasticity and durability.

THE BOW.

Bows are of two kinds. The _self_ bow consists either of one piece of
wood or of two dovetailed together at the handle, in which latter case
it is called a _grafted_ bow; by far the best material for a self bow
is yew, although a variety of other woods, such as lemonwood, lancewood,
&c., are used. As it is but very rarely that we are able to obtain a
piece of yew long enough for a bow of equal quality throughout, the
grafted bow was invented, in order that the two limbs, being formed by
splitting one piece of wood into two strips, may be of exactly the
same nature.

[Illustration: Fig. 1.]

The _backed_ bow consists of two or more strips of wood glued together
longitudinally and compressed so as to ensure perfect union. The
strips may be of the same or of different woods--for instance, of yew
backed with yew, yew with hickory, lancewood, &c.; but of all backed
bows snakewood backed with hickory is far the best. It has been a
great subject of controversy whether the self or the backed bow be the
best for shooting purposes; we most unhesitatingly decide in favor of
the backed.

HOW TO CHOOSE IT.

In purchasing a bow, it is always better to go to a good maker; the
inferior makers, although they may sell their goods a trifle cheaper,
are still not to be depended upon, and as a good deal concerning a
bow has to be taken upon trust--_e.g._, whether the wood is properly
seasoned, horns firmly fastened, &c.--a maker who has a reputation to
lose always proves the cheapest in the end. Having selected a maker
and determined on the price you are willing to give, you will proceed
to see that the bow tapers gradually from the handle to horns; that
the wood is of straight, even grain, running longitudinally and free
from knots and pins, or that, if there are any pins, they are rendered
innocuous by having the wood left raised around them. The bow should
be quite straight, or even follow the string (bend in the direction it
will take when strung) a little. Beware of a bow which bends away from
the string; it will jar your arms out of their sockets, and should the
string break, there will be an end of it. See that both limbs are of
equal strength, in which case they will describe equal curves. The
handle should not be quite in the middle of the bow, but the upper
edge of it should be about an inch above the centre. See that there
are no sharp edges to the nocks on the horns of the bow, for if they
are not properly rounded off they will be continually cutting your
string. Lastly, make sure that your bow is not beyond your
strength--in other words, that you are not overbowed. It is a very
common thing for persons to choose very strong bows under the idea
that it gives them the appearance of being perfect Samsons; but their
ungainly struggles to bend their weapon, and the utterly futile
results of their endeavors, are, we think, anything but dignified.
The weight of the bow should be such that it can be bent without
straining, and held steadily during the time of taking aim. The
strength of bows is calculated by their _weight_, which is stamped in
pounds upon them, and which denotes the power which it takes to bend
the bow until the centre of the string is a certain distance
(twenty-eight inches for a gentleman's, twenty-five inches for a
lady's bow) from the handle. It is ascertained by suspending the bow
by the handle from a steelyard whilst the string is drawn the required
distance. Gentlemen's bows generally range from 48 lbs. to 56 lbs.,
and ladies' from 20 lbs. to 32 lbs.

HOW TO PRESERVE IT.

Many things will spoil a bow which a little care and attention would
prevent. Amongst the most fatal enemies to the bow are chrysals (see
Glossary), which, unless noticed in time, will surely end in a
fracture. A chrysal should at once be tightly lapped with fine string
saturated with glue; this, if neatly done and then varnished, will
interfere but little with the appearance of the bow. Care should be
taken not to scratch or bruise the bow. When shooting in damp weather,
the bow, especially if a backed one, should be kept well wiped, and
perfectly dried with a waxed cloth before putting away. A backed bow
is always the better for a little lapping round each end just by the
horn, which prevents the bow from breaking if by any chance the glue
is softened by damp. A bow should always be kept as dry as possible;
when going to shoot at a distance, a waterproof cover is advisable. Do
not unstring the bow too often while shooting; once in every six
double ends is quite enough, unless there are many shooters.

[Illustration: Fig. 2.]

THE ARROW.

Arrows are distinguished by weight in the same manner as bows, only in
the former it is calculated as weighed against silver money, and
arrows are known as of so many shillings weight, &c. The lengths and
weights recommended by the best authorities are as follows:

                                       _Length._     _Weight._

    For ladies.                          25 in.    2s. 3d.  3s. 3d.

                  { Bows of 50 lbs.    }
                  { and upwards, and   } 28 in.    4   6 to 5   6
                  { 6 feet long.       }
    For gentlemen.{                    }
                  { Bows under 50 lbs. }
                  { and not exceeding  } 28 in.    3   6 to 4   6
                  { 5 ft. 10 in. long. }

There are two kinds of arrows--_self_, made of one piece of wood, and
_footed_, having a piece of hard wood at the pile end. The latter are
the best for several reasons, one being that they are not so likely to
break if they strike anything hard. The best material for arrows is
red deal footed with lancewood.

HOW TO CHOOSE IT.

The first thing to ascertain is whether it is quite straight, which is
done by bringing the tips of the thumb and two first fingers of the
left hand together and laying the arrow thereon, while it is turned
round by the right hand. If it goes smoothly, it is straight; but if
it jerks at all it is crooked. Then make sure that it is stiff enough
to stand the force of the bow without bending, as, if too weak, it
will never fly straight. The pile or point should be what is called
the square-shouldered pile; some prefer the sharp pile, but the other
answers best for all purposes. The nock should be full and the notch
pretty deep; a piece of horn should be let in at the notch to prevent
the string splitting the arrow. The feathers should be full-sized,
evenly and well cut, and inserted at equal distances from each other,
as shown in the plate. It has been much disputed whether the
Bobtailed, the Chested, the Barrelled, or the Straight arrow is the
best to shoot with (see Glossary). Horace Ford, the champion shot,
decides in favor of the straight arrow, and our readers cannot do
better than take his advice. The arrow should be carefully wiped each
time it is picked up, and this not only to preserve it, but also
because the least particle of dirt clinging to the pile will
effectually spoil the flight of the arrow. Every care should be taken
to keep the feathers smooth and stiff; if attention be not paid to
this point everything else will be in vain. Should they by chance
become ruffled, a little warming in front of a fire (not too close)
will generally restore them.

THE BOW-STRING.

The best bow-strings are of foreign manufacture, and are generally
sold complete; but in case any of our readers wish to fit their own,
we will say a few words about them. The string should be not too thin,
or it will not last long; in the selection of it, it is best to be
guided by the size of the notch of your arrows. At one end of it a
strong loop should be worked to go over the upper horn, the other end
should be left free in order to be fixed on to the lower horn. When
the lower end is fastened, the distance between it and the loop at the
other end should be such, that when the loop is in its place (_i.e._,
the bow strung) the string is, in a gentleman's bow, six inches, in a
lady's, five inches, from the centre of the bow. Never trust a worn
string; take it off and put on a new one--should it break, it will
most probably snap your bow.

THE BELT AND POUCH.

This is used for carrying the supply of arrows required in a match
(three for use and one spare one), as also for hanging the tassel,
&c., to. We would, however, recommend our gentlemen friends to do
without it--it is always in the way, and the arrow can be carried far
better in a pocket made diagonally in the right rear of the coat, so
as to come conveniently to the hand, and yet be far enough back to
escape the risk of the feathers being spoilt by the elbow rubbing
against them. In our cut we have depicted a lady's belt.

GREASE-BOX.

This is a little box, generally made of ivory, of such a shape as to
hang from the belt. It is used for the purpose of holding the grease,
which some archers use to anoint the string and their shooting-glove
with, so as to get a better loose. The advantage of it is a matter of
opinion, and so it may remain; if used too freely, however, it causes
the bow-string to unravel.

TASSEL.

This is merely a large tassel of green worsted, and is used for wiping
the arrows when they have stuck in the ground. If a belt is not used,
it should be hung from a button-hole of the coat; it is an absolutely
necessary part of the archer's outfit,

ARM GUARD.

[Illustration: Fig. 5.]

This is a guard for the left arm, to prevent its being abraded by the
string when loosed; it also has another object, viz., to confine the
sleeve and keep it out of the way. It consists of an oblong piece of
smooth leather, and is fastened to the arm by straps. In fitting it
on, care should be taken that the ends of the straps are not left
loose, and that the buckles come well round to the back of the arm, so
as not to be in the way of the string; for if there be the least
projection on which it can catch, your best aim will be of no effect.

THE SHOOTING-GLOVE.

Is used to protect the fingers of the right hand from abrasion by the
string when loosing, and consists of three finger-guards, attached by
strips of leather, passing down the back of the hand to a strap
fastening round the wrist. This form of glove has, however, rather
gone out of use of late years, most archers preferring independent
guards, called tips, for each finger, generally fastening by means of
an India-rubber ring round the finger, about the best of this kind
being those invented by Mr. Buchanan, of Piccadilly. In the matter of
the shooting-glove, however, it is best to leave the archer to choose
for himself, merely cautioning him to make sure that, whether gloves
or tips, they fit him well, or he will never be able to make a good
loose. The cut represents a glove.

SCORING-CARDS.

These are made of various shapes and sizes, to accommodate a single
archer or to serve for a match. About the best for private use
consists of a circular piece of cardboard colored like a target,
divided into three segments for three distances, and having the other
side printed to receive the score when reckoned. These are carried in
little ivory frames for the purpose, the whole being about the size of
a watch. A small ivory pricker for marking is carried with it.
Perhaps, however, for ordinary practice, nothing is better than a
common metallic memorandum-book, ruled for the day of the month, and
vertically for the rings.

THE QUIVER.

[Illustration: Fig. 4.]

The quiver is a tin case somewhat in the shape of the quiver usually
represented as forming part of the equipment of Robin Hood and his
band; it is not now, however, used as part of the personal equipment
of the archer, but is employed simply for the purpose of protecting
the spare arrows. It is made of all sizes, to hold from six to three
dozen arrows, and is provided with a cover and lock to make all
secure. The best receptacle for arrows, however, is the box which is
now almost universally used; in it each arrow has a place to itself,
and by this means overcrowding is prevented and the feathers preserved
unrumpled.

TARGETS.

[Illustration: Fig. 6.]

A target is made of straw, bound with string into an even rope, which
is twisted upon itself until it forms a flat disc, and then covered on
one side with canvas painted in five concentric rings, viz. gold or
centre red, blue or inner white, black, and white. These rings should
be all of exactly the same width, the target itself being one to four
feet in diameter. In scoring, the following value is given to the
rings;

    Gold          9
    Red           7
    Blue          5
    Black         3
    White         1

When an arrow strikes on the edge of two rings, the higher is counted,
unless it is otherwise agreed upon. It is necessary to have two
targets, one at each extremity of the distance fixed upon--as it is
not usual to shoot more than _three_ arrows at each "end," as it is
called--walking over between each three to reclaim your arrows, and
then shooting them at the back target you have just left. By this
means a different set of muscles are called into play, those used in
shooting are relaxed, and, in addition, a great deal is added to the
exercise which renders archery so healthy a pastime; for example, in
shooting the national round, the archer walks 3,920 yards, or nearly
two miles and a quarter, between the ends. The stands for the targets
are usually made of iron and wood, and somewhat resemble in shape an
artist's easel. The legs should be padded or wrapped round with straw,
otherwise arrows striking them will be apt to break. There has been,
however, invented an iron stand for targets, so constructed that the
legs present a very thin edge to the shooter, thus reducing the chance
of their being struck by an arrow to the minimum. In some places butts
are erected, instead of stands, for the targets: they are built of
sods piled together, the Target being hung to a peg in the front of
them. The target used differs from the ordinary one, and consists of a
circular piece of white pasteboard, the size differing according to
the length of range: _e.g._, at thirty yards it is four inches: sixty
yards, eight inches; ninety yards, twelve inches in diameter, and so
on, according to distance. Butts certainly abolish the trouble of
stooping, as they catch all the arrows (except the very wide or high
ones) which miss the target. The chief disadvantage of them is that
after shooting at a butt it takes some time to get used to the target
on a stand, so that it spoils an archer for matches, etc. Another
advantage of butts is this, that as the targets are merely made of
cardboard, they can be easily manufactured at home. In all cases,
whether butts or stands are employed, the centre of the gold should be
four feet from the ground.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE FIELD.

Having procured his outfit, the archer will doubtless be anxious to
make a trial of it in the field, and we will now endeavor to give him
the clearest instructions for the management of his weapon, by
attention to which, and constant practice, we hope he will succeed to
his utmost satisfaction. It will be useless for him to overburden
himself with accessories more than are absolutely necessary--they will
only be in the way; an archer who wishes to shoot well will find that
the less he has about him the better. Besides his bow, he will take
four arrows (three for use and one spare one in case of accident),
which he will put into his pouch or pocket, arm-guard, glove or tips,
tassel, and scoring-card. A spare string also it will be prudent to
have in the pocket. Anything more than these is unnecessary in the
field.

STRINGING THE BOW.--In stringing the bow it is held by the handle in
the right hand (flat part towards the body) with the lower horn
resting on the ground against the hollow of the right foot. The left
hand is then placed upon the upper part of the bow in such a manner
that the base of the thumb rests upon the flat side of it, the thumb
pointing upwards. The bow is then bent by the combined action of the
two hands, the right pulling, the left pressing it; at the same time
the loop of the string is slipped into its place by the left thumb
and forefinger. However, actual experiment under the guidance of a
proficient will teach them sooner and better than we can possibly hope
to do by mere precept. When the bow is braced, the string should be
exactly six inches from the centre of the bow in a gentleman's, and
five inches and a half in a lady's bow. Care must be taken that the
string lies evenly along the exact centre of the bow, that it is not
turned on one side at either horn. If this be the case, it will, by
pulling the bow unevenly, in all probability break it.

POSITION.--It is difficult to determine exactly what is the _best_
position for the archer. Every one naturally subsides into that which
is most easy to him; still there are certain fundamental rules, which
are given in almost every book on archery, by attention to which in
the first place the shooter ultimately falls into the best position
for himself. The left foot should point rather to the right of the
mark, the right foot being nearly at right angles to it, the heels six
or eight inches apart, in a straight line from target to target, both
feet flat on the ground, knees straight, body erect but not too stiff,
face turned towards the mark. The body must be carried as easily as
possible on the hips, not too stiffly upright nor yet bending forward.
Nothing looks worse than a stiff, constrained attitude, except a
loose, slouching one. Our cut on back of last cover represents an
archer taking aim.

NOCKING.--Having mastered the position, the next thing to be looked to
is the _nocking_. "The bow being held by the handle in the left hand,
let the arrow be placed with the right (_over_ the string, not _under_)
on that part of the bow upon which it is to lie; the thumb of the left
hand being then gently placed over it, will serve to hold it perfectly
under command, and the forefinger and thumb of the right hand can then
take hold of the nock end of the arrow and manipulate it with the most
perfect ease in any manner that may be required." When the arrow is
nocked it should be at right angles with the string. Some archers are
accustomed to try to alter the range of the arrow by heightening or
lowering the nocking point, but this is a great mistake.

DRAWING.--Having nocked the arrow according to the foregoing
direction, the next thing to proceed with is the drawing, which is
managed as follows: Extend the left arm downwards until it is
perfectly straight, the hand grasping the handle of the bow, the arrow
being held by the nocking end by the two first fingers of the right
hand passed over the string and on each side of the arrow, as in the
cut, care being taken not to pass the fingers too far over the string,
or the sharpness of the loose will be interfered with. This done,
the left arm should be smoothly raised, _still extended_, until at
right angles, or nearly so, with the body, the string being drawn at
the same time with the right hand until the arrow is drawn about
three-fourths of its length, when the right wrist and elbow should be
at about the level of the shoulder. Having got it thus far a slight
pause maybe made before drawing the arrow to its full length (although
we think it better to make it all one motion), which done, the archer
must take his aim before loosing. By the old fashion of drawing the
bow to the ear, aiming was rendered impossible; in fact, there seemed
to be a sort of idea that no aim whatever was required for archery.
This, however, is far from being the case; it is most essential to
take an aim, aye, and a good one too, if you wish to meet with
success. By drawing the arrow below the level of the eye, the archer
is enabled to look along it as he would along the barrel of a rifle.
As regards the direction, the archer will find that it is but seldom
he will be able to aim directly at the gold. He will almost always
have to aim to one side or the other, to make, allowance for wind, &c.
This cannot be taught. The archer will soon learn by experience
whereabouts on the target his proper point of sight lies, and will aim
accordingly. He will also learn the degree of elevation required by
his bow at the various distances, which elevation he will always give
by raising or lowering his _left_ hand, and in no other way, if he
values success.

_Remember!_ the arrow must always be drawn to exactly the same spot.
If possible, let the spot where the pile and steel join just reach the
how.

LOOSING.--Having drawn the arrow to its full extent, the next
thing is to loose it properly, and this, although apparently a very
simple thing, is by no means so easy as it looks. The great object to
be attained in loosing is to remove the obstruction of the fingers
from the string suddenly, and yet in such a manner that no jerk is
given to the string (which would be fatal to the aim), and that the
fingers do not at all _follow_ the string, which would weaken the
force of the shot. The string should lie across the fingers at an
equal distance from the tip of each--not too near the joint nor too
near the tip; about midway between the tip and joint of the first
finger, and on the others in proportion, will be found about the most
convenient position for a good loose. The fingers must all be
withdrawn at once, for should one be an instant behind the others, it
would be fatal to the aim.

It must be understood that, although we have described separately the
actions of drawing, aiming, and loosing, no perceptible pause should
be made between them: they should all appear to form part of the same
movement; for, as Ascham says, "Holding must not be long, for it puts
a bow in danger of breaking, and also spoils the shot; it must occupy
so little time that it may be better perceived in the mind when it is
done than seen with the eye when doing."

We have now concluded this portion of our subject, and hope that we
have succeeded in making ourselves sufficiently intelligible to be of
service to our readers. Let them always recollect that "practice makes
perfect," and that we cannot make them good archers without great
exertion on their part, although we hope we have succeeded in making
plain to them those first principles, without which all efforts would
he but labor in vain.

CLOUT SHOOTING.

This kind of sport is so called from the mark being a clout, or small
white pasteboard target, about twelve inches in diameter. This is
placed into a cleft stick, and then fixed in the ground in such a
manner that the lower edge of the target touches the ground. The
distances in this kind of shooting are generally 180 and 200 yards,
and those shots alone count which hit the clout; or in default of any
in the clout, the nearest arrow to it will count; so that, supposing
you got thirty-six arrows within a foot of the clout and your
adversary managed to get one in, even though his others may not have
been anywhere near, he will nevertheless be the victor.

ROVING.

In this kind of shooting there is no fixed mark, anything being aimed
at, such as trees, gate-posts, etc. The winner at one mark chooses the
next, and so on. The distances are usually from 100 to 200 yards, and
no shots count which are not within five bows' lengths of the mark.

This kind of shooting is only useful as a lesson in judging distance,
and was very necessary when the bow was used in warfare, but has never
been much in repute since archery has been merely practiced as a
pastime. It is rather an expensive amusement, as the arrows are so
liable to be broken or lost.

FLIGHT SHOOTING.

This is merely practised as a trial of distance, the winner being he
who shoots farthest. Mr. Ford states that the farthest he has shot is
308 yards with a 68 lb. bow. Mr. Froward is reported in 1801 to have
easily reached 340 yards with a self yew bow of 63 lb.

DRESS.

The dress of the archer varies in different clubs, but the quieter it
is the better. For gentlemen nothing is better than a green cloth
coat, with gilt buttons having the club device upon them, and a
_cap_ of the same colored cloth, with a covered peak. For ladies,
a green jacket over a white skirt, with hat (with narrow brim) and
green and white feather; or the following is a very pretty style for a
lady's archery costume: a white clear muslin skirt with a deep hem,
worn over either a white silk or cambric muslin slip; Russian bodice
of white alpaca, trimmed with black lace insertion or braided with
black; sleeves tight to the wrist, as that prevents any awkward
catching by the string; a pointed black velvet band and sash, trimmed
with black lace. Over the left shoulder, and fastened with a knot
under the right arm at the level of the waist, a broad green sash,
made of silk hemmed at the ends. This sash is gathered into folds and
fastened on the left shoulder by a brooch of gold or silver, according
to the taste of the wearer, bearing the badge of the club. Hat of
white straw, bound with black velvet and trimmed with green and white
feathers. This is a very pretty costume, and is worn, with
modifications, by a great many societies.

We hope that the foregoing hints may prove of service to our readers.
If, in any part, we have not succeeded in making ourselves as
intelligible as we wish, we must plead in extenuation the difficulty
of explaining by mere precept that which is not easily learned even by
example.

Glossary of Terms Employed in Archery.

    _Ascham_                  A cupboard especially constructed to
                              hold bow and arrow.

    _Back_                    The flat side of the bow.

    _Backed Bow_              One made of two or more strips of
                              wood glued together longitudinally.

    _Barrelled Arrow_         One made largest in the centre.

    _Belly_                   The round side of the bow.

    _Bobtailed Arrow_         One made larger at the point than
                              at the feather.

    _Bracing_                 The act of stringing the bow.

    _Chested Arrow_           One made larger at the feather than
                              at the point.

    _Chrysal_                 A small crack, which, gradually
                              enlarging, ultimately breaks the bow.

    _End_                     Each discharge of three arrows is
                              termed an "end," as three is the
                              number to be shot from each end of
                              the range in turn.

    _Grafted Bow_             One made of two pieces of wood
                              joined at the handle.

    _Handle_                  The wrapping of plush by which
                              the bow is held.

    _Horn_                    The tip of each end of the bow.

    _Limbs_                   The parts of the bow above and below
                              the handle.

    _Nock_                    The groove in the horn of the bow
                              into which the string fits; also,
                              the notch in the arrow for the
                              reception of the string.

    _Nocking Point_           The point in the bow-string which,
                              when the bow is strung, is opposite
                              the top of the handle.

    _Pile_                    The point of the arrow.

    _Self Bow_                One made of a single piece of wood,
                              or grafted.

    _Stele_                   The shaft of the arrow.

    _Straight Arrow_          One of even thickness throughout.

_I keep constantly on hand and for sale Implements for all In and
Outdoor Games._

    Archery.
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    Jacks alive.
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    Mechanics.
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    Phonographs.
    Postage Stamps.
    Playing Cards.
    Printing.
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    Photography.
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    Ring on a nail.
    Roulettes.
    Riding.
    Ringolette.
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    Steeple chase.
    Swimming.
    Squails.
    Shuffleboard.
    Shooting.
    Surveying.
    Solitaire.
    Skittles.
    Steamtoys.
    Sun dials.
    Sketching.
    Scottish Games.
    Skating.
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    Ten pins.
    Treize.
    Traps.
    Turning.
    Tools.
    Theatrical.
    Trap, Bat and Ball.
    Wood Rings.
    Wax flowers.
    &c., &c. all other games.

PRICES ON APPLICATION.

Transcriber's Note: Minor typographical errors have been corrected
without note. Irregularities and inconsistencies in the text have
been retained as printed.

Words printed in italics are marked with underlines: _italics_.


fine one; but they kept at such a distance that their shots did
little damage.  In some way, one got through the entrenchments, as
they might be called, and slightly wounded a horse in the shoulder.
He made more fuss than if it had gone through his head, rearing,
snorting, and plunging, and throwing the rest into a panic, which
would have ended in a stampede, had they not been guarded with
unusual care.

The teamsters did not accept these unwelcome attentions meekly, but
fired at their circling assailants; the cause named, however,
prevented much success.  It looked as if one or two of the shots
inflicted damage, but not to the extent of disabling any pony or his
rider.

Standing at the rear of one of the waggons, where he could see
everything that was going on, Captain Wadsworth watched the exciting
incidents.  At his elbow was Brinton Kingsland, who did not think it
worth while to try his hand with his Winchester, though the others
were continually cracking around him.

"What is to be feared," said the captain, "is that the hostiles will
soon increase to such an extent that they will overwhelm us."

"How many do you think are out there now?" inquired Brinton.

"I should say between twenty and thirty--that is, there were a few
minutes ago, but there are five or six less now."

"What is the meaning of that?"

The leader turned his bronzed face toward the youth and smiled
significantly.

"Don't you catch on?  They have sent after reinforcements: a slight
number now means a big number pretty soon."

"Have you noticed those bucks on the top of the ridge yonder?"

Captain Wadsworth looked in the direction named.  Three Indians had
dismounted, and were standing close together, or rather two of them
were, while the third seemed to be stooping and busy with something
on the ground.

"How long have they been there?" asked the leader.

"They rode up the slope within the last five minutes.  They were off
their ponies before they stopped.  I can't guess what they are doing."

"I don't know; but we shall soon learn."

Although the cracking of rifles continued, and the teamsters,
kneeling behind the fortifications, were doing their utmost to pick
off some of the dusky riders, who in turn sent in their dropping
shots, Captain Wadsworth gave them little heed.  The position of
himself and Brinton was exposed, and, had their assailants come
closer, they would not have dared to maintain it; but with the
combatants so widely separated, it cannot be said they were in much
real danger.

The three Indians in whom our friends were so much interested just
then were beyond and apart from the others.  Their horses were
cropping the few blades of withered grass that had survived the
winter's tempests; but not one was a dozen yards from his master, all
of whom were so grouped together that their movements could not be
identified.

Rather curiously there was not a spy-glass among the teamsters.  Such
an article would have been valuable just then; but they had to depend
upon their unaided vision.

The captain and Brinton, however, agreed that two of the bucks were
bent over and busy with something on the ground, while the third,
standing on the crest of the ridge, appeared to be awaiting the
action of his companions before carrying out some plan he had in mind.

"Look!" whispered the youth; "isn't that smoke?"

The captain was silent a moment before answering--

"Yes; the Indian is like the Chinaman: he can start a fire where you
and I couldn't kindle a spark.  I believe they will make a bundle of
water-soaked leaves crackle and burn like tinder wood.  Those fellows
have got some of the dried grass together and have managed to touch
it off.  You understand what _that_ means, of course?"

"I cannot say that I do."

"It is a signal fire."

"Kindled for what purpose?"

"To call all the other hostiles in sight here, to take a hand in the
fun of massacring us and plundering our train.  Such a signal can be
seen a long way and will do all that is intended.  Look at it now!"

From between the two, who now rose from their stooping posture, a
thin finger of vapour arose, going straight upward as if it were a
shadowy arrow aimed at the clouds.

"One of the bucks is waving his blanket," observed Brinton; "he must
mean something by that.  I suppose he is fanning the blaze to keep it
from going out."

"No; look at that thin line of smoke; don't you see something
peculiar?"

"Ah!  I notice it now."

The vapour showed a striking change of appearance; instead of
climbing in a straight line, it now waved gracefully from side to
side.  It was something which never can occur unless with the help of
some person.

"That is the signal," said Captain Wadsworth; "it can be seen for
miles in all directions, and every Indian eye that catches sight of
it will read its meaning as plainly as our soldiers do the
looking-glass signals.  It's a bad thing for us."

The captain was an old campaigner, and knew what he was talking
about; his impressive manner was not lost upon Brinton Kingsland.

"How far are we from Wounded Knee?" he asked.

"Anywhere from a dozen to twenty miles; it depends on the course we
take--that is," he added, with a shake of his head, "whether we ever
take any course at all."

"I cannot recall just what Jackson said about an escort from that
camp, but I think he told me such an escort had been sent."

The captain shook his head.

"You must be mistaken; for, if that were the case, why did he ride
out here alone?  Was it not more likely that he came to learn whether
we needed protection? and if that is so, they will wait for his
return and report before sending out the escort which is the only
thing that can save us."

This view was so reasonable that Brinton could not combat it.

"I see one chance," ventured the youth, after a moment's silence,
during which he watched the actions of the signal corps on the ridge.

The officer turned wonderingly toward him.

"I shall be glad to hear what it is."

"If a messenger can get through to Wounded Knee with word of your
extremity, they will send you help without delay."

"True; but how can such a thing succeed?  If it were night it might
be done; but in what possible way can a horseman dash through the
lines when the bucks would see him start, and they have us
surrounded?"

"It will be taking big risks, but I would like to try it."

Captain Wadsworth, who had been leaning against the hind wheel of one
of the waggons, with his arms folded, abruptly straightened up and
stared at the youth, as if uncertain whether he had heard him aright;
then he repeated--

"_You_ would like to try it, did you say?"

"Yes, sir; and I believe I can get through."

The officer looked off toward the ridge and shook his head.

"Don't think of such a thing; we must stay here and fight it out, and
trust to Providence to open the way, if any is to be opened."

But Brinton was in earnest, and his eagerness was increased by the
discouraging manner of the captain.

"I understand your feelings, and I am not blind to what is in the
path of the one who attempts to do what I have proposed; but,
captain, bear two things in mind: there isn't a fleeter horse in the
whole West than my Jack.  When I gave him rein he pulled away from
those Indians as though their animals were walking.  So all I have to
secure is a fair start."

"Exactly," replied the leader with a grim smile, "and therein you sum
up the whole business.  All that you need to succeed is to succeed.
But what is the other point you wish me to hold in mind?"

"The fair start can be secured."

"How?"

"Pretend to ride out against the hostiles.  They will gather in front
of the threatened point; I will be on the watch, and, when the way
opens, will scoot for Wounded Knee."

Brinton saw that Captain Wadsworth was interested.  Once more he came
to the erect position, and looking kindly in his face, said--

"Your plan has something in it."

The heart of the youth leaped with hope.

"I am sure of it; but there's not a minute to lose."

This was self-evident, and the captain, having made up his mind,
passed among his men and hurriedly explained what he had decided to
do.  It was for eight or ten of them to mount their horses and move
cautiously toward the ridge, as if with the intention of attacking
the little signal party there and stamping out their tiny fire.  This
would cause a concentration (or, more properly, it was hoped that it
would) of the hostiles on that side of the camp, of which Brinton
Kingsland would take advantage by dashing out on the other side and
riding at full speed to Wounded Knee.

It was the only thing that offered hope, and, therefore, was eagerly
accepted by all.  The firing was so scattered that no fear was felt
in moving about within the circle of waggons, for, as we have shown,
Captain Wadsworth and Brinton had been exposed all the time without
harm.  The Sioux kept so far away that it was evident they were
waiting for the arrival of reinforcements before making a real attack.

The preparations on the part of the teamsters had hardly begun when
Brinton, who had led his pony forth and stood ready to leap into the
saddle, called out--

"You needn't do it!  Here's my chance!"

The majority of the Indians were near the ridge at that moment, but
some of them were quite a distance off, and, in fact, alarmingly
close to the opposite side of the camp.  The impatient youth was
confident that he could dash through the opening before they could
stop him.

"It won't do!" protested Captain Wadsworth; "don't try it! wait till
we get them nearer the ridge they will cut you off----"

"I'm off!  Good-bye!"

Brinton Kingsland was in the saddle, and shot out from among the
waggons like a thunderbolt.

CHAPTER XII.

WHAT HAPPENED TO WOLF EAR.

Good fortune attended the daring attempt of Brinton Kingsland.  By a
providential occurrence, most of the hostiles were on the side of the
supply camp, in the direction of the ridge from whose crest the
signal smoke was ascending, when the youth, dexterously guiding his
pony through the waggons that surrounded him, quickly cleared himself
of all obstacles.

"Now, Jack, old boy, do your best!  Never was there greater need of
it."

The intelligent creature thrust his nose forward, and was off like a
shot.  He knew what was wanted, and nobly responded to the call upon
his fleetness.  The teamsters forgot all about the Indians, and fixed
their gaze upon the youth.

He was fully a hundred yards from camp before the Sioux comprehended
what was done.  Then, when they saw the messenger dashing over the
plain, fully a dozen of the best mounted were after him in a flash,
discharging several of their guns at the moment of starting.

Brinton was seen to thunder up the incline of the first swell,
sitting firmly in his saddle, and instantly disappeared over the
crest.  A minute later, the foremost two of the pursuers skimmed up
the same incline, just as the lad shot into sight on the summit of
the next elevation, instantly whisking out of view over that, while
his superb horse continued his arrowy flight toward Wounded Knee.
Then the excited and hopeful teamsters could see no more, and all but
the foremost two of the pursuers gave up the chase and came
straggling back to join their comrades in the attack on the camp.
They knew that the result of that flight of the messenger would be to
bring help, and, if anything was to be accomplished, it must be
before it could arrive.

And so the attack on the camp was begun at once, and with a
fierceness that speedily brought a crisis.

Meanwhile, Brinton Kingsland was going with undiminished speed over
the prairie, skimming up the inclines and down the slopes at a
break-neck pace, with every nerve of his splendid steed strained to
the highest.  The rider heard the dull report of the rifles that were
fired at him, but the distance was too great to cause alarm, and he
did not even hear the singing of the bullets, so wide went they of
the mark; but the glance cast over his shoulder showed that he had
only two pursuers to fear.

It was easy to compare their speed with his, and less than a
half-mile was passed, when all doubt vanished.  They had been thrown
a hundred paces to the rear and were losing ground every minute.

At the instant of shooting up one of the slopes and disappearing over
the crest, Brinton snatched off his cap and swung it over his head,
with a joyous shout.

"Hurrah, Jack! they're not in it with you; you can take it more
easily now."

Nevertheless, the speed of the pony was maintained for a brief while,
until it became certain that his two pursuers had given up the
attempt to overtake him, and had gone to wreak their fury on the
imperilled teamsters before help could reach them.  Then Brinton made
Jack drop to a pace which he could continue for hours without
fatigue.  The youth knew the course to follow to reach the camp at
Wounded Knee Creek, and he calculated that he could readily cover the
ground in the course of an hour or so.

He was too sensible, however, to imagine that an open and
uninterrupted course lay before him.  At that time, as the reader
well knows, the country in the neighbourhood of the Bad Lands, the
reservations and the space between, was overrun with hostiles, as
eager as so many jungle tigers to slay settlers, small squads of
soldiers, and all white people whom it was safe to attack.  He was
liable to encounter some of these bands at any moment, and only by
continual vigilance could he avoid running into the cunningly laid
traps which proved fatal to scores of others.

Now that the burst of excitement was over, and he was riding at a
less killing pace, his thoughts went back to the loved ones from whom
he had been so strangely separated.  His heart became as lead as he
reflected that they could hardly have escaped, considering the
condition of his father, from the environing perils which covered
miles of territory in every direction.

"If I only knew where they were, if alive, I would guide this escort
from Wounded Knee to their help----"

What was that?  Surely he heard the report of guns from some point in
advance.  Jack pricked his ears and increased his pace.

"It can have but one meaning," muttered Brinton, with a throbbing
heart; "someone is in peril: can it be _they_?"

He reined up his pony and stood still on the crest of the first
elevation he reached, after the ominous sounds fell on his ears.

At that moment he descried coming over another ridge, a furlong away,
a troop of thirty or forty cavalry, riding at a gallop toward him.

"That's the escort from Wounded Knee," was his instant conclusion; "I
was right when I told Captain Wadsworth that Nick Jackson said the
escort was on the way, though I wasn't certain of it."

But evidently the firing had not come from the cavalry.  It was from
some point between, and, instead of being directly in front, as it
first seemed, was off to the right, where he observed a depression,
with several dismounted Indians crouching around it.

"Great heavens! it's father fighting them off," he gasped; "he is in
that hollow and they have attacked him!"

He struck his heels against the ribs of Jack, fiercely jerked the
bridle-rein, and shouted to him to run at his best straight for the
spot.

But the approaching cavalry had descried the same thing, and were
nearer the hollow than was the youth.  They turned the heads of the
horses and struck off at full speed.

The assailing Indians, too, had discovered their danger and were seen
skurrying for their ponies, waiting near.  The obedient animals
turned until their masters sprang upon their backs, when they dashed
off at full speed, with a single exception.  One of them, forgetful
of his danger or determined upon revenge, even at the cost of his
life, was observed to have something in his arms as he held his
ground.

"It is Edith that he is about to slay; maybe he has already killed
her!  O heaven!" the brother groaned, "is it too late to save her?"

Jack was tearing over the ground at a killing pace, but he could not
reach them in time.  He could carry his rider there in time to shoot
down the Indian, but not soon enough to prevent his burying his knife
in the innocent heart.

But there was a wonderful sharpshooter among the cavalry.  He saw the
awful peril, and throwing his horse on his haunches, brought his gun
to his shoulder.

During the instant it was at a level, Hugh Kingsland dashed out of
the hollow, bare-headed, and, with hair streaming, ran toward the
Indian and his little girl.  One pace behind him sped his wife; she
was seen to make quick, earnest gestures to the approaching horsemen,
and they thought it an appeal to them not to lose a second if they
would save her child.

At that instant the sharpshooter pressed the trigger of his weapon;
the Indian dropped the little one, threw up his arms in an aimless
way, staggered back and sank to the ground.

The next minute the troop thundered up, Brinton almost among them.

"Are you hurt, my darling Edith?" he called, leaping out of the
saddle, catching her in his arms, pressing her to his heart and
kissing her; "speak! did he hurt you?"

The child was bewildered by the great confusion, and, without
answering her brother, looked him affrightedly in the face.

"Why, Brint, is that you?"

"Yes, yes; heaven be praised, you are not harmed!  Oh, how can I be
thankful enough?  And you, father and mother! what a blessed sight!"

The mother gave him one grateful glance and then knelt by the fallen
Indian, just as Edith, slipping from the grasp of her brother, ran to
the prostrate figure and bent over it, asking in a voice of
inexpressible tenderness--

"What is the matter, Wolf Ear?"

The young Ogalalla lay on his back, but at the moment the child spoke
he managed, by a great effort, to raise his head and rest it on his
hand.  He had not spoken, but now, fixing his dark eyes on Edith,
said in a faint voice--

"Wolf Ear is hurt!"

The troopers sat silent on their horses, looking down on the strange
scene.  Hugh Kingsland, with no trace of his illness, stood back a
few paces with folded arms, gazing at the moving sight and trying in
vain to restrain his emotions.  His wife placed her arm under the
head of the Ogalalla, and, resting it on her knee, smoothed the black
hair from his forehead, murmuring words of sympathy; Edith covered
her face with her hands, and sobbed with a breaking heart.

Brinton was affected at the sight of his former friend, but he could
not help saying--

"Mother, we can all pity him, but he was our enemy; and had he not
been shot at that moment Edith would not be living now."

"You are wrong, my son," she replied gently.  "Wolf Ear came forward
to save Edith."

"What are you saying?"

"He was with the party that attacked us; he did what he could to
restrain them; he could not do so, and he ran forward to join and
help us defend ourselves against them.  Edith saw him first and
hurried out to meet him; he caught her up, and, when his companions
would have harmed her, he would not let them touch her.  He shouted
to us to have no fear, that he was our friend.  At that moment the
soldiers came in sight and the other Indians made off.  Wolf Ear knew
we were saved, and so he stood still, with Edith's arms around his
neck.  I saw one of the soldiers aiming at them with his gun; husband
and I ran out to shield him.  I shouted and motioned to the soldier
not to shoot, but he did not understand me, and--this is the sad
result of the dreadful mistake."

Wolf Ear fixed his eyes upon the wondering Brinton, who, walking
forward and stooping down, asked in a choking voice--

"Is all this true, Wolf Ear?"

"The words of your mother are true."

"But what meant your course toward me yesterday?  I cannot reconcile
that with what I have just heard."

"We parted friends, though I told you I was the enemy of the rest of
your race.  From the time we separated I have done all I could to
find your people and save them before it was too late.  Until now, I
have not met you."

"You forget; we met in the gorge last night, and only this morning,
when you sought the life of Nick Jackson, I chased you over the ridge
in the effort to make you prisoner."

A smile overspread the dark face, and the head swayed a single time
to one side.

"Brinton, you are mistaken; the Ogalalla whom you met, as you say, in
the gully, and whom you sought to make prisoner, was not I--he was my
twin brother, Young Bear; our mother can hardly tell us apart, and I
taught him to speak English as well as I."

"Oh, what have I done!" wailed Brinton, breaking down utterly, and
covering his face with his hands.  "I never dreamed of this; can you
forgive this dreadful mistake?"

"Yes," said Wolf Ear faintly, "I forgive you; I forgive the soldier
who shot me, for he did it to save _her_ life."

He wearily closed his eyes, but opened them again when he felt the
chubby arms of Edith clasped round his neck, and her lips pressed
against his.

"Oh, Wolf Ear!" she sobbed, in tones that brought tears to more than
one eye among the bronzed troopers, "do not die!  I love you, next to
Brint and papa and mamma----"

Among the silent troopers touched by the scene was the sharpshooter
who had brought Wolf Ear low.  He was a brave, rugged soldier, but,
like most men, had a tender heart.  He had not spoken for some
minutes, and his eyes were moist as he swung his foot from his
stirrup and over the haunch of his horse to the ground.

"Jim Budworth don't often make a miss," he said in a broken voice,
"and I didn't miss this fellow; but then I didn't aim to kill him,
and I don't believe I did.  I know a little about surgery myself--so
let me take a look at Wolf Ear, as you call him."

Wondering at the words of the sharpshooter, and hardly daring to hope
he was right, all watched him as he made what may be called a medical
examination of the sufferer.  The bullet had struck him in the side,
and evidently had inflicted the wound intended.

"Injins are tough," remarked Budworth, "and this one is as tough as
the rest.  He isn't going to die.  Here, Wolf Ear, try this."

As he spoke, the trooper held a flask of spirits to the lips of the
young Indian and forced him to swallow some of it.  It produced an
immediate effect; and, to the astonishment of everyone, Wolf Ear
assumed a sitting position and looked round with a smile.

"I feel better--much better, thank you," he said, with a grateful
look at Budworth.

"Of course you do.  It was a narrow chance for you, no mistake; but
all you want is careful nursing, and I reckon Mrs. Kingsland here
will be glad to give it you."

"Indeed I will," said the delighted woman; "there is nothing that I
will not do for Wolf Ear.  Can it be possible that he is going to get
well after all?"

"Of course it is; I know all about Injins."

"Oh, I am so glad!" exclaimed the happy Edith, throwing her arms
again about his neck.

"Easy now, easy now," said Budworth; "don't go to rolling and
tumbling him about until he gets a little stronger.  After that you
can handle him as you choose."

Wolf Ear rallied with amazing quickness, and showed all the heroism
of his race, when he was helped upon his horse and the party moved
back to the supply camp, where the teamsters had succeeded in driving
off the hostiles.

The Indian was given an easy, comfortable couch in one of the
waggons, and some hours later the party arrived at Wounded Knee.
There the sufferer received the best of medical attention, and was
soon able to move about with scarcely any pain or trouble.  His
recovery was rapid; and to-day only a slight scar remains to tell how
nearly he met death in his efforts to save his friends from the
warriors of his own race.

And within the following few weeks the threatening cloud that had
overspread the Western sky, behind which the blood-red lightning
gleamed and played, dissolved, and gave place to the sweet sunshine
of peace, which, let us pray, may continue for ever.

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