Some
Indian arrows have no point but the stick sharpened after it's
scorched to harden it."
[Illustration: SIX SAMPLE ARROWS, SHOWING DIFFERENT FEATHERS]
"That sounds easy enough for me," said Sam; "let's make some of them
that way."
So the arrows were made, six each with nail points filed sharp and
lashed with broom wire. These were called "War arrows," and six each
with fire-hardened wood points for hunting arrows.
"Now for the feathering," and Yan showed Sam how to split the midrib
of a turkey feather and separate the vane.
"Le's see, you want twice twenty-four--that's forty-eight feathers."
"No," said Yan, "that's a poor feathering, two on each. We want three
on each arrow--seventy-two strips in all, and mind you, we want all
three that are on one arrow from the same side of the bird."
"I know. I'll bet it's bad luck to mix sides; arrows doesn't know
which way to turn."
At this moment Si Lee came in. "How are ye gettin' on with the bows?"
"Waitin' for arrows now."
"How do ye put on the feathers?"
DESCRIPTION OF SIX SAMPLE ARROWS SHOWING DIFFERENT FEATHERS
_A_ is a far-flying steel-pointed bobtail, very good in wind.
_B_ is another very good arrow, with a horn point.
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