Page:The American Boy's Handy Book edition 1.djvu/229

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196
Summer.
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Fig. 127.Throw-Sticks.

Make the lance of cane or bamboo; use a straight piece and put an arrow-head upon one end; then holding the lance on a throw-stick, as shown by the accompanying illustration, cast it with all your might. The first trials will, doubtless, be failures, but nothing is gained without practice; and when you once "catch the hang of the thing" you will be astonished to see what a distance a comparatively small boy can throw a spear. Any straight, thin stick may be used as a lance. Allow one end to rest against the point upon the throw-stick, which will hold it in place until the cast is made. The throw-stick acts as a sling, lending additional force to the arm, and sending the spear much further than the strongest man can cast it with his unaided hand.

The Bird-Bolas.
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Fig. 128.Bird-Bolas.

Probably all of my readers have read of that wonderful sling called a "bolas," used by some tribes of savages for the capture of game, but I doubt if any of them ever tried to manufacture one for themselves. Yet this curious missile can be made by a boy, and if he be inclined to field sports, he will find that a bird-bolas will do considerable execution.

Hunt for a half dozen round stones about the size of large marbles, or, better still, take six leaden musket-balls, wrap each ball in a piece of an old kid glove, buckskin, or

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