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Show 242 BASIS OP AMERICAN HISTORY [ 1500 and the plateausA The ordinary bowstring was of sinew, twisted and braided to a point of great strength. As much care and attention were given to the arrow as to the bow. \ The shaft w^ fe'ltff fiard wood or cane, the point of stone, flint, obsidian, or jasper ( in more modern days of iron or glass), and the arrow was tipped with eagle feathers. Poison was sometimes applied to the points. The hatchet or tomahawk was a characteristic weapon of the Indians, except in the far north, and was especially in favor in the east, where the forest made hand- to- hand fighting a constant necessity. The tomahawk came to be used as a symbol of war, ancrin many tribejMvas constructed so as to form a pipe as well, and as such was employed in many ceremonies. \ Short lances or javelins were used in Mexico and on the Pacfic coast, as well as by the Eskimo. Their efficiency was increased by the " throwing stick," which gave a much longer range than could be reached by hand. \ War- clubs were used everywhere, and knives or short cutting weapons of various sorts were also universal. Thrusting- lances or spears were apparently not common, though they were used extensively by the tribes of the plains, whose battles were waged on horseback.' These Indians also made use of shields, light but tough affairs of rawhide, which were mainly for parrying the opponent's lance. Much |
