Stránka:roll 1910.djvu/131

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA 115 actly pointing to the Pole-star, that is, the same angle as the lati- tude of the place, and fix it there immovably. Then, remove the two sighting sticks. As a time-piece, this dial will be found roughly correct for that latitude. The angle of the pointer, or style, must be changed for each latitude. ARCHERY (From The Ladies' Home Journal, 1902) No woodcraft education is complete without a knowledge of Archery. It is a pity that this noble sport has fallen into dis- use. We shall find it essential to some of our best games. The modern hunting gun is an irresistible weapon of whole- sale murder, and is just as deadly no matter who pulls the trigger. It spreads terror as well as death by its loud discharge, and it leaves little clew as to who is responsible for the shot. Its deadly range is so fearfully great as to put all game at the mercy of the clumsiest tyro. Woodcraft, the oldest of all sciences and one of the best, has steadily declined since the coming of the gun, and it is entirely due to this same unbridled power that America has lost so many of her fine game animals. The bow is a far less destructive weapon, and to succeed at all in the chase the bowman must be a double-read forester. The bow is silent and it sends the arrow with exactly the same power that the bowman's arm puts into it — no more, no less — so it is really his own power that speeds the arrow. There is no question as to which hunter has the right to the game or is responsible for the shot when the arrow is there to tell. The gun stands for little skill, irresistible force supplied from an outside source, over- whelmingly unfair odds, and sure death to the victim. The bow, on the other hand, stands for all that is clever and fine in wood- craft; so, no guns or firearms of any kind are allowed in our boy Indian camp. The Indian's bow was short, because, though less efficient, it was easier to carry than a long one. Yet it did not lack power. It is said that the arrow-head sometimes appeared on the far side of the buffalo it was fired into, and there is a tradition that Wah-