From certain customs of these bygone days we can evolve a delightful entertainment and call it the Twentieth Century May day. The most important personage on this occasion is the May Queen, who must win her crown by skill in archery. The next in importance is the King who wins his title in the same way. Of course,
Bows
and arrows will be needed for the sport, and these we will make at home. They will be quite small and easy to manufacture, but the bows, though tiny, will work to a charm and send the home-made arrows flying with swiftness and precision to their goal. Look up a piece of flat rattan, from which to form the bow, such as is often used to stiffen stays and dress waists; cut it eleven and one-half inches in length and burn a hole in each end by boring through the rattan with a hair-pin heated red hot at one end ([Fig. 407]). Holes made in this way will not split or break the rattan. Pass a strong linen thread through the hole in one end of the bow and tie it firmly ([Fig. 408]); then bring the thread across to the other end, pass it through the hole, leaving a stretch of eight and one-quarter inches from end to end of the bow, and tie the end securely ([Fig. 410]).
| Fig. [407].—The bow of rattan. | Fig. [408].—Fastening on the bow-string. | Fig. [410].—Bow strung ready for arrow. | Fig. [409].—Arrow of paint brush handle. |
Make the Arrows
of slender sticks ten inches in length and sharpened to a point at the heavier end ([Fig. 409]). Whittle the arrows as round as possible. If you happen to have old, slender, long-handled paint brushes, they will make fine arrows with the brush taken off and the large end pointed.
Fig. [411].—Paper cover for target.
