Some herds of deer grazed in the distance, but no other living creature was visible.
Then they turned their eyes upon each other, and burst into a simultaneous shout of laughter.

Their clothes were torn literally into rags, by the bushes through which they had forced their way; while their faces were scratched, and stained with blood, from the same cause.
"The first thing to be done," Ned said, when the laugh was over, "is to look for a couple of long springy saplings, and to make bows and arrows.

Of course they will not carry far, but we might knock down any small game we come across." Both lads were good shots with a bow, for in those days, although firearms were coming in, all Englishmen were still trained in the use of the bow.
"But what about strings ?" Tom asked.
"I will cut four thin strips from my belt," Ned said.

"Each pair, tied together, will make a string for a five-foot bow, and will be fully strong enough for any weapon we shall be able to make." After an hour's walk, they came to a small grove of trees growing in a hollow.

These were of several species and, trying the branches, they found one kind which was at once strong and flexible.