[Illustration: ARCHEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS REVEALED THAT THE COLONISTS ENJOYED ARCHERY. THE IRON LEVER SHOWN, KNOWN AS A "GOAT'S FOOT," WAS USED FOR SETTING THE STRING OF A LIGHT HUNTING CROSSBOW. IT WAS FOUND 4 MILES FROM JAMESTOWN. ILLUSTRATION SHOWING THE USE OF A "GOAT'S FOOT" FROM _Weapons, A Pictorial History_ BY EDWIN TUNIS.] ARCHERY AND HUNTING One interesting item relating to archery has been found 4 miles from Jamestown. Known as a "goat's foot," it is an iron lever which was used for pulling back and setting the string of a light hunting crossbow. Contemporary records indicate that hunting game birds and animals was a popular New World diversion. Such sport served a twofold purpose, as it offered recreation to the settler and helped provide food for his table. Parts of early fowling pieces and numerous lead birdshot (called goose or swan shot during the early years of the 17th century) have been recovered. MUSIC AND DANCING A large assortment of iron and brass Jew's harps (also known as Jew's trumps) have been found. This small instrument is lyre-shaped, and when placed between the teeth gives tones from a bent metal tongue when struck by the finger. Modulation of tone is produced by changing the size and shape of the mouth cavity. As there is no record of spinets, or virginals, having been used at Jamestown, we have no way of knowing whether such wire-stringed, keyboard instruments were used in the homes of the more prosperous planters, together with other musical instruments of the period. It is quite certain, however, that the Jamestown settlers knew the songs and ballads which were sung in Great Britain in those days. They were also familiar with English, Irish, Welsh, and Scotch dances. A few contemporary accounts reveal that the Virginia colonists enjoyed merry tunes and ditties, as well as lively dances. Although living in a wilderness, there were times when they could enjoy a few leisure-hour activities and amusements, including singing and dancing. [Illustration: PLAYING A JEW'S HARP--ENJOYING A LITTLE MUSIC IN THE VIRGINIA WILDERNESS. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)] [Illustration: AN ASSORTMENT OF JEW'S HARPS UNEARTHED AT JAMESTOWN.] [Illustration: A FEW OBJECTS RECOVERED AT JAMESTOWN WHICH WERE ONCE USED ON 17TH-CENTURY BOATS--REMINDERS OF A DAY WHEN TRAVEL IN VIRGINIA WAS LARGELY BY WATER.] Travel During the 17th century, travel in Virginia was mainly by boat. As the roads leading from Jamestown to the nearby settlements were usually in deplorable condition, especially after heavy rains, the settlers preferred to travel by water whenever possible. As the colony grew, and roads were improved somewhat, travel by horse became more common, especially for short trips. After 1650 the use of wagons increased, and records indicate that a few of the more prosperous planters imported fine carriages from England. BOATS AND SHIPS