It was known to the most ancient Egyptians, and is practised to-day by natives of the Amazon valley, dwellers on South Pacific islands, inhabitants of Polar regions, Indians of North America, and the negroes of Central Africa.
These widely scattered peoples use various models of wooden drills, ploughs, or saws.

But Yim's method is the simplest of all.

When he saw that no matches were forthcoming, he said: "A' yite.

Me fix um." At the same time he produced two pieces of soft wood from some hiding place in his garments.

One of these, known as the "spindle," was a stick about two feet long by three-quarters of an inch in diameter and having a rounded point.