Why Ancient Archers...

[A. G. Maisey]

Picking up on Fearn's comment in respect of firearms use, a modern shooter who uses a single shot rifle for hunting will often place two or three rounds in his mouth when it looks as if he will need rapid fire, or between the fingers of his left hand. I've used old Martini rifles converted to modern wildcats quite a lot, and either of these ways of holding additional rounds gives very rapid fire.