tent-pin

Many men object to the wooden tent-pin on account of its tendency to split, and carry pins made of iron.

Notes of a War Correspondent Richard Harding Davis 1890

With a faith strong and undoubting as Rahab's, Jael, -- weak woman as she is, -- seizes the wooden tent-pin and the mallet, (the only weapons which are within her reach!); and, (somewhat as David afterwards employed a stone and a sling for the slaughter of the Philistine,) with these vile instruments, at one blow, she smites to the earth the enemy of God's people ....

Inspiration and Interpretation: Seven Sermons Preached Before the University of Oxford: With Preliminary Remarks: Being an Answer to a Volume Entitled "Essays and Reviews." 1813-1888 1861

He slept under the mango-tree, where Janoo himself lodged, but was always tied to a tent-pin.

Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 446 Volume 18, New Series, July 17, 1852 Various 1841

Janoo took compassion upon the poor boy, extracted the arrow from his thigh, had his wound dressed, and prepared a bed for him under the mango-tree, where he himself lodged, but kept him tied to a tent-pin.

A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II William Sleeman 1822

He is said to be far inferior to the Hindostanee horseman in grace and dexterous feats on horseback, such as jerking out with his lance a tent-pin deeply fixed in the ground, the horse at half-speed; or galloping in a circle round his lance, the point on the ground, and the other end on his arm: but that in energetic, bold riding, which stops at nothing, the Persian infinitely surpasses the turbaned cavaliers of India.

Glimpses of Life and Manners in Persia 1856

I did not ask him who he was, and seeing thou wast not here, he spoke unto me, and said, When Ishmael thy husband returns, tell him, Thus did the man say, When thou comest home, put away this tent-pin which thou hast placed here, and place another tent-pin in its stead. "

The Legends of the Jews — Volume 1 Louis Ginzberg 1913

When Ishmael thy husband comes home, say unto him, The tent-pin which thou hast is very good, do not put it away from the tent. "

The Legends of the Jews — Volume 1 Louis Ginzberg 1913

And if you tell me to cool down just once more, I'll drive you into the ground like a tent-pin. "

Red Saunders' Pets and Other Critters Henry Wallace Phillips 1899