Signaling and Indian Signs 247 



In running a trail one naturally looks straight ahead for 

 the next sign; if the trail turned abruptly without notice 

 one might easily be set wrong, but custom has provided 

 against this. The tree blaze for turn "to the right" is shown 

 in Number 2, fourth row; "to the left" in Number 3. The 

 greater length of the turning blaze seems to be due to a 

 desire for emphasis as the same mark set square on, is 

 understood to mean "Look out, there is something of 

 special importance here." Combined with a long side chip 

 it means 'Very important; here turn aside." This is 

 often used to mean "camp is close by," and a third sign 

 that is variously combined but always wdth the general 

 meaning of "warning" or "something of great importance" 

 is a threefold blaze. (No. 4 on fourth Kne.) The com- 

 bination (No. I on bottom row) would read "Look out now 

 for something of great importance to the right." This 

 blaze I have often seen used by trappers to mark the where- 

 abouts of their trap or cache. 



Surveyors often use a similar mark — that is, three simple 

 spots and a stripe to mean, "There is a stake close at hand," 

 while a similar blaze on another tree near by means that 

 the stake is on a line between. 



STONE SIGNS 



These signs done into stone-talk would be as in the top 

 line of the cut. 



These are much used in the Rockies where the trail goes 

 over stony places or along stretches of sUde-rock. 



GRASS AND TWIG SIGNS 



In grass or sedge the top of the tuft is made to show the 

 direction to be followed; if it is a point of great importance 



