LIFE IN THE FAR WEST. 35 



the trappers killed the preceding night ; and underneath them, 

 affixed to the same spear, was the mystic " medicine bag," by 

 which Killbuck knew that the band before him was under the 

 command of the chief of the tribe. 



Toward the grim trophies on the spear, the warriors, who in 

 turn addressed the council, frequently pointed — more than one, as 

 he did so, making the gyratory motion of the right hand and arm, 

 M^hich the Indians use in describing that they have gained an 

 advantage by skill or cunning. Then pointing westward, the 

 speaker would thrust out his arm, extending his fingers at the 

 same time, and closing and reopening them repeatedly, meaning, 

 that although four scalps already ornamented the " medicine" pole, 

 they were as nothing compared to the numerous trophies they 

 would bring from the Salt Valley, where they expected to find 

 their hereditary enemies the Yutas. "That now was not the 

 time to count their coups," (for at this moment one of the warriors 

 rose from his seat, and, swelling with pride, advanced toward the 

 spear, pointing to one of the scalps, and then striking his open 

 hand on his naked breast, jumped into the air, as if about to go 

 through the ceremony.) " That before many suns all their spears 

 together would not hold the scalps they had taken, and that they 

 would return to their village and spend a moon relating their 

 achievements, and counting coups." 



All this Killbuck learned; thanks to his knowledge of the 

 language of signs — a master of which, if even he have no ears or 

 tongue, never fails to understand, and be understood by, any of the 

 hundred tribes whose languages are perfectly distinct and different. 

 He learned, moreover, that at sundown the greater part of the 

 band would resume the trail, in order to reach the Bayou by the 

 earliest dawn ; and also, that no more than four or five of the 

 younger warriors would remain with the captm'ed animals. Still 

 the hunter remained in his position until the sun had disappeared 

 behind the ridge ; when, taking up their arms, and throwing their 



