408 INDIANS. 



enemies he knows this weakness, and the knowledge 

 renders him comparatively manageable. 



A raiding party of Indians coming to a recent trail of 

 troops, will stop, examine, hesitate, and follow it for miles. 

 Concluding, finally, that there is no serious cause for fear, 

 they may go on towards their original destination. If 

 another recent trail be struck within a few miles, the party 

 will most likely turn back, and I doubt if there is a band 

 or party on the plains bold enough to put three trails of 

 troops between it and its retreat. It is not that the Indian 

 fears to be intercepted on his return, but the frequent trails 

 show the recent presence and activity of troops. He 

 himself leaves a trail which one of those parties 

 of troops may strike and follow at any moment. He is 

 bold as a hawk to his front ; timid as a hare towards his 

 rear. In going on or returning from a raid, he cares 

 nothing for advance guards ; but always, when he thinks 

 there is danger, one or two of the most trustworthy 

 warriors follow on the trail as rear-guard three or four 

 miles behind the main body. Surprise is destruction, and 

 surprise is most likely to come from his rear y and by 

 means of his trail. 



In crossing a waggon road likely to be used by troops, 

 a war party will scatter out a mile or two and cross 

 singly ; and not unfrequently, after crossing, each will dis- 

 mount and carefully erase the marks, in and near the road, 

 of his horse's feet. 



' Trailing ' is the art of evolving c trail ' from ' sign.' 

 The requisites of a good trailer are sharp eyes, perfect 

 knowledge of the appearance and character of the ' sign ' 

 made by whatever is being trailed, and, when trailing 

 Indians, a thorough knowledge of the country and the 

 habits of Indians. 



Trailing is second nature to the Indian, though indi- 

 viduals and tribes differ in their capabilities as trailers in 

 a very remarkable degree. On the plains where large 

 game is (or was) abundant, the tribes which depend for 



