546 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth. ann. <e 



before they move. If nothing is seen they signal to each other the 

 result by imitating the howling of wolves, the barking of foxes, or 

 the hooting of owls, as the signals agreed upon require. Assembling 

 in some hollow, they compare notes, receive new directions, and pro- 

 ceeding a few miles, separate again and reconnoiter as before. They 

 now shoot very seldom, and only when meat is absolutely wanted, 

 a*nd the wind blows in a direction to carry the report away from their 

 enemies, or toward that part of the country already explored. By 

 observing the movements of crows and wolves, in which direction 

 they travel, where they stop and light, they will find out the carcass 

 of some animal killed by the hunters of the camp. The state of its 

 decay, tracks, and other signs around will determine the probable 

 direction of their enemies, and they steer for that point. 



When advanced thus far — that is, to know they are in the vicin- 

 ity of a camp — the real science of their manner of warfare exhibits 

 iteelf. Night marches commence, and separating as before about 

 daylight the}' occupy the hills, lying motionless all day, watching 

 in every direction some signs of their enemies. They are placed so 

 as to be within call of each other, and the signals for different dis- 

 coveries being agreed upon by imitating the howling of wolves, etc., 

 as has been stated, they can communicate with each other all the time 

 without rising to their feet. They never expose their persons to 

 view on a hill. If necessary to assemble they crawl down and meet 

 in some ravine well covered with thick bushes. They now never 

 shoot, make no fire, eat nothing, keep very cjuiet, and travel in the 

 night. Of course, by these measures they must soon perceive some 

 one belonging to the camp, and by observing his direction will find 

 where it is. 



Having discovered the camp, the last rendezvous takes place prior 

 to the attempt upon the horses, and here several things are deter- 

 mined — a place is agreed upon where they will all assemble after 

 the attack, a direction for the return chosen in case of separation, 

 smoking, and invoking the different fetishes are performed, and 

 general directions given by their leader as to the manner of approach- 

 ing the camp. 



There can be no plan of operations laid down, as they are as yet 

 unaware of the position of the camp, how their horses are kept, 

 what surrounding objects afford concealment, etc. In the night 

 they approach the camp in a body under cover of the hills and 

 bushes, and when near enough to see the horses, and judge of the 

 opportunities of getting to them unobserved they again separate, 

 and each pursues his own way of proceeding from different points, 

 as the nature of the ground affords. The best horses of the Crows 

 and Blackfeet are usually picketed near the lodge of their several 



