denigj the assiniboist 603 



Picture Writing 



Picture writing can not be said to be much practiced by any of 

 these tribes, though it is to some extent by all, principally by the 

 Crow and Sioux Indians. The former of these nations are incessant 

 in the war expeditions against the Blackfeet, and in the absence of 

 the warriors the camp from which they departed moves in quest of 

 game, but pursue a direction made known to the warriors before they 

 leave. It often happens that the trail made by the camp is effaced 

 by rain or covered with snow before their return, also that they (the 

 camp) are obliged to diverge from the route agreed upon, and in 

 these cases leave intelligence in pictorial devices in some of their 

 encampments as guides to the returning absentees, who, if they find 

 them, can not fail to reach their friends by following the instructions 



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Figure 35. — ricture writing. Key: "Wo are a camp of IS lodges (\) ; encamped on a 

 creek above the forks (2) ; started hunting with eight horsemen (3) and two women 

 on foot (4) ; slept two nights out (5) ; found buffalo beyond the second creek from 

 the camp (6) ; killed some, and made travails (7 ) ; and slept but one night on our 

 return home (S) 



pointed out by these means. (Fig. 35.) Another occasion where it 

 is useful is where a war party, after having made an attack, whether 

 successful or not, have reason to believe more of their own people are 

 out for like purposes, wish to convey to them the intelligence that 

 their enemies are on the alert, and prevent if possible their falling 

 into their hands, as would happen if they attempted to steal the 

 horses before the late excitement caused by their own appearance had 

 subsided. The information, together with the success or failure of 

 their own expedition and any other matters they wish their friends 

 to know, are pictured in some place likely to be found by those for 

 whom it is intended. 



There is, however, this danger in these records, that if they are 

 stumbled upon by their enemies in their war excursions they are as 

 certain a guide to them as to their own people, and this is one of 

 the reasons why it is so seldom done. But the Crow Indians, who 

 rove through the spurs of the Rocky Mountains, frequently making 



