a 
260 PICTURE-WRITING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. 
Indian account, but it seems on calculation to be 30 cents in excess, an 
overcharge, Showing the advance in civilization of the Passamaquoddy 
trader. 
The following explanation will serve to make intelligible the char- 
acters employed, which are reproduced in Fig. 175. The hunter is 
shown as the first character in line a, and that he is a deer-hunter is 
furthermore indicated by his having a skin-stretcher upon his back, as 
well as the figure of a deer at which he is shooting. The three skins 
referred to are Shown stretched upon frames in line b, the total num- 
ber being also indicated by the three vertical strokes, between which 
and the drying frames are two circles, each with a line across it, to de- 
note dollars, the total sum of $6 being the last group of dollar marks 
on line b. 
The 30 pounds of venison are represented in line ¢c, the three crosses 
signifying 30, the T-shaped character designating a balance scale, 
synonymous with pound, while the venison is indicated by the drawing 
of the hind quarter or ham. The price is given by uniting the X, or 
numeral, and the T, or pound mark, making a total of $3 as completing 
the line e. 
nm 
I'ia. 176.—Shop account. 
The line d refers to the purchase of 3 pounds of powder, as expressed 
by the three strokes, the T, or scale for pound, and the powder horn, the 
price of which is four Xs or 40 cents per pound, or T; and 3 pounds of 
powder, the next three vertical strokes succeeded by a number of spots 
to indicate grains of powder, which is noted as being 10 cents per 
pound, indicated by the cross and T, respectively. The next item, 
shown on line e, charges for 5 pounds of pork, the latter being indi- 
cated by the outline of a pig, the price being indicated by the X er 10, 
and T, scale or pound; then two short lines preceding one small oblong 
square or quart measure, indicates that 2 quarts of molasses, shown by 
the black spot, cost 5 crosses, or 50 cents per measure, the sum of the 
whole of the purchase being indicated by three rings with stems and 
three crosses, equivalent to $3.30. 
Another Indian, whose occupation was to furnish basket wood, 
brought some to the trader for which he received credit to the amount - 
of $1.15, taking in exchange therefor pork sufficient to equal the above 
amount. 
In Fig. 176 the Indian is shown with a bundle of basket wood, the 
value of which is given in the next characters, consisting of a ring with 
ae 
