274 PICTURE-WRITING OF THE AMERICAN INDIANS. 
a light wood curiously painted with hieroglyphics in various colors and 
adorned with feathers. Every nation has a different method of decorat- 
ing these pipes and can tell at once to what band it belongs. It is used 
as an introduction to all treaties, also as a flag of truce is among Euro- 
peans.” Among the Indian tribes generally the pipe, when presented 
or offered to a stranger or enemy, was the symbol of peace, yet when 
used ceremonially by members of the same tribe among themselves 
was virtually a token of impending war. For further remarks on this 
point see the year 184243 of this Winter Count. 
Fig. 188, 1805~06.—The Crows killed eight Dakotas. Again the 
short parallel black lines, this time eight in number, united 
by along stroke. The interpreter, Fielder, says that this 
Fic. 188- character with black strokes is only used for grave marks. 
shoulders of a man with a red spot of blood on his neck, 
an arm being extended, with a line drawn to a golden 
eagle. 
The drawing represents an Indian in the act of catch- 
Fia, 189. holes to which the eagles were attracted by baits and in 
which the Indians were concealed. They rarely or never shot war 
eagles. The Arikara was shot in his trap just as he put his hand up 
to grasp the bird. 
Fig. 189, 1806~07.—A Dakota killed an Arikara (Ree) as he was 
ing an eagle by the legs, as the Arikara were accus- 
Fig. 190, 1807—08.—Red-Coat, a chief, was killed. The 
figure shows the red coat pierced by two arrows, with blood 
about to shoot an eagle. The sign gives the head and 
, ) tomed to catch eagles in their earth traps. These were 
dropping from the wounds. 
Fie. 190. 
Fig. 191, 1808~09,—The Dakota who had killed the Ree shown in 
this record for 180607 was himself killed by the Rees. He is repre- 
sented running, and shot with two arrows, blood dripping. These two 
figures, taking in connection, afford a good illustration of the method 
pursued in the chart, which was not intended to be a continu- 
ous history, or even to record the most important event of 
each year, but to exhibit some one of special peculiarity. 
There was some incident about the one Ree who was shot 
when, in fancied security, he was bringing down an eagle, and 
whose death was avenged by his brethren the second year 
Fi. 191. afterward. It would, indeed, have been impossible to have 
graphically distingushed the many battles, treaties, horse-stealings, 
big hunts, etc., so most of them were omitted and other events of greater 
individuality and better adapted for portrayal were taken for the year 
count, the criterion being not that they were of historic moment, but 
