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themselves as nuicb as possible. The scouts, ■who have already beeu 

 selected, advance just before daybreak to witbin a moderate distance of 

 the elevation to ascertain if any of the enemy have preceded them. This 

 is only discovered by carefully watching the summit to see if any objects 

 are in motion ; if not, the rtiglit of l)irds is observed, and if any should 

 alight upon the hill or butte it would indicate the absence of anything 

 that might ordinarily scare them away. Should a large bird, as a i-aven, 

 crow, or eagle, fly toward the hill-top and make a sudden swerve to 

 either side and disappear, it would indicate the presence of something 

 suflicient to require fuither examination. When it is learned that there 

 is reason to suspect an euemy, the scout, who has all the time been 

 closely watched by the party in the rear, makes a signal for them to lie 

 still, signifying Danger or C-aiitioii. It is made by grasping the 

 blanket with the right hand and waving it earthward from a position 

 in front of and as high as the shoulder. This is nearly the same as we 

 use the hand for a similar purpose iu battle or hunting to direct "lie 

 quiet !" 



Should the hill, however, be clear of any oue the Indian wiU ascend 

 slowly, and under cover as much as possible, and gain a view of the 

 country. If there is no one to be seen, the blanket is grasped and waved 

 horizontally from right to left and back again repeatedly, showing a 

 clear surface. If the enemy is discovered, the scout will give the 

 Alarm by running down the hill upon a side visible to the watchers, 

 iu a zigzag manner which communicates the state of afiairs. 



Should any expedition or advance be attempted at night, the same 

 signals as are made with the blaniiet are made with a firebrand, which 

 is constructed of a bunch of grass tied to a short pole. 



When a war party encamp for a i light or a day or more a piece of 

 wood is stuck into the ground, pointing in the direction pursued, with 

 a number of cuts, notches, or uuirks corresponding to the number of 

 days which the party spent after leaving the last camp until leaving the 

 present camp, serving to show to the recruits to the main party, the 

 course to be followed, and the distance. 



A hunting party take the same precautious in advancing as a war 

 l)arty, so as not to be surprised by an enemy. If a scout ascends a 

 prominent elevation and discovers no game, the blanket is grasped and 

 waved horizontally from side to side at the height of the shoulders or 

 head ; and if game is discovered the Indian rides back and forth (from 

 left to right) a short distance so that the distant observers can view the 

 maneuver. If a large herd of buffalo is found, the extent traveled over 

 in going to and fro increases in proportion to the size of the herd. A 

 quicker gait is traveled when the herd is very large or haste on the part 

 of the hunters is desired. 



It is stated that these Indians also use mirrors to signal from one 

 elevation to another, but the system could not be learned, as they say 

 they have no longer use for it, having ceased warfare (?). 

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