c.,. — , ^.«,, » 



INDIAN SIGN. GX 



' Pawnee Rock,' so called, it is said, on account 

 of a battle's having once been fought hard by, 

 between the Pawnees and some other tribe. 

 It is situated at the projecting point of a ridge, 

 and upon its surface are furroAved, in uncouth 

 but legible characters, numerous dates, and 

 the names of various travellers who have 

 chanced to pass that way. 



We encamped at Ash creek, where we 

 again experienced sundry alarms in conse- 

 quence of ' Indian sign,' that was discovered 

 in the creek valley, such as unextinguished 

 fires, about which were found some old moc- 

 casins, — a sure indication of the recent re- 

 treat of savages from the vicinit}". These 

 constant alarms, however, although too fre- 

 quently the result of groundless and unmanly 

 fears, are not without their salutary effects 

 upon the party. They serve to keep one con- 

 stantly on the alert, and to sharpen those facul- 

 ties of observation which would otherwise 

 become blunted or inactive. Thus far also we 

 had marched in two lines only; but, after cross- 

 ing the Pawnee Fork, each of the four di\i- 

 sions drove on in a separate file, wliich became 

 henceforth the order of march till we reached 

 the border of the mountams. By mo-ving in 

 long lines as we did before, the march is con- 

 tinually interrupted ; for every accident which 

 delays a wagon ahead stops all those behind. 

 By marcliing four abreast, this difficulty is 

 partially obviated, and the wagons can also 

 be thrown more readily into a condition of 

 defence in case of attack, 



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