ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



371 



great danger of perishing with hunger. On the 

 piece of bark, containing information respecting 

 their past success, and their future course, they 

 leave, also, the date of their encampment, - by 

 painting the animal, or whatever else it is that 

 gives name to the then present Moon, or months 

 and by describing the figure of the Moon at that 

 particular time. And so correct is this mode of 

 conveying intelligence, that a person accustomed 

 to it, will generally ascertain, within from twelve 

 to twenty four hours, the time designed to be 

 specified. 



The Indians possess a quick perception, and 

 strong curiosity, and a very retentive memory ; 

 and every circumstance which occurs, and the va- 

 rious objects which present themselves to their 

 view, are noticed and recollected. And, there- 

 fore, at the expiration of twenty years after they 

 have passed only once through a country, to the 

 distance of several hundred miles, they will re- 

 turn by the same way in which they came. 

 Mountains, hills, prairies, lakes, valleys, remarka- 

 ble rocks, &c. are the objects which they espe- 

 cially notice, and the situation of which, they trea- 

 sure up in their memories ; and by these they are 

 enabled to follow a former track. Almost any 

 Indian, who has passed once through a country, is 

 able to draw so correct a chart of ft, with a piece 



