Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-02-28
INDIAN ABILITY AND SKILL.

The name of each tribe of Indians has a sgnif-
cation, which is represented by sign that Is
well understood by them all. hrs g6sl---
The Camanche, or "Snake, is Indicated by ma
king with the hand waving motion, in imitation
of the crawling of the reptile: i.g.J
The Cayenne, "Cut Arm, by drawing the hand
across the arm to initiate the cutting It with
knife - ~ 20 - ~
Arapahoes, or "Smelers," by seizing the nose
with thumb and forefnger -s Z zJ!l!H LolGJ
Thesioux or "Cut-t%oats, "bydrawingthe hand
across the throat ,.t.,... .l,.f ,,.i:iE
The Pawnees, or evolves, y by placing the hand
on each side Of the forehead, with two fingers
pointing to the front, represent the narrow, sharp
ears of the wolf
The Crows, by initiating the Tapping OF the
bird g wings with the palms of the hands. 90. =
On approaching strangers the prairie Indians
put their horses at full speed and persons not ia
miliar with their pecularities and habits might in
terpret this as an act of hostility but it is their Gus
tom with friends as well as enemies, and should
not cause groundless alarm. .--z-@ - ,aE
When party is discovered approaching thus,
and are near enough to distinguish signals all that is
to raise the right hand, with the palm in front,
and gradually push it forward and back several
times. They all understand this to be command
to halt, and if they are not hostile, it will at once
be obeyed. s-.-i 81 r. a.'i.f-'h
The astonishing aptness Of the Indians In track
ing Is shown by this interesting passage from q
writer on Indian character: l.I-.s s - H.. ~
"Almost a. the Indians whom have met with
are pro6cie in this species Of knowledge, the fac
ulty of acquiring what appears to be innate with
them. Exigencies of woodland and prairie life
stimulate the savage from childhood, to develope
faculties important in the acts Of war and Of the
chase
have seen very few white men who were good
traers, and practice did not seem very materially
to improve the faculties in this regard They have
not the same acute perceptions Of these things as
the Indian or the Mexican. It is not apprehend-
ed that this difficult branch Of woodcrat can be
taught from books, as it pertains almost exclusive
ly to the school Of practice yet will give some
facts relating to the habits Of the Indians that will
facilitate the requirement.
A party of Indians, for example, starting on 3
war excursion, leave their families behind, and
never transport their lodges but when they move
their families, they carry their lodges and other ef
fects.
If, therefore, an Indian trail is discovered with
the lodge poles upon it, it has certainly not been
made by war party; but If the track do not show
the trace Of the lodge poles, it will be equally Ger.
tain that war or Hunting party has passed that
S0AAAA4Se
them, their direction may be avoided. -,...
An Indian, on coming to trail, will generally
tell at glance its age, by what particular tribe it
was made, the number Of the party, and many 9th
er things connected with it astounding to the un-
itiated.
remember upon one occasion, as I was riding
with Delaware upon the prairies, we crossed the
trail of large party Of Indians travelling with
lodges. The tracks appeared to me to be quite
fresh, and remarked to the Indian that we must
be quite near the party. "Oh, no, said he, "the
trail was made two days before, in the morning" "
at the same time pointing to where the sun would
be at about clock. ... .,..
Then seeing my curiosity excited to know by
what means he arrived at this conclusion, he called
my attention to the fact that there had been no
dew for the last two nights, but on the previous
morning it had been heavy. He then pointed out
to me some spears Of grass that had been pressed
down into the earth by horses hoofs upon which
the sand still adhered, having dried on, thus clear
iy showing that the grass was wet when the tracks
were made" ... ...