Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1873-11-28
How Indians Escape Their Pursuers.

During the early part of the fight
every precaution is adopted to prevent
leaving heavy trail, or one easily to
be followed; to this end, instead of
moving, as is customary, in single file,
thereby leaving clearly defined path,
each warrior moves Independently of
his fellows, until all danger from pur-
suit is safely passed, when the party
falls into single file, and, with the chief
at the head, moves along in almost I'M
broken silence. IF during an attack
upon the frontier settlements the In
dians should encounter unexpected
and successful resistance, necessitating
a premature withdrawal and fight on
their part, they still resort to stratagem
in order to secure their safety. In ac-
cordance with plan previously form
ed and understood by each member of
the party, and specially provided for
an emergency, the war party finding
themselves about to encounter success
full resistance on the part of the from
tiersmen beat a hasty retreat, but in.
stead of taking their flight'in a single
direction and in one party, thereby
leaving an unmistakable clue for their
lpursuers, the entire party breaks up
into numerous smaller bands, each ap-
parently fleeing in an independent di-
riction, a few of the best mounted usu-
ally falling behind to attract the at
tention of the pursuers and give time
to those of the party who are burden
ed with prisoners and captured stock
to make good their escape. In such an
emergency, as this, a rendezvous for
the entire party has been previously
fixed upon. Its location is usually
upon or near some water course or
prominent landmark, distant perhaps
thirty Or forty miles; thither all small
er parties direct their course, each by
a separate and usually a circuitous
course. Should either of these small
er parties find themselves closely pur-
sued, or their trail being followed and
all efforts to throw the pursuers off
prove unavailing, they relinquish the
plan of uniting with the others at the
established rendezvous as that would
imperil the safety of their comrades,
and select a new route leading neither
in the direction of the rendezvous nor
of the village, in order not only to
elude but to mislead their pursuers.
Then ensues long and tiresome flight,
until, having worn out or outwitted
their pursuers, of whose movements
they keep themselves thoroughly in
formed, they make their way in safety
to the village. At the latter, lookouts
are constantly kept on some prominent
hill to watch the coming of the absent
warriors and give notice of their ap-
proach. A war party returning from
a successful raid into the settlements,
and bringing with them prisoners and
captured stock, is all event of the great
est Importance to every occupant of
the village. Having arrived within a
few miles of the village, and feeling
safe from all danger from pursuit, the
chief in command of the war party
causes a signal smoke to be sent up
from some high point along the line of
march, we'll knowing that watchfrl
eyes near the village are on the alert
and will not fail to observe the signal
and understand its meaning. General
Custer, IN GALAXY for December.