Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-12-11
How Indians Escape their Pursuers.

DURING the early part of the flight
every %precaution is adopted to prevent
leaving a heavy trail, or one easily to be
followed; to this end, instead of moving,
as is customary, in single file, thereby
leaving a clearly defined path, each war
riOr moves independently of his fellows,
until all danger from pursuit is safely
passed, when the party falls into single
file, and, with the chief at the head,
@ along in almost unbroken silence.
If during an attack upon the frontier set
Elements the Indians should encounter
unexpected and successful resistance,
necessitating a premature withdrawal and
flight on their part, they still resort to
stratagem in order TO secur their safety.
In accordance with a plan previously
formed and understood by each member
of the party, and specially provided for
an emergency, the War party finding them
selves about to encounter successful re-
slstanCe on the part of the trOntleTsmen
beat a hasty retreat; but instead of taking
their flight in a single direction and in
n party, thereby leaving an unmistaka-
BILE clue for their pursuers, the entire
party breaks up into numerous smaller
bands, each apparently fleeing in an indie
pendent direction, a few of the best
mounted usually failing behind to attract
the attention of the pursuers and give
time to those of the party who are bur
dened with prisoners and captured stock
to make good their escape. In such an
emergency as this, ! rendezvous for the
entire party has hen previously fixed
upon. Its locations is usually upon or
near some WATERFOWL sc or prominent land
mark, distant perhaps thirty or forty
miles; thither all s.laller parties direct
their course, each by :lscparate and usually
a circuitOus coura*. Should either of
these smaller parties find themselves close
ly pursued, or their trail being followed
and all efforts to throw the pursuers off
prove unavailing, they %relinouish the plan
Of uniting with the others at the establish
ed 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 a long and tire
some flight, until, having worn out or
outwitted their pursuers, of whose move
ments they keep themselves thoroughly
informed, 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 oftheir approach.
A war party returning from a successful
raid into the settlements, and bringing
with them prisoners and captured stock,
is an event of the greatest 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, well knowing that watchful eyes
near the village are on the alert and will
not fail to observe the signal and under
stand its meaning.-Genero1 Custer, in
GALAXY for December.