The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-06-15
RED SCOUTS
Ease With Which Indian TrailerS
Follow the Slightest CleH.
3 Post Of Scout One OF the Most
Conferredb by the Tribe
How They Are Sent Outflow
Received on Their Return.

"A itfA
70 see the red warriors at their best one
lis TO follow them upon the trail OF
r enemy and note the marvellous
with which they can track the foe
r the mountains and through the
Ky gorges where a white man would
t a loss which way to go. Centuries
practice, generation after generation OF
eriied powers have given 10 the Indian
aenness of vision that the hawk might
y. Nothing I'm nature escapes h In
a eye when OH the warpath. Not a
king object between him and the hori-
fails to excite his scrutiny and i'm the
N action of bird or beast in the dim
ance he discovers indubitable signs
/ the enemy he seeks is lurking where
white man would say there was not a
stile" within the radius of n score of
es.
mong themselves the reputation of
ig a keen scout is equal to that of a
I've warrior, and in the days when the
Ierent tribes were warning among
nselves the duties of the scout were of
most solemn and important charac-
Indians were compelled to resort to
utmost secrecy, a~rtifice and cunning
order to obtain the faintest advantage
III enemies of their own kind. Vigil
&c of sentries and the keen explora-
S OF scouts made surprises matters of
utmost difficulty. And SO il resulted
as the honor and safety of the tribe
Tended ON the efficiency and ceaseless
Ic%hfulness of the scouts, these chosen
Iriors were treated with the utmost de-
nce by their people.
oppose four are wanted; they are
Esen in council and then sent for, some
he head clen going for them and
ling them to the council lodge, where,
r much solemn and prayerful smoking,
Ihaps some of the speeches about the
~,ortance of the occasion, dilating on
benefit that will accrue to the entire
pie in a of success, and the evils
disasters that may befall them
hugh defeat, the special instruction of
service o be acquired as well as the
eral instructions, which all Indians
I'w by heart, are given them by the
hese general instructions are usually
|he effect that they must be wise as well
brave to look not only to the front, but
he right and left, behind them, and at
ground; to watch carefully the move
ITS of all wild animals, from the move
Ilts of buffalo to the flight of birds; to
d through ravines and the beds of
ams, to walk on hard ground ;or where
re is grass, SO as to leave no trail, I O
l ne with great car SO as not 10 disturb
wild animals and should they dis
er anything important TO return with all
sibIe speed and bring such information
hey may find. OF late years. i'm addi-
to their arms, the out carry q mir
and field glass, which are furnished
Friends il they do not themselves pos
them. One or two only are sent in
same direction-a larger party could
no more and in size alone would in
9ise the danger of discovering them to
enemy. The safety and value of a
knting party lies not in their fighting
litics but in their keen eye. crafty,
sewd cunning and w~atchfulness. Sup
G the scout is seen returning his story
Iearly told by his movements or by his
Iror long before he has approached
r enough for vocal communication.
/. when he is near enough for the
md of his voice to be heard, he imi-
: the howl of the wolf he has seen the
umy. The main party, meanwhile.
her in an incomplete circle with the
lining toward the direction from which
scout is coming and at the OPEN
place a pile of buffalo chips or spread
a blanket upon four sticks. When
scout reaches them il the enemy is
close or immediate action is neces-
N so there is no time for the story to
bold in the ceremonial way he kicks
I'm the blanket or ,atters the chips as
bath that he is telling the truth. and
briefly and hurriedly tells the story,
here is time for a smoke the pipe is
I'D, lighted and the interrogation points
stem to the zenith, the sun, the earth
four winds and then holds the stem
khe scout's mouth. who takes four
Bfs.
Igain the pipe is pointed as before and
lin four pulls are taken by the scout.
Is is repeated four times. when the in
togator says: "lou know all the hills,
Ileys and streams in this country; yoiI
Re born and grew up in it. now tell me
ht you have seem" The scout divides
story into our parts, which are told at
trvals. At each interval the smokes
repeated and the interrogater adds,
Whaps to his question, tell us and your
kple will have glad hearts: they will
Use you n raise your name up nom
}m." On the completion Of this cere-
Iny the entire story is usually told rom
liously without interruption. This is.
have said. the custom when there is
hty of time. Usually the return of a
hut cent on i'm advance Of a war party
jhtes the widest excitement and all
I ms and ceremonies are ignored or for
ten.
japtain Clark considered that the Chey-
be Indians and Cheyenne scouts were
! srperiors of all our North American
)ians in bravery as warriors and skill
trailers. l believe that there is no
}bt that they are the bravest and most
llful warriors of the plains, but Cap
Clark had never served with the
hche Indians and probably his friend
contemporary who served SO long on
staff of General Crook, Captain John
Bourke, would take issue with him as
he relative ability Of the Cheyenne
N Apache tribes. Bourke's experience
Ia the Apaches was only equaled by
( of Clark's with the Cheyennes and my
n service was so Insignificant as COM
ed with that of either of these dis
guished cavalry officers that the
mons which | should express would be
terially modified, perhaps, after con
rsation with them. l have een some
ng of the work Of the Cheyenne scouts
the plains and there is no question
il is beautiful and skillful in the
hest degree: but whether they would
.omplish As much over rocky preci-
es and canyons as the Apaches have
he time and again | have no means of
.... n. ..u s. laU...a.