The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-01-23

lions of the Indians body told the story as
plainly as words.
When the scout discovered the Indians he
threw himself flat on his horse, indicating
that he had seen the enemy. He rode down
the hill in a zigzag manner showing that
the enemy was coming way, ar. he
rode at top speed, which meant that there
was great danger.
With his blanket an Indian expresses
many things to his friends when the
lookout for game. Should the scout discover
game he holds his blanket by the ends at
arms length on a line with his shoulders
and his face toward the camp. If the sis
nalist wishes the persons addressed 10 come
to him he folds the blanket and waves it
between his legs. The Sioux Indians the
blanket in signaling more than other tribes,
and have many fixed meanings to the sig
nails If the Sioux warrior finds that he is
being worsted in battle and is ready to
surrender he folds his blanket and holds it
high over his head. The literal meaning of
this is 81 want to die at once" but it is
now taken as the token of surrender The
erection of blanket on a pole is the usual
signal for the location of camp, in COM
mon use among many tribes. If on approach
ing party OF Indians one graSpS the end
of his blanket robe and waves it down
ward several times it means that you must
halt until they satisfy themselves as to
your intentions. Should they wave it down.
ward once and make the motion of spread
ing it on the ground it is an Indication that
you are welcome and they will spread d
blanket for you. The different motions made
with the blanket tell Of the disposition of
the party using it and it is always Well
to follow the instructions of the blanket.
1t can readily be understood that the In
dian makes use Of many minor objects III
his Efforts to communicate with his TEL
lows. Hence, in addition to the use of those
instruments that permit him to send his
messages long distances he may not only
use his person in connection with objects,
but his bodily action may serve to convey
Intelligence to those too distant 10 hear
the sound of the voice. The most interest
ing means of signaling is that of bodily ac-
ton and while this might properly be placed
in the category of sign language it undoubt
eddy belongs to that of signaling. Certain
signals are made simply to attract attcn-
tion but all others are conventional and
permanent in the tribe using them. The
two signals most in in this form are
those used to denote peace and war.
These are necessary at all times, for the
traveller in the wilds must know the char
acter of those he meets before he dare al
low close communication, hence it is nee
essary for him to notify an oncoming stran-
ger to signify that his crrand is n peace
full one. In meeting with strangers the Gus
tomary signal given is to raise the right
hand with the palm in front and push it
forward and back several times. If the
stranger is not hostile he viii at once stop
and lay aside his weapons and elevate his
arms at fun length above his head, enuch
after the accepted manner of a "hodup'
by highWaymen. This is what may be
termed the universal signal Of peace.
Another question that may be asked al
the same time that the command to stop
is given is, "Who are yOu?" This is done
after the party has complied with the or
der to halt The hand is still elevated with
the palm to the front, but it is moved slow
ly from side o side. To this query the
swcr is given by making the tribal sign of
the Indian who is halted. 1t is possible that