Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1903-05-28

dians made these arrows very lngen-
ious, wrapping the head Of the shaft
in variety of slow-b burning, soft bark,
which made quite brilliant fame
and lasted some length Of time. In
replying to any of these signals it was
the custom to make the same signal
as had been received. In times Of
war no answer was ever returned, for
obvious reasons, but if possible the re-
quested aid was dispatched as soon as
it could conveniently be done.
In mountainous countries signals,
or, more property speaking, signs,
were made by the use of stones. A
band of Indians travelling aud fishing
or expecting others to follow would
frequently turn over stones, selecting
those possessing a comparatively
rounded base, with the other eXtrem-
ity as sharply pointed as possible,
placing the point in the direction they
were travelling. By this simple pro-
cedure they easily and surely marked
the course taken to any wLo might
encounter these signs.
If they had found and were follow
ing the buffalo, three small stones were
placed on the surface of that which
had been overturned. Two small
stones indicated that they were follow
ing party Of the enemy, while but
one small stone III similar position
was given the same Interpretation,
with the addition that they required
assistance. A number Of small sticks
stuck in the ground near the large
stone indicated the apmber in the
party, and a stick split in halves was
used by at least one tribe to express
tba nnr,har 10 A. - illustration,
instance :. recalled that occurred 4
n,,,,bor Of ye,r. since A party of
whit. mo, on y LpntIpg trIp met An
Indian. Inquiry was made as TO the
nrob,b;r,,y af fpd,no ar,eJops at a
brtta distant .om- GO miles Hccon.
f5.rt1v ,gnbe5 in the affirmative. and
rnor bs;r, ors,tiopej ss TO his r.a.
.o,s f,r .nrrosir., s,r. ari.ted There
-,,.,..-o5 ,ba+ bo Lod ;rst ssar an In.
l,., .,,u so s,,t;n, and - . rttia
3;..,noa b, sbo,roJ o roirted rock
1T. .L.,lIn on nounds with
i'll. .o..,rI a., b,,,o =,
.; 7. ,,,,,, aridor, that
i b.d bo.r rscortIv to,ne5 over and
tl,., .,,,Ir nobbr.s ,ra,e Ivirg on its
,,,,,o. ,.;,b nina CHOIR, srcg. f,a5
u.l H. - ,I. Tba ;,f,~.
,...,., .,.o,.,l B., ,bor,J;,, 10 This
.,b..ooon,ly found 70 have
%. -.
r,f,r,,.+;o, corrs.,o,jicc 70 tbe
.boro r.s oIso giyan bv ossr.of the
bo,cbs Of traas 4 LARGE low.b,ro.
ina brorcb was n.rtiaIDv broken off
,r2no5 bor;zor,aIIv and fvaJ with
tho fan ,,oi,.,;,oir tbe direction taken
bv the travellers. One, two or three
Of itssmaIIer branches. when broken 50
AZ to hang PERPENDICULAR, had mean
jDq identical with the small stones.
Signs made in this manner were quite
commonly employed by the tribes IN
habiting heavily timbered country
especially the sign denoting the find.
ing of game. The green boughs Of
trees were also almost universally re-
garded as emblems of peace. A par.
ty approaching hostile camp bearing
these tokens were received with all the
honors Of war. When their errand
was finished, whether successful or
not, they wer. given safe conduct out
Of the camp Of their enemies. Many
years ago a young brave, overcome by
hot blood and personal enmity toward
one member of a party who were seek,
ing to bury the tomahawk under the
aboriginal flag Of truce, waDtonly shot
an arrow through the heart Of his en-,
emv. His tribe was 60 incensed al