In the early and free life of the North American Indian, he was
constantly in motion, the various bands of each tribe covering a large
area during the year. The hunters, travelers, and war-parties of these
widely scattered bands had their well-known codes of signals in the
field and on the trail, by means of which it was possible to communicate
from a distance. The methods in common use were the smoke, mirror, and
blanket signals, all of which could be more readily practiced by the
Plains Indians than by those of the woods, for obvious reasons.
There are three distinct kinds of intelligence given in this manner,
which may be thus described: First, warning of danger; second, sighting
of game; third, general news of importance from another tribe or
village. Any person who happens to be in the field and discovers the
approach of danger must instantly signal a warning by any means in his
power. If he is in full view of the camp or of the individual whom he
desires to reach, the blanket method is used.
A blanket or other article of clothing tightly rolled and held with
outstretched arms so as to form, with the body, a cross or a capital T,
is the primary danger-signal. If the person signaling runs to and fro,
it means that the danger is approaching, and if, in addition to these,
the blanket is thrown horizontally, it is a call for rescue or signal of
immediate distress.
When game is sighted, the game scout runs to and fro; that means a small
herd of game, especially buffalo. If he runs in a circle, tossing up his
blanket, it denotes a large herd. If he runs back and forth with blanket
trailing behind, it indicates bad news. The blanket held straight above
the head signifies important tidings from a distance.
Since the mirror came into use among us, each warrior carries with him a
small round reflector. With this it is easy to flash a signal into the
camp or toward the surrounding hills, upon which it is customary to keep
a continual lookout. One long flash is the signal for attention, and as
soon as it is answered, you may give the message to be transmitted. One
short flash means that game is in sight. Two short flashes means the
enemy is in sight. Two short flashes followed by one long one is a call
for rescue. Two short flashes and one long followed by two more short
flashes means the danger is over. Four short flashes signifies a meeting
with a stranger or news from a distance.
The smoke signal is resorted to when no other could be employed, on
account of distance or obstacles in the way, such as hills or forest. As
this is a long-distance signal, the codes vary among different tribes,
so that the intelligence conveyed may not be of equal advantage to the
foe. Among the Sioux, it was often used by war-parties, announcing their
return and giving news of success or failure; the number of scalps or
horses taken might also be indicated.
To make this signal, you must build a brisk fire upon some convenient
knoll, and as soon as it is burning freely, smother it with coarse green
grass, also heap earth around it so that the smoke may be dense and
closely confined. When it has burned long enough to gain attention,
check the smoke for an instant by holding a blanket over the fire and
then withdrawing it, causing a succession of short puffs, with intervals
between. To avoid confusion, it will be well to adopt the code given
above for mirror flashes. At night, a signal fire is sometimes kindled.
Since fire is not always easy to control single-handed, the Indian is
careful to turn up the earth before he builds his fire, and to have an
abundance of green grass at hand, not only to produce a sufficient
volume of smoke, but to put the fire out if necessary.
The drum is used for home communications. When four measured blows are
struck, followed by many short ones, it is a call to the council. If
every warrior is not present at the second signal, given a few minutes
after the first, the Indian "soldiers" or police will come after the
absentees. At all dances, the drum is used to call the dancers together,
the third call being accompanied by yelps and the fourth by a real burst
of war-whoops. There is a curious variation in the call to the scalp
dance, which is something like skipping a stone on new ice. It begins in
slow time, with each successive beat shorter, and ending in a mere roll.
There are also many signal calls executed by the voice alone, such as
the call to war, the journey and hunting halloos, the good deed calls,
and other yodels or musical shouts which are very effective and may be
heard at a considerable distance.