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Show 254 INDIAN LANGUAGE OF SIGNS. although it was then very nearly dark. With a spy- glass, also, they were very much pleased, and through it watched the erection of their lodges with great wonder and interest. A Colt's revolver, when explained to them, excited many remarks, and evidently increased their respect for the strength of our little party. There was one circumstance, however, that attracted my attention in this interview with these untutored sons of the forest more than any other; and that was the perfection and precision to which they appear to have reduced a system of purely arbitrary and conventional signs, by which, all over this vast region, intercourse, though of a limited character, may be held between tribes who are perfect strangers to each other's tongue. After partaking of such food as could be hastily prepared for them, the principal men seated themselves on the ground, in a circle around the camp- fire in front of the tent, and the pipe of peace was filled and duly circulated in regular succession. Our esteemed friend and experienced mountaineer, Major Bridger, who was personally known to many of our visitors, and to all of them by the repute of his numerous exploits, was seated among us. Although intimately acquainted with the languages of the Crows, Blackfeet, and most of the tribes west and north- west of the Rocky Mountain chain, he was unable to speak to either the Sioux or Cheyennes in their own tongue, or that of any tribe which they could understand. Notwithstanding this, he held the whole circle, for more than an hour, perfectly enchained and evidently most deeply interested in a conversation and narrative, the whole of which was carried on without the utterance of a single word. The simultaneous exclamations of surprise or interest, and the occasional bursts of hearty laughter, showed that the whole party perfectly understood not only the theme, but the minutiae of the pantomime exhibited before them. I looked on with close attention, but the signs to me were for the most part altogether unintelligible. Upon after inquiry, I found that this language of signs is universally understood by all the tribes. At sundown the whole band left for their village; previous to which, a venerable old Indian traversed the camp, haranguing the young men in an elevated and monotonous tone, the purport of his exhortation being, as I was told, a warning to them not to touch or meddle with any of our property. But the old man's advice was of little avail; for we ascertained, soon after their departure, that a dbuple of axes, a blanket, and an excellent rifle had mysteriously disappeared. |