Those immense plains present a horizon like the ocean, so that any object of importance can be descried afar, and information communicated to a great distance.

The scouts are stationed on the hills, therefore, to look out both for game and for enemies, and are, in a manner, living telegraphs conveying their intelligence by concerted signs.

If they wish to give notice of a herd of buffalo in the plain beyond, they gallop backwards and forwards abreast, on the summit of the hill.

If they perceive an enemy at hand, they gallop to and fro, crossing each other; at sight of which the whole village flies to arms.
Such an alarm was given in the afternoon of the 15th.

Four scouts were seen crossing and recrossing each other at full gallop, on the summit of a hill about two miles distant down the river.