bear-track." He then pointed with his gun-rod to some spears of grass
that grew near the impression, but I did not comprehend the mystery
until he dismounted and explained to me that, when the wind was
blowing, the spears of grass would be bent over toward the ground, and
the oscillating motion thereby produced would scoop out the loose sand
into the shape I have described. The truth of this explanation was
apparent, yet it occurred to me that its solution would have baffled
the wits of most white men.

Fresh tracks generally show moisture where the earth has been turned
up, but after a short exposure to the sun they become dry. If the
tracks be very recent, the sand may sometimes, where it is very loose
and dry, be seen running back into the tracks, and by following them to
a place where they cross water, the earth will be wet for some distance
after they leave it. The droppings of the dung from animals are also
good indications of the age of a trail. It is well to remember whether
there have been any rains within a few days, as the age of a trail may
sometimes be conjectured in this way. It is very easy to tell whether
tracks have been made before or after a rain, as the water washes off
all the sharp edges.

It is not a difficult matter to distinguish the tracks of American
horses from those of Indian horses, as the latter are never shod;
moreover, they are much smaller.

In trailing horses, there will be no trouble while the ground is soft,
as the impressions they leave will then be deep and distinct; but when
they pass over hard or rocky ground, it is sometimes a very slow and
troublesome process to follow them. Where there is grass, the trace can
be seen for a considerable time, as the grass will be trodden down and
bent in the direction the party has moved; should the grass have
returned to its upright position, the trail can often be distinguished
by standing upon it and looking ahead for some distance in the
direction it has been pursuing; the grass that has been turned over
will show a different shade of green from that around it, and this
often marks a trail for a long time.

Should all traces of the track be obliterated in certain localities, it
is customary with the Indians to follow on in the direction it has been
pursuing for a time, and it is quite probable that in some place where
the ground is more favorable it will show itself again. Should the
trail not be recovered in this way, they search for a