According to Masta, chief of the Abnaki, members of that tribe remove the bark of trees in prominent places to denote that the inhabitants of the nearest lodge are in a starving condition.
The Ottawa and the Potawatomi Indians indicate hunger and starvation by drawing a black line across the breast or stomach of the figure of a man. (See Fig. 145, page 221.) This drawing is placed upon a piece of wood, either incised or with a mixture of powdered charcoal and glue water, or red ocher. This is then attached to a tree or fastened to a piece of wood, and erected near the lodge on a trail, where it will be observed by passers by, who are expected to alleviate the sufferings of the native who erected the notice.
Figure 53 illustrates information with regard to distress in another village, which occasioned the departure of the party giving the notification. The drawing was made for Dr. W. J. Hoffman, in 1882, by Naumoff, in imitation of drawings prepared by Alaska natives. The designs are traced upon a strip of wood, which is then stuck upon the roof of the house belonging to the recorder.
[Illustration: FIG. 53.--Alaskan notice of distress.]
1. The summer habitation, showing a stick leaning in the direction to be taken.
2. The baidarka, containing the residents of the house. The first person is observed pointing forward, indicating that they “go by boat to the other settlement.”
3. A grave stick, indicating a death in the settlement.
4, 5. Summer and winter habitations, denoting a village.
The drawing, Figure 54, made for Dr. Hoffman in 1882, by a native, in imitation of originals in Alaska, is intended to be placed in a conspicuous portion of a settlement which has been attacked by a hostile force and finally deserted. The last one to leave prepares the drawing upon a strip of wood to inform friends of the resort of the survivors.
[Illustration: FIG. 54.--Alaskan notice of departure and refuge.]
1. Represents three hills or ranges, signifying that the course taken would carry them beyond that number of hills or mountains.
2. The recorder, indicating the direction, with the left hand pointing to the ground, _one_ hill, and the right hand indicating the number _two_, the number still to be crossed.