In this painting, a band of warriors discuss the novel approach of a steamboat using the symbol for fire or smoke in American Indian sign language, a language that Russell himself was conversant in. Both the crook-shaped society lance and the wolf’s head bonnet are important pieces of Plains Indian regalia that mark the leader of the figural group. Here, not only does the lance stand in as a marker of power, but also one of prestige, indicating the figure’s high rank in a men’s society. Visible from afar, these types of status objects announced the presence of an esteemed warrior before he could be identified by other means.