Chapter I: Am Going Home (1)

(1) Touch the breast with the extended index--_I_, (2) then pass it in a downward curve, outward and upward toward the right nearly to arm's length, as high as the shoulder--_am going (to)_, (3) and when at that point suddenly clinch the hand and throw it edgewise a short distance toward the ground--_my country, my home_.

ANALYSIS.

Ma-ko'-ce mi-ta'-wa kin e-kta' wa-gle' kta. (3) (2) (1) Country || my own || the || to || I go home || will.

DIALOGUES.

_TENDOY-HUERITO DIALOGUE._

The following conversation took place at Washington in April, 1880, between TENDOY, chief of the Shoshoni and Banak Indians of Idaho, and HUERITO, one of the Apache chiefs from New Mexico, in the presence of Dr. W.J. HOFFMAN. Neither of these Indians spoke any language known to the other, or had ever met or heard of one another before that occasion:

_Huerito_.--WHO ARE YOU?

Place the flat and extended right hand, palm forward, about twelve inches in front of and as high as the shoulder, then shake the hand from side to side as it is moved forward and upward--_question, who are you?_ Fig. 304.

_Tendoy_.--SHOSHONI CHIEF.

Place the closed right hand near the right hip leaving the index only extended, palm down; then pass the hand toward the front and left, rotating it from side to side--_Shoshoni_, Fig. 305; then place the closed hand, with the index extended and pointing upward, near the right cheek, pass it upward as high as the head, then turn it forward and downward toward the ground, terminating with the movement a little below the initial point--_chief_. Fig. 306.

_Huerito_.--HOW OLD ARE YOU?

Clinch both hands and cross the forearms before the breast with a trembling motion--_cold--winter, year_, Fig. 307; then elevate the left hand as high as the neck and about twelve or fifteen inches before it, palm toward the face, with fingers extended and pointing upward; then, with the index, turn down one finger after another slowly, beginning at the little finger, until three or four are folded against the palm, and look inquiringly at the person addressed--_how many_? See Fig. 302.

_Tendoy_.--FIFTY-SIX.

Close and extend the fingers and thumbs of both hands, with the palms forward, five times--_fifty_; then extend the fingers and thumb of the left hand, close the right, and place the extended thumb alongside of and near the left thumb--_six_. Fig. 308.

_Huerito_.--VERY WELL. ARE THERE ANY BUFFALO IN YOUR COUNTRY?

Place the flat right hand, pointing to the left, with the palm down, against the breast-bone; then move it forward and slightly to the right and in an upward curve; make the gesture rather slow and nearly to arm's length (otherwise, i.e., if made hastily and but a short distance, it would only mean _good_)--_very good_, Fig. 309; place both closed hands to their respective sides of the head, palms toward the hair, leaving the forefingers curved--_buffalo_, see Fig. 298, p. 477; then reach out the fist to arm's length toward the west, and throw it forcibly toward the ground for a distance of about six inches, edge downward--_country, away to the west_; then point the curved index rather quickly and carelessly toward the person addressed--_your_.

_Tendoy_.--YES; MANY BLACK BUFFALO.

Pass the closed right hand, with the index partly flexed, to a position about eight inches before the right collar-bone, and, as the hand reaches that elevation, quickly close the index--_yes_; then make the same sign as in the preceding question for _buffalo_; touch the hair on the right side of the head with the palms of the extended fingers of the right hand--_black_; spread the curved fingers and thumbs of both hands, place them before either thigh, pointing downward; then draw them toward one another and upward as high as the stomach, so that the fingers will point toward one another, or may be interlaced--_many_. Fig. 310.

_Tendoy_.--DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE SECRETARY? IF SO, TELL ME.

Close the right hand, leaving the index and thumb widely separated, pass it by the ear from the back of the ear downward and toward the chin, palm toward the head--_hear_, see Fig. 316, p. 492; point to the individual addressed--_you_; close the hand again, leaving the index and thumb separated as in the sign for _hear_ and placing the palmar surface of the finger horizontally across the forehead, pointing to the left, allow the thumb to rest against the right temple; then draw the index across the forehead from left to right, leaving the thumb touching the head--_white man_; then place the closed hand, with elevated index, before the right side of the neck or in front of the top of the shoulder; pass the index, pointing upward, as high as the top of the head; turn it forward and downward as far as the breast--_chief_; pass the extended index, pointing up ward and forward, forward from the mouth twice--_talk_; then open and flatten the hand, palm up, outer edge toward the face, place it about fifteen inches in front of the chin, and draw it horizontally inward until the hand nearly touches the neck--_tell me_.

_Huerito_.--HE TOLD ME THAT IN FOUR DAYS I WOULD GO TO MY COUNTRY.

Close the right hand, leaving the index curved; place it about six inches from the ear and move it in toward the external meatus--_told me, hear, I heard_, Fig. 311; with the right hand still closed, form a circle with the index and thumb by allowing their tips to touch; pass the hand from east to west at arm's length--_day_; place the left hand before the breast, the fingers extended, and the thumb resting against the palm, back forward, and, with the index, turn down one finger after another, beginning at the little finger--_four_; touch the breast with the tips of the finger and thumb of the left hand collected to a point--_I_; drop the hand a short distance and move it forward to arm's length and slightly upward until it points above the horizon--_go to_*; then as the arm is extended, throw the fist edgewise toward the ground--_my country_.

_Tendoy_.--IN TWO DAYS I GO TO MY COUNTRY JUST AS YOU GO TO YOURS. I GO TO MINE WHERE THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF SNOW, AND WE SHALL SEE EACH OTHER NO MORE.

Place the flat hands horizontally, about two feet apart, move them quickly in an upward curve toward one another until the right lies across the left--_night_, Fig. 312, repeat this sign--_two nights_ (literally _two sleeps hence_); point toward the individual addressed with the right hand--_you_; and in a continuous movement pass the hand to the right, i.e., toward the south, nearly to arm's length--_go_; then throw the fist edgewise toward the ground at that distance--_your country_; then touch the breast with the tips of the fingers of the left hand--_I_; move the hand off slowly toward the left, i.e., toward the north to arm's length--_go to_*; and throw the clinched hand toward the ground--_my country_; then hold both hands toward the left as high as the head, palms down, with fingers and thumbs pendent and separated; move them toward the ground two or three times--_rain_, Fig. 313; then place the flat hands horizontally to the left of the body about two feet from the ground--_deep_; (literally, _deep rain_) _snow_--and raise them until about three feet from the ground--_very deep_--_much_; place the hands before the body about twelve inches apart, palms down, with forefingers only extended and pointing toward one another; push them toward and from one another several times--_see each other_, Fig. 314; then hold the flat right hand in front of the breast, pointing forward, palm to the left, and throw it over on its back toward the right--_not, no more_.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.--Where the asterisks appear in the above dialogue the preposition _to_ is included in the gesture. After touching the breast for _I_, the slow movement forward signifies _going to_, and _country_ is signified by locating it at arm's length toward the west, to the left of the gesturer, as the stopping-place, also _possession_ by the clinched fist being directed toward the ground. It is the same as for _my_ or _mine_, though made before the body in the latter signs. The direction of Tendoy's hands, first to the south and afterwards to the north, was understood not as pointing to the exact locality of the two parts of the country, but to the difference in their respective climates.

_OMAHA COLLOQUY._

The following is contributed by Rev. J. OWEN DORSEY:

_Question_. FROM WHAT QUARTER IS THE WIND?

Raise the curved right hand, palm in, in front of the left shoulder. Draw in toward the body a little, then from the body several times in different directions.

_Answer_. FROM THAT QUARTER.

Hand as above; draw in towards the body _once_, and _farther_ with _emphasis_, according to the direction of the wind.

_BRULE DAKOTA COLLOQUY._

The following signs, forming a question and answer, were obtained by Dr. W.J. HOFFMAN, from Ta-ta[n]-ka Wa-ka[n] (Medicine Bull), a Brule Dakota chief who visited Washington during the winter of 1880-'81:

_Question_. WE WENT TO THE DEPARTMENT [OF THE INTERIOR], SHOOK HANDS WITH THE SECRETARY AND HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM, DID YOU HEAR OF IT?

(1) Extend and separate the thumb and index, leaving the remaining fingers closed, place the ball of the thumb against the temple above the outer corner of the eye, and the index across the forehead, the tip resting on the left temple, then draw the index across to the right until its tip touches the thumb--_white man_, Fig. 315; (2) Elevate the extended index before the shoulder, palm forward, pass it upward, as high as the head, and forming a short curve to the front, then downward again slightly to the front to before the breast and about fifteen inches from it--_chief_; (3) Fingers of both hands extended and separated; then interlace them so that the tips of the fingers of one hand protrude beyond the backs of those of the opposing one; hold the hands in front of the breast, pointing upward, leaving the wrists about six inches apart--_lodge_; (4) Place the left hand a short distance before the breast, palm down and slightly arched, fingers directed toward the right and front, then pass the flat and extended right hand forward, under and beyond the left, forming a downward curve, the right hand being as high as the left at the commencement and termination of the gesture--_enter, entered_; (5) Clasp the hands before the body, left uppermost--_shook hands, friendly_; (6) Place the flat right hand before the chin, palm up with fingers directed to the left, then pass the hand forward several times--_talk, talked to him_; (7) Reverse this motion, beginning away from the body, drawing the hand edgewise toward the chin several times--_talked to me_; (8) Separate the extended thumb and index as far as possible, leaving the remaining fingers closed, place the hand about six inches opposite the right ear, palm toward the head, then pass it in a curve forward and downward, terminating at the height of the elbow--_hear, heard_; (9) then in a continuous movement direct the extended index at the individual addressed, the face expressing a look of inquiry--_you_.

ANALYSIS.

Wa-['s]i'-cu[n] | i-ta[n]-ca[n] | ti-el' | ti'-ma-hel | unk-i'-pi
(1) | (2) | (3) | (4)
White man | chief |lodge in|lodge within |we were at that place

|na | na'-pe-u[n]-za-pi | na | ki-ci | wo-un-gla-ka-pi | ki[n]
| (5) | (6,7) |
|and | hand we hold it, | and | to each other | we talk | the
take hold of thing

| na-ya-[.h]o[n]-hu-o (8,9) | you hear it?

It will be observed that the interrogation point is placed under the last syllable, hu-o, the latter implying a question, though the gesture was not made to accompany it, the gestures for _hear_ and _you_, with a look of inquiry, being deemed sufficient to express the desire on the part of the speaker.

_Answer_. YES, I HEARD OF IT, BUT DID NOT SEE IT.

(1) Hold the naturally closed hand before the right side of the breast or shoulder, leaving the index and thumb loosely extended, then, as the hand is thrown downward and forward, bring the index against the inner side of the thumb--_yes_. (2) Repeat gesture No. 8--_heard_, Fig. 316; (3) pass the extended index forward from the right eye--_saw_; (4) then in a continuous motion extend all the fingers so as to place the flat hand edgewise, and pointing forward about twelve inches before the right side of the breast, and throw it outward and slightly downward--_no, not_.

ANALYSIS.

Ha-u | na-wa'-[.h]o[n] | tka | wa[n]-mla'-ke | ['s]ni
(1) | (2) | | (3) | (4)
Yes, | I heard | (but) | I saw it. | not.

_DIALOGUE BETWEEN ALASKAN INDIANS._

The following introductory notes are furnished by MR. IVAN PETROFF, who contributes the Dialogue:

It has been repeatedly stated that among the natives of Alaska no trace of gesture or sign language can be found. The universal spread of the Russian language in former times as a medium of trade and general intercourse has certainly prevented observations of this primitive linguistic feature in all the vast regions visited by the Russians. On the other hand, the homogeneous elements of the Innuit tongue, spoken along the whole seacoast from the Arctic to the Alaskan Peninsula, and the Island of Kadiak, has, to a great extent, abolished all causes for the employment of sign language between tribes in their mutual intercourse. Basing their opinions upon what they saw while touching upon the coast here and there, even the acknowledged authorities on Alaskan matters have declared that sign language did not and could not exist in all that country. Without entering into any lengthened dispute upon this question, I venture to present in the subjoined pages a succinct account of at least one instance where I saw natives of different tribes converse with each other only by means of signs and gestures within the boundaries of Alaska.

In the month of September, 1866, there arrived on the Lower Kinnik River, a stream emptying its waters into Cook's Inlet, two Indians from a distant region, who did not speak the Kenaitze language. The people of the settlement at which the strangers made their first appearance were equally at a loss to understand the visitors. At last a chief of great age, bearing the name of Chatidoolts (mentioned by Vancouver as a youth), was found to be able to interpret some of the signs made by the strangers, and after a little practice he entered into a continued conversation with them in rather a roundabout way, being himself blind. He informed me that it was the second or third time within his recollection that strangers like those then present had come to Kinnik from the northeast, but that in his youth he had frequently "talked with his hands" to their visitors from the west and east. He also told me that he had acquired this art from his father, who, as the old man expressed himself, had "seen every country, and spoken to all the tribes of the earth." The conversation was carried on with the help of the old man's sons, who described to their blind parent the gestures of the strangers, and were instructed in turn by him with what gestures to reply.

This being an entirely new experience to me I at once proceeded to carefully make notes of the desultory talk, extending over several days. My object, primarily, was to make use of the signs for purposes of trade in the future.

The notes thus obtained contain a narrative of the two strangers, interpreted to me at the time by Chatidoolts. I shall present each sign or sentence as I noted it at the time, with only casual reference to that incomplete and frequently erroneous interpretation.

The two Indians wore the pointed hunting shirt of tanned moose-skin, ornamented with beads and fringes which is still common to the Kutchin tribes. They were not tattooed, but ears and noses were encumbered with pendants of dentalium and a small red glass bead. Their feet were clothed in moccasins. One of them had a rifle of English manufacture, and his companion carried two huge knives, one of them of copper evidently of native manufacture.

(1) _Kenaitze_.--Left hand raised to height of eye, palm outward, moved several times from right to left rapidly; fingers extended and closed; pointing to strangers with left hand. Right hand describes a curve from north to east--_Which of the northeastern tribes is yours?_

(2) _Tennanah_.--Right hand, hollowed, lifted to mouth, then extended and describing waving line gradually descending from right to left. Left hand describing mountainous outline, apparently one peak rising above the other, said by Chatidoolts to mean--_Tenan-tnu-kohtana, Mountain-river-men_.

(3) _K_.--Left hand raised to height of eye, palm outward, moved from right to left, fingers extended. Left index describes curve from east to west. Outline of mountain and river as in preceding sign.--_How many days from Mountain-river?_

(4) _T_.--Right hand raised toward sky, index and thumb forming first crescent and then ring. This repeated three times--_moon, new and full three times_.

(5) Right hand raised, palm to front, index raised and lowered at regular intervals--_walked_. Both hands imitating paddling of canoe, alternately right and left--_traveled three months on foot and by canoe_.

(6) Both arms crossed over breast, simulating shivering--_cold, winter_.

(7) Right index pointing toward speaker--_I_. Left hand pointing to the west--_traveled westward_.

(8) Right hand lifted cup-shaped to mouth--_water_. Right hand describing waving line from right to left gradually descending, pointing to the west--_river running westward_.

(9) Right hand gradually pushed forward, palm upward, from height of breast. Left hand shading eyes; looking at great distance--_very wide_.

(10) Left and right hands put together in shape of sloping shelter--_lodge, camp_. See Fig. 259, on p. 431.

(11) Both hands lifted, height of eye, palm inward, fingers spread--_many times_.

(12) Both hands closed, palm outward, height of hips--_surprised_.

(13) Index pointing from eye forward--_see_.

(14) Right hand held up, height of shoulder, three fingers extended, left hand pointing to me--_three white men_.

(15) _K_.--Right hand pointing to me, left hand held up, three fingers extended--_three white men_.

(16) Making Russian sign of cross--_Russians. Were the three white men Russians?_

(17) _T_.--Left hand raised, palm inward, two fingers extended, sign of cross with right--_two Russians_.

(18) Right hand extended, height of eye, palm outward, moved outward a little to right--_no_.

(19) One finger of left hand raised--_one_.

(20) Sign of cross with right--_Russian_.

(21) Right hand height of eye, fingers closed and extended, palm outward a little to right--_no_.

(22) Right hand carried across chest, hand extended, palm upward, fingers and thumb closed as if holding something. Left hand in same position carried across the right, palm downward--_trade_.

(23) Left hand upholding one finger, right pointing to me--_one white man_.

(24) Right hand held horizontally, palm downward, about four feet from ground--_small_.

(25) Forming rings before eyes with index and thumb--_eye-glasses_.

(26) Right hand clinched, palm upward, in front of chest, thumb pointing inward--_gave one_.

(27) Forming cup with right hand, simulating drinking--_drink_.

(28) Right hand grasping chest repeatedly, fingers curved and spread--_strong_.

(29) Both hands pressed to temple and head moved from side to side--_drunk, headache_.

(30) Both index fingers placed together, extended, pointing forward--_together_.

(31) Fingers interlaced repeatedly--_build_.

(32) Left hand extended, fingers closed, pointing outward (vertically), right hand extended, fingers closed, placed slopingly against left--_camp_.

(33) Both wrists placed against temples, hands curved upward and outward, fingers spread--_horns_.

(34) Both hands horizontally lifted to height of shoulder, right arm extended gradually full length to the right, hand drooping a little at the end--_long back, moose_.

(35) Both hands upright, palm outward, fingers extended and spread, placing one before the other alternately--_trees, forest, dense forest_.

(36) Sign of cross--_Russian_.

(37) Motions of shooting a gun--_shot_.

(38) Sign for _moose_ (Nos. 33, 34), showing two fingers of left hand--_two_.

(39) Sign for _camp_ as before (No. 10) _camp_.

(40) Right hand describing curve from east to west, twice--_two days_.

(41) Left hand lifted height of mouth, back outward, fingers closed as if holding something; right hand simulating motion of tearing off and placing in mouth--_eating moose meat_.

(42) Right hand placed horizontally against heart, fingers closed, moved forward a little and raised a little several times--_glad at heart_.

(43) Fingers of left hand and index of right hand extended and placed together horizontally, pointing forward, height of chest. Hands separated, right pointing eastward and left westward--_three men and speaker parted, going west and east_.

(44) Pressing both arms against chest and shivering--_very cold_.

(45) Drawing index of each hand around corresponding legs below the knee--_deep snow_.

(46) Drawing imaginary line with index of right hand across each foot, just behind the toes--_snow shoes_.

(47) Head lowered to right side into palm of hand three times--_slept three times_.

(48) Sign for _camp_, as before (No. 10)--_camp_.

(49) Pointing to speaker--_I_.

(50) Fingers of right hand extended and joined and pointed forward from mouth, left hand lowered horizontally to a foot from the ground--_fox_.

(51) Left hand raised height of eye, back to the left, fingers closed, with exception of middle finger held upright; then middle finger suddenly closed--_trap_.

(52) Both hands lifted height of eye, palm inward, fingers spread--_many_.

(53) Right hand pointing to speaker--_I_.

(54) Sign for _trap_ (No. 51), as above--_trap_.

(55) Right hand lowered to within a few inches of the ground and moved from left to right about two feet. Motions of both hands descriptive of playful jumping of marten around a tree or stump--_marten_.

(56) Holding up the fingers of both hands three times until aggregating thirty--_thirty_.

(57) Left forearm held up vertically, palm to front, fingers spread--_tree_.

(58) Motion of chopping with hatchet--_cut_.

(59) Driving invisible wedge around small circle--_peeling birch bark_.

(60) Right hand, fingers extended and joined, moved slowly from left to right horizontally while blowing upon it with mouth--_pitching seams of canoe_.

(61) Motions of using paddle very vigorously--_paddle up stream_.

(62) Lifting both arms above head on respective sides, hands closed as if grasping something and lifting the body--_poling canoe_.

(63) Sign for _moon_ (No. 4), (crescent and ring) once--_one month_.

(64) Right hand vertically, height of chest, palm to left, fingers extended, closed. Left hand horizontally, palm downward, pushed against right--_stopped_.

(65) Right hand, index extended, drawing outline of mountains, one above other--_high mountains_.

(66) Left hand lifted to left shoulder, back to front, fingers bent and closed. Right hand, fingers bent and closed, placed over left and then slowly drawn across chest to right shoulder. Motion with both hands as if adjusting pack--_pack, knapsack_.

(67) Sign for _water_ as before (No. 8). Both hands brought forward, palms down, arms passed outward horizontally to respective sides, palms down--_lake_. Both hands describing circular line backward until touching collar bone--_big and deep_.

(68) Left hand raised slightly about height of nipple, three fingers closed; index and thumb holding tip of index of right hand. Both hands moved across chest from left to right--_beaver_.[1]

(69) Previous sign for _many_ (No. 52) repeated several times--_very plentiful_.

(70) Both hands held up with fingers spread, palm forward, twice and left hand once--height of eye--_twenty-five_.

(71) Pointing to himself--_I_.

(72) Sign for _trap_ as before (No. 51)--_trapped_.

(73) Sign for temporary _shelter_ (No. 10)--_camped_.

(74) Sign for new and full moon (No. 4), once--_one month_.

(75) Right hand passed slowly over the hair and chin. Left hand touching a pendant of white beads--_old man_.

(76) Index of right hand held up--_one_.

(77) Both hands partially closed and placed against breast, back of hands to front, a few inches apart--_women_.

(78) Index and middle finger of right hand held up, palm forward; eyes directed as if counting--_two_.

(79) Sign for _trap_ as before (No. 51)--_trapping_.

(80) Left forearm vertically in front of chest, palm of hand to front, fingers spread, elbow resting upon the back of the right hand--_tree_.

(81) Arms and hands spanning imaginary tree of some size--_big_.

(82) Sign for _tree_ as before (No. 57), left forearm suddenly brought down across extended right hand--_fell_.

(83) Right hand laid on top of head, then passed over the hair and chin, left hand touching white beads--_on the head of the old man_.

(84) Sign for _old man_ as before (No. 75)--_old man_.

(85) Closing both eyes with fore and middle finger of right hand; both hands placed side by side, horizontally, palms downward, fingers extended and united, hands separated by slow horizontal movement to right and left--_dead_.

(86) Sign for women as before (No. 77)--women.

(87) Fingers of both hands interlaced at right angles several times--_built_.

(88) Sign for _lodge_ as before (No. 10)--_lodge_.[2]

(89) Right index describing circle around the head, height of eye (cutting hair). Right hand passed over forehead and face. Left index pointing to black scabbard (blacking faces)--_mourning_.

(90) Index and middle finger of right hand passed from eyes downward across cheeks--_weeping_.

(91) Pointing to himself--_I_.

(92) Make the signs for _shoot_ (Nos. 33, 34), and _moose_ (No. 37)--_shot a moose_.

(93) Left hand extended horizontally, palm upward, right hand placed across left vertically, about the middle--_divided in two_.

(94) Right hand closed, palm downward, moved forward from right breast the length of the arm and then opened--_I gave_.

(95) Sign for _women_, (No. 77)--_to women_.

(96) Right hand, palm down, pointing to left, placed horizontally before heart and slightly raised several times--_good and glad_.

(97) Pointing to his companion--_he_.

(98) Motion of _paddling--in canoe_.

(99) Right arm and hand extended in N.E. direction, gradually curved back until index touches speaker--_came to me from the northeast_.

(100) Sign for _together_ as above (No. 30)--_together_.

(101) Motion of _paddling--paddled_.

(102) Pointing to ground--_to this place_.

(103) _K_. Motion of drinking water out of hand--_water_.

(104) Describing circle with right index on palm of left hand extended horizontally--_lake_.

(105) Left hand raised to height of eye, palm to front, fingers leaning slightly backward. Fingers of left hand closed alternately--_how many?_

(106) _T_. Holding up right hand back to front, showing four fingers, eyes looking at them as if counting--_four_.

(107) Sign for packing with wooden breast-brace as above; three fingers of right hand shown as above--_three portages_.

(108) _K_. Right hand pointing to gun of stranger--_gun_. Left hand raised height of eye, palm to front, and moved rapidly several times to right and left--_interrogation_.

(109) Sign for _trade_ as before (No. 22)--_trade_; i.e., _where did you buy the gun?_

(110) _T_. Sign for _Mountain-river_ as above (No. 2). Pointing eastward--_from the eastward_.

(111) Pointing to sun and then raising both hands, backs to front, fingers spread--_ten days_.

(112) Pointing to me--_white man_.

(113) Left hand held up vertically, palm outward, fingers joined. Right index placed horizontally across fingers of left hand in front, about the middle joint--_pallisaded_.

(114) Describing square with right index on flat palm of left hand--_building_.

(115) Pointing to his gun, powder-horn, blanket, and beads--_trading goods_.

(116) Both hands horizontal, brought forward and upward from chest and then downward--_plenty_.

In giving this narrative I have observed the original sequence, but there were frequent interruptions, caused by consultation between Chatidoolts and his sons, and before the strangers departed again they had obtained a knowledge of some words of the Kenaitze language.

[Footnote 1: Chatidoolts explained this to his sons as well as to me, saying that the mountain men had a peculiar mode of catching beavers with long sticks.]

[Footnote 2: They never occupy a house in which one of the other Indians died.]

_OJIBWA DIALOGUE._

[COMMUNICATED BY THE VERY REV. EDWARD JACKER.]

The following short dialogue forms part of the scanty tradition the civilized Ojibwas possess regarding their ancestors' sign language:

Two Indians of different tongue meet on a journey. First Indian points to second Indian with the outstretched forefinger of the right hand, bringing it within a few inches of his breast; next he extends both forearms horizontally, clinches all but the forefingers, and bends the hands inward; then he brings them slowly and in a straight line together, until the tips of the outstretched forefingers meet. This gesture is accompanied with a look of inquiry--_You met somebody?_

Second Indian, facing the south, points to the east, and with the outstretched hand forms a half-circle from east to west (corresponding to the daily course of the sun); then he raises the arm and points to a certain height above the southern horizon. Then the sign for _meeting_ (as above) may be made, or omitted. After this he bends the right hand downward, and repeatedly moves the outstretched forefinger and middle finger in opposite directions (in imitation of the motion of the legs in the act of walking). Finally he raises the right hand and stretches up the forefinger (or several fingers). _To-day, when the sun stood at such a height, I met one (or several) persons traveling on foot_. If the travelers met were on horseback he makes the sign for _horse_ as described by (_Dakota_ III), see EXTRACTS FROM DICTIONARY, or the identical one for _going_ given by (_Ojibwa_ I), which is as follows: To describe a journey on horseback the first two fingers of the right hand are placed astride of the forefinger of the left hand, and both represent the galloping movement of a horse. If it is a foot journey, wave the two fingers several times through the air.

NARRATIVES.

The following, which is presented as a good descriptive model, was obtained by Dr. W.J. HOFFMAN, of the Bureau of Ethnology, from Natci, a Pai-Ute chief connected with the delegation of that tribe to Washington in January, 1880, and refers to an expedition made by him by direction of his father, Winnimukka, Head Chief of the Pai-Utes, to the northern camp of his tribe, partly for the purpose of preventing the hostile outbreak of the Banaks which occurred in 1878, and more particularly to prevent those Pai-Utes from being drawn into any difficulty with the United States by being leagued with the Banaks.

_NATCI'S NARRATIVE._

(1) Close the right hand, leaving the index extended, pointed westward at arm's length a little above the horizon, head thrown back with the eyes partly closed and following the direction--_Away to the west_, (2) indicate a large circle on the ground with the forefinger of the right hand pointing downward--_place_ (locative), (3) the tips of the spread fingers of both hands placed against one another, pointing upward before the body, leaving a space of four or five inches between the wrists--_house_ (brush tent or wik'-i-up), see Fig. 257, p. 431, (4) with the right hand closed, index extended or slightly bent, tap the breast several times--_mine_. (5) Draw an imaginary line, with the right index toward the ground, from some distance in front of the body to a position nearer to it--_from there I came_, (6) indicate a spot on the ground by quickly raising and depressing the right hand with the index pointing downward--_to a stopping place_, (7) grasp the forelock with the right hand, palm to the forehead, and raise it about six inches, still holding the hair upward--_the chief of the tribe_ (Winnimukka), see Fig. 245, p. 418, (8) touch the breast with the index--_me_, (9) the right hand held forward from the hip at the level of the elbow, closed, palm downward, with the middle finger extended and quickly moved up and down a short distance--_telegraphed_, (10) head inclined toward the right, at the same time making movement toward and from the ear with the extended index pointing toward it--_I heard_, i.e., understood.

(11) An imaginary line indicated with the extended and inverted index from a short distance before the body to a place on the right--_I went_, (12) repeat gesture No. 6--_a stopping place_, (13) inclining the head, with eyes closed, toward the right, bring the extended right hand, palm up, to within six inches of the right ear--_where I slept_. (14) Place the spread and extended index and thumb of the right hand, palm downward, across the right side of the forehead--_white man_ (American), (15) elevating both hands before the breast, palms forward, thumbs touching, the little finger of the right hand closed--_nine_, (16) touch the breast with the right forefinger suddenly--_and myself_, (17) lowering the hand, and pointing downward and forward with the index still extended (the remaining fingers and thumb being loosely closed) indicate an imaginary line along the ground toward the extreme right--_went_, (18) extend the forefinger of the closed left hand, and place the separated fore and second fingers of the right astraddle the forefinger of the left, and make a series of arched or curved movements toward the right--_rode horseback_, (19) keeping the hands in their relative position, place them a short distance below the right ear, the head being inclined toward that side--_sleep_, (20) repeat the signs for _riding_ (No. 18) and _sleeping_ (No. 19) three times--_four days and nights_, (21) make sign No. 18, and stopping suddenly point toward the east with the extended index-finger of the right (others being closed) and follow the course of the sun until it reaches the zenith--_arrived at noon of the fifth day_.

(22) Indicate a circle as in No. 2--_a camp_, (23) the hands then placed together as in No. 3, and in this position, both moved in short irregular upward and downward jerks from side to side--_many wik'-i-ups_, (24) then indicate the chief of the tribe as in No. 7--meaning that _it was one of the camps of the chief of the tribe_. (25) Make a peculiar whistling sound of "phew" and draw the extended index of the right hand across the throat from left to right--_Banak_, (26) draw an imaginary line with the same extended index, pointing toward the ground, from the right to the body--_came from the north_, (27) again make gesture No. 2--_camp_, (28) and follow it twice by sign given as No. 18 (forward from the body, but a short distance)--_two rode_. (29) Rub the back of the right hand with the extended index of the left--_Indian_, i.e., the narrator's own tribe, Pai-Ute, (30) elevate both hands side by side before the breast, palms forward, thumbs touching, then, after a short pause, close all the fingers and thumbs except the two outer fingers of the right hand--_twelve_, (31) again place the hands side by side with fingers all spread or separated, and move them in a horizontal curve toward the right--_went out of camp_, (32) and make the sign given as No. 25--_Banak_, (33) that of No. 2--_camp_, (34) then join the hands as in No. 31, from the right toward the front--_Pai-Utes returned_, (35) close the right hand, leaving the index only extended, move it forward and downward from the mouth three or four times, pointing forward, each time ending the movement at a different point--_I talked to them_, (36) both hands pointing upward, fingers and thumbs separated, palms facing and about four inches apart, held in front of the body as far as possible in that position--_the men in council_, (37) point toward the east with the index apparently curving downward over the horizon, then gradually elevate it to an altitude of 45 degrees--_talked all night and until nine o'clock next morning_, (38) bring the closed hands, with forefingers extended, upward and forward from their respective sides, and place them side by side, palms forward, in front--_my brother_, Fig. 317, (39) (see also pp. 385, 386) followed by the gesture, No. 18, directed toward the left and front--_rode_, (40) by No. 7--_the head chief_, (41) and No. 2--_camp_.

(42) Continue by placing the hands, slightly curved, palm to palm, holding them about six inches below the right ear, the head being inclined considerably in that direction--_one sleep (night)_, (43) make sign No. 14--_white man_, (44) raise the left hand to the level of the elbow forward from the left hip, fingers pointing upward, thumb and forefinger closed--_three_, (45) and in this position draw them toward the body and slightly to the right--_came_, (46) then make gesture So. 42--_sleep_; (47) point with the right index to the eastern horizon--_in the morning_, (48) make sign No. 14--_white man_, (49) hold the left hand nearly at arm's length before the body, back up, thumb and forefinger closed, the remaining fingers pointing downward--_three_, (50) with the right index finger make gesture No. 35, the movement being directed towards the left hand--_talked to them_, (51) motion along the ground with the left hand, from the body toward the left and front, retaining the position of the fingers just stated (in No. 49)--_they went_, (52) tap toward the ground, as in gesture No. 6, with the left hand nearly at arm's length--_to their camp_.

(53) Make gesture No. 18 toward the front--_I rode_, (54) extend the right hand to the left and front, and tap towards the earth several times as in sign No. 6, having the fingers and thumb collected to a point--_camp of the white men_. (55) Close both hands, with the forefingers of each partly extended and crooked, and place one on either side of the forehead, palms forward--_cattle_ (a steer), (56) hold the left hand loosely extended, back forward, about twenty inches before the breast, and strike the back of the partly extended right hand into the left--_shot_, (57) make a short upward curved movement with both hands, their position unchanged, over and downward toward the right--_fell over, killed_, (58) then hold the left hand a short distance before the body at the height of the elbow, palm downward, fingers closed, with the thumb lying over the second joint of the forefinger, extend the flattened right hand, edge down, before the body, just by the knuckles of the left, and draw the hand towards the body, repeating the movement--_skinned_, (59) make the sign given in No. 25--_Banak_, (60) place both hands with spread fingers upward and palms forward, thumb to thumb, before the right shoulder, moving them with a tremulous motion toward the left and front--_came in_, (61) make three short movements toward the ground in front, with the left hand, fingers loosely curved, and pointing downward--_camp of the three white men_, (62) then with the right hand open and flattened, edge down, cut towards the body as well as to the right and left--_cut up the meat_, (63) and make the pantomimic gesture of _handing it around to the visitors_.

(64) Make sign No. 35, the movement being directed to the left hand, as held in No. 49--_told the white men_, (65) grasping the hair on the right side of the head with the left hand, and drawing the extended right hand with the edge towards and across the side of the head from behind forward--_to scalp_; (66) close the right hand, leaving the index partly extended, and wave it several times quickly from side to side a short distance before the face, slightly shaking the head at the same time--_no_, Fig. 318, (67) make gesture No. 4--_me_, (68) repeat No. 65--_scalp_, (69) and raising the forelock high with the left hand, straighten the whole frame with a triumphant air--_make me a great chief_. (70) Close the right hand with the index fully extended, place the tip to the mouth and direct it firmly forward and downward toward the ground--_stop_, (71) then placing the hands, pointing upward, side by side, thumbs touching, and all the fingers separated, move them from near the breast outward toward the right, palms facing that direction at termination of movement--_the Banaks went to one side_, (72) with the right hand closed, index curved, palm downward, point toward the western horizon, and at arm's length dip the finger downward--_after sunset_, (73) make the gesture given as No. 14--_white men_, (74) pointing to the heart as in No. 4--_and I_, (75) conclude by making gesture No. 18 from near body toward the left, four times, at the end of each movement the hands remaining in the same position, thrown slightly upward--_we four escaped on horseback_.

The above was paraphrased orally by the narrator as follows: "Hearing of the trouble in the north, I started eastward from my camp in Western Nevada, when, upon arriving at Winnemucca Station, I received telegraphic orders from the head chief to go north to induce our bands in that region to escape the approaching difficulties with the Banaks. I started for Camp McDermit, where I remained one night. Leaving next morning in company with nine others, we rode on for four days and a half. Soon after our arrival at the Pai-Ute camp, two Banaks came in, when I sent twelve Pai-Utes to their camp to ask them all to come in to hold council. These messengers soon returned, when I collected all the Pai-Utes ands talked to them all night regarding the dangers of an alliance with the Banaks and of their continuance in that locality. Next morning I sent my brother to the chief, Winnimukka, with a report of proceedings.

"On the following day three white men rode into camp, who had come up to aid in persuading the Pai-Utes to move away from the border. Next morning I consulted with them respecting future operations, after which they went away a short distance to their camp. I then followed them, where I shot and killed a steer, and while skinning it the Banaks came in, when the meat was distributed. The Banaks being disposed to become violent at any moment, the white men became alarmed, when I told them that rather than allow them to be scalped I would be scalped myself in defending them, for which action I would be considered as great a chief as Winnemukka by my people. When I told the Banaks to cease threatening the white men they all moved to one side a short distance to hold a war council, and after the sun went down the white men and I mounted our horses and fled toward the south, whence we came."

Some of the above signs seem to require explanation. Natci was facing the west during the whole of this narration, and by the right he signified the north; this will explain the significance of his gesture to the right in Nos. 11 and 17, and to the left in No. 75.

No. 2 (repeated in Nos. 22,27,33, and 41) designates an Indian brush lodge, and although Natci has not occupied one for some years, the gesture illustrates the original conception in the round form of the foundation of poles, branches, and brush, the interlacing of which in the construction of the _wik'-i-up_ has survived in gestures Nos. 3 and 23 (the latter referring to more than one, i.e., an encampment).

The sign for Banak, No. 25 (also 32 and 59), has its origin from the tradition among the Pai-Utes that the Banaks were in the habit of cutting the throats of their victims. This sign is made with the index instead of the similar gesture with the flat hand, which among several tribes denotes the Sioux, but the Pai-Utes examined had no specific sign for that body of Indians, not having been in sufficient contact with them.

"A stopping place," referred to in Nos. 6, 12, 52, and 54, represents the temporary station, or camp of white men, and is contradistinguished from a village, or perhaps from any permanent encampment of a number of persons, by merely dotting toward the ground instead of indicating a circle.

It will also be seen that in several instances, after indicating the nationality, the fingers previously used in representing the number were repeated without its previously accompanying specific gesture, as in No. 61, where the three fingers of the left hand represented the men (white), and the three movements toward the ground signified the camp or tents of the three (white) men.

This also occurs in the gesture (Nos. 59, 60, and 71) employed for the Banaks, which, having been once specified, is used subsequently without its specific preceding sign for the tribe represented.

The rapid connection of the signs Nos. 57 and 58 and of Nos. 74 and 75 indicates the conjunction, so that they are severally readily understood as "shot _and_ killed," and "the white men _and_ I." The same remark applies to Nos. 15 and 16, "the nine _and_ I."

_PATRICIO'S NARRATIVE._

This narrative was obtained in July, 1880, by Dr. FRANCIS H. ATKINS, acting assistant surgeon, United States Army, at South Fork, New Mexico, from TI-PE-BES-TLEL (Sheepskin-leggings), habitually called Patricio, an intelligent young Mescalero Apache. It gives an account of what is locally termed the "April Round-up," which was the disarming and imprisoning by a cavalry command of the United States Army, of the small Apache subtribe to which the narrator belonged.

(1) Left hand on edge, curved, palm, forward, extended backward length of arm toward the West (_far westward_).

(2) Arm same, turned hand, tips down, and moved it from north to south (_river_).

(3) Dipped same hand several times above and beyond last line (_beyond_).

(4) Hand curved (Y, more flexed) and laid on its back on top of his foot (_moccasins much curved up at toe_); then drew hands up legs to near knee, and cut off with edges of hands (_boot tops_), (_Warm Spring Apaches_, who wear booted moccasins with turn-up toes.)

(5) Hands held before him, tips near together, fingers gathered (U); then alternately opened and gathered fingers of both hands (P to U, U to P), and thrusting them toward each other a few times (_shot or killed many_).

(6) Held hands six inches from side of head, thumbs and forefingers widely separated (_Mexican_, i.e., wears a broad hat).

(7) Held right hand on edge, palm toward him, threw it on its back forward and downward sharply toward earth (T on edge to X), (_dead, so many dead_).

(8) Put thumbs to temples and indexes forward, meeting in front, other fingers closed (_soldiers_, i.e., cap-visor).

(9) Repeated No. 5 and No. 7 (_were also shot dead_).

(10) Placed first and second fingers of right hand, others closed, astride of left index, held horizontally (_horses_).

(11) Held hands on edge and forward (T on edge forward), pushed them forward, waving vertically (_marching_, i.e., _ran off with soldiers' horses or others_). N.B.--Using both hands indicates double ranks of troops marching also.

(12) Struck right fist across in front of chin from right to left sharply (_bad_).

(13) Repeated No. 4 (_Warm Spring Apache_).

(14) Moved fist, thumb to head, from center of forehead to right temple and a little backward (_fool_).

(15) Repeated No. 8 and No. 11 (_soldiers riding in double column_).

(16) Thrust right hand down over and beyond left, both palms down (W) (_came here_).

(17) Repeated No. 8 (_soldier_).

(18) Touched hair (_hair_).

(19) Touched tent (_quite white_).

(20) Touched top of shoulder (_commissioned officer_, i.e., shoulder-straps).

(21) Thrust both hands up high (_high rank_).

(22) Right forefinger to forehead; waved it about in front of face and rolled head about (primarily _fool_, but qualified in this case by the interpreter as _no sabe much_).

(23) Drew hands up his thighs and body and pointed to himself (_Mescalero Indian_).

(24) Approximated hands before him, palms down, with thumbs and indexes widely separated, as if inclosing a circle (_captured_, i.e., _corralled, surrounded_).

(25) Placed tips of hands together, wrists apart, held them erect (T, both hands inclined), (_house_; in this case _the agency_).

(26) Threw both hands, palms back, forward and downward, moving from knuckles (metacarpo-phalangeal joint) only, several times (_issuing rations_).

(27) Thrust two fingers (N) toward mouth and downward (_food_).

(28) Repeated No. 25 (_house_); outlined a hemispherical object (wik-i-up); repeated these several times, bringing the hands with emphasis several times down toward the earth (_village permanently here_).

(29) Repeated No. 25 several times and pointed to a neighboring hillside (_village over there_).

(30) Repeated Nos. 17 to 21, inclusive (_General X_).

(31) Thrust two fingers forward from his eyes (primarily _I see_; also _I saw_, or _there were_).

(32) Repeated No. 11 (_toward said hillside_), (_troops went over there with General X_).

(33) Repeated No. 4, adding, swept indexes around head and touched red paper on a tobacco wrapper (_San Carlos Apaches_, scouts especially distinguished by wearing a red fillet about the head); also added, drew indexes across each cheek from nose outward (_were much painted_).

(34) Repeated No. 24 and No. 23 (_to capture the Mescalero Indians_).

(35) Repeated No. 31 (_there were_).

(36) Repeated No. 33 (_San Carlos scouts_).

(37) Repeated No. 8 (_and soldiers_).

(38) Clasped his hands effusively before his breast (_so many!_ i.e., _a great many_).

(39) Repeated No. 31 (_I saw_).

(40) Repeated No. 23 (_my people_).

(41) Brought fists together under chin, and hugged his arms close to his breast, with a shrinking motion of body (_afraid_).

(42) Struck off half of left index with right index (_half_, or _a portion_).

(43) Waved off laterally and upward with both hands briskly (_fled_).

(44) Projected circled right thumb and index to eastern horizon, thence to zenith (_next morning_, i.e., sunrise to noon).

(45) Repeated No. 23 (_the Mescaleros_).

(46) Held hands in position of aiming a gun--left oblique--(_shoot_).

(47) Waved right index briskly before right shoulder (_no, did not; negation_).

(48) Swept his hand from behind forward, palm up (Y) (_the others came_).

(49) Repeated No. 5 (_and shot_).

(50) Repeated No. 23 (_the Mescaleros_).

(51) Repeated No. 7 (_many dead_).

(52) Repeated No. 8 (_soldiers_).

(53) Repeated No. 10 (_horse, mounted_).

(54) Hand forward, palm down (W) moved forward and up and down (_walking_, i.e., _infantry_).

(55) Beckoned with right hand, two fingers curved (N horizontal and curved) (_came_).

(56) Repeated No. 11 (_marching_).

(57) Repeated No. 28 (_to this camp, or village_).

(58) Repeated No. 23 (_with Mescaleros_).

(59) Repeated No. 24 (_as prisoners, surrounded_).

(60) Repeated No. 33 (_San Carlos scouts_).

(61) Placed hands, spread out (R inverted), tips down, about waist (_many cartridges_).

(62) Repeated No. 46 (_and guns_).

(63) Repeated No. 5 (_shot many_).

(64) Repeated No. 4 (_Warm Spring Apaches_).

(65) Repeated No. 23 (_and Mescaleros_).

(66) Moved fist--thumb to head--across his forehead from right to left, and cast it toward earth over left shoulder (_brave_, i.e., _the San Carlos scouts are brave_).

CONTINUOUS TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE.

Far westward beyond the Rio Grande are the Warm Spring Apaches, who killed many Mexicans and soldiers and stole their horses. They (the Warm Spring Apaches) are bad and fools.

Some cavalry came here under an aged officer of high rank, but of inferior intelligence, to capture the Mescalero Indians.

The Mescaleros wished to have their village permanently here by the agency, and to receive their rations, i.e., were peacefully inclined.

Our village was over there. I saw the general come with troops and San Carlos scouts to surround (or capture) the Mescalero Indians. There were a great many San Carlos scouts and soldiers.

I saw that my people were afraid, and half of them fled.

Next morning the Mescaleros did not shoot (were not hostile). The others came and killed many Mescaleros. The cavalry and infantry brought us (the Mescaleros) to this camp as prisoners.

The San Carlos scouts were well supplied with ammunition and guns, and shot many Warm Spring Indians and Mescaleros.

The San Carlos scouts are brave men.

_NA-WA-GI-JIG'S STORY._

The following is contributed by Mr. FRANCIS JACKER:

This narrative was related to me by _John Na-wa-gi-jig_ (literally "noon-day sky"), an aged Ojibwa, with whom I have been intimately connected for a long period of years. He delivered his story, referring to one of the many incidents in his perilous life, orally, but with pantomimes so graphic and vivid that it may be presented truly as a specimen of gesture language. Indeed, to any one familiar with Indian mimicry, the story might have been intelligible without the expedient of verbal language, while the oral exposition, incoherent as it was, could hardly be styled anything better than the subordinate part of the delivery. I have endeavored to reproduce these gestures in their original connections from memory, omitting the verbal accompaniment as far as practicable. In order to facilitate a clear understanding it is stated that the gesturer was in a sitting posture before a camp fire by the lake shore, and facing the locality where the event referred to had actually occurred, viz, a portion of Keweenaw Bay, Lake Superior, in the neighborhood of Portage Entry, as seen by the annexed diagram, Fig. 319. The time of the relation (latter part of April) also coincided with the _actual_ time. In speaking of "arm," "hand," "finger," &c., the "right" is understood if not otherwise specified. "Finger" stands for "forefinger."

(1) With the exclamation "_me-wi-ja_" (a long time ago), uttered in a slow and peculiarly emphatic manner, he elevated the arm above and toward the right at the head, accompanying the motion with an upward wave of the hand and held it thus suspended a moment--_a long time ago_. (This gesture resembles sign for _time, a long_, of which it seems to be an abbreviation, and it is not sufficiently clear without the accompanying exclamation.) Withdrawing it slowly, he placed the hand back upon his knee.

(2) He then brought up the left hand toward the temple and tapped his hair, which was gray, with the finger--_hair gray_.

(3) From thence he carried it down upon the thigh, placing the extended finger perpendicularly upon a fold of his trousers, which the thumb and finger of the right held grasped in such a manner as to advantageously present the smooth black surface of the cloth--_of that color_, i.e., _black_.