Sign Language Among North American Indians Compared With That Among Other Peoples Part 51

Close the hand, place it against the forehead, and turn it back and forth while in that position. (Col. R.B. Marcy, U.S.A., _Thirty Years of Army Life on the Border_, _New York_, 1866, p. 34.)

COME HERE.

The right hand is to be advanced about eighteen inches at the height of the navel, horizontal, relaxed, palm downward, thumb in the palm; then draw it near the side and at the same time drop the hand to bring the palm backward. The farther away the person called is, the higher the hand is raised. If very far off, the hand is raised high up over the head and then swung forward, downward, and backward to the side.

(_Dakota_ I, IV.)

DANGER.

_There is something dangerous in that place._--Right-hand index-finger and thumb forming a curve, the other fingers closed; move the right hand forward, pointing in the direction of the dangerous place or animal. (_Omaha_ I.)

DEFIANCE.

Right-hand index and middle fingers open; motion to ward the enemy signifies "I do not fear you." Reverse the motion, bringing the hand toward the subject, means "Do your worst to me." (_Omaha_ I.)

DIRECTION.

_Pa.s.s around that object or place near you_--she-i-he ti-dha-ga.--When a man is at a distance, I say to him "Go around that way." Describe a curve by raising the hand above the head, forefinger open, move to right or left according to direction intended and hand that is used, i.e., move to the left, use right hand; move to the right, use left hand. (_Omaha_ I; _Ponka_ I.)

HALT!

---- To inquire disposition.

Raise the right hand with the palm in front and gradually push it forward and back several times; if they are not hostile it will at once be obeyed. (Randolph B. Marcy, _The Prairie Traveler_. _New York_, 1859, p. 214.)

---- Stand there! He is coming to you.

Right hand extended, flat, edgewise, moved downward several times.

(_Omaha_ I.)

---- Stand there! He is going toward you.

Hold the open right hand, palm to the left, with the tips of the fingers toward the person signaled to; thrust the hand forward in either an upward or downward curve. (_Omaha_ I; _Ponka_ I.)

---- Lie down flat where you are--she-dhu bis-pe zhan'-ga.

Extend the right arm in the direction of the person signaled to, having the palm down; move downward by degrees to about the knees.

(_Omaha_ I; _Ponka_ I.)

PEACE; FRIENDSHIP.

Hold up palm of hand.--Observed as made by an Indian of the Kansas tribe in 1833. (John T. Irving, _Indian Sketches_. _Philadelphia_, 1835, vol. ii, p. 253.)

Elevate the extended hands at arm's length above and on either side of the head. Observed by Dr. W.J. Hoffman, as made in Northern Arizona in 1871 by the Apaches, Mojaves, Hualpais, and Seviches. "No arms"--corresponding with "hands up" of road-agents. Fig. 335.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 335.--A signal of peace.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 336.--Signal, "Who are you?" Answer, "Pani."]

The right hand held aloft, empty. (General G.A. Custer, _My Life on the Plains_, _New York_, 1874, p. 238.) This may be collated with the lines in Walt Whitman's _Salut au Monde_--

Toward all I raise high the perpendicular hand,--I make the signal.

The Natchez in 1682 made signals of friendship to La Salle's party by the joining of the two hands of the signalist, much embarra.s.sing Tonty, La Salle's lieutenant, in command of the advance in the descent of the Mississippi, who could not return the signal, having but one hand. His men responded in his stead. (Margry, _Decouvertes et etablissments des Francais dans l'ouest et dans le sud de l'Amerique Septentrionale, &c._)

QUESTION.

---- I do not know you. Who are you?

After halting a party coming: Right hand raised, palm in front and slowly moved to the right and left. [Answered by tribal sign.]

(Marcy's _Prairie Traveler_, _loc. cit._, 214.) Fig. 336. In this ill.u.s.tration the answer is made by giving the tribal sign for Pani.

---- To inquire if coming party is peaceful.

Raise both hands, grasped in the manner of shaking hands, or by locking the two forefingers firmly while the hands are held up. If friendly they will respond with the same signal. (Marcy's _Prairie Traveler_, _loc. cit._, 214.)

SUBMISSION.

The United States steamer Saranac in 1874, cruising in Alaskan waters, dropped anchor in July, 1874, in Freshwater Harbor, back of Sitka, in lat.i.tude 59 north. An armed party landed at a T'linkit village, deserted by all the inhabitants except one old man and two women, the latter seated at the feet of the former. The man was in great fear, turned his back and held up his hands as a sign of utter helplessness.

(Extract from notes kindly furnished by Lieutenant-Commander WM.

BAINBRIDGE HOFF, U.S.N., who was senior aid to Rear-Admiral Pennock, on the cruise mentioned.)

SURRENDER.

The palm of the hand is held toward the person [to whom the surrender is made]. (_Long_.)

Hold the palm of the hand toward the person as high above the head as the arm can be raised. (_Dakota_ I.)

SIGNALS IN WHICH OBJECTS ARE USED IN CONNECTION WITH PERSONAL ACTION.

BUFFALO DISCOVERED. SEE ALSO NOTES ON CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO SIGNALS.

When the Ponkas or Omahas discover buffalo the watcher stands erect on the hill, with his face toward the camp, holding his blanket with an end in each hand, his arms being stretched out (right and left) on a line with, shoulders. (_Dakota_ VIII; _Omaha_ I; _Ponka_ I.) See Fig.

337.

Same as (_Omaha_ I), and (_Ponka_ I); with the addition that after the blanket is held out at arm's length the arms are crossed in front of the body. (_Dakota_ I.)

CAMP!

When it is intended to encamp, a blanket is elevated upon a pole so as to be visible to all the individuals of a moving party. (_Dakota_ VIII.)

COME! TO BECKON TO A PERSON.

Hold out the lower edge of the robe or blanket, then wave it in to the legs. This is made when there is a desire to avoid general observation. (_Matthews_.)

COME BACK!