Kill!—Smite the sinister palm earthward with the dexter fist sharply, in sign of “going down;” or strike out with the dexter fist toward the ground, meaning to “shut down;” or pass the dexter index under the left forefinger, meaning to “go under.”
To show that fighting is actually taking place, make the gestures as above described; tap the lips with the palm like an Oriental woman when “keening,” screaming the while O-a! O-a! to imitate the war-song.
Wash!—Rub the hand as with invisible soap in imperceptible water.
Think!—Pass the forefinger sharply across the breast from right to left.
Hide!—Place the hand inside the clothing of the left breast. This means also to put away or to keep secret. To express “I won’t say,” make the signs of “I” and “no” (which [see]), and hide the hand as above directed.
Love!—Fold the hands crosswise over the breast, as if embracing the object, assuming at the same time a look expressing the desire to carry out the operation. This gesture will be understood by the dullest squaw.
Tell truth!—Extend the forefinger from the mouth (“one word”).
Tell lie!—Extend the two first fingers from the mouth (“double tongue,” a significant gesture).
Steal!—Seize an imaginary object with the right hand from under the left fist. To express horse-stealing they saw with the right hand down upon the extended fingers of the left, thereby denoting rope-cutting.
Trade or exchange!—Cross the forefingers of both hands before the breast—“diamond cut diamond.”