A Letter.—Write with the thumb and dexter index on the sinister palm.
A Wagon.—Roll hand over hand, imitating a wheel.
A Wagon-road.—Make the wagon sign, and then wave the hand along the ground.
Grass.—Point to the ground with the index, and then turn the fingers upward to denote growth. If the grass be long, raise the hand high; and if yellow, point out that color.
The pantomime, as may be seen, is capable of expressing detailed narratives. For instance, supposing an Indian would tell the following tale—“Early this morning I mounted my horse, rode off at a gallop, traversed a kanyon or ravine, then over a mountain to a plain where there was no water, sighted bison, followed them, killed three of them, skinned them, packed the flesh upon my pony, remounted, and returned home”—he would symbolize it thus:
Touches nose—“I.”
Opens out the palms of his hand—“this morning.”
Points to east—“early.”
Places two dexter forefingers astraddle over sinister index—“mounted my horse.”
Moves both hands upward and rocking-horse fashion toward the left—“galloped.”