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.
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| Fig. 313. | Fig. 314. |
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.