322 SIGN LANGUAGE AMONG NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 
then, with the fingers of the right hand extended and separated throw 
them quickly forward and slightly upward (voice or talking). 
This sign was understood to mean bear, as that for dog is different 
among the Utes, i. e., by merely showing the height of the dog and 
pushing the flat hand forward, finger-tips first. 
Another deaf-mute gestured to tell that when he was a boy he went 
to a melon-field, tapped several melons, finding them to be green or un- 
ripe; finally reaching a good one he took his knife, cut a slice, and ate 
it. A man made his appearance on horseback, entered the patch on 
foot, found the cut melon, and detecting the thief, threw the melon to- 
wards him, hitting him in the back, whereupon he ran away crying. The 
man mounted and rode off in an opposite direction. 
All of these signs were readily comprehended, although some of the 
Indians varied very slightly in their translation. 
When the Indians were asked whether, if they (the deaf-mutes) were 
to come to the Ute country they would be scalped, the answer was given, 
‘“‘ Nothing would be done to you; but we would be friends,” as follows: 
The palm of the right hand was brushed toward the right over that 
of theleft (nothing), and the right hand made to grasp the palm of the left, 
thumbs extended over and lying upon the back of the opposing hand. 
This was readily understood by the deaf-mutes. 
Deaf-mute sign of milking a cow and drinking the milk was fully and 
quickly understood. 
The narrative of a boy going to an apple-tree, hunting for ripe fruit 
and filling his pockets, being surprised by the owner and hit upon the 
head with a stone, was much appreciated by the Indians and completely 
understood. 
A deaf-mute asked Alejandro how long it took him to come to Wash- 
ington from his country. He replied by placing the index and second 
finger of the right hand astride the extended forefinger (others closed) 
of the left; then elevating the fingers of the left hand (except thumb 
and forefinger) back forward (three); then extending the fingers of both 
hands and bringing them to a point, thumbs resting on palmar sides and 
extended, placing the hands in front of the body, the tips opposite the 
opposing wrist, and about four inches apart; then, revolving them in 
imitation of wheels, he elevated the extended forefinger of the left 
hand (one); then placing the extended flat hands, thumbs touch- 
ing, the backs sloping downward towards the respective right and left 
sides, like the roof of a house; then repeating the sign of wheels as in 
the preceding, after which the left hand was extended before the body, 
fingers toward the right, horizontal, palm down and slightly arched, 
the right wrist held under it, the fingers extending upward beyond it, 
and quickly and repeatedly snapped upward (smoke); thelast three signs 
being covered—wagon—smoke, %. e. cars; then elevating four fingers of 
the left hand (four). 
Translation.—Traveled three days on horseback, one in a wagon, and 
four in the cars. 
