414 SIGN LANGUAGE AMONG NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 
Deaf-mute sign : 
Claw both shoulders with the fingers. ( Wing.) 
—— Grizzly. 
Right hand flat and extended, held at height of shoulder, palm for- 
ward, then bring the palm to the mouth, lick it with the tongue, and 
return it to first position. (Omaha I.) ‘Showing blood on the paw.” 
Other remarks upon the signs for bear are made on pages 293 and 
345, 
BRAVE. 
Close the fists, place the left near the breast, and move the right over 
the left toward the left side. ( Wied.) A mo- 
tion something like this, which I do not now 
distinetly recall—a short of wrenching motion 
with the fists in front of the chest—I have seen 
used for strong. If Wied’s sign-maker’s hand 
first struck the region over the heart (as he may 
have done) he would then have indicated a 
“strong heart.” which is the equivalent for 
brave. (Matthews.) This sign is used by the 
Sioux at the present day to denote small. 
(McOhesney.) I have seen a similar sign re- 
peatedly, the only variation being that the right 
Hig.: 241. fist is passed over and downward, in front of 
the left, instead of toward the left side. (Hoffman.) Fig. 241. 
Clinch the right fist, and place it to the breast. (Absaroka 1; Sho- 
shoni and Banak 1.) 
Both hands fists, backs outward, obliquely upward, near together, 
right inside of left, are moved forward from in front of the chest, two or 
three times and back again to original position and then the right-hand 
fist is thrown with some force over the left on a curve. Hndurance is 
expressed by this sign, and it is connected with the sun-dance trials of 
the young man in testing his bravery and powers of endurance before 
admission to the ranks of the warriors. (Dakota I.) 
Push the two fists forward about a foot, at the height of the breast, 
the right about two inches behind the left, palms inward. (Dakota IV.) 
“The hands push all before them.” 
Hold the left arm in front as if supporting a shield, and the right 
drawn back as if grasping a weapon. Close the fists, lower the head, 
moving it a little forward (with a “ lunge”) as well as the arms and fists. 
(Omaha I.) “Tam brave.” 
