500 SIGN LANGUAGE AMONG NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS. 
NARRATIVES. 
The following, which is presented as a good descriptive model, was 
obtained by Dr. W. J. HOFFMAN, of the Bureau of Ethnology, from 
Natci, a Pai-Ute chief connected with the delegation of that tribe to 
Washington in January, 1880, and refers to an expedition made by him 
by direction of his father, Winnimukka, Head Chief of the Pai-Utes, 
to the northern camp of his tribe, partly for the purpose of preventing 
the hostile outbreak of the Banaks which occurred in 1878, and more 
particularly to prevent those Pai-Utes from being drawn into any diffi- 
culty with the United States by being leagued with the Banaks. 
NATCIPS NARRATIVE. 
(1) Close the right hand, leaving the index extended, pointed west- 
ward at arm’s length a little above the horizon, head thrown back with 
the eyes partly closed and following the direction—Away to the west, (2) 
indicate a large circle on the ground with the forefinger of the right 
hand pointing downward—place (locative), (3) the tips of the spread 
fingers of both hands placed against one another, pointing upward be- 
fore the body, leaving a space of four or five inches between the wrists 
—house (brush tent or wik’-i-up), see Fig. 257, p. 431, (4) with the right 
hand closed, index extended or slightly bent, tap the breast several 
times—mine. (5) Draw an imaginary line, with the right index toward 
the ground, from some distance in front of the body to a position nearer 
to it—from there I came, (6) indicate a spot on the ground by quickly 
raising and depressing the right hand with the index pointing down- 
ward—to a stopping place, (7) grasp the forelock with the right hand, 
palm to the forehead, and raise it about six inches, still holding the 
hair upward—the chief of the tribe (Winnimukka), see Fig. 245, p. 418, 
(8) touch the breast with the index—me, (9) the right hand held for- 
ward from the hip at the level of the elbow, closed, palm downward, 
with the middle finger extended and quickly moved up and down a 
short distance—telegraphed, (10) head inclined toward the right, at the 
same time making movement toward and from the ear with the extended 
index pointing toward it—ZI heard, i. e., understood. 
(11) An imaginary line indicated with the extended and inverted 
index from a short distance before the body to a place on the right—J 
went, (12) repeat gesture No. 6—a stopping place, (13) inclining the head, 
with eyes closed, toward the right, bring the extended right hand, palm 
up, to within six inches of the right ear—where I slept. (14) Place the 
spread and extended index and thumb of the right hand, palm down- 
ward, across the right side of the forehead—white man (American), (15) 
