30 



advances and retreats of the combatants; after wliicli the fingers of 

 each hand are suffered to spring from the thumb towards each other, 

 as in tlie act of sprinlding water, to represent the tiigiit of missiles. 

 {Loiu/.) 



To show that lighting is actually taking place, make the gestnre of 

 Kill ; tap the lips with the palm like an Oriental woman when "keen- 

 ing," screaming the while O-a! O-a! to imitate the war song. (Burton.) 



(1) Fists of both bauds closed and brought to the level of the chin, 

 near together and knuckles facing each other; (2) moved suddenly for- 

 ward and backward with a sort of churning, grinding motion. {Chey- 

 enne I.) 



Both hands (A 1) brought to the median line of body on a level with 

 the breast and close togetlier ; describe with botli hands at the same 

 time a series of circular movements of small circumference. ( Dakota I.) 

 " Two oi)posiiig forces of Indians at battle in a circular manner, after 

 their usual custom of surrounding their enemy." 



Two or more men fighting. Move the upright lists alternately several 

 times back and forth about eight inches in front of the upper part of the 

 chest, i)alms inward, and about four inches apart. {Dakota IV.) 



The clinched fists are held before the chest, backs outward (the fore- 

 arm neither prone nor supine), and passed straight up and down rapidly 

 a distance of six to twelve inches, alternately in opposite directions to 

 one another, either a .short distance apart or with the joints touching. 

 This indicates any angry contest or struggle as well as a pitched battle 

 fought with weapons. {Mandan and Hidatsa I.) 



The arms are equally flexed, as in position of defense. Hands are 

 loosely clenched and fists rotated in ])almar proximity three times ; the 

 sign is completed by retaining the arms and fists in posture for defense 

 about three seconds. Hands are position (B) doubled or (B B). {Oto 

 I.) " To ward oft'." 



Both hands at height of breast, palms facing, the left forward from 

 the left shoulder, the right outward and forward from the right, fingers 

 pointing n\) and spread, move them alternately towards iind from one 

 another. ( Ute I.) " Mingling of men in strife." 



Place both hands oa a level in front of the chest, half closed, fingers 

 pointing downward, the backs of the rigiit-hand fingers pointing for- 

 ward, those of the left facing them, held about six inches apart, the 

 hands are then quickly moved toward and from one another several 

 times. {Apache I.) 



Deaf-mute natural sign. — Vibrate your fingers, implying how many 

 soldiers; then copy the manner of shooting a gun. {Cross.) 



