48 A STORY IN SIGNS. 



A STORY IN SIGNS. 



(I) 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 before the body, leav- 

 ing a space of four or five inches between the wrists, — house (brush tent or 

 wick'-i-up), (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 downward, — 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 (Winnemucca), (8) touch the breast 

 with the index, — me, (9) the right hand held forward from the hip at the 

 level of the elbow, closed, palm downward, with the middle finger ex- 

 tended and quickly moved up and down a short distance, — telegraphed, 

 (10) head inclined toward the right, at the same time making move- 

 ment toward and from the ear with the extended index pointing towards 

 it, — I heard, i. e., understood. 



(II) An imaginary line indicated with the extended and inverted index 

 from a short distance before the body to a place on the right, — I went, (12) 

 repeat gesture No. G, — a stopping place, (l.''>) 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 downward, across the 

 right side of the forehead, — ichite man (American), (15) elevating both 

 hands before the breast, palms forward, thumbs touching, the litile finger 

 of the right hand closed, — nine, (16) touch the breast with the right fore- 

 finger suddenly, — and myself, (17) lowering the hand, and pointing down- 

 ward and forward with the index still extended (the remaining fingers and 

 thumb being loosely closed) indicate an imaginary line along the ground 



