The Benton weekly record., 1880-04-02
Sign Language Of the Plains Indians.

Sign Language of the Plains Indians.
stealing-Extend the left arm III front
of the body, reach under the forearm with
the right hand, and draw the latter to the
right side in front of the body.
Hiding-Extend the left arm in front of
the body, then move the right hand from
right to left underneath the forearm.
Taking by force-Raise the right hand
and move it towards the left of the body,
making 4 grasping motion by closing the
hand and drawing it quickly to the right.
Breaking-Hold both hands half closed
in front of the body close together, then
turn the hands to the right and left as if
in the act Of breaking something. -
Mountains--Hold both hands closed,
close together, backs to the front in front
of the face, slightly raising the arms.
Mountain pass-The hands placed same
as above, then draw them slightly to the
right and left, indicating an opening in the
Mountains.
Butte or hill--Close the left hand and
hold it in front of the face, back of the hand
out. The size or extent of the hill is indi-
Gated by raising or lowering the hand.
Eating-Close the fingers Of the right
hand and make several quick motions to-
wards the mouth with the point Of the fin
gers turned downwards.
Starving, Hungry-Draw the fingers Of
the right and left hands from the centre of
the breast towards the right and left indi-
eating the ribs of the body.
Water-Close all the fingers Of the right
hand, turn the points of the same towards
the wrist, which gives the hand the shape
of bowl OF, dish, then move the under
edge Of the hand towards the mouth.
Whiskey-Place the point of the index
finger and thumb Of the right hand to-
s5crIIcr-= zet-s-1----. ;1.----it1r si1v4sE
towards the mouth as if in the act of drink
ing.
To stop Indians on the prairielIold the
righth hand up above the head, palm to-
wards the approaching men, move the
hand quickly to the front and towards the
party you want to stop.
Sleep-Close the fingers Of the right
hand, thumb on top Of forefngers, raise
the hand towards the right side of the head
and make downward motion towards the
ground.
Fat-Close both hands, hold them in
front Of the body nails pointing down
wards, thumbs together, tllen draw the
hands apart slowly.
Meet, come together-Hold the index
fingers Of each hand elevated, the left to
the front nail out then bring the points Of
both fingers slowly together.
Hear, Understandable the fingers Of
Of the right hand except thumb and index
finger, move these towards the right ear
with quick motion.
Don't hear or understand-m2ke the
same motion with the forefnger and thumb,
then cast the hand quickly away from the
head with all the fingers open.
The writer has been frequently asked
the question GLOW can White man, see
ing a band of Indians approach, determine
whether they are hostile or friend
ly?' The matter is simple enough
when understood, but is not always easy
to explain. The following rules, however,
If carefully observed will generally deter
mine the character Of a hostile war party
or prove the friendly disposition of any
number ofpeaceably disposed reds. When
the Indians are distant mile Or more,
place blanket, coat, or some large article
On the end Of your gun, wave it from
right to left several times or until you
have attracted the attention of the advanc-
ing party, then make a sweeping motion
with the blanket toward the ground. which
is an invitation for one only Of the party
to come forward to smoke and talk. The
Indians, if friendly, will at once perceive
from your signs that you doubt their in
tentions and are ignorant Of who they are.
At the same time the motions will satisfy
them that you are no novice on the
prairie and that it would be unsafe for
them to trifle with you. They will halt
and send one of their number
forward to talk with and convince you of
their peaceable intentions. Sometimes
they may fire their guns in the air and
charge towards you. This is an old time
practice with Indians when approaching
a fort Or q large party, but 50 far from
meaning hostility ii is intended al j mark ]
Of respect or salute.
If you have no blanket or othor article
that answers. for a signal, or if the Indians
come suddenly or close upon You before
the signal can be conveniently used, al
wave of the hand will answer every ptr-
pose. and If the reds do not stop at once
you should regard them as hostile and
prepare for trouble. Hostile Indians gen
orally have their guns uncovered, while /
The friendly ones keep the covers. Oh.
Never allow more than one Indian to aIP5-
proacia at time, unless you know them
to be friendly and are satisfied OF their
good intentions. The exhibition Of a gun
above the head il a well understood hint #
that YOU have 4 gun and that you will not
permit more than one of them to approach
you. Having made this last sign with.
Four gun, if the Indians still continue to
you must either prepare to /
tight a ran. successful retreat j. al.-i al.-Hi
ways better th;ggn i bad fight; still # you |
ire a good shot, have plenty Of alnnlllli- /
ion and a long range rife, you can keep
It bay . large party. patch of thick /
DrusEl will afford sou better protection I
han d log cabin, Tor tile reason principal I
y, that 4 cabin III an excellent target and |.
sasily surrounded and guarded, but a
rush patch affords little clue 70 the es-|
.ed location am enemy and NJ much. ]
lreatied by III Indians. Ira recent sketch /
published Ill this Journal ii was shown. /
loW four men. haFiIlsgs availed themselves.