(30) Pushed the left hand, palm outward, fingers joined, edges up and down, forward and toward its side with a full sweep of the arm, head following the movement—pushed in that direction,i.e.,northeastward.
(31) Repeated No. 23, but waved the hand only once and with a quick and more powerful movement toward the face—by the force of the wind.
(32) Rotated hands in front of body, rolling them tips over tips very rapidly, fingers with thumbs nearly collected to a point—winding up the hook-line in a hurry.
(33) Quickly passed the hand toward the left breast of his coat—putting it in pocket.
(34) And bending the body forward made motion as if picking up something—picking up.
(35) Raised the hand closed to fist, arm elevated so as to form a right angle with elbow, and made a short stroke downward and toward the left—hatchet.
(36) Thence moved the hand to side of breast and pushed it down the waist—putting it into belt.
(37) Placed the closed hands to each side of the waist (thumbs upward with tips facing each other) and approximated them rapidly and with a jerk in front of navel—tightening the belt.
(38) With both hands lowered to the ground, he described an elongated oval around his foot by placing tips of forefingers together in front of the toes and passing them around each side, meeting the fingers behind the heel and running them jointly backward a few inches to indicate a tail—snow-shoe.
(39) Raised up the heel, resting the foot on the toes and turning it a little toward the right, brought it back in a downward movement with a jerk—putting it on.
(40) Waved the left hand emphatically forward, palm backward, fingers joined and pointing downward, extending them forward at termination of motion, at the same time pushing forward the head—starting.
(41) Directed the finger of the same hand toward the light-house—toward that point.
(42) Pointed with extended first two fingers of the same hand, thumb with remaining fingers partially extended to right and to left—companions.
(43) Repeated No. 40 (starting) less emphatically.
(44) Made several very quick jumping movements forward with the extended left fingers, joined, back upward—going very fast.
(45) Repeated No. 23 (wind), increasing the force of the movement and terminating the sign with the second repetition (wave)—wind increasing.
(46) Raised up the hand in front of head and then arrested it a moment, palm outward, fingers extended, upward and forward—halt.
(47) Partially turning the body toward the north he lowered the extended hand, back forward, fingers joined and pointing downward toward the left of his feet and moved it closely in front of them, and witha cutting motion, toward the right, following the movement with the eye—cut off right before feet,i.e.,standing on the very edge.
(48) Still facing the north, he carried the hand, back upward, fingers joined and extended, from left side of body outward and toward the right horizontally, indicating the rippled surface of turbulent water by an appropriate motion, and extending the arm to full length, fingers pointing northeastward (toward the right) at termination of motion, and accompanied the movement with a corresponding turn of the head, eyes gazing far into distance—water all along the shore.
(49) Pushed the extended finger, back upward, forward (i.e., northward) in a slightly arched movement—across.
(50) Directing it toward an object (tree) at a distance of about one hundred yards the next moment—a distance of about one hundred yards.
(51) Repeated No. 49 (across) without interrupting the motion—that distance placed across.
(52) Motions as follows: Hands naturally relaxed, edges up and down, backs outward, are with a quick movement and simultaneously carried from the epigastrium forward and toward their sides, arms being extended from elbows only. The hands change their position during the movement and are ultimately placed palms upward, thumbs and fingers extended and widely separated, pointing forward. This is the general sign fordoubt. He also turned the face from one side to the other as though interrogating his companions—what are we to do?
(53) Repeated No. 35 (hatchet).
(54) Raised up the finger perpendicularly, other fingers closed, thumb resting against second, and emphatically inclined it forward—only one.
(55) Elevated the arm from the elbow toward the head, hand naturally relaxed, back obliquely upward, inclining the face sideward with a look of consternation, simultaneously, and again mechanically lowered it, dropping palm of hand heavily upon the knee—"bad fix."
(56) Placed the hand to his hip and raised it up, closed to fist, by a rapid and very energetic movement, ejaculatinghaw!—quick to the work(referring to the ax or hatchet).
(57) Turning the body downward, he passed the hand, with forefinger directed toward the ground, forward, sideward, and backward, in three movements, each time turning at a right angle—measuring off a square piece on the ground,i.e.,on the ice.
(58) Looked and pointed toward an object some twenty feet off, then opposed palms of hands horizontally, and at a short distance from each other, connecting both movements in such a manner as to clearly illustrate their meaning—about twenty feet wide.
(59) Moved the hand—fist, thumb upward—several times quickly up and down a few inches, the arm progressing forward at every stroke—cutting it off.
(60) Repeated No. 55 (bad fix), meaning in this case—bad job.
(61) Opposed the palms of both hands, vertically, at a distance ofeight inches, holding them thus steady a moment and estimating the thus indicated measure with the eyes—eight inches thick.
(62) Then struck the palm of left with the back of arched right forcibly—solid ice.
(63) Laid the joined and extended first two fingers, palm up, across side of leg, a foot above heel, accompanying the movement with the eye—one foot deep.
(64) Pushed downward perpendicularly and from same point the flat, extended hand—sinking, orgiving in—and turning the hand upward at wrist, back downward, he flirted up the fingers several times quickly—water—slush and water.
(65) Passed one hand over the other as in the act of pulling off mittens—mittens.
(66) Made the motion of wringing out a wet piece of cloth—wringing wet.
(67) Grasped a fold of his trowsers (below the knee) and wrung it—trowsers also wet.
(68) Placed palms of both hands upon legs, near to the ankles, and dragged them up to the knees—up to the knees.
(69) Shivered—feeling cold.
(70) Pointed with thumb backward and toward the right (designating his companion) and repeated No. 2 (hair gray)—my old companion,i.e.,Ga-bi-wa-bi-ko-ke.
(71) Repeated No. 69 (feeling cold) more emphatically—more so,i.e.,suffering worse from the cold.
(72) Repeated No. 59 (cutting the ice).
(73) Made sign fortired—getting tired, as follows: The left arm is partly extended forward, and is gently struck near the bend of the elbow, usually above it, with the palm of the right hand, at the same time the head is usually inclined to the left side, then in similar manner the right arm is extended and struck by the left hand, and the head in turn inclined to the right.
(74) Repeated No. 35—(hatchet).
(75) Turned the slightly closed left (thumb obliquely upward) over to its side, partially opening it in so doing, fingers pointing to left—passing it over to his companion at the left,i.e.,Sabadis.
(76) Flung forefingers of both hands, backs forward, thumbs upward, remaining fingers partially closed, toward their respective sides alternately—by turns.
(77) Repeated No. 59 (cutting the ice).
(78) Elevated the hand above head, thumb and first two fingers extended and directed toward the western meridian, and shook it emphatically and with a tremulous motion up and down while thus suspended—at a late hour.
(79) Followed with the sign fordone, finished, as follows: Left hand, with forearm horizontally extended toward the right, is held naturallyrelaxed, back outward, a few inches in front of body and at a right angle with opposite hand, which is placed on a higher level, slightly arched, edge downward, fingers joined and extended forward. Pass the right quickly and with a cutting motion downward and toward its side, at the same time withdraw the left a few inches toward the opposite direction—finished our work.
(80) Quickly threw up his arm, ejaculating "haw!"—let us start.
(81) Passed both hands approximated in front of body, naturally relaxed, backs outward, forward and toward their respective sides, extending and widely separating the fingers during the movement, and again approximating them with quickly accelerated speed and arresting them, closed to fists, in front of body and with a jerk upward—with united efforts.
(82) Placing the fists, thumbs upward, pointing forward and placed upon side of forefingers, with their wrists against the breast, he pushed them forward and downward a few inches, head slightly participating in the movement—pushing off.
(83) Repeated No. 38 (snow-shoe)—with snow-shoes.
(84) Immediately reassumed the position of "pushing off" as in No. 82, slowly passing forward the fists further and further—pushing and gradually moving off.
(85) Quickly passed and turned the closed left forward, upward, and backward, opening and again closing the fingers in so doing, and executing at almost the same instant a similar, but smaller, revolution with the right—turning over the snow-shoe, tail up.
(86) With both hands closed to fists, left obliquely over the right and on the right side of the body, made motion as if paddling—paddling.
(87) Moved and pointed finger of left towards its side,i.e., northward—toward the shore.
(88) Moved both hands, flat and extended, backs upward, toward the left side, by an even and very slow movement—moving along very slowly toward that direction.
(89) Repeated No. 23—southwest wind.
(90) Repeated No. 30—pushing northeastward.
(91) Turned the thumb of left over to the left—Sabadis.
(92) Repeated No. 32 (winding up), reversing the motion—winding off the hook-line.
(93) Approximated both hands with their tips horizontally in front of body, first two fingers with thumb collected to a point, and moving the fingers as in the act of twisting a cord, gradually receded the hands—twisting.
(94) Thrust forward three fingers of the right—three,i.e.,hook-lines.
(95) Repeated No. 93, then rubbed palm of flat and extended right forward over the thigh repeatedly and with a slight pressure—twisting them tightly.
(96) Approximated both hands closed to fists, thumbs upward, infront of body and pulled them asunder repeatedly by short, quick, and sudden jerks—proving strength of line.
(97) Hooked the forefinger, hand turned downward at wrist, remaining fingers closed, thumb resting upon first—fish-hook.
(98) Raised and curved three fingers and thrust them forward a little separated, back to the front—three,i.e.,hooks.
(99) Collecting fore and middle fingers of each hand to a point with thumb, he opposed tips of both hands, vertically describing with the upper hand several short circular movements around the tip of the lower—tying together.
(100) Hooked the separated fore and middle fingers of the right, pointing upward, back forward, and placed the hooked finger of the left, palm forward, in front and partially between the fork of the first—in the shape of an anchor.
(101) Thrust both hands, backs upward, fingers extended and separated, forward (i.e., northward), vigorously, left being foremost—throwing toward the shore.
(102) Thence elevating the right toward the head, he thrust it downward in an oblique direction, fore and middle fingers extended and joined with the thumb—sinking.
(103) Placing hands in the position attained last in No. 100 (throwing out toward shore), he closed the fingers, drawing the hands back toward the body and leaning backward simultaneously—hauling in.
(104) Elevated the naturally closed hand to side of head, fingers opening and separating during the movement—at the same time and with a slight jerk of the shoulders inclining the head sideward—and again closed and slowly dropped it upon knee—in vain.
(105) Dropped the finger perpendicularly downward, following the movement with the eye—bottom.
(106) Passed the flat hand, palm down, from side to side in a smooth and horizontal movement—smooth.
(107) Made the sign forstone, rock, as follows: With the back of the arched right hand (H) strike repeatedly in the palm of the left, held horizontal, back outward, at the height of the breast and about a foot in front, the ends of the fingers pointing in opposite directions.
(108) Repeated No. 100—anchor.
(109) Dragged the curved fore and middle fingers over the back of the extended left—dragging.
(110) Waved the left—bent at the wrist, back outward—forward and upward from body, extending the arm to full length, at the same time inclining and pushing forward the head, and repeated the gesture more emphatically—trying again and again.
(111) Waved both hands—backs outward, fingers slightly joined, tips facing each other and closely approximated in front of breast—forward and toward their respective sides a short distance, turning the palms upward during the movement, thumb and fingers being extended andwidely separated toward the last. At the same time he inclined the head to one side, face expressing disappointment—all in vain.
(112) Repeated No. 80—Let us start anew!
(113) Repeated No. 86—paddling.
(114) Repeated the preceding gesture, executing the movement only once very emphatically—vigorously.
(115) Waved the finger toward the place of the setting sun, following the direction with the eye—day is near its close.
(116) Repeated No. 69, more emphatically—feeling very cold.
(117) Repeated No. 70—Ga-bi-wa bi-ko-ke.
(118) Made sign forwithout, dropping the hands powerless at the sides, with a corresponding movement of head—exhausted.
(119) Pointed with finger toward the light-house and drawing back the finger a little, pushed it forward in the same direction, fully extending the arm—that distance,i.e.,one mile beyond light-house.
(120) Elevated both hands to height of shoulder, fingers extended toward the right, backs upward, moving them horizontally forward—left foremost—with an impetuous motion toward the last—drifted out.
(121) Repeated No. 86, executing the movement a series of times without interruption and very energetically—paddling steadily and vigorously.
(122) Pointed with the left forefinger to his breast—I myself.
(123) Waved the thumb of the same hand over to left side without interrupting motion of hand—and Sabadis.
(124) Moved the extended left—back upward, fingers slightly joined—toward left side, and downward a few inches—shore.
(125) Elevated it to level of eyes, fingers joined and extended, palm toward the right, approaching it toward the face by a slow interrupted movement—drawing nearer and nearer.
(126) Drawing a deep breath—relieved.
(127) Repeated No. 86 very emphatically—paddling with increased courage and vigor.
(128) Gazed and pointed northeastward, shading the eyes with the hand, at the same time pushing the left—bent downward at wrist, palm backward—forward in that direction, arm fully extended, fingers separated and pointing ahead at termination of motion—out there at a great distance.
(129) Made a lateral movement with the hand flat and extended over the field of ice in front of him—the ice-field.
(130) Described a series of waves with the flat and extended left, back upward, horizontally outward—sea getting turbulent.
(131) Joyously flourished the hand above head, while pronouncing the wordke-ya-bi—only yet.
(132) Pointed the finger toward the upturned root of a tree a few yards off, thence carrying it forward directed it toward the shore in front—a few yards from shore.
(133) Pointing toward the sun first, he placed palms of both hands in opposition vertically, a space of only an inch or two intervening, with a glance sideways at the height thus indicated—the sun just setting.
(134) Made three vigorous strokes with the imaginary paddle—three more paddle-strokes.
(135) Moved both hands (flat and extended, backs upward) evenly and horizontally toward the left, terminating the movement by turning hands almost perpendicularly upward at wrist, thus arresting them suddenly—the ice-raft runs up against the shore.
(136) Lastly threw up the hand perpendicularly above head, and bringing it down, placed the palm gently over the heart with an air of solemnity—we are saved.
Free translation of the story.
Many years ago—my hair, then black and smooth, has since turned gray; I was then in the prime of life; you, I suppose, were a young lad at that time—the following incident occurred to me:
Yonder on the ice, two miles eastward, I was one day fishing in company with two others, the old Gabiwabikoke and his son John Baptist. It was about ten o'clock in the morning—a fresh breeze from the southwest had previously been getting up—when the hook-line which I was playing up and down began to take an oblique course as though it were moved by a current. Surprised, I looked up and around me. When glancing toward the south I saw a dark streak stretching from shore to shore across the bay; the ice had parted and the wind was carrying it out toward the open lake. In an instant I had wound up my hook-line, picked up my hatchet and snow-shoes, which I put on my feet, and hurried—the others following my example—toward the nearest point of land, yonder where the light-house stands. The wind was increasing and we traveled as fast as we could. There we arrived at the very edge of the ice, a streak of water about one hundred yards in width extending northward along the shore as far as we could see. What to begin with, nothing but a single hatchet? We were in a bad situation. Well, something had to be done. I measured off a square piece on the ice and began cutting it off with the hatchet, a hard and tedious labor. The ice was only eight inches thick, but slush and water covered it to the depth of a foot. I soon had my mittens and trowsers wringing wet and began to feel cold and tired. The old Gabiwabikoke was in a worse state than I. His son next took the hatchet and we all worked by turns. It was about two o'clock in the afternoon when we finished our work. With the help of our snow-shoes (stemming their tail-ends against the edge of the solid ice), we succeeded in pushing off our raft. Turning our snow-shoes the other way (using their tails as handles), we commenced paddling with them toward the shore. It was a very slow progress, as the wind drifted us outward continually. John Baptist managed to twistour three hook-lines into a strong cord, and tying the hooks together in the shape of an anchor, he threw it out toward the shore. Hauling in the line the hooks dragged over the smooth rock bottom and would not catch. Repeated trials were of no avail. We all resumed our former attempt and paddled away with increased energy. The day was drawing near its close, and we began to feel the cold more bitterly. Gabiwabikoke was suffering badly from its effects and was entirely played out. We had already drifted more than a mile beyond the light-house point. John Baptist and I continued paddling steadily and vigorously, and felt relieved and encouraged when we saw the shore draw near and nearer. The ice-field, by this time, was miles away to the northeast, and a sea was getting up. At last, just when the sun was setting, only a few yards separated us from the shore; three more paddle-strokes and our raft ran up against the beach. We were safe.
The oral part of the story in the language of the narrator, with a literal translation into English.
(1)Men'wijaa long time ago(2)aw ninisis'santhis my hair(3)me'gwa giijina'gwak tibi'shko awwhile it looked like that(4)me'gwa gimashkaw'isianwhile I possessed strength(5)kin dashyou and (i.e., and you)(6)ga'nabatch kikwiwi'sensiwina'banperhaps (probably) were a boy(7)mi'iwvery well(8)-(10)iwe'dithere(11)(12)nin be'jigI one(13)mi'nawaagain (furthermore)(14)Gabiwa'bikoke"The Miner"(15)akiwen'siold man(16) Expressed by gesture only.(17) The same as No. 13.(18)ogwis'san ga'ie, Sabadishis son too, John Baptist.(19)mi minik'so many(20)(21) Gestures only.(22)mi wa'pithus far,i.e., at that time.(23)we'ai gion'dinthen the wind blew from(24)me'gwa nin wewe'banabina'banwhile I was (in the act of) fishing with the hooknin'goting gonin'gotchiat one time somewhere (out of its course)oda'bigamo nimigis'skane'abwas drawn my hook line(25)a'nin ejiwe'bak?how it happens?(26) Gesture only.(27)taai'!ho!(28)mi'gwamthe ice(29)ma'djagoes(30)(31) Gestures only.(32)we'wibquickly(33)(34) Gestures only.(35)wagak'wadŏnshatchet(36) (37) Gestures only.(38) (39)nin bita'gimeI put on snowshoes(40)win madja'minwe go (start)(41) Gestures only.(42) (43)mamaw'etogether(44) Gesture only.(45)esh'kam ki'tchi no'dinmore big wind(46) Gesture only.(47)mi ja'igwa gima'djishkad(i.e.,mi'gwam)already has moved off (i.e., the ice)(48) (49) Gestures only.(50)mi'wapithus far,i.e., at such a distance(51) Gesture only.(52)a'nin dash gediji'tehigeiang?how (i.e., what) shall we do?(53) (54)mi e'ta be'jigwang wagak'wadŏnsonly one hatchet(55)ge'get gisan'agissiminindeed we are badly off.(56)haw! bak'wewada mi'gwam!well! (hallo!) let us cut the ice!(57) (58) (59) Gestures only.(60)sa'nagadit is bad (hard)(61)mi epi'tadingso it is thick (so thick is it)(62) Gesture only.(63)mi dash mi'nawa minik'that again much (that much again)(64)nibi' gon ga'iewater snow too (water and snow)(65)nimidjik a'wanagmy mittens(66)a'pitchivery much(67)nindas'san gaiemy trowsers two(68) Gestures only.(69)nin gi'katch ja'igwaI feel cold already(70)aw sa kiwen'sithe old man(71)nawatch' win'more yet he(72) Gesture only.(73)nind aie'kos ja'igwaI am tired already(74) Gesture only.(75)Sa'badisJohn Baptist(76)memesh'kwat kaki'naby turns all(77) Gesture only.(78)wi'ka ga'ishkwanawo'kweglate in the afternoon(79)mi gibakwewangidnow it is cut loose(80)haw!well! (ho!)(81)mama'wetogether(82) Gesture only.(83)a'gimagsnowshoes(84)ma'djishkait is moving(85)-(87) Gestures only.(88)aga'wa ma'djishkcascarcely it moves (very little)(89)no'dinwind(90) Gesture only.(91)Sa'badisJohn Baptist(92)migiss'kaneyabhook-line(93) (94)oginisswa'biginanhe twisted three cords together(95)-(98) Gestures only.(99)oginisso'bidonan (i.e., migaskanan)he tied together three (i.e., hooks)(100) Gesture only.(101)ogiaba'gidonan dashhe threw it out(102) Gesture only.(103)owikobi'donanhe wants to draw it in(104)kawes'sain vain ("no go")(105)-(108) Gestures only.(109)ka'win sagakwidis'sinon(not) it don't catch on the rock-bottom(110)mi'nawa—mo'jagagain—often (repeatedly)(111) The same as No. 104.(112) The same as No. 80.(113) Gesture only.(114)e'nigokvigorously(115)ja'igwa ona'kwishialready evening(116)esh'kam kis'sinamore cold (getting colder)(117) The same as No. 70.(118)mi ja'igwa gianiji'tangalready he has given up(119)was'sa ja'igwafar already(120)niwebas'himinwe have drifted out(121) Gesture only.(122) (123)mi'sa e'ta mij'iang(now) only we are two(124) Gesture only.(125)ja'igwa tehi'gibigalready near to shore(126)mi ja'igwa anibonen'damangnow we catch new spirits(127)esh'kam nigijijaw'isiminmore we are strong (i.e., our strength and courage increases)(128) (129)e-eh! was'sa ja'igwa'oh! far alreadymi'gwam!the ice!(130)ja'igwaalready(131)ke'abiyet(132)go'mapiso far perhaps(133)ge'ga bangi'shimonearly sundown(134) Gesture only.(135)mi gibima'jagangwe have landed(136)mi gibima'disiangwe have saved our lives.
(1)Men'wijaa long time ago
(1)Men'wija
a long time ago
(2)aw ninisis'santhis my hair
(2)aw ninisis'san
this my hair
(3)me'gwa giijina'gwak tibi'shko awwhile it looked like that
(3)me'gwa giijina'gwak tibi'shko aw
while it looked like that
(4)me'gwa gimashkaw'isianwhile I possessed strength
(4)me'gwa gimashkaw'isian
while I possessed strength
(5)kin dashyou and (i.e., and you)
(5)kin dash
you and (i.e., and you)
(6)ga'nabatch kikwiwi'sensiwina'banperhaps (probably) were a boy
(6)ga'nabatch kikwiwi'sensiwina'ban
perhaps (probably) were a boy
(7)mi'iwvery well
(7)mi'iw
very well
(8)-(10)iwe'dithere
(8)-(10)iwe'di
there
(11)(12)nin be'jigI one
(11)(12)nin be'jig
I one
(13)mi'nawaagain (furthermore)
(13)mi'nawa
again (furthermore)
(14)Gabiwa'bikoke"The Miner"
(14)Gabiwa'bikoke
"The Miner"
(15)akiwen'siold man
(15)akiwen'si
old man
(16) Expressed by gesture only.
(16) Expressed by gesture only.
(17) The same as No. 13.
(17) The same as No. 13.
(18)ogwis'san ga'ie, Sabadishis son too, John Baptist.
(18)ogwis'san ga'ie, Sabadis
his son too, John Baptist.
(19)mi minik'so many
(19)mi minik'
so many
(20)(21) Gestures only.
(20)(21) Gestures only.
(22)mi wa'pithus far,i.e., at that time.
(22)mi wa'pi
thus far,i.e., at that time.
(23)we'ai gion'dinthen the wind blew from
(23)we'ai gion'din
then the wind blew from
(24)me'gwa nin wewe'banabina'banwhile I was (in the act of) fishing with the hooknin'goting gonin'gotchiat one time somewhere (out of its course)oda'bigamo nimigis'skane'abwas drawn my hook line
(24)me'gwa nin wewe'banabina'ban
while I was (in the act of) fishing with the hook
nin'goting gonin'gotchi
at one time somewhere (out of its course)
oda'bigamo nimigis'skane'ab
was drawn my hook line
(25)a'nin ejiwe'bak?how it happens?
(25)a'nin ejiwe'bak?
how it happens?
(26) Gesture only.
(26) Gesture only.
(27)taai'!ho!
(27)taai'!
ho!
(28)mi'gwamthe ice
(28)mi'gwam
the ice
(29)ma'djagoes
(29)ma'dja
goes
(30)(31) Gestures only.
(30)(31) Gestures only.
(32)we'wibquickly
(32)we'wib
quickly
(33)(34) Gestures only.
(33)(34) Gestures only.
(35)wagak'wadŏnshatchet
(35)wagak'wadŏns
hatchet
(36) (37) Gestures only.
(36) (37) Gestures only.
(38) (39)nin bita'gimeI put on snowshoes
(38) (39)nin bita'gime
I put on snowshoes
(40)win madja'minwe go (start)
(40)win madja'min
we go (start)
(41) Gestures only.
(41) Gestures only.
(42) (43)mamaw'etogether
(42) (43)mamaw'e
together
(44) Gesture only.
(44) Gesture only.
(45)esh'kam ki'tchi no'dinmore big wind
(45)esh'kam ki'tchi no'din
more big wind
(46) Gesture only.
(46) Gesture only.
(47)mi ja'igwa gima'djishkad(i.e.,mi'gwam)already has moved off (i.e., the ice)
(47)mi ja'igwa gima'djishkad(i.e.,mi'gwam)
already has moved off (i.e., the ice)
(48) (49) Gestures only.
(48) (49) Gestures only.
(50)mi'wapithus far,i.e., at such a distance
(50)mi'wapi
thus far,i.e., at such a distance
(51) Gesture only.
(51) Gesture only.
(52)a'nin dash gediji'tehigeiang?how (i.e., what) shall we do?
(52)a'nin dash gediji'tehigeiang?
how (i.e., what) shall we do?
(53) (54)mi e'ta be'jigwang wagak'wadŏnsonly one hatchet
(53) (54)mi e'ta be'jigwang wagak'wadŏns
only one hatchet
(55)ge'get gisan'agissiminindeed we are badly off.
(55)ge'get gisan'agissimin
indeed we are badly off.
(56)haw! bak'wewada mi'gwam!well! (hallo!) let us cut the ice!
(56)haw! bak'wewada mi'gwam!
well! (hallo!) let us cut the ice!
(57) (58) (59) Gestures only.
(57) (58) (59) Gestures only.
(60)sa'nagadit is bad (hard)
(60)sa'nagad
it is bad (hard)
(61)mi epi'tadingso it is thick (so thick is it)
(61)mi epi'tading
so it is thick (so thick is it)
(62) Gesture only.
(62) Gesture only.
(63)mi dash mi'nawa minik'that again much (that much again)
(63)mi dash mi'nawa minik'
that again much (that much again)
(64)nibi' gon ga'iewater snow too (water and snow)
(64)nibi' gon ga'ie
water snow too (water and snow)
(65)nimidjik a'wanagmy mittens
(65)nimidjik a'wanag
my mittens
(66)a'pitchivery much
(66)a'pitchi
very much
(67)nindas'san gaiemy trowsers two
(67)nindas'san gaie
my trowsers two
(68) Gestures only.
(68) Gestures only.
(69)nin gi'katch ja'igwaI feel cold already
(69)nin gi'katch ja'igwa
I feel cold already
(70)aw sa kiwen'sithe old man
(70)aw sa kiwen'si
the old man
(71)nawatch' win'more yet he
(71)nawatch' win'
more yet he
(72) Gesture only.
(72) Gesture only.
(73)nind aie'kos ja'igwaI am tired already
(73)nind aie'kos ja'igwa
I am tired already
(74) Gesture only.
(74) Gesture only.
(75)Sa'badisJohn Baptist
(75)Sa'badis
John Baptist
(76)memesh'kwat kaki'naby turns all
(76)memesh'kwat kaki'na
by turns all
(77) Gesture only.
(77) Gesture only.
(78)wi'ka ga'ishkwanawo'kweglate in the afternoon
(78)wi'ka ga'ishkwanawo'kweg
late in the afternoon
(79)mi gibakwewangidnow it is cut loose
(79)mi gibakwewangid
now it is cut loose
(80)haw!well! (ho!)
(80)haw!
well! (ho!)
(81)mama'wetogether
(81)mama'we
together
(82) Gesture only.
(82) Gesture only.
(83)a'gimagsnowshoes
(83)a'gimag
snowshoes
(84)ma'djishkait is moving
(84)ma'djishka
it is moving
(85)-(87) Gestures only.
(85)-(87) Gestures only.
(88)aga'wa ma'djishkcascarcely it moves (very little)
(88)aga'wa ma'djishkca
scarcely it moves (very little)
(89)no'dinwind
(89)no'din
wind
(90) Gesture only.
(90) Gesture only.
(91)Sa'badisJohn Baptist
(91)Sa'badis
John Baptist
(92)migiss'kaneyabhook-line
(92)migiss'kaneyab
hook-line
(93) (94)oginisswa'biginanhe twisted three cords together
(93) (94)oginisswa'biginan
he twisted three cords together
(95)-(98) Gestures only.
(95)-(98) Gestures only.
(99)oginisso'bidonan (i.e., migaskanan)he tied together three (i.e., hooks)
(99)oginisso'bidonan (i.e., migaskanan)
he tied together three (i.e., hooks)
(100) Gesture only.
(100) Gesture only.
(101)ogiaba'gidonan dashhe threw it out
(101)ogiaba'gidonan dash
he threw it out
(102) Gesture only.
(102) Gesture only.
(103)owikobi'donanhe wants to draw it in
(103)owikobi'donan
he wants to draw it in
(104)kawes'sain vain ("no go")
(104)kawes'sa
in vain ("no go")
(105)-(108) Gestures only.
(105)-(108) Gestures only.
(109)ka'win sagakwidis'sinon(not) it don't catch on the rock-bottom
(109)ka'win sagakwidis'sinon
(not) it don't catch on the rock-bottom
(110)mi'nawa—mo'jagagain—often (repeatedly)
(110)mi'nawa—mo'jag
again—often (repeatedly)
(111) The same as No. 104.
(111) The same as No. 104.
(112) The same as No. 80.
(112) The same as No. 80.
(113) Gesture only.
(113) Gesture only.
(114)e'nigokvigorously
(114)e'nigok
vigorously
(115)ja'igwa ona'kwishialready evening
(115)ja'igwa ona'kwishi
already evening
(116)esh'kam kis'sinamore cold (getting colder)
(116)esh'kam kis'sina
more cold (getting colder)
(117) The same as No. 70.
(117) The same as No. 70.
(118)mi ja'igwa gianiji'tangalready he has given up
(118)mi ja'igwa gianiji'tang
already he has given up
(119)was'sa ja'igwafar already
(119)was'sa ja'igwa
far already
(120)niwebas'himinwe have drifted out
(120)niwebas'himin
we have drifted out
(121) Gesture only.
(121) Gesture only.
(122) (123)mi'sa e'ta mij'iang(now) only we are two
(122) (123)mi'sa e'ta mij'iang
(now) only we are two
(124) Gesture only.
(124) Gesture only.
(125)ja'igwa tehi'gibigalready near to shore
(125)ja'igwa tehi'gibig
already near to shore
(126)mi ja'igwa anibonen'damangnow we catch new spirits
(126)mi ja'igwa anibonen'damang
now we catch new spirits
(127)esh'kam nigijijaw'isiminmore we are strong (i.e., our strength and courage increases)
(127)esh'kam nigijijaw'isimin
more we are strong (i.e., our strength and courage increases)
(128) (129)e-eh! was'sa ja'igwa'oh! far alreadymi'gwam!the ice!
(128) (129)e-eh! was'sa ja'igwa'
oh! far already
mi'gwam!
the ice!
(130)ja'igwaalready
(130)ja'igwa
already
(131)ke'abiyet
(131)ke'abi
yet
(132)go'mapiso far perhaps
(132)go'mapi
so far perhaps
(133)ge'ga bangi'shimonearly sundown
(133)ge'ga bangi'shimo
nearly sundown
(134) Gesture only.
(134) Gesture only.
(135)mi gibima'jagangwe have landed
(135)mi gibima'jagang
we have landed
(136)mi gibima'disiangwe have saved our lives.
(136)mi gibima'disiang
we have saved our lives.
We are friends. WichitaFig. 320.
The following is the farewell address ofKin Chē-ĕss(Spectacles), medicine-man of the Wichitas, to Rev.A.J. Holt, missionary, on his departure from the Wichita Agency, in the words of the latter:
Talk, talking. WichitaFig. 321.
He placed one hand on my breast, the other on his own, then clasped his two hands together after the manner of our congratulations—We are friends, Fig. 320. He placed one hand on me, the other on himself, then placed the first two fingers of his right hand between his lips—We are brothers. He placed his right hand over my heart, his left hand over his own heart, then linked the first fingers of his right and left hands—Our hearts are linked together. See Fig. 232, p.386. He laid his right hand on me lightly, then put it to his mouth, with the knuckles lightly against his lips, and made the motion of flipping water from the right-hand forefinger, each flip casting the hand and arm from the mouth a foot or so, then bringing it back in the same position. (This repeated three or more times, signifyingtalkortalking.) Fig. 321. He then made a motion with his right hand as if he were fanning his right ear; this repeated. He then extended his right hand with his index finger pointing upward, his eyes also being turned upward—You told me of the Great Father. Pointing to himself, he hugged both hands to his bosom, as if he were affectionately clasping something he loved, and then pointed upward in the way before described—I love him(the Great Father). Laying his right hand on me, he clasped his hands to his bosom as before—I love you. Placing his right hand on my shoulder, he threw it over his own right shoulder as if he were casting behind him a little chip, only when his hand was over his shoulder his index finger was pointing behind him—You go away. Pointing to his breast, he clinched the same hand as if it held a stick, and made a motion as if he were trying to strike something on the ground with the bottom of the stick held in an upright position—I stay, or I stay right here, Fig. 322.
I stay, or I stay right here. WichitaFig. 322.
Placing his right hand on me, he placed both his hands on his breast and breathed deeply two or three times, then using the index finger and thumb of each hand as if he were holding a small pin, he placed the two hands in this position as if he were holding a thread in each hand and between the thumb and forefinger of each hand close together, andthen let his hands recede from each other, still holding his fingers in the same position, as if he were letting a thread slip between them until his hands were two feet apart—You live long time, Fig. 323. Laying his right hand on his breast, then extending his forefinger of the same hand, holding it from him at half-arm's length, the finger pointing nearly upward, then moving his hand, with the finger thus extended, from side to side about as rapidly as a man steps in walking, each time letting his hand get farther from him for three or four times, then suddenly placing his left hand in a horizontal position with the fingers extended and together so that the palm was sidewise, he used the right-hand palm, extended, fingers together, as a hatchet, and brought it down smartly, just missing the ends of the fingers of the left hand, Fig. 324. Then placing his left hand, with the thumb and forefinger closed, to his heart, he brought his right hand, fingers in the same position, to his left; then, as if he were holding something between his thumb and forefinger, he moved his right hand away as if he were slowly casting a hair from him, his left hand remaining at his breast, and his eyes following his right—I go about a little while longer, but will be cut off shortly and my spirit will go away(or will die). Placing the thumbs and forefingers again in such a position as if he held a small thread between the thumb and forefinger of each hand, and the hands touching each other, he drew his hands slowly from each other, as if he were stretching a piece of gum-elastic; then laying his right hand on me, he extended the left hand in a horizontal position, fingers extended and closed, and brought down his right hand with fingers extended and together, so as to just miss the tips of the fingers of his left hand; then placing his left forefinger and thumb against his heart, he acted as if he took a hair from the forefinger and thumb of his left hand with the forefinger and thumb of the right, and slowly cast it from him, only letting his left hand remain at his breast, and let the index finger of the right hand point outward toward the distant horizon—After a long time you die. When placing his left hand upon himself and his right hand upon me, he extended them upward over his head and clasped them there—We then meet in heaven. Pointing upward, then to himself, then to me, he closed the third and little finger of his right hand, laying his thumb over them, then extending his first and second fingers about as far apart as the eyes, he brought his hand to his eyes, fingers pointing outward,and shot his hand outward—I see you up there. Pointing to me, then giving the last above-described sign oflook, then pointing to himself, he made the sign as if stretching out a piece of gum-elastic between the fingers of his left and right hands, and then made the sign ofcut-offbefore described, and then extended the palm of the right hand horizontally a foot from his waist, inside downward, then suddenly threw it half over and from him, as if you were to toss a chip from the back of the hand (this is the negative sign everywhere used among these Indians)—I would see him a long time, which should never be cut off,i.e.,always.
A long time. WichitaFig. 323.
Done, finished. WichitaFig. 324.
Pointing upward, then rubbing the back of his left hand lightly with the forefinger of his right, he again gave the negative sign.—No Indian there(in heaven). Pointing upward, then rubbing his forefinger over the back of my hand, he again made the negative sign—No white man there. He made the same sign again, only he felt his hair with the forefinger and thumb of his right hand, rolling the hair several times between the fingers—No black man in heaven. Then rubbing the back of his hand and making the negative sign, rubbing the back of my hand and making the negative sign, feeling of one of his hairs with the thumb and forefinger of his right hand, and making the negative sign, then using both hands as if he were reaching around a hogshead, he brought the forefinger of his right hand to the front in an upright position after their manner of counting, and said thereby—No Indian, no white man, no black man, all one. Making the "hogshead" sign, and that forlook, he placed the forefinger of each hand side by side pointing upward—All look the same, or alike. Running his hands over his wild Indian costume and over my clothes, he made the "hogshead" sign, and that forsame, and said thereby—All dress alike there. Then making the "hogshead" sign, and that forlove, (hugging his hands), he extended both hands outward, palms turned downward, and made a sign exactly similar to the way ladies smooth a bed in making it; this is the sign forhappy—All will be happy alike there. He then made the sign fortalkand forFather, pointing to himself and to me—You pray for me. He then made the sign forgo away, pointing to me, he threw right hand over his right shoulder so his index finger pointed behind him—You go away. Calling his name he made the sign forlookand the sign ofnegationafter pointing to me—Kin Chē-ĕss see you no more.
Sit down. AustralianFig. 325.
Fig. 322, an illustration in the preceding address, also represents a common gesture forsit down, if made to the right of the hip, toward the locality to be occupied by the individual invited. The latter closely corresponds to an Australian gesture described by Smyth (The Aborigines of Victoria, London, 1878, Vol. II, p. 308, Fig. 260), as follows: "Minnie-minnie(wait a little). It is shaken downwards rapidly two or three times. Done more slowly towards the ground, it means 'Sitdown.'" This is reproduced in Fig. 325.
The following statement was made to Dr.W.J. HoffmanbyTso-di-a'-ko(Shaved-head Boy), chief of the Wichitas in Indian Territory, while on a visit to Washington, D.C., in June 1880.
The Indian being asked whether there was any timber in his part of the Territory, replied in signs as follows:
Cut down. WichitaFig. 326.
(1) Move the right hand, fingers loosely extended, separated and pointing upward, back to the front, upward from the height of the waist to the front of the face—tree(for illustration see Fig. 112, p.343); repeat this two or three times—trees; (2) then hold the hand, fingers extended and joined, pointing upward, with the back to the front, and push it forward toward different points on a level with the face-standing at various places; (3) both hands, with spread and slightly curved fingers, are held about two feet apart, before the thighs, palms facing, then draw them toward one another horizontally and gradually upward until the wrists cross, as if grasping a bunch of grass and pulling it up—many; (4) point to the southwest with the index, elevating it a little above the horizon—country; (5) then throw the fist edgewise toward the surface, in that direction—my, mine; (6) place both hands, extended, flat, edgewise before the body, the left below the right, and both edges pointing toward the ground a short distance to the left of the body, then make repeated cuts toward that direction from different points, the termination of each cut ending at nearly the same point—cut down, Fig. 326; (7) hold the left hand with the fingers and thumb collected to a point, directed horizontally forward, and make several cutting motions with the edge of the flat right hand transversely by the tips of the left, and upon the wrist—cut off the ends; (8) then cut upon the left hand, still held in the same position, with the right, the cuts being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the palm—split; (9) both hands closed in front of the body, about four inches apart, with forefingers and thumbs approximating half circles, palms toward the ground, move them forward so that the back of the hand comes forward and the half circles imitate the movement of wheels—wagon, Fig. 327; (10) hold the left flat hand before the body, pointing horizontally forward, with the palm down, then bring the right flat hand from the right side and slap the palm upon the back of the left severaltimes—load, upon, Fig. 328; (11) partly close the right hand as if grasping a thick rod, palm toward the ground, and push it straight forward nearly to arm's length—take; (12) hold both hands with fingers naturally extended and slightly separated nearly at arm's length before the body, palms down, the right lying upon the left, then pass the upper forward and downward from the left quickly, so that the wrist of the right is raised and the fingers point earthward—throw off; (13) cut the left palm repeatedly with the outer edge of the extended right hand—build; (14) hold both hands edgewise before the body, palms facing, spread the fingers and place those of one hand into the spaces between those of the left, so that the tips of one protrude beyond the backs of the fingers of the other—log house, see Fig. 253, p.428; (15) then place the flat right hand, palm down and fingers pointing to the left, against the breast and move it forward, and slightly upward and to the right—good.