Part 12

At the close of the song, all take hands and dance four times about the Stone, each time reversing the movement.

Lastly, they seat themselves again in the same order, and the "feast" is served by handing it about the circle, each maiden taking her portion in her own basin, or bowl, and eating it with her own spoon, having brought these with her according to the Indian custom. Appropriate dishes for the feast would be rice with maple sugar (wild rice if obtainable), green corn or succotash, berries and nuts, maize cakes or pop-corn dainties, or any strictly native product. After the food is served, it is permitted for the first time to talk and laugh, all gravity and decorum having been preserved by participants and spectators during the entire ceremony.

The parents and friends of the young women should be invited, if convenient, to witness the "Maidens' Feast," and a characteristic Indian feature would be added if some of them should desire to signalize the occasion by gifts to some needy person or cause. Such gifts should be announced at the close of the festival.

XXI--THE GESTURE--LANGUAGE OF THE INDIAN

The American Indian is extremely pictorial in his habits of thought and in his modes of expression. Even his every-day speech is full of symbols drawn from the natural world. Yet more poetic and descriptive in character is that form of communication properly called "gesture speech," but commonly known as "Indian sign-language."

This language is most fully developed among the tribes of the Great Plains, many of whom speak entirely different tongues, for use in their frequent meetings, either accidental or for the purpose of concluding a treaty of peace. It is also used by deaf mutes among Indians. It has been learned and elaborately written out by several authorities, chief of whom is Captain W. R. Clark of the United States Army. Being understood by few, it will serve excellently as a secret code, so much desired by young people, and is especially appropriate to the ceremonials of Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls.

We Indian boys were taught from babyhood to be silent, to listen to the things that nature is saying all about us. But since it is hard for a healthy boy to keep his discoveries and observations entirely to himself, he must devise some outlet. Our silent communication, our "wireless," was the gesture-language.

It should be remembered that among Indians the whole body speaks, and that all oratory, and even conversation, is accompanied by graceful and significant gestures. The accomplished user will make the signs herein described rapidly and smoothly, investing the whole with genuine charm, as a novel kind of pantomime. For it will be seen that these are no arbitrary signs, but actual air-pictures, and not manual only, since they include a variety of movements and considerable facial expression.

The construction or grammar of the sign-language is simple. Adjectives follow nouns, conjunctions and prepositions are omitted, and verbs are used in the present tense only. The following signs, well-learned, will enable one to carry on a short conversation, and many more may be devised along these lines by an ingenious boy or girl.

Attention, or Question. Hold right hand, palm outward, fingers and thumb separated, well out in front of body at height of shoulder. This is used to begin a conversation.

I understand. Throw right forearm out in front of body with fingers closed, except index finger, which is curved and drawn back. This indicates that you grasp and draw something toward you, and is used occasionally while another is talking. If you do not understand, use the Question sign.

I. Touch breast with index finger of right hand.

Glad. (Sunshine in the heart.) Place compressed right hand, fingers slightly curved, over region of heart; bring left hand, palm downward, in sweeping curve to left of body, at the same time turning it palm upward, as if turning up or unfolding something. The expression of the face should correspond.

Sad. Place the closed fist against the heart. Appropriate facial expression.

Surprised. Cover mouth with palm of right hand, open eyes widely, and move head slightly backward.

Angry. (Mind twisted.) Place closed right fist against forehead and twist from right to left.

Ashamed. (Blanket over face.) Bring both hands, palms inward, fingers touching, in front of and near the face.

Good. (Level with heart.) Hold extended right hand, back up, close to region of heart; move briskly forward and to right.

Bad. (Throw away.) Hold one or both hands, closed, in front of body, backs upward; open with a snap, at the same time moving them outward and downward.

Brave, Strong. Hold firmly closed left hand in front of body, left arm pointing to right and front; bring closed right hand above and a little in front of left, and strike downwards, imitating the blow of a hammer. (This gesture, vigorously made, intensifies any previous statement or description.)

Alone. Hold up index finger.

On Horseback. Place first and second finger of right hand astride left index finger. Motion of galloping may be made, or a Fall from the horse represented.

Tent, or Wigwam. Bring both hands together at the finger tips, forming a cone.

House. Interlock fingers of both hands, holding them at right angles.

Camp. Sign for Tent, then form circle with arms and hands in front of body.

City, or Village. Sign for House, then Camp sign.

Sleep. Incline head to right and rest cheek on right palm. For going into camp, or to indicate the length of a journey, make sign for Sleep and hold up as many fingers as nights were spent on the way.

Time is told by indicating the position of the sun; the Seasons as follows: