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Show 44 SPEECHES AND STORIES DESIRED. By far the most satisfactory mode of securing accurate signs is to induce the Indians to tell stories, make speeches, or hold talks in gesture, with one of themselves as interpreter in his own oral language if the latter is understood by the observer, and if not, the words, not the signs, should be translated by an intermediary white interpreter. It will be easy afterward to dissect and separate the particular signs used. This mode will determine the genuine shade of meaning of each sign, and corresponds with the plan now adopted by the Bureau of Ethnology for the study of the aboriginal vocal languages, instead of that arising out of exclusively missionary purposes, which was to force a translation of the Bible from a tongue not adapted to its terms and ideas, and then to compile a grammar and dictionary from the artificial result. A little ingenuity will direct the more intelligent or complaisant gesturers to the expression of the thoughts, signs for which are specially sought; and full orderly descriptions of such tales and talks with or even without analysis and illustration are more desired than any other form of contribution. No such descriptions of any value have been found in print, and the best one thus far obtained through the correspondence of the present writer is given below, with the hope that emulation will be excited. It is the farewell address of Kin Che- 6ss ( Spectacles), medicine- man of the Wichitas, to Missionary A. J. HOLT on his departure from the Wichita Agency, in the words of the latter. A SPEECH IN 8IGNS. 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. 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. 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, signifying " talk" or talking.) Ho then |
