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Show CHAP. H. THE INDIAN PANTOMIME. 125 Go!-Move both hands edgeways (the palms fronting the breast) toward the left with a rocking-horse motion. Sit!-Make a motion toward the ground, as if to pound it with the ferient of the closed hand. Lie down!-Point to the ground, and make a motion as if of lying down. Sleep !-Ditto, closing the eyes. Look!-Touch the right eye with the index and point it outward. Sear !-Tap the right ear with the index tip. Colors are expressed by a comparison with some object in sight. Many things, as the blowing of wind, the cries of beasts and birds, and the roaring of the sea, are imitated by sound. See !-Strike out the two forefingers forward from the eyes. Smell!-Touch the nose-tip. A bad smell is expressed by the same sign, ejaculating at the same time "Pooh!" and making the sign of bad. Taste !-Touch the tongue-tip. Eat!-Imitate the action of conveying food with the fingers to the mouth. Drink!-Scoop up with the hand imaginary water into the mouth. Smoke !-With the crooked index describe a pipe in the air, beginning at the lips; then wave the open hand from the mouth to imitate curls of smoke. Speak!-Extend the open hand from the chin. Fight!-Make a motion with both fists to and fro, like a pugilist of the eighteenth century who preferred a high guard. Kilt!-Smite the sinister palm earthward with the dexter fist sharply, in sign of "going down;" or strike out with the dexter fist toward the ground, meaning to " shut down;" or pass the dexter index under the left forefinger, meaning to " go under." To show that fighting is actually taking place, make the gestures as above described; tap the lips with the palm like an Oriental woman when "keening," screaming the while O-a! O-a! to imitate the war-song. Wash!-Rub the hand as with invisible soap in imperceptible water. Think !-Pass the forefinger sharply across the breast from right to left. Hide!-Place the hand inside the clothing of the left breast. This means also to put away or to keep secret.. To express " I won't say," make the signs of " I " and "no" (which see), and hide the hand as above directed. Love !-Fold the hands crosswise over the breast, as if embracing the object, assuming at the same time a look expressing the desire to carry out the operation. This gesture will be understood by the dullest squaw. Tell truth!-Extend the forefinger from the mouth (" one word"). Tell lie !-Extend the two first fingers from the mouth (" double tongue," a significant gesture). |
