Chapter 28

(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 of eight 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_, or _giving 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 for _tired--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 for _done, finished_, as follows: Left hand, with forearm horizontally extended toward the right, is held naturally relaxed, 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, in front 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 for _stone, 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 and widely 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 for _without_, 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 word _ke-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 twist our 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) _Me[n]'wija_ a long time ago

(2) _aw ninisis'san_ this my hair

(3) _me'gwa giijina'gwak tibi'shko aw_ while it looked like that

(4) _me'gwa gimashkaw'isian_ while I possessed strength

(5) _kin dash_ you and (i.e., and you)

(6) _ga'nabatch kikwiwi'se[n]siwina'ban_ perhaps (probably) were a boy

(7) _mi'iw_ very well

(8)-(10) _iwe'di_ there

(11)(12) _nin be'jig_ I one

(13) _mi'nawa_ again (furthermore)

(14) _Gabiwa'bikoke_ "The Miner"

(15) _akiwe[n]'si_ old man

(16) Expressed by gesture only.

(17) The same as No. 13.

(18) _ogwis'san ga'ie, Sabadis_ his son too, John Baptist.

(19) _mi minik'_ so many

(20)(21) Gestures only.

(22) _mi wa'pi_ thus far, i.e., at that time.

(23) _we'ai gion'din_ then the wind blew from

(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?

(26) Gesture only.

(27) _taai'!_ ho!

(28) _mi'gwam_ the ice

(29) _ma'dja_ goes

(30)(31) Gestures only.

(32) _we'wib_ quickly

(33)(34) Gestures only.

(35) _wagak'wad[)o][n]s_ hatchet

(36) (37) Gestures only.

(38) (39) _nin bita'gime_ I put on snowshoes

(40) _win madja'min_ we go (start)

(41) Gestures only.

(42) (43) _mamaw'e_ together

(44) Gesture only.

(45) _esh'kam ki'tchi no'din_ more 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'wapi_ thus 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'wad[)o][n]s_ only one hatchet

(55) _ge'get gisan'agissimin_ indeed we are badly off.

(56) _haw! bak'wewada mi'gwam!_ well! (hallo!) let us cut the ice!

(57) (58) (59) Gestures only.

(60) _sa'nagad_ it is bad (hard)

(61) _mi epi'tading_ so 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'ie_ water snow too (water and snow)

(65) _nimidjik a'wanag_ my mittens

(66) _a'pitchi_ very much

(67) _nindas'san gaie_ my trowsers two

(68) Gestures only.

(69) _nin gi'katch ja'igwa_ I feel cold already

(70) _aw sa kiwe[n]'si_ the old man

(71) _nawatch' win'_ more yet he

(72) Gesture only.

(73) _nind aie'kos ja'igwa_ I am tired already

(74) Gesture only.

(75) _Sa'badis_ John Baptist

(76) _memesh'kwat kaki'na_ by turns all

(77) Gesture only.

(78) _wi'ka ga'ishkwanawo'kweg_ late in the afternoon

(79) _mi gibakwewangid_ now it is cut loose

(80) _haw!_ well! (ho!)

(81) _mama'we_ together

(82) Gesture only.

(83) _a'gimag_ snowshoes

(84) _ma'djishka_ it is moving

(85)-(87) Gestures only.

(88) _aga'wa ma'djishkca_ scarcely it moves (very little)

(89) _no'din_ wind

(90) Gesture only.

(91) _Sa'badis_ John Baptist

(92) _migiss'kaneyab_ hook-line

(93) (94) _oginisswa'biginan_ he 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 dash_ he threw it out

(102) Gesture only.

(103) _owikobi'donan_ he wants to draw it in

(104) _kawes'sa_ in 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'jag_ again--often (repeatedly)

(111) The same as No. 104.

(112) The same as No. 80.

(113) Gesture only.

(114) _e'nigok_ vigorously

(115) _ja'igwa ona'kwishi_ already evening

(116) _esh'kam kis'sina_ more cold (getting colder)

(117) The same as No. 70.

(118) _mi ja'igwa gianiji'tang_ already he has given up

(119) _was'sa ja'igwa_ far already

(120) _niwebas'himin_ we 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'gibig_ already near to shore

(126) _mi ja'igwa anibonen'damang_ now we catch new spirits

(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 already _mi'gwam!_ the ice!

(130) _ja'igwa_ already

(131) _ke'abi_ yet

(132) _go'mapi_ so far perhaps

(133) _ge'ga bangi'shimo_ nearly sundown

(134) Gesture only.

(135) _mi gibima'jagang_ we have landed

(136) _mi gibima'disiang_ we have saved our lives.

DISCOURSES.

_ADDRESS OF KIN CH[=E]-[)E]SS._

The following is the farewell address of KIN CH[=E]-[)E]SS (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:

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, signifying _talk_ or _talking_.) 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.