Another: Place the extended and separated index and second fingers astraddle the extended and horizontal forefinger of the left hand. This sign is only used when communicating with uninstructed white men, or with other Indians whose sign for horse is specifically distinct. (_Kaiowa_ I; _Comanche_ III; _Apache_ II; _Wichita_ II.).
Place the extended index and second fingers of the right hand across the extended first two fingers of the left. Fig. 264. Size of the animal is indicated by passing the right hand, palm down, with fingers loosely separated, forward from the right side, at any height as the case may necessitate, after which the sign for HORSE may be made. (_Pima and Papago_ I.)
Place the right hand, palm down, before the right side of the chest; place the tips of the second and third fingers against the ball of the thumb, allowing the index and little fingers to project to represent the ears. Fig. 265. Frequently the middle fingers extend equally with and against the thumb, forming the head of the animal, the ears always being represented by the two outer fingers, viz, the index and little finger. Fig. 266. (_Ute_ I.) A similar sign is reported by Colonel Dodge as used by the Utes.
Elevate the right hand, extended, with fingers joined, outer edge toward the ground, in front of the body or right shoulder, and pointing forward, resting the curved thumb against the palmar side of the index. This sign appears also to signify _animal_ generically, being frequently employed as a preliminary sign when denoting other species. (_Apache_ I.)
Imitate the motion of the elbows of a man on horseback. (_Ballard_.)
Act in the manner of a driver, holding the lines in his hands and shouting to the horse. (_Cross_.)
Move the hands several times as if to hold the reins. (_Larson_.)
The French deaf-mutes add to the straddling of the index the motion of a trot. American deaf-mutes indicate the ears by placing two fingers of each hand on each side of the head and moving them backward and forward. This is sometimes followed by straddling the left hand by the fore and middle fingers of the right.
Same sign as for HORSE, with the addition of erecting the thumb while making the gesture. (_Dodge_.)