This triumphal demonstration was not very dignified, nor, under the circumstances, very prudent or sensible.

It consisted in placing the thumb of his right hand upon the end of his nose, while he wiggled the four remaining digital appendages of the same member in the most aggravating manner, whistling Yankee Doodle as an accompaniment to the movement.
If Secesh did not understand the case before, he did now; and fishing up his musket, he emptied the water out of the barrel, and attempted to fire it.

Luckily for Tom, the gun would not go off, and he swept on his way jubilant and joyous..