ESQUIMAU TRAITS. 1]5 



taking it as a matter of course ; but if it were known 

 that they were starving, at a distance, there is no one 

 who would ever think of going to them with supphes. 

 Thej are the most self-rehant people in the world. It 

 does not appear ever to occur to them to expect as- 

 sistance, and they never think of offering it. 



The food and shelter vv^hich the needy are allowed 

 lo take is not a charity bestowed ; the aid which the 

 liunter gives to the dogless man who jumps upon his 

 sledge for a lift on a journey is not a kindness. He 

 would drop him or give him the slip if occasion offered, 

 even if in a place from whence he could not reach his 

 home. He would drive off and leave him with the 

 greatest unconcern, never so much as giving him a 

 thought. If he should change his abode, the family 

 that had sought his protection would not be invited to 

 accompany him. They might come if able, he could 

 not and would not drive them away; indeed, his lan- 

 guage contains no word that would suit the act; but, 

 if not able to travel, they would be left to starve with 

 as much unconcern as if they were decrepit dogs 

 which the hunt had rendered useless. 



They neither beg, borrow, nor steal. They do not 

 make presents, and they never rob each other ; though 

 this does not hold good of their disposition toward the 

 white man, for from him they make it a habit to filch 

 all they can. 



I cannot imagine any living thing so utterly callous 

 as they. Why, even my Esquimau dogs exhibit more 

 sympathetic interest in each other's welfare. They at 

 least hang together for a common object ; sometimes 

 Qghtmg, it is true, but they make friends again after 

 the contest is over. But these Esquimaux never fight, 

 ^y any chance. They stealthily harpoon a trouble- 



