78 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



appreutices aud the other Eskimos have the opportunity of learning 

 many new and better ways and methods of catching- lish. 



In addition to the people named in the list of workmen, the writer 

 has also taken part in making sleds, harness, and in building. I also 

 built an ice boat which drifted out of the harbor on the ice last Novem- 

 ber. It has been reported that the boat was found by the Eskimos a 

 few days later and was stripped of the sails and iron without sending- 

 any information in regard to the discovery. Everything was stolen 

 and a settlement will be made with the thieves as soon as they are 

 caught. I have also made a boat 20 feet long used in fishing, and T. L. 

 Kjellman is at present engaged in building a small boat. 



My spare time has been devoted to tanning hides and skins and to a 

 thousand and one different things, so that my time has been too short, 

 even during these long summer days. 



It has been said that the Eskimos lose their respect for laboring 

 white men. My view of this matter is different. In the first place, 

 the Eskimos would be apt to continue the work in their own awkward 

 manner and never really acquire any of the easier methods of civili- 

 zation, unless Ihey see good work done. The result of this is that 

 they never will become able to support themselves in any other man- 

 ner than they do now. That is to say, they will make no progress 

 excepting in reading, an acquisition which they do not value very 

 highly when their stomachs are empty and require more fish. In 

 the next place, I believe that respect is more easily maintained even 

 if the sui)erintendent works from morning to night. The fact that 

 he labors and constantly keeps himself employed, doing something 

 or other, gives a valuable example to those about him. The industry 

 of the superintendent makes the Eskimos understand that a living is 

 the reward of labor, and that it is not birth or color of the skin which 

 makes a man, but his work and his conduct. We have secured all 

 the respect that can fairly be demanded of uncivilized men, and no 

 order has ever been directly neglected, though there may liave Ijeen 

 some indirect evasions, but I think the most of them have learned by 

 this time that it is useless to try to disobey an order directly or indi- 

 rectly. The Eskimos have also been convinced that it is best to be 

 obedient and do what is asked of them, and they have often thought 

 that no more is required of them than they can easily perform. With 

 a few exce])tions, their conduct has been entirely satisfactory, and mat- 

 ters are progressing without any serious jars. 



The result of catching seals has not amounted to nuich, and I doubt 

 whether a continuance of it will pay. On the IL'th of October six of 

 our apprentices were sent out to Point Spencer, where the catching of 

 seals had then begun. They were Avell equipped with good rifles and 

 ammunition, with other implements, and with provisions for two Aveeks 

 and equipments superior to those possessed by any chief for the same 

 purpose. On the 2(3th of the same mouth they returned with 5 seals, 



