36 JOURNAL OF RELIGIOUS PSYCHOLOGY 



We find in this respect, as in so many others, the western 

 Eskimo an exception. They have engaged in wars between the 

 tribes as well as with the Indians. (45 : 327 ; 32 : 130 ; 34 : 150 ; 

 21:388.) Sometimes a certain number of men were chosen on 

 either side to fight it out as representatives of the tribe, the 

 rest of the tribe remaining at peace. (34: 227.) 



As Eink points out, among the western Eskimo, &quot;in connec 

 tion with warfare among the tribes it has even led to the keeping 

 of slaves, of all habits the one apparently most at variance with 

 Eskimo social life.&quot; (52:28; cf. 32:78.) The evidence from 

 the Eskimo supports Westermarck s position that &quot;the earliest 

 source of slavery was war or conquest.&quot; (71. 1: 674.) 



It might be supposed that the Eskimo s aversion to strife 

 would be coupled with a lack of courage. But facts show that 

 such is not the case. In the western tribes, who engage in war 

 with each other and the Indians, martial courage is not wanting. 

 But even to that great majority who live in peace with all men, 

 no one would deny the possession of courage, who knows the 

 bravery of the undaunted hunters of land and sea. (See 42 : 42 ; 

 5 : 574. ) As Crantz says of the kayaker, * He dreads no storm ; 

 as long as a ship can carry its topsails, he braves the mountain 

 ous billows.&quot; (16. 1 : 139.) The Eskimo in his kayak is not onty 

 &quot;an object of wonder and delight,&quot; as Crantz calls him, for his 

 marvellous skill, but also one of the sublimest examples of human 

 daring and self-reliance, of personal courage vastly greater than 

 that required to keep step with an army to the field of battle. 

 Alone he courts the dangers of the icy deep and challenges and 

 conquers, single-handed, the dread powers of nature. 



12. TRUTHFULNESS AND GOOD FAITH 

 Says Nansen: 



&quot;One of the most prominent and attractive traits in the Eskimo is 

 certainly his integrity. If some Europeans have denied him this virtue, 

 it can only be I am sure, because these gentlemen have not taken the 

 trouble to place themselves in sympathy with his modes of thought, and 

 to realize what he regards as dishonorable. It is of special importance 

 for the Eskimo that he should be able to rely with confidence upon 

 his neighbors and his fellow-men; it is the first condition of this mutual 

 confidence, on which depends all united action in the battle of life, that 

 every man shall be upright in his dealings with his neighbors.&quot; (43: 

 157 sq.) 



