The Call of the Unknown 



an inestimable blessing upon the world, 

 but don't forget that this credit is 

 accorded only by that comparatively 

 small percentage of the animal creation 

 that happens to possess both human 

 form and a white skin. Ask the myr- 

 iad ghosts of vanished races, placed 

 in this so-called New World in the 

 primeval assignment of territory, and 

 you will be told that the discovery of 

 America was a catastrophe, having no 

 parallel in history. There were at 

 least two Wild Pigeons saved from the 

 flood, but not one out of millions has 

 survived the white man's subjugation 

 of this continent. Yes, it was a fine 

 stroke of business for Ferdinand and 

 Isabella, I suppose, but even they were 

 finally beaten to all that was best over 

 here by other creatures of their own 

 species, possessed of superior enter- 

 prise, persistence and cunning. First, 

 men despoil a far country of its in- 

 digenous life, and then fight among 

 themselves for the right to exploit it 



[i79] 



