THE WHITE WORLD 



chased, which otherwise might have been captured, escaped 

 their pursuers. 



At the close of the whaling season, which is the first of 

 June, preparations are made for a journey along the coast 

 to the east of Point Barrow to meet and trade with the 

 natives of the interior of northern Alaska who, during the 

 summer time, come down the Meade and Colville rivers to 

 the coast. 



Thus the life of the Point Barrow Eskimo is spent in one 

 continuous round of hunting, fishing and trading under 

 conditions at no time pleasant and frequently under the 

 most adverse circumstances; yet, strange as it may seem, 

 their perseverance never flags, their peaceful disposition 

 never gives way to ugliness, their good nature to anger, nor 

 does their overflowing mirthfulness ever forsake them. 



The Eskimo of Point Barrow are the most cheerful and 

 mirth-loving of any people found on earth. They are never 

 morose, gloomy or dismal, as might be thought would be 

 a result of the rigors of their inhospitable climate and 

 surroundings. They are a good people. Serious family 

 quarrels, such as result in bodily injury, are of very rare 

 occurrence among them, and it may be questioned whether, 

 previous to the introduction of alcoholic liquor into this 

 region, such quarrels had occurred at all, for at least, sev- 

 eral generations. The taking of human life is resorted to 

 only on the very rare occasion when any one of them be- 

 comes dangerously insane, and then it is only after a gen- 

 eral council is called and a unanimity of opinion prevails, 

 that such a person is deprived of his life. Harmless in- 

 sanity is suffered by this people until natural death ends 

 the life of the Eskimo thus afflicted. Unjustifiable homi- 

 cide may possibly occur, but if such be the case, I think it 

 is safe to say that the number of instances will not average 

 one in a generation. 



They never abuse, scold or punish their children of either 

 sex, and, on the other hand, the children are obedient to 

 their parents or guardians, and in their play, their work, 

 or their idle moments never quarrel among themselves. 

 The Eskimo ill-treat no one. The wife is shown the con- 

 sideration due to her sex so far as Eskimo superstition 

 will allow. During her period of confinement she must 



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