A SUMMER ON THE YENESEI 109 



child was no better. Then, said Sylkin, he lost patience. 

 He solemnly collected all his ikons, and carrying 

 them up to the roof of the house, he spread them out 

 to the weather with ignominy, to show his contempt for 

 the Russians and their beliefs. Then he returned to 

 the gods of his own people. Alas for the moral — the 

 boy recovered ! 



The honesty of the natives on the Yenesei is a 

 striking contrast to the thievishness of the Siberiaks. 

 Sledges loaded with winter furs, chooms unguarded by 

 lock or key, are left out for weeks on the tundra, and 

 no one dreams of pilfering. If a native picks up any- 

 thing that he thinks belongs to you, he will not rest 

 until he has returned it. This honesty is by no means 

 caused by lack of intelligence. The intellect of the 

 native is not a whit inferior to that of the European. 

 As I write I have before me models of sledges, fox traps, 

 etc., carved out of driftwood, and considering the rudeness 

 of their tools, the neatness and ingenuity of the work is 

 wonderful. Another point which must strike anyone 

 who comes in contact with them is their good manners. 

 If a Samoyede eats or drinks in your house, he never 

 puts down his cup without crossing the room in the 

 gracious Russian fashion to shake hands, and say thank 

 you for the meal. If cigarettes or sweets are handed 

 round, there is never any snatching or jealousy. No- 

 body thinks of meddling with a stranger's property, no 

 matter how curious he may be concerning it. 



Men and women are more or less on an equal 

 footing in the choom. A woman is even permitted 

 to hold the office of Shamman or medicine-man. Some 



