126 THE PSYCHICAL KINSHIP 



and women. The mind of the savage, as com- 

 pared vvith that of civiHsed man, is exceedingly 

 primitive. The picture drawn by Gilbraith of the 

 North American Sioux is a typical picture of 

 savage life and character. Gilbraith lived among 

 these tribes for several years, and was thoroughly 

 acquainted with them. He say^ : 



* They are bigoted, barbarous, and exceedingly 

 superstitious. They regard most of the vices as 

 virtues. Theft, arson, rape, and murder are re- 

 garded by them as the means of distinction. The 

 young Indian is taught from childhood to regard 

 killing as the highest of virtues. In their dances 

 and at their feasts, the warriors recite their deeds 

 of theft, pillage, and slaughter as precious things ; 

 and the highest, indeed the only, ambition of the 

 young brave is to secure "the feather," which is 

 but the record of his having murdered, or partici- 

 pated in the murder of, some human being — 

 whether man, woman, or child, it is im- 

 material' (19). 



* Conscience,' says Burton, * does not exist in 

 East Africa, and " repentance " simply expresses 

 regret for missed opportunities for crime. Robbery 

 makes an honorable man ; and murder, the more 

 atrocious the crime the better, makes the hero ' (2). 



Many things appear natural and self-evident to 

 *-'^e savage which seem to us actually revolting. 

 When the Fuegians are hard pressed by want, 

 they kill their old women for food rather than 

 their dogs, saying : ' Old women no use ; dogs 

 kill otters.' ' What I' said a negro to Burton, 



