S3 6 POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS. 



473. As bodily vigour is a cause of predominance within 

 the tribe on occasions daily occurring, still more on occasions 

 of war is it, when joined with courage, a cause of predomi 

 nance. War, therefore, tends to make more pronounced any 

 authority of this kind which is incipient. Whatever reluctance 

 other members of the tribe have to recognize the leadership 

 of any one member, is likely to be over-ridden by their desire 

 for safety when recognition of his leadership furthers that 

 safety. 



This rise of the strongest and most courageous warrior to 

 power is at first spontaneous, and afterwards by agreement 

 more or less definite: sometimes joined with a process of 

 testing. Where, as in Australia, each &quot; is esteemed by the 

 rest only according to his dexterity in throwing or evading a, 

 spear.&quot; it is inferable that such superior capacity for war as 

 is displayed, generates of itself such temporary chieftainship 

 as exists. Where, as among the Comanches, any one who 

 distinguishes himself by taking many &quot; horses or scalps, may 

 aspire to the honours of chieftaincy, and is gradually inducted 

 by a tacit popular consent,&quot; this natural genesis is clearly 

 shown. Very commonly, however, there is deliberate choice ; 

 as by the Flatheads, among whom, &quot; except by the war-chiefs 

 no real authority is exercised.&quot; Skill, strength, courage, and 

 endurance are in some cases deliberately tested. The King 

 of Tonga has to undergo a trial : three spears are thrown at 

 him, which he must ward off. &quot; The ability to climb up a 

 large pole, well-greased, is a necessary qualification of a fight 

 ing chief among the Sea Dyaks;&quot; and St. John says that in 

 some cases, &quot; it was a custom in order to settle who should be 

 chief, for the rivals to go out in search of a head : the first in 

 lindino,- one being victor.&quot; 



O O 



Moreover, the need for an efficient leader tends ever to 

 re-establish chieftainship where it has become only nominal 

 or feeble. Edward says of the Caribs that &quot; in war, experi 

 ence had taught them that subordination was as requisite as 

 courage ; they therefore elected their captains in their general 



