Note 77 — Chapter II · HUNTERS AND FISHERS.

These circumstances greatly tend to further the growth of slavery. A settled life makes escape of the slaves more difficult77. Living in larger groups brings about a higher organization of freemen, and therefore a greater coercive power of the tribe over its slaves. And the preserving of food requires additional work; and this work is very fit to be performed by slaves, as it does not require overmuch skill, and has to be done in or near the house, so that supervision of the work is very easy. Moreover, the hope of partaking of the stored food is a tie that binds the slave to his master’s house, in much the same manner as a modern workman is bound by having a share in the insurance fund of the factory.