How humanizing a pastoral life is, to be sure! On the whole, I admire their way of not shearing their sheep alive.
It isn't stupidity, but goodness of heart.

A most amiable people!" "Jest so," assented Glover.

"How it must go ag'in the grain with 'em to take a skelp when it comes in the way of dooty! A man oughter feel willin' to be skelped by sech tender-hearted critters." "Pshaw!" said Aunt Maria.

"I don't believe they ever scalp anybody--unless it is in self-defence." "Dessay.

Them fellers that went down to fight the Apaches was painted up's savage's meat-axes.