154 EXPEDITION TO THE 



rock ; they reside on the north shore of Lake Superior, 

 near a rock from which they supply themselves with flint. 



10. P^w^tiko Wenenewak, or people of the rapid ; these 

 inhabit near the Sault de St. Marie, 



We can form no idea of the population of each of these 

 bands, or of that of the whole nation ; but, although we tra- 

 velled over about fourteen hundred miles of country claim- 

 ed by the Chippewas, from the main fork of Red river 

 to the Sault de St. Marie, the whole amount of Indians 

 whom we fell in with did not exceed one hundred. 



Wc heard of no traditions respecting their origin upon 

 which any confidence might be placed. The tales we 

 heard were so much intermixed with childish details, and 

 contained so many coincidences with the Mosaic doctrines, 

 evidently derived from their intercourse with white men, 

 that they do not deserve to be noted. The Chippewas ap- 

 pear at present to be in the lowest state of advancement. 

 They have no national councils ; their dispersed condition 

 and their excessive indulgence in spirituous liquors havf* 

 destroyed their national character. 



They entertain, as all the Indians whom we saw did, a 

 belief in a Supreme being, author of all good; and in a sub- 

 ordinate one, who has both the power and the inclination 

 to do all mischief. They also people the sun, moon, stars, 

 &c. with spirits. Their form of sacrifices differs from that 

 of the Sioux in this, that he who offers the sacrifice fre- 

 quently partakes of it. It is usual that he who makes the 

 sacrifice should appoint one of the magicians or speakers 

 of the nation, to manage the feast. This man disposes of 

 all, invites the guests ; among whom he may include, if he 

 pleases, the person who provides the feast, in which case 

 alone the latter is allowed to eat of the meats prepared ; their 



