158 EXPEDITION TO THE 



parents who have a great influence, and considerable per- 

 severance, generally succeed in bringing them to second 

 their views. Sometimes, however, when the antipathy is 

 great, one or the other elopes from the lodge. An union 

 is sometimes brought on by an inclination between the 

 parties themselves, in which case they apply to their pa- 

 rents to induce them to promote the match : if these object, 

 and the inclination be a strong one, the parental opposition 

 is overlooked ; and the union takes place. We are not dis- 

 posed to believe that there is frequently among the Chip- 

 pewas an inclination pntirely dp.stitute of sensual conside- 

 rations, and partaking of the nature of a sentiment; such 

 may exist in a few instances, but in their state of society it 

 appears almost impossible that it should be a common oc- 

 currence. 



The Chippewas believe that there is in man an essence, 

 entirely distinct from the body ; they call it O'chechag, and 

 appear to apply to it the qualities which we refer to the 

 soul. They believe that it quits the body at the time of 

 death, and repairs to what they term Chek^ Ch^kch^kame. 

 This region is supposed to be situated to the south, and on 

 the shores of the Great ocean. Previous to arriving there 

 they meet with a stream, which they are obliged to cross 

 upon a large snake that answers the purpose of a bridge. 

 Those who die from drowning never succeed in crossing 

 the stream; they are thrown into it, and remain there for 

 ever. Some souls come to the edge of the stream, but are 

 prevented from passing by the snake that threatens to de- 

 vour them ; these are the souls of persons in a lethargy or 

 trance. Being refused a passage, these souls return to their 

 bodies and reanimate them. They believe that animals 

 have souls, and even that inorganic substances, such as ket- 

 tles, &c. have in them a similar essence. In this land of 



