Journal of a Voyage through the 



We accordingly proceeded along a lake, West five miles* 

 We then crossed a small river, and passed through a 

 swamp, about South- W est, when we began gradually to 

 ascend for some time till we gained the summit of an hill, 

 where we had an extensive view to the South-East, from 

 which direction a considerable river appeared to flow, at 

 the distance of about three miles : it was represented to 

 me as being navigable for canoes. The descent of this 

 hill was more steep than its ascent, and was succeeded 

 by another, whose top, though not so elevated as the last, 

 afforded a view of the range of mountains, covered with 

 snow, which, according to the intelligence of our guide, 

 terminates in the ocean. We now left a small lake on our 

 left, then crossed a creek running out of it, and at one in 

 the afternoon came to an house, of the same construction 

 and dimensions as have already been mentioned, but the 

 materials were much better prepared and finished. The 

 timber was squared on two sides, and the bark taken off 

 the two others ; the ridge pole was also shaped in the same 

 manner, extending about eight or ten feet beyond the gable, 

 end, and supporting a shed over the door : the end of it 

 was carved into the similitude of a snake's head. Several 

 hieroglyphics and figures of a similar workmanship, and 

 painted with red earth, decorated the interior of the build- 

 ing. The inhabitants had left the house but a short time, 

 and there were several bags or bundles in it, which I did 

 not suffer to be disturbed. Near it were two tombs, sur- 

 rounded in a neat manner with boards, and covered with 

 bark. Beside them several poles had been erected, one 

 of which was squared, and all of them painted. From each 

 of them were suspended several rolls or parcels of bark, 

 and our guide- gave the following account of them ; which, 

 as far as we could judge from our imperfect knowledge of 

 the language, and the incidental errors of interpretation, 

 appeared to involve two different modes of treating their 

 dead ; or it might be one and the same ceremony, which 

 we did not distinctly comprehend : at all events, it is the 

 practice of these people to burn the bodies of their dead, 

 except the larger bones, which are rolled up in bark and 

 suspended from poles, as I have already described. Ac- 

 cording to the other account, it appeared that they ac- 

 tually bury their dead; and when another of the family 

 dies, the remains of the person who was last interred are 

 taken from the grave and burned, as has been already. 



