ow and ice. The air became
mild; the dark clouds of winter had rolled away from the sky; a pure
field of blue was above him, and as he went he saw flowers beside his
path, and heard the songs of birds. By these signs he knew that he was
going the right way, for they agreed with the traditions of his tribe.
At length he spied a path. It led him through a grove, then up a long
and elevated ridge, on the very top of which he came to a lodge. At the
door stood an old man, with white hair, whose eyes, though deeply sunk,
had a fiery brilliancy. He had a long robe of skins thrown loosely
around his shoulders, and a staff in his hands. It was Chebiabos.

The young Chippewa began to tell his story; but the venerable chief
arrested him, before he had proceeded to speak ten words. "I have
expected you," he replied, "and had just risen to bid you welcome to my
abode. She whom you seek, passed here but a few days since, and being
fatigued with her journey, rested herself here. Enter my lodge and be
seated, and I will then satisfy your inquiries, and give you directions
for your journey from this point." Having done this, they both issued
forth to the lodge door. "You see yonder gulf," said he, "and the wide
stretching blue plains beyond. It is the land of souls. You stand upon
its borders, and my lodge is the gate of entrance. But you cannot take
your body along. Leave it here with your bow and arrows, your bundle,
and your dog. You will find them safe on your return." So saying, he
re-entered the lodge, and the freed traveller bounded forward, as if
his feet had suddenly been endowed with the power of wings. But all
things retained their natural colors and shapes. The woods and leaves,
and streams and lakes, were only more bright and comely than he had
ever witnessed. Animals bounded across his path, with a freedom and a
confidence which seemed to tell him, there was no blood shed here.
Birds of beautiful plumage inhabited the groves, and sported in the
waters. There was but one thing, in which he saw a very unusual effect.
He noticed that his passage was not stopped by trees or other objects.
He appeared to walk directly through them. They were, in fact, but the
souls or shadows of material trees. He became sensible that he was in a
land of shadows. When he had travelled half a day's journey, through a
country which was continually becoming more attractive, he came to the
banks of a broad lake, in the centre of which was a large a