shade, scorch with red coals a pair of moccasins which they leave at
the door of the lodge. The smell of the burning leather they claim
keeps the ghost out; but the true friends of the dead man take no
such precautions.

From this account it will be seen that the Hidatsa as well as the
Algonkins and Mexicans believed that four days were required before the
spirit could finally leave the earth. Why the smell of burning leather
should be offensive to spirits it would perhaps be fruitless to
speculate on.

The next account, by Keating,[105] relating to the Chippewas, shows a
slight analogy regarding the slippery-pole tradition already alluded to:

The Chippewas believe that there is in man an essence entirely
distinct from the body; they call it _Ochechag_, and appear to
supply to it the qualities which we refer to the soul. They believe
that it quits the body it the time of death, and repairs to what
they term _Chekechekchekawe_; 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 forever. Some souls come to the edge
of the stream, but are prevented from passing by the snake, which
threatens to devour them; these are the souls of the 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 kettles, &c.,
have in them a similar essence.

In this land of souls all are treated according to their merits.
Those who have been good men are free from pain; they have no duties
to perform, their time is spent in dancing and singing, and they
feed upon mushrooms, which are very abundant. The souls of bad men
are haunted by the phantom of the persons or things that they have
injured; thus, if a man has destroyed much property the phantoms of
the wrecks of this property obstruct his passage wherever he goes;
if he has been cruel to his dogs or horses they also torment him
after death. The ghosts of those whom during his lifetime he wronged
are there permitted to avenge their injuries. They think that when a
soul has crossed the stream it cannot return to