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.

The young Chippewayan 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 can not 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 traveler 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 traveled 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 center of which was a large and beautiful island. He
found a canoe of shining white stone, tied to the shore. He was now
sur