ORIGIN OF THE


THEIR FASTS.



Somne have fane
accustom tlieln
sioned for this e
company them,
the principal im



ied that
to bear
uld ; bui
leave n(
)tive.



their fasts we-Ire only intended
hunger, and it may partly be
t all the circurmstances wThich
o room to doubt that rel icion



THEIR



THOUGHTS OF THE IMMORTALITY OF THE
               SOUL.



  When we ask the Indians what they think of their
souls, they tell us that they are, as it were, the shadows
and the animated images of the body; and it is in con-
sequence of this principle that they believe every thing
is animated in the universe. Therefore, it is entirely' by
tradition that they ho!d that our souls do not die. In
the different expressions they use to explain themselves
on this subject, they often confound the soul with its
faculties, and the faculties with their operations, though
they very well know how to make the distinction when



they choose



to speak correctly.



OF THE COUNTRY OF



SOULS.



  The Indians believe that the souls, when they die,
are to part for ever from their bodies, and that they go
to a region which is appointed to be their everlasting
abode. This coulitry, say the Indians, is fat to the west,
and the souls are several months travelling thither.
rrhey have also great difficulties to surmount, and they
run through great dangers before they go there. They
speak especially of a river they have to pass where many
have been wrecked; of a dog, from which it is not easy



198



to
de
ac
is