Those Indians, therefore, about the head waters of the Columbia, and in the solitary mountain regions, who are often called Flatheads, must not be supposed to be characterized by this deformity.

It is an appellation often given by the hunters east of the mountain chain, to all western Indians, excepting the Snakes.
The religious belief of these people was extremely limited and confined; or rather, in all probability, their explanations were but little understood by their visitors.

They had an idea of a benevolent and omnipotent spirit, the creator of all things.

They represent him as assuming various shapes at pleasure, but generally that of an immense bird.

He usually inhabits the sun, but occasionally wings his way through the aerial regions, and sees all that is doing upon earth.
Should anything displease him, he vents his wrath in terrific storms and tempests, the lightning being the flashes of his eyes, and the thunder the clapping of his wings.