SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 91 



that there were certain points, however, on which he could 

 give no information, without having first obtained the 

 formal consent of his community ; that on those subjects 

 he would remain silent, while to all others he would reply 

 with cheerfulness, and that after they should have conclud- 

 ed their inquiries, he would likewise ask them some 

 questions, upon points which he thought concerned his 

 nation, and to which he trusted they would in like manner 

 reply. He then resumed his seat, and answered with much, 

 intelligence, and with a remarkable degree of patience, all 

 the questions which were asked of him. 



The Potawatomis, whose name as sounded by them- 

 selves, is P6-ta-w^a-t6'-me, (in their language, " we are 

 making fire,") appear to be connected not only by language 

 but also by their manners, customs and opinions, with the 

 numerous nations of Algonquin origin. The languages 

 of all these nations bear evident marks of a common origin, 

 and in some cases appear only to be dialects of the same 

 tongue; and although diversities of dress and of dialect 

 distinguish them, their customs and usages are evidently, for 

 the most part, the same. Their traditions as to their origin are 

 very uncertain. They believe that the first meeting between 

 them and the Miamis occurred at a time not very remote. 



The Potawatomis resided on the banks of Lake Michi- 

 gan. Of their first meeting with the Miamis, the following 

 tradition appears to be fresh in the recollection of all. It 

 is said that a Miami, having wandered out from his cabin, 

 met three Indians whose language was unintelligible to 

 him ; by signs and motions he invited them to follow him 

 to his cabin, where they were hospitably entertained, and 

 where they remained until dark. During the night, two 

 of the strange Indians stole from the hut, while their com- 

 rade and host were asleep; they took a few embers from 



