SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 261 



of those, who frequented our company most, was an old man, 

 by the name of Wa-ze-ko-ta, (Shooter from the pine-top,) 

 who was an intolerable beggar. He professed much friend- 

 ship for us, was very fond of showing his knowledge of 

 our language by the frequent repetition of the English- 

 monosyllable of Indian John in the Spy. This, together 

 with a few of the most common expressions, such as how 

 d'ye do, good bye, &c. completed his whole stock of Eng- 

 lish words. This man's name bears a striking analogy to 

 that of the principal chief of the Issati or Nadouessis whom 

 Hennepin met on the Mississippi, and whom he calls 

 " Ouasicoude, (that is to say the Pierc'd Pine,")* He ac- 

 companied Major Long on part of his journey in 1817, 

 but scarcely recollected the circumstance, being at present 

 very old. These Indians were much pleased with the sight 

 of our travelling map ; they displayed great intelligence on 

 the occasion, understanding it immediately ; tracing several 

 rivers with their fingers ; mentioning their names ; pointing 

 to the portages, &c. Wazekota laid his finger upon the Falls 

 of St. Anthony, which he called Halmwotepa. They appear- 

 ed quite suprized to find that so large a district of country 

 could be represented on so small a compass, and at the 

 same time be so distinct. The magnetic needle and the 

 mercury, likewise attracted their notice ; they expressed 

 much surprize on observing that iron floated upon this fluid, 

 with the same buoyancy that cork would upon water. 

 They considered all these things as mysterious. 



Three Menomone Indians were here on a visit, havino* 

 just returned from the St, Peter, where they had been 

 hunting. It is supposed that sixty or seventy warriors of 



• Father Hennepin's Works, ut supra, London 1698, p, 217, and 

 Relations de la Louisianne, &c. p. 292. 



