SOURCE OF ST. PETER's RIVER- 275 



three of the avenues communicating with it. On being 

 hunted from the fourth, or last avenue, the bear must make 

 his escape through all his pursuers, if possible, and fly to 

 the woods, where he is to remain through the day. This, 

 however, is seldom or never accomplished, as all the young 

 men exert themselves, to the utmost, in order to trap him. 

 When caught, he must retire to a lodge prepared in the field 

 for his reception ; there he is to be secluded from all so- 

 ciety during the day, except that of one of his particular 

 friends, whom he is allowed to take with him, as an at- 

 tendant. There he smokes and performs various other rites 

 which superstition has led the Indian to consider as sa- 

 cred ; after this ceremony is ended, the youth is considered 

 as qualified to act any part, as an efficient member of the 

 community. The Indian who has had the good fortune to 

 catch the bear and overcome him, when endeavouring to 

 make his escape to the woods, is considered a candidate 

 for preferment, and is, on the first suitable occasion, ap- 

 pointed a leader of a small war party, in order that he may 

 have a further opportunity of testing his powers, and of 

 performing some essential service in behalf of his nation. 

 It is accordingly expected that he will kill some of their 

 enemies, and return with their scalps."* 



Wapasha informed the gentlemen in the boat, that the 

 Chippewa Indians had been very troublesome, frequently 

 descending the river that bears their name, and cutting off 

 small parties of the Dacotas that were hunting. He spoke 

 also of the advantages of having a mill built at the rapids 

 of Chippewa river, as had been promised to them by 

 the American government ; finally, after a few hours' con- 

 versation, he left the boat, and crossed over in his canoe 

 to the spot where his out-posts were supposed to be. The 



• Major Long's MS. 1817, No. 2, folio 6. 



