SOURCE OP ST. Peter's river. 279 



the slightest breath of wind will produce a heavy swell 

 upon this lake. From this circumstance, it is usual, with 

 the voyagers, on the river, to cross it, if possible, at night; 

 experience having satisfied them that it is generally calmer 

 then, than during the day. The lake is about twenty-one 

 miles long, and its breadth, which varies from one to three 

 miles, may be averaged at about two and a half. Towards 

 its southern extremity the valley widens considerably, 

 from the circumstance that Chippewa river unites with the 

 Mississippi at this place. That river is about five hundred 

 yards wide, at its mouth, and is navigable at all seasons 

 of the year by pirogues for fifty miles; and in time of 

 freshes they can proceed much further up. Lake Pepin, in 

 most places, fills nearly the whole of the valley between 

 the contiguous bluffs. In two spots, however, a handsome 

 piece of meadow land is observed, which will offer great 

 inducements for the establishment of farrns. The general 

 direction of the lake is from west-north-west to east-south- 

 easL The scenery along its shores contrasts strongly with 

 that of the river. Instead of the rapid current of the Mis- 

 sissippi winding around numberless islands, some of which 

 present well-wooded surfaces, while others are mere sand- 

 bars, the lake presents a smooth and sluggish expanse of 

 water, uncheckered by a single island, and whjose surface 

 at the time we first observed it, towards the close of the day, 

 was unruffled ; nothing limited the view but the extent of 

 the lake itself; the majestic bluffs, which enclose it, extend 

 in a more regular manner, and with a more uniform ele- 

 vation than those along the river. When seen from the 

 top of one of these eminences, the country is found very 

 different from that in the vicinity of the mountain island, 

 passed on the 2Sth of June, for it is rather rolling than 

 hilly ; and the quantity of timber upon it is comparatively 



