SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 299 



Two mills have been erected for the use of the garrison, 

 and a sergeant's guard is kept here at all times. On our re- 

 turn from the island we recruited our strength by a copious 

 and palatable meal, prepared for us by the old sergeant ; 

 whether from the exercise of the day, or from its intrinsic 

 merit, we know not, but the black bass, (Chicla oenea, Le- 

 sueur,*) of which we partook, appeared to us excellent. 



The vegetation consists of oak, hickory, walnut, pine, 

 birch, linden, cotton-wood, &c. 



This beautiful spot in the Mississippi is not without a 

 tale to hallow its scenery, and heighten the interest which, 

 of itself, it is calculated to produce. To Wazekota, the 

 old Indian whom we saw at Shakea's, we are indebted for 

 the narration of the following transaction, to which his mo- 

 ther was an eye-witness. An Indian of the JJacola nation 

 had united himself early in life to a youthful female, whose 

 name was Ampato Sapa, which signifies the dark day ; with 

 her he lived happily for several years, apparently en- 

 joying every comfort which the savage life can afford. 

 Their union had been blessed with two children, on whom 

 both parents doated with that depth of feeling whicli is 

 unknown to such as have other treasures besides those 

 that spring from nature. The man had acquired a repu- 

 tation as a hunter, which drew round him many families, 

 who were happy to place themselves under his protection 

 and avail themselves of such part of his chase as he needed 

 not for the maintenance of his family. Desirous of strength- 

 ening their interest with him, some of them invited him 

 to form a connexion with their family observing, at the 

 same time, that a man of his talent and importance requir- 

 ed more than one woman to wait upon the numerous 

 guests whom his reputation would induce to visit his 

 lodge. They assured him that he would soon be acknow« 

 • Journal Acad. Nat. Sci. vol. II. p. 214, plate. 



