14 EXPEDITION TO THE 



that rises in Red Lake; they then apply to the stream the 

 name of Red River ; while the traders have bestow^ed this 

 name to the branch that rises in Otter-tail Lake. 



That lake is, as we were informed by one of our carters, 

 situated about one hundred and fifty miles in a north- 

 easterly course from the head of Lake Travers; it is, ac- 

 cording to his statement, about twenty -four miles long, and 

 from four and a half to five miles wide. From the point 

 at which we crossed Red River, Otter-tail Lake bears north- 

 east, and is distant about seventy or eighty miles. Near to 

 the head of the river are high lands, which were visible at va- 

 rious times during the day, they are called the " Montagues 

 des Feuilles," or Leaf Mountains. Mr. Jeffries described the 

 country in that direction as being full of small lakes and 

 " islands of wood." We forded Red River, it was about 

 twenty -five yards wide, and about two and a half feet deep. 

 Its current was very rapid ; the colour of its waters was 

 white, owing to the muddy nature of its banks. As we 

 were crossing it one of the carts was by the carelessness of 

 the driver upset, just as it descended the bank, so that its 

 contents got wet ; as these consisted principally of the 

 jerked meat, we were obliged to stop on the opposite bank 

 to dry it, lest it should spoil. This detained us a long 

 while, and afforded to some of the party an opportunity of 

 shooting buffalo. The harassed state of our horses had 

 obliged Major Long, that morning, to issue an order to 

 prevent the " running of the buffalo," as it is called here, or 

 the chasing of them on horse-back. Such a chace frequently 

 extends over four or five miles, and the excitement which 

 the horses themselves derive from it, is sometimes suffi- 

 cient to impel them to run until their strength is com- 

 pletely exhausted. This measure, prescribed by a prudent 

 care of our horses, was likewise in accordance with the 



