EXPEDITION TO THE 



pellation, from the circumstance that it is in a direction nearly 

 transverse to that of the Big Stone and Qui Parle Lakes, 

 these being directed to the north-west, while Lake Tra- 

 vers points to the north-east. By the Indians it is called 

 Otter-tail Lake, from its fomn. On the 26th of July, we 

 left the fort, and, as we ascended the bluff in the rear of 

 the establishment, we fired a salute in return for that which 

 we had received on our arrival. Having ascended the St. 

 Peter up to its head in Big Stone Lake, our next object 

 was to proceed " to the intersection between Red river 

 and the 49th degree of north latitude ;" and as we were 

 informed that that stream runs nearly north and south, we 

 determined to travel the usual route to Pembina and Fort 

 Douglas, two of the posts of the Hudson's Bay Company, 

 between which the 49th parallel was reported to strike the 

 river. 



On leaving Lake Travers, our party was strengthened 

 by the addition of Mr. Jeffries, one of the Company, who 

 agreed to guide us to Pembina, and by four Frenchmen, 

 who were returning to that place, with six carts which 

 had been employed to convey the families and baggage of 

 several Swiss emigrants, from the British settlements to 

 the St. Peter. Of these carts, we chartered four to convey 

 our baggage and provisions. As it was expected that, after 

 having travelled forty miles, we should meet with no Da- 

 cotas, it was agreed that when Renville should have 

 accompanied us that distance, he would be at liberty to 

 return to the fort where business required his presence. 

 Vague reports of large parties of Dacotas had been circu- 

 lated for some days past, and a rumour that five hundred 

 lodges of the Yanktoanan were collected on Shienne river, 

 made us desirous of being accompanied by Wanotan, which 

 he readily agreed to do j finding, however, that these re- 



