SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER. 203 



the use of nets, and of course precludes even this last 

 mode of subsistence. Accordingly all the Chippewas that 

 we saw on the lake did not exceed half a dozen of families. 

 If a few fertile vallies should ever be found in the country 

 they will be so closely surrounded by rocky hills and dan- 

 gerous swamps as to render them no desirable abode for 

 civilized men. Indeed to estimate the future population of 

 this section of country from its present aspect, it would be 

 a highly exaggerated allowance to admit a single inhabit- 

 ant for every thousand acres of land. But from its very 

 wildness and dreariness this coast draws a charm which 

 we would vainly hope to find in more favoured regions. 

 The high hills, the rugged precipices, the rocky shores, 

 with their spare vegetation, are relieved by the transpa- 

 rency and purity of the waters that wash their base ; these 

 are often so great that the pebbles can be distinctly seen at 

 a depth of more than twenty feet. The canoe frequently 

 appears as if suspended in air, so transparent is the liquid 

 upon which it floats; the spectator, who keeps his eyes too 

 long intent upon gazing at the bottom, feels his head grow 

 giddy, as though he were looking down a deep abyss. 



At Cantonment Brady, the party were kindly and hos- 

 pitably received by the officers of the garrison, which was 

 at that time under the command of Major Cutler of the 2d 

 regt. United States' Infantry. The gentlemen of the party 

 enjoyed a few interviews with Mr, H. R, Schoolcraft, who 

 was stationed there as Indian agent; they found this gen- 

 tleman very obliging in communicating to them his obser- 

 vations on the topography and mineralogy of the country, 

 as also upon the character and dispositions of the Indians 

 within his agency. Mr. Schoolcraft has devoted much time 

 to this latter subject, and has collected much valuable in- 

 formation, which he kindly offered to impart to our gen- 



