49 [ 237 { 



seen from the plains of Burgundy. Its name is derived from its shape; 

 when seen in a certain direction, being that of a heart; expressed, in the 

 Sioux language, by the word chante^ and its vicinity to the lake called by 

 them Miniivakan — enchanted water. 



The sultriness of the day, and a lack of water, compelled us to come 

 to a halt sooner than we had expected, at a distance of thirteen or four- 

 teen miles beyond the Shayen, and four or five miles from Devil's 

 lake. This lake is supplied by three or four smaller lakes, which we 

 were happy to fall upon, as they afforded us good water and wood. The 

 The Metis Metis of the Red river had, we perceived, formed a camp not 



or half- f;ir from the spot selected by us, which they had vacated but a 



breeds. fg^y days before, on their return home, as we judged from the 

 deep cuts of their loaded wagons. T'his was rather a disappointment to 

 me, as I particalarly wished to become acquainted witli this people, 

 among whom, ii is said, are to be found the best hunters, the most expert 

 horsemen, and the bravest warriors of the priiiries. The information I 

 have of them is this : They are called Metis, or half breeds, being descend- 

 ants of Canadians, English, and Scotch, crossed with Chippeways, Kris- 

 tinaux, Assiniboins, Sioux, &.C., &;c. They represent the remains of Lord 

 Selkirk's colony and of tlie Hudson Bay Company. As for many years 

 they were only in small numbers, their incursions within the limits of 

 the United States were attended with danger to themselves, inconsequence 

 of outrages committed upon them by the full breeds, the Sioux, the 

 Hikaras, the Mandans, the Minitarees, (fcc. But they have since greatly- 

 increased; they number from 60i) to 800 people, and have become so for- 

 midable as to compel those tribes to seek an alliance with them, and thus 

 to maintain peace. The Metis call themselves '= free people," (.ore/^,.? Hbres;) 

 but by their neighbors they are designated as " Metis of the Red river,^^ 

 " the Red river People,'" " the People of the North." 



It is their usage to come twice a year upon the territory of the United 

 States where the buffalo abounds: each family has its carl or wagon 

 drawn by oxen ; each hunter has his horse, which is remarkably fleet. 

 They are accompanied by missionaries, who regulate both their temporal 

 and spiritual concerns. Their first campaign is made at the setting in of 

 summer; their second in the fall of the year ; and they remain about two 

 months. Sometimes they divide themselves into two bands ; directing 

 themselves in this respect according to the distribution which they have 

 previously ascertained of the butfalo herds over these immense plains. 

 One-half of the hunters alternately watch over the camp, and the other 

 half are in active pursuit of the game; and the slaughter of the buffaloes 

 is kept up, according to settled usage, until each wagon is loaded with the 

 spoils of ten of these animals. 



The next day (being the 29th of July) we took up our line of march, 

 Mini wa- ^"^ '^7 midday reached the borders of Mini wo/cau lake. We 

 kan, or Dev- selected, for the spot of our first encampment, the head of a. 

 it's lake. small bay, sheltered by a copse ; and we remained nine days on 

 the borders of the lake ; during which, we occupied three distinct stations, 

 as well under the necessity ol securing ourselves against the invasion of 

 warlike parties, as to supply ourselves with fresh water from adjoining 

 pools and small lakes. 



It is not easy, however, tj delineate the figure of the lake. Its first 

 appeal ance d'd not realize the anticipations we had been led to form of it 

 4 



