[ 237 ] 52 



tion of those forming the plateau that in this latitude separates the valley 

 of the Tclian-satisan from that • of the Shayenoju ; which latter has 

 scooped out for itself a deep bed, through which, after many and large 

 windings from north to east, and turning to the west and sonth, according 

 to the depression in the highlands, it finds its way to the Red river of the 

 JMorth. It became, therefore, intHresting to elucidate these points in the 

 geography of ihe country. For this purpose, it was necessary for us to 

 take an eastern course; and, after a short march, we reached a spot which 

 my barometer sufficiently informed me was on the dividingridjre, and not 

 far from its extreme eastern verge ; so that we had actually travelled over 

 the great swell of the plaieau that separates the upper Shayen from Devil's 

 lake and the Red river; but we were not yet in sight of the great valley of 

 the latter, though every moment expecting to come within it. Whilst pro- 

 ceeding onward, we saw Dixon (who always preceded us at a distance, to 

 indicate our best route, and, with his eagle eye, to reconnoitre the country 

 before us) suddenly come to a stop, light his pipe, and quietly sit himself 

 down upon a small knoll, with his back turned towards us. This was 

 contrary to his usage, for he had always before, when he suggested a halt 

 for any purpose, been in the habit of turning round to wait our coming. 

 On this occasion he was immovable, and I could easily guess the cause. 



When we reached him, we found him in the most ecstatic contemplation 

 before the vast and magnificent valley of the Red river, which there dis- 

 played itself before us, spreading itself in an almost insensible slope to the 

 east, to the north, and to the south, and bounded only by the horizon. 

 May I not be permitted, in this place, to introduce a few reflections on the 

 magical influence of the prairies? It is difiicult to express by words the 

 varied impressions which their spectacle produces. Their sight never 

 wearies. To look at a prairie up or down ; to ascend one of its undula- 

 tions ; to reach a small plateau, (or. as the voyageurs call it, a prairie 

 jjlauchdy) moving from wave to wave over alternate swells and depres- 

 sions ; and, finally, to reach tlie vast interminable low prairie, that extends 

 itself in front, — be it for hours, days, or weeks, one never tires; pleasura- 

 ble and exhilarating sensations are all the time felt; ennui is never expe- 

 rienced. Doubtless there are moments when excessive heat, a want of 

 fresh water, and other privations, remind one that life is a toil; but these 

 drawbacks are of short duration. There is almost always a breeze over 

 them. The security one feels in knowing that there are no concealed dan- 

 gers, so vast is the extent which the eye takes in ; no difliculties of road ; 

 a far spreading verdure, relieved by a profusion of variously colored flow- 

 ers ; the azLire of the sky above, or the tempest that can be seen from its 

 beginning to its end; the beautiful modifications of the changing clouds; 

 the curious looming of objects between earth and sky, taxing the ingenuity 

 every moment to rectify; — all, everything, is calculated to excite the per- 

 ceptions, and keep alive the imagination. In the summer season, espe- 

 cially, everything upon the prairies is cheerful, graceful, and animated. 

 The Indians, with herds of deer, antelope, and buflalo, give life and mo- 

 tion to them. It is then they should be visited ; and I pity the man whose 

 soul could remain unmoved under such a scene of excitement. But, al- 

 thouo^h 1 have left much unsaid, I am admonished that it is time for me to 

 close this part of my report, to give an account of my exploration of the 

 sources of the Mississippi. 



