[ 237 ] 54 



Along this portion of the Mississippi that I am now describing — nameljr, 

 Ascent of the a length of 189 miles, from St. Peter's to Crow-wing river — 

 Mississippi, the valley is wide, with river banks of moderate elevation, 

 affording beautiful sites, that contrast remarkably with the bold escarp- 

 ments exhibited below the falls of St. Anthony. In this ascent of the 

 river, which is full of rapids, it is necessary to have recourse to the pole or 

 the tow-line; and, generally, following the left bank, under good guidance, 

 and with sufficient hands to stem the current, portages may be avoided. 

 This lefi bank presents almost a continued level of from ten to twenty 

 feet in elevation, forming a retreating succession of terraces that are de- 

 lightful to the view. The superincumbent soil is comp:)sed mainly of 

 sand, gravel, and clay, intermixed with erratic blocks. The sylva con- 

 sists of white and black oak, white and blue ash, red elm, two or three 

 species of maple, the lime tree, birch, a few hickories, and walnuts. The 

 western shore is more generally interspersed with swamps and woodlands, 

 well set with pines, birch, and sometimes with extensive camps of the 

 sugar-maple. 



The most prominent geological feature of the country, on the eastera 

 side of the river, a little below the Pikwabik, is a large mass in situ of a 

 sienitic rock, with a flesh-colored feldspar, extending a mile in length, with 

 a breadth of half a mile, and an elevation of 80 feet, known as the Little 

 Rock. Higher up, and still on the same side of the river, at the foot of 

 the Knife rapids, there are sources that transport a very fine, brilliant, and 

 bluish sand, accompanied by a soft and unctuous matter. This appears 

 to be the result of a decomposition of a steaschist, probably interposed be- 

 tween the sienitic rocks previously mentioned. The same thing is ob- 

 served at the mouths of VVabezi and Omoalikos rivers. 



On my arrival at the Crow-wing river, I could not but reflect that the 

 Mississippi before me had been thoroughly explored during the expedi- 

 tions of Major Pike, General Cass, and Mr. Schoolcraft, whose accounts 

 were very generally known to the public. I thought, therefore, that it 

 might be advisable to attempt another route across the country; so that^ 

 leaving the Crow- wing at the distance of three miles from its month, I 

 ascended the Gayashk, or Gull river,* and the pretty lake having the 

 same name. Thence 1 proceeded as far as Pine river, taking occasion to 

 visit Kadi/comeg, or White-fish lake; then, again ascending the east 

 fork of Pine river, I reached the Kwiwiseus^ or Little Boy river, which I 

 descended, through a succession of lakes, and over small rapids, as far as 

 Leech lake Leech lake. I spent a week on the borders of this beautiful 

 and Ouei-iail sheet of water, my tent being most generally pitched on Ot- 

 Point. tertail Point. This was the residence of my principal guide, 



Francis Brunet, a man six feet three inches high — a giant of great strength, 

 but, at the same time, full of the milk of human kindness, and, withal, 

 an excellent natural geographer. Bat, during the first three days of this 

 week, the Chippeways of tlie lake greatly annoyed me ; and, from mutual 

 misunderstandinijs, even put my life in jeopardy, as my guide scarcely 

 dared to side with me, for fear of exposing: himself. The cause of all 

 this appears to have been, that I was not sufficiently provided with articles 

 to be disposed of as presents ; which circumstance, implying poverty, 



♦ I have contracted this name from that of the Chippeways, which is Kagayaihkenii-lcang^ 

 or " the place where there are little gulls," 



