61 [ 237 ] 



Pemidji lake has not received from geographers the attention that 

 • ,•• 1 K ^^ merits; so that I cannot resist the temptation of descri- 

 Pemidji a e. j^-^^^ ^^^^ impression it made upon me. It is a magnificent 

 sheet of water, from 10 to 12 miles long, with a breadth of from 4 to 

 5, perfectly clear, and without islands ; the eye having a free command 

 over gently swelling hiils, receding, and thicldy wooded ; and it is said 

 that no other river but the Mississippi empties into it, save an obscure 

 rivulet at its northern extremity. I must confess that, in crossing it, 1 

 felt melancholy that, even with my artificial optics, I could not descry any 

 evidences of civilization — no cottage of the agriculturist; no meadows; 

 no herds ; nor any of those cultivated fields, whose mellow shades con- 

 trast so gracefully vvith the foliage of the forest. The piercing solitary 

 cry of the northern diver — the precursor, according to the Lidian tradition, 

 of high winds and hurricanes — was the only evidence of living nature 

 f that presented itself. 



A few hours of navigation over sundry rapids brought us to lake Cass, 

 _ , which is another beautiful sheet of water studded vvith islands, 



e ass. ^^^^ j^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^j^ described by Mr. Schoolcraft. I tarried here 

 not more than three hours, to make some astronomical observations ; and 

 having by this time acquired a full Indian faith in the prognostic cry of the 

 loon, 1 started for Leech lake, traversing some small intermediary lakes and 

 portages, which brought us upon the Kapakesngidov^ag. This is a beau* 

 tiful river, 33 yards wide, and 6 feet in depth. There is a profuve growth 

 of wild rice on its banks. From the entrance of this river into Leech lake, 

 we had 15 miles to travel in order to reach Otter-tail Point, where we ar- 

 rived at ten o'clock at night. Two hours afterwards, a violent tempest 

 burst over the lake. I thus arrived just in time to take shelter under the 

 hospitable roof of my respectable friend, the Rev. Mr. Boutwell, whose 

 residence is near a bay opposite to Otter tail Point, where I had my tents. 

 Indeed, it was high time for me to reach some place of rest, where I could 

 reduce my notes to order, as well as repair my shattered wardrobe. The 

 few days that 1 spent here, were days of quiet and happiness, and will ever 

 hereafter be most gratefully remembered. 



In the mean time, Eshkifjogikoj, or Flat Mouth, the head chief of the 

 ■^ tribe inhabiting the borders of Leech lake, returned, after an absence of three 

 ' months, from a visit which he had made to the British trading posts to ob- 

 tain ammunition, to enable him to make war against the Sioux. "The 

 stain of Chippeway blood has been long enough on my grounds," said he, 

 "and it is time that I should wipe it out." He had come back, however, 

 disappointed ; for he obtained from them no other presents than are usually 

 bestowed at all trading posts on a chief of his importance. But as he had 

 informed his people that he would come back amply supplied, and had 

 boasted of the manner in which he was to be treated by the whites, his 

 pride had been wounded, and he was sad. He paid me a visit at the 

 reverend Mr. Uoutwell's, to let me know that, having learned that his men 

 had been very troublesome to me during his absence, he wished to commu- 

 nicate with me in council of the whole nation, so that I might form a bet- 

 ter opinion of them than I might be disposed to do after our first interview. 

 It became necessary, therefore, to nppoint a day. 



I then returned to Otter tail Point, made several excursions around the 

 lake, and was present at a great number of the ceremonies performed by 



