76 NAREATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 



the Indians, where we encountered a swift current. We were 

 now within two miles of our destination. The whole river is here 

 embodied before the eye, and is a mile or three-fourths of a mile 

 wide, and the two separate villages on the British and American 

 shores began to reveal themselves to view, with the cataract of 

 the Sault de Ste. Marie in the distance ; and a beautiful forest of 

 elms, oaks, and maples on either hand. We ascended with our 

 flags flying, our little squadron being spread out in order, and 

 the Canadian boatmen raising one of their enlivening songs. 

 Long before reaching the place, a large throng of Indians had 

 collected on the beach, who, as we put in towards the shore, fired 

 a salute, and stood ready to greet us with their customary hoslio* 

 We landed in front of the old Nolan house,f the ancient head- 

 quarters of the Northwest Company ; and immediately formed our 

 encampment on the wide green, extending along the river. Day- 

 light in this latitude is protracted, and although we had ascended 

 a computed distance of forty-five miles, and had had the mishap 

 to break a canoe in the Nebeesh, there was abundant light to fix 

 our encampment properly. Lieut, Pierce encamped his men on 

 our extreme right. Leaving an interval, Lieut. Mackay's escort 

 came next, and our tents formed the northern line of his encamp- 

 ment, nearest to the Indians. The latter occupied a high plateau, 

 in plain view, several hundred yards west, with an intervening 

 gulley, and a plain, well-beat footpath. We had, in case of diffi- 

 culty, thirty-four muskets, Pierce's command included, in addition 

 to which, each of the savans, or Governor's mess, were armed with 

 a short rifle. Our line may have looked offensively demonstra- 

 tive to the Chippewas, who regarded it, from their ancient emi- 

 nence, with unfriendly feelings. These particulars are given from 

 the perilous position we were brought into next day. 



Meantime, we passed a quiet night in our tents, where the deep 

 sound of the Falls fell on the wakeful ear, interspersed with the 

 distant monotonous thump of the Indian tawaegon. It required 

 but little observation, in the morning, to explore the village of 

 St. Mary's. It consisted of some fifteen or twenty buildings of all 

 sorts, occupied by descendants of the original French settlers, all 

 of whom drew their living from the fur trade. The principal 



* From the French Ion jour. j- The present site of Fort Brady. 



