136 NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 



prairies and grove lands, wliicli cannot square less ttian two by 

 four hundred miles, constitute the ancient area of the Issati,* and 

 are now the resort of great herds of the buffalo, elk, and deer; 

 and it is a region known as the predatory border, or battle-ground 

 of the Chippewas and Dacotas. 



* Vide Hennepin. 



