148 NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION", 



region, that it is a kind of neutral ground, between the Chippewas 

 and Sioux, neither of which tribes permanently occupy the coun- 

 try between the mouth of the Eaven's-wing and Rum Rivers* 



Having spent several hours in the chase, we again embarked, 

 and proceeded down the river until three o'clock in the after- 

 noon. On the left bank of the river two prominent elevations of 

 the granitical series, rising through the prairie soil, attracted my 

 attention. Immediately below this locality, a high and level prairie 

 stretches on the west shore, which had a striking appearance from 

 its being crowned with the poles and fixtures of a large, recently 

 abandoned Sioux encampment. At this spot the expedition 

 landed and encamped. The quick glances of Babasikundiba and 

 his party of delegates immediately discovered a pole, at the site of 

 the chief's lodge, bearing a birch bark scroll, or letter, inscribed 

 with Indian hieroglyphics, or devices. It turned out that this 

 spot was the northern terminus of a Sioux peace embassage, dis- 

 patched from St. Peter's shortly previous, under the direction of 

 Col. H. Leavenworth, U. S. A., the newly-arrived commanding 

 ofiicer at that post. The message was eagerly received and read 

 by the Chippewa delegates. By it they were informed that the 

 Sioux also desired a termination of hostilities. The scroll was 

 executed by tracing lines, with the point of a knife, or some sharp 

 instrument. The pictographic devices thus drawn denoted the 

 exact number of the party, their chiefs, and the . authority under 

 which these crude negotiations were commenced. 



Of this mode of communicating ideas among the Algonquin 

 tribes, we have before given details in crossing the boggy plateau 

 of Akik Sepi, between the St. Louis River and Sandy Lake, 

 The present instance of it is commented on in an interesting com- 

 munication of the era, in the appendix, from the pen of Gov. Cass. 

 It was now no longer doubtful that the Chippewa mission would 

 be successful, and the satisfaction it produced was evident in 

 the countenances and expressions of Babasikundiba and his col- 

 leagues. 



I took a canoe and crossed the Mississippi, to inspect the ge- 

 ology of the opposite shore. On reaching the summit of the 



* The Chippewas affirm that this was the last time the buifalo crossed the Mis- 

 sissippi eastwardly. It did not appear, in the same region, in 1821. 



