166 NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION". 



ain. This is a very remarkable feature in the geography of the 

 Upper Mississippi, The rock is calcareous ; it is, in fact, the only 

 fast or rocky island we have encountered below the little islet at 

 the head of the Packagama Falls. It is not only striking from its 

 lofty elevation, but is several miles in circumference ; standing in 

 the bed of the river and parting its channel into two, it appears 

 to be the first bold geological monument which has effectually 

 resisted its course. 



We had passed this island but a short distance, and the ap- 

 proaches of evening began to be manifest, when a large gray wolf 

 sprang into the river to cross it. The greatest animation at once 

 arose in our flotilla ; the canoemen bending themselves to their 

 paddles, the auxiliary Indians of our party shouting, and the 

 whole party assuming an unwonted excitement. A shot was soon 

 fired from one of our rifles, but either the distance was too great, 

 or the aim incorrect. The wolf was fully apprised of his peril, 

 put forth all his strength, outstripped his pursuers, reached the 

 shore, and nimbly leaped into the woods. 



We encamped on the west shore, a few miles below the island 

 at seven o'clock, having been twelve hours in our canoes. The 

 confinement of the position nobody can appreciate who has not 

 tried it, and I hastened to stretch my legs, by ascending the river 

 cliffs in our rear, to have a glimpse of its geology and scenery. 

 The view westwardly was one of groves and prairies of most 

 inviting agricultural promise. In front, the island mountain rises 

 to an elevation which appears to have been the original geologi- 

 cal level of the stratification before the Mississippi cut its way 

 through it. 



At the rapids of Black Eiver, which enters opposite our en- 

 campment, a saw-mill, we were informed, had been erected by an 

 inhabitant of Prairie du Chien. Thus the empire of the arts 

 has begun to make its way into these regions, and proclaims the 

 advance of a heavy civilization into a valley which has heretofore 

 only resounded to the savage war-whoop. Or, if a higher grade 

 of society and arts has ever before existed in it, as some of our 

 tumuli and antiquities would lead us to infer, the light of history 

 has failed to reach us on the subject.* 



* American Antiquities. As the tumuli and earthworks of the Mississippi Valley 

 are more closely scrutinized, they do not appear to denote a higher degree of 



