NAEEATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION". 265 



CHAPTEE XXVII. 



Complete the exploration of the Crow- Wing River of Minnesota — Indian council — 

 Reach St. Anthony's Falls — Council with the Sioux — Ascent and exploration of 

 the River St. Croix and Misakoda, or Broulg, of Lake Superior — Return of the 

 party to St. Mary's Falls, Michigan. 



At Illigan Lake, large oaks and elms appear in the forest ; its 

 banks are handsomely elevated, and the whole country puts on 

 the appearance of being well adapted to cultivation. We landed 

 to obtain a shot at some deer, which stood temptingly in sight, and 

 were impressed with the sylvan aspect of the country. While in 

 the act of passing out of the lake in our canoes, a small fire was 

 observed on shore, with the usual signs of its having been aban- 

 doned in haste by Indians, who had been lying in ambush. 

 Every appearance seemed to justify such a conclusion, and it was 

 evident a party of Sioux had been concealed waiting the descent 

 of Chippewas, but, on observing our flag, and the public character 

 of the party, they hastily withdrew. Our men, knowing the per- 

 fidious and cruel character of this tribe, were evidently a good deal 

 alarmed at these signs. We had been one hour in our canoes, 

 descending the river with the double force of current and paddles, 

 when the river was found again expanded, and for the eleventh 

 and last time, in a lake, which the natives call Kaitchebo Sagatowa^ 

 meaning the lake through one end of which the river passes. As 

 this is not a term, however graphic, which will pass into popular 

 use, I named it Lake Douglas, in allusion to a former companion 

 in explorations in the northwest.* Ten miles below this lake, 

 the river receives its first considerable tributary in Shell Eiver, 

 the Aisisepi of the Chippewas, which flows in from the right, 

 from the slope of the Hauteurs des Terres, near the Ottertail Lake. 

 Below this tributary, the Crow-AViug is nearly doubled in width, 



* Professor D. B, Douglas. 



