NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 267 



been, time out of miiul, the war road between the Chippewas and 

 Sioux ; and between this point and the confluence coming in 

 we passed, on the left bank, the confluence of the Kioshk, or Gull 

 River, through which there is a communication, by a series of 

 portages, with Leech Lake* 



From head to foot, we had now passed through the valley of 

 the De Corbeau River, without finding in it the permanent loca- 

 tion of a single Indian. We had not, in fact, seen even a tempo- 

 rary wigwam upon its banks. The whole river lies, in fact, on the 

 war road between the two large rival tribes of the Chippewas and 

 Sioux. It is entered by war parties from either side, decked out 

 in war-paints and feathers, who descend either of its tributaries, the 

 Leaf and Long Prairie Rivers. The Mukundwa descends the 

 main channel from the Kaginogumaug Lake in canoes. On 

 reaching the field of ambush, these canoes are abandoned, and 

 the parties, after an encounter, haste home on foot. 



From this deserted and uninhabited state of the valley we 

 were the more surprised, as noon drew on, to descry an Indian 

 canoe ascending the river. It proved to be spies on the look-out, 

 from the body of Chippewas encamped at the mouth of the river, 

 agreeably to my invitation at Sandy Lake. After mutual recog- 

 nitions, and learning that we were near the mouth of the river, 

 Ave resumed our descent with renewed spirit, and soon reached 

 its outflow into the Mississippi, and crossed it to the point at 

 which the Indians had established their camp. We were received 

 with yells of welcome. It occupied an eminence on the east 

 bank of the Mississippi, directly opposite to the mouth of the 

 De Corbeau.f The site was marked by a flag hoisted on a tall 



* Mr. J. J. Nicolet pursued this route in 1836, on Lis visit to tlie sources of the 

 Mississippi. Vide Senate Doc. No. 237. Washington, D. C, 1843. 



f Crow- Wing River. — This stream is the largest tributary of the Mississippi 

 above the falls of St. Anthony. It enters the Mississippi in lat. 46° 15'' 50^'', 

 180 miles above the latter, and 145 miles below Sandy Lake. Government first 

 explored it, in 1832, from its source in Lake Kaginogumaug to its mouth, and an 

 accurate map of its channel, and its eleven lakes, was made by Lieut. Allen, 

 U. S. A., who accompanied the party as topographer. It is 210 miles in length, to 

 its source in Long Lake. The island, in its mouth, is about three miles long, and 

 covered with hard-wood timber. The whole region is noted for its pine timber; the 

 lands lie in gentle ridges, with much open country ; a large part of it is adapted 

 to agriculture, and there is much hydraulic power. It is navigable at the lowest 

 stages of water, about 80 miles, and by small boats to its very source. 



