268 NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION". 



staff. The Indians fired a salute as we landed, and pressed 

 down to the shore, with their chiefs, to greet us. They informed 

 me that by their count of sticks, of the time appointed by me 

 at Sandy Lake, to meet them at this spot, would be out this day, 

 and I had the satisfaction of being told, within a short time of 

 my arrival, that the canoe, with goods and supplies, from Sandy 

 Lake, was in sight. The Indians were found encamped a short 

 distance above the entrance of the Nokasippi* Eiver, which is in 

 the line of communication with the Mille Lac and Eum River 

 Indians. I found the latter, together with the whole Sandy Lake 

 Band, encamped here, awaiting my arrival. They numbered 280 

 souls, of whom 60 were warriors. 



A council was immediately summoned, to meet in front of my 

 tent, at the appointed signal of the firing of the military ; the 

 business of my mission was at once explained, the presents dis- 

 tributed, and the vaccinations commenced. Replies were made 

 at length, by the eldest chief, Gros Guelle, or Big Snout ; by 

 Soangekumig, or the Strong Echoing Ground ; by Wabogeeg, or 

 the White Fisher ; and by Nitumegaubowee, or the First Stand- 

 ing Man. The business having been satisfactorily concluded, the 

 vaccination finished, and having still a couple of hours of daylight, 

 I embarked and went down the Mississippi some ten or fifteen 

 miles, to a Mr. Baker's trading-house at Prairie Piercie. 



At this place, I remained encamped, it being the Sabbath day, 

 and rested on the 22d, which had a good effect on the whole 

 party, engaged as it had been, night and day, in pushing its way 

 to accomplish certain results, and it prepared them to spring to 

 their paddles the more cheerfully on Monday morning. Indeed, 

 it had been part of my plan of travel, from the outset, to give 

 the men this rest and opportunity to recruit every seventh day, 

 and I always found that they did more work in the long run, 

 from it. I had also engaged them, originally, not to drink any 

 ardent spirits, promising them, however, that their board and pot 

 should be well supplied at all times. And, indeed, although I 

 had frequently travelled with Canadian canoemen, I never knew 

 a crew who worked so cheerfully, and travelled so far, per diem, 

 on the mean of the week, as these sis days' working canoemen. 



* From Noka, a ruau's name, and seebi, a river. 



