46 NARRATIVE, &c* 



fine expanse of the Pamitchi Gumaug, or Lac Travers. This 

 lake may be fifty feet above the level of Cass Lake. It is about 

 12 miles long, from north to south, and six or seven broad, with 

 elevated shores, presenting to the eye[ a beautiful vista^of hard 

 wood groves. 



We landed a few moments, on the'right'hand shore in enter- 

 ing it, to examine an object, which the men had been convers- 

 ing of on the way, namely, a Shingaba Wossin. It proved to 

 be a boulder of gneiss rock, water worn, so as to present the fig- 

 ure of a rude shaft, with an entablature, but not exceeding 

 in weight, the maximum of a man's strength. One of the 

 canoe-men lifted it. It had been set up, on its base, and was 

 decorated with a ring of red paint. The name may be freely 

 translated Image Stone, and has no reference to the composi- 

 tion of the mass, any farther than that the name is usually 

 found to be applied to rocks of the primitive kind, both from 

 the liability of this class of rocks to assume these forms, and 

 from their hardness, which has enabled them to endure the 

 power of attrition. Offerings are usually left at such rude al- 

 tars, and they afford, perhaps, the nearest approach to idol wor- 

 ship, in its grosser forms, which an examination of our Indian 

 customs, present. The soil, at this spot, appeared to be rather 

 rich, bearing a growth of elm, soft maple and white ash. 



We were an hour in crossing the lake southwestwardly, and 

 were impressed with the extent and beauty of the prospect. 

 On gaining the opposite shore, we found the Mississippi flowing 

 with a brisk and deep current into it, and exhibiting a width of, 

 perhaps one hundred and fifty fec\. In landing, a few moments, 

 at this point, we found the beach strewed with small shells, both 

 uniones, and helices. A log house, used as a winter trading 

 camp, stood a few hundred yards northwardly. And this may 

 be referred to, as the most advanced trading location on the 

 main waters of this river. 



Lac Travers is separated by a short channel, from a bay or 

 lake of moderate dimensions, which is, from its proximity, con- 



