N vkuvtiyi; &< 75 



water, of moderate dimensions, which has its outlet into an arm 

 of Leech Lake. There is a portage path from its southern side 

 which the Indiana use when they are passing with light canoes. 

 The day was well nigh spent, by the time the men brought 

 uu all the baggage to the hanks of this lake. And the fatigue 

 of the route itself might have justified our encamping. But 

 v.t has a definite point to reach in a given time, will find 

 that tin' 1<><> of a single hour, or half hour of an evening's jour- 

 ney, on sundry days, will soon combine to waste an entire day, 

 which may be the exact time necessary to accomplish the route. 

 Besides, when the question of going on, is at a spot where a 

 land is to be exchanged for a water journey, there is a sensible 

 relief to the men, in the position of sitting and being freed from 

 the pressure of the head-strap, or apicun, by which they carry. 

 And north-men thus embarked, in a state of fatigue, will soon 

 resume their strength and gaiety. I felt this, on the present 

 occasion, and directed them not to lose a moment in getting 

 afloat. We crossed the lake, with but little effort, and entered 

 its thread-like outlet, so tangled and wound about, in a shaking 

 savannah, covered with sedge, that every point of the compass 

 seemed to be alternately pursued. In this maze it was joined, 

 from the right by a tributary of its own size, very welcome for 

 its accession of waters, but not aiding to straighten the channel. 

 Another tributary flows in directly opposite the Indian portage 

 before referred to. This tributary appears to be the outlet of a 

 contiguous, narrow and long lake, which can be, in part obser- 

 ved. The channel is suddenly enlarged by it, and it is soon af- 

 ter still further swelled by a similar inlet. Both these inlets are 

 referred to by the Indians, by the phrase, " Kapucka Sagito- 

 -trcam is so enlarged by them, as not only to as- 

 sniii' the character of a river, but it is a river of handsome 

 magnitude, broad and deep but without strong current. Its 

 Mil-' a low and marshy character, and they are fringed 

 with extensive fields of wild rice. Amidst these, the river 

 opens into an arm of Leech Lake. The last srlimpses of day 



