132 NARRATIVE, Ac. 



The next morning, (30th,) after about three hours paddling, 

 we reached the mouth of the Kinabic, or Snake River. We 

 found Pezhicki, (or the Buffalo,) the principal chief of that 

 place, and his band, encamped on the small peninsula which is 

 formed by the junction. They fired a salute, and crowded 

 down to the shore, to welcome us. This chief was one of a 

 delegation who visited Washington, some years ago. He came 

 back with a profusion of ornaments, and a sword and tassels. 

 These were of no real utility, and have long since disappeared. 

 The visit had the effect to shew him the strength and resources 

 of the Americans. With little force of character, he has been 

 pacific, so far at least, as relates to white men. He was present 

 at the treaties of Prairie du Chien, and Fond du Lac. He is not 

 the war chief of the Snake River band. We know not, that 

 he encountered in his journey, any teacher or preacher to in- 

 form him that there was a savior. 



Official business occupied a part of the morning. We found 

 not the slightest evidence of any participation, or disposition to 

 participate, in the hostile schemes of the Saucs and Foxes. 

 Pezhicki approved of the requests made by the Chippewas of 

 the Upper Mississippi, for having their lines surveyed, and uni- 

 ted strongly in the measure. He said that the Sioux had mani- 

 fested a disposition to claim the country above the Standing 

 Cedars, and that they had, and still continued to trespass on it. 

 He said, that they had this season, crossed through the Chippe- 

 wa hunting grounds on the St. Croix to go against the band 

 at Rice Lake on the Red Cedar Fork of the Chippewa River. 

 He cheerfully promised to assist the military canoes, in their 

 ascent and immediately sent three young men for that purpose. 

 Snake River is an important tributary of the St. Croix. It 

 constitutes an established post of trade, for which licences are 

 granted by the Indian department. Its Indian population is re- 

 ported at three hundred and one souls. Persons of the mixed 

 cast, thirty-eight. This river is connected, by an easy portage, 

 with Rum River, a route much used by Indians going to the 



