136 NARRATIVE, &c. 



peared to be pleased but at the same time embarrassed. She 

 consulted with a brother who was one of the Indians present, 

 and then replied that the boy was not altogether useless in aid- 

 ing her to get a support, as he could fish and kill patridges. 

 She did not fee] willing thus suddenly to part with him, but ob- 

 served that she would send him out in the spring. 



We were five hours and a half in going from Yellow River 

 to the Forks of the St. Croix. The distance is probably not 

 over thirteen miles. These data will show how slowly we pro- 

 ceeded, with every exertion, against the obstacles of a very low 

 state of water. And at this spot we knew that we were to 

 lose, at least, one half of the entire volume. The loss is indeed 

 greater, for the Namakagon, or right hand fork, which we were 

 here to leave, is decidedly the largest of the two. 



The Namakagon Branch has its rise in a lake, which the In- 

 dians call Mattedhair Lake, very near the source of the Mush- 

 kee or Mauvais River of Lake Superior. Neither of these 

 streams can, however, be ascended to their sources. There is a 

 portage across the intervening grounds, interspersed with small 

 lakes which is practicable for canoes and packages of goods, 

 carried after the northwest manner. The Namakagon has an- 

 other portage, at a lower point to Ottawa Lake, the source of 

 one of the navigable branches of the Chippewa River. This 

 river, after running about one hundred and seventy miles, joins 

 the northwest branch at the Forks of the St. Croix, and from 

 this point, the joint volume, increased by a number of tributaries 

 is carried on, to swell the mass of the Mississippi. 



We found the chief Kabamappa, with others, encamped at 

 the Forks. They evinced the same feeling of welcome, and 

 pleasure we had met from the Chippewas on the lower part of 

 the stream. Kabamappa said that nothing had been very re- 

 ceutly heard from the direction of Lac du Flambeau and the 

 borders of the Sauc disturbances. He readily communicated 

 many facts respecting the existing difficulties, and the means 

 taken to enlist the Indians in a general war. He said, that the 



