\ 1*1 I NPIX. I ll 



Hi- evinced the (gratified feelings created by tht 



circumstances of my risil to Ins people, end said he should 



visit one at the i rear, if Ins life and health were 



i d. 



We eooMMBced ih< DeCorbean on the 1 0th. 



The channel is ;it first small ami winding. It expands race s- 



ervely into eleven lakes, of various dimensions, and acquires con- 



rable breadth and velocity before it forms its uppei fork-, by 



the junction with Shell River. We encountered in this distance 



to Indians, but observed, as we had the previous day, traces 



of the recent war-partv. In passing out of the tenth of the 

 series of lakes, die men observed a camp-lire on shore, but no 

 person appeared. It was conjectured to indicate the presence of 

 Sioux, who, perce i v i ng the character of the party, had lied and 

 concealed themselves. 



The next day afforded no certain evidences of a fixed popula- 

 tion. We observed continued traces of the recent war-party, 

 and other temporary occupancy, in the standing camp- 



poles and meat racks which frequently met the eye in our de- 

 scent. We passed the entrance of Leaf River, a large tributary 

 from the right, having it- source near the banks of Otter Tail 

 Lake ; and the next day, had our attention directed to the en- 

 trance of Prairie Kiver, on the same shore. The latter is also a 

 tributary of the first class. It is the war-road, so to say, be- 

 tween the Chippewas and Sioux, having its source in a lake, 

 which is designated in the treaty of Prairie du C'hien as one of 

 the points in the boundary line between these two nations. 



The day following (21st), the monotony of vegetable solitude 

 broken by meeting a Chippewa and his family in a canoe. 

 He informed me that we were within a few hours' journey of the 

 mouth of the river — that the Sandy Lake and Mille Lac Indians 

 . awaiting my arrival, and that they ex- 

 • d me thia day. 1 found this information to he correct. A\ • 

 red the M i about noon, end saw the opposite shore 



lined with lodges, with the American tLiir con^jiicuoudv displavt d. 

 The long-continued firing ai of the Indians left me no rea- 



son to doubt that my arrival was both anticipated and desired. I 

 was gratified on being told, within three hours of my arrival, that the 



