APPLNWW 260 



part of the stream. Tins may be attributed to the abundance of 

 the Virginia deer in that vicinity, many of which we saw, and of 

 the elk and moose, whose tracks vera fresh and numerous in the 



sands of the shore. Wild rice is found in all the lakes. Game* 



of every .species common to the latitude, is plentiful. The prai- 

 rie country extends itself into the vicinity of Rice Lake; and for 

 more than a day's march before reaching the mouth of the river, 

 the whole face of the country puts on a sylvan character, as beau- 

 tiful to die eye as it is fertile in soil, and spontaneously produc- 

 tive of the means oi subsistence. A country more valuable to a 

 population baring the habits of our North-Weatern Indians, could 

 hardly he conceived of; and it is therefore cause of less surprise 

 that its possession should have been so long an object of conten- 

 tion between the Chippewae and Sioux. 



About sixty miles below Rice Lake commences a series of 

 rapids, which extend, with short intervals, 24 miles. The re- 

 mainder of the distance, to the junction of this stream with the 

 Chippewa, consists of deep and strong water. The junction 

 itself is characterized by commanding and elevated grounds, and 

 a noble expanse of waters. And the Chippewa River, from this 

 spot to its entrance into the Mississippi, has a depth and volume, 

 and a prominence of scenery, which mark it to be inferior to none, 

 and superior to most of the larger tributaries of the Upper Missis- 

 sippi. Before its junction, it is separated into several mouths, 

 from the principal of which the observer can look into Lake 

 Pepin. Steamboats could probably ascend to the falls. 



The whole distance travelled, from the shores of Lake Supe- 

 rior to the mouth of the Chippewa, is, by estimation, 643 miles, 

 of which 138 should be deducted for the trip to Yellow River, 

 leaving the direct practicable route 505 miles. The length of the 

 Mauvaise to the portage is 104 ; of the Namakagon, from the 

 161 ; of the Red Cedar, 170; of the Chippewa, from the 

 entrance of the latter, 40. Our means of estimating distances 

 !>y time, corrected by reference to the rapidity of water and 

 strength of wind, compared with our known velocity of travelling 

 in calm weather on the lakes. 'I re made and 



put down every evening, and considerable confidence is felt in 

 them. The courses were accurately kept by a canoe compass. 



35 



