OCR Text |
Show JOUHNAL OF A VOYAGE of them and I should have been supported, by the chiefs of the St. Peters, at the mouth of which were 300 warriors, attending my arrival ; also the rascal who fired on my sentinel last winter. I dreaded the consequences of the meeting not for the present; but for fear the impC'tuosity of my conduct might not be approved of by my government; who did not so intimately know the nature of those savages. This day, for the first time, we saw the commencement of vegetation, yet the snow was a foot deep in some places. 10th April, Thursday.-Sailcd at half past 5 o'clock ; about 7 passed Rmn river, and at 8 were saluted by G or 7 lodges of ltols Avoins, amongst whom was a Mr .. -, a clerk of Mr. Dickson's. Those people had wmtcrcd on Rum river' and were waiting for their chiefs and t.r.a-ders to descend in order to accompany them to the Prame Des Chiens. Arrived at the Falls of St. Anthony at 10 o'clock. Carried over all our loading and the canoe to the lower end of the portage, and hauled our boats up on the bank. I pitched my tents at the lower end of the en· campn1ent where all the men encamped except the gu:rd, whose quarters were above. 'The appearance of the ltalls was much more tremendous than when we ascem.kd ; the increase of water occasioned the spray to raise much higher, and the mist appeared like clouds. I low di[e~·ent my sensations now, fr01n what they were when at thJs place before; at that time not having accomplished m?rc than half my route, winter fast approaching ; war existing between the most savage nations in the course of my route ; my provi:;ions greatly diminished, and but a poor prospect of an additional supply. Many of n1y men sic~, and the others not a little disheartened ; and our success tn this arduous undertaking, very doubtful ; just upon the borders of the haunts of civilized men, about to launch into an unknown wilderness ; for ours was the first canoe TO THE SOURCES OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 03 that had ever crossed this portage, w re sufficient to dispossess my breast of contentment ancl case. But now we l1ave accomplished every wish, peace reigns throughout the vast extent ; we have r et urned thus far on our voyage, without the loss of a single man, anJ hoping soon to be blessed with the society of our relations and friends. The river this morning covered with icc, which continnecl floating all day. The shores still barricaded with it. 11th April, Friday.-A It hough it snowed very hard, we brought over both boats and descended the river to the ;sJancl at the entrance of the St. Peters. I sent to the chiefs and informed thc1n I had something to communicate to them. The Fils de Pinchow immcJiately waited 011 111c, and informed me lhat he would provide a place for the purpose. About sun-down I was sent for and introdu. ccd into the council house, where I found a great many chiefs of the Sussitongs, Gens des Feuillcs, and the ?ens du Lac. The Yanctongs l1ad Hot yet con1e down. lhey were all waiting for my arrival. 'There were about 1.00 lodges or 600 people; we were saluted on our crossmg the river with ball as u ual. The council house was two large lodges, capable of containing 300 n1cn. In the upper were 40 chiefs, .and as many pipes, set against the poles; along side of which I had the Sauteurs' pipes arranged. I then. informed the1n in short detail of my tran t' · ' t sac IOns with the Sauteurs; but my interpreters were not capable of Inaking then1sclves under::>tood. I wa~ therefore obi' d · · · 1 . 1ge to 01111t mentwnmg every particular re-atJVe to the rascal who fired on my sentinel, and of the scoundrel who br I " tl "' r.· 1 A . ' . o ce 1 .... .t' o s voms canoe5, and threat- ened my hfe . th , . t • . I . I ' c 111 e1 p1 eters 1owcver mformcd them that wanted some f h · · · 1 . o t e1r pnnc1pa chiefs to go to St. Louis· and that th h h ' . . ose w o ~ ought proper might descend to the prcune where w ld . h t' ., e wou g1ve t en1 more explicit infonna- Jon. 1 hey all k d f smo e out o the Sautcurs' pipes, ex- |