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Show 66 JOUH.NAL OF A VOYAGE by giving him a dram (unasked) and his wife a little salt, I received from them directions for my route. Passed the }, ke or n1orass, and opened on 1neadows, (through which the Mississippi winds its course) of nearly 15 n1iles long. Took a straight course through Jhem, to the head; when I found we had missed the river ; made a turn of about two miles, and regained it. Passed a fork which I supposed to be Lake Winipie, making the course N. W. the branch we took was on Leech Lake branch, course S. W. and W. Passed a very large meadow or prairie, course west; the Mississippi only fifteen yards wide. Encamped about one mile below the traverse of the n1cadow. Saw a very large animal, which, from its leaps, I supposed to have been a panther; but if so, it was twice as large as those on the lower Mississippi. l-Ie evinced some disposition to approach. I lay down (Miller being in the rear) in order to entice hin1 to con1e ncar, but he would not. The night remark.abl y cold. Son1C spirits, which I had in a small keg, congealed to the consistency of honey. 1st February, Snturday.-Left our camp pretty early. Passed a continued train of prairie, and arrived at Lake La Sang Sue, at half past two o'clock. I will not attempt to describe 1ny feelings, on the accomplishrncnt of my voyage, for this is the main source of the Mississippi. The Lake Winipie branch is navigable, fron1 thence to Red Cedar lake, for the distance of five leagues, which is the extremity of the navigation. Crossed the lake 12 miles to the establishment of theN. W. company; where we arrived, about 3 o'clock; found all the gates locked, but upon knocking were admitted, and received with marked attention and hospitality by lVIr. liugh M'Gillis. IJad a good dish of c.offee, biscuit, butter, and cheese for supper. 2d February, Sunday.--Rcn1ained all day within doors. In the evening sent an invitation tc.) Mr. Ander- TO THE SOUHCES OF THE l\1ISSISSIPPI. 67 ' son, who was an agent of Dickson, and also for smne young Indians, at his house, to cmne over and breakfast in the morning. sd February, Monday.-Spcnt the day in reading Volney's Egypt; proposing some queries to Mr. Ander. son, and preparing n1y young man to r turn, with a supply of provisions, to 1ny party. 4tb February, Tucsday.-Miller departed this morning. Mr. Anderson r eturned to his quarters. My legs and andes were so n1uch swelled, that I was not able to wear my own clothes and was obliged to borrow some from Mr. M'Gillis. 5tb February, Wednesday.-One of Mr. M'Gillis's clerks had been sent to some Indian lodges, and expected to return in four days, but had now been absent nine. Mr. Grant was despatched, in order to find out what had become of him. 6tb February, Tbursday.-My men arrived at the fort about four o'clock. Mr. M'Gjllis asked, if I had any objections to his hoisting their flag, in compliment to ours. I made none, as I had not yet explained to him 1ny ideas. In making a traverse of the lake, some of my rnen had their ears, some their noses, and others their chins frozen. 7tb February, Friday.-Remained within doors, my limbs being still ve~y xnuch swelled. Aduressed a letter · to Mr. M'Gillis on the subject of the N. W. company trade in this quarter.* 8tb February, Saturday.-'fook the latitude and found it to be 47° 16' 1311• Shot with our rifles. 9tb February, Sunday.-Mr. M'Gillis and myself paid a visit to Mr. AnJ.cr~on, an agent of Mr. Dickson, of the Lower Mississippi, who resided at the west end of !he lake. Found hitn elegibly situated as to trade, but 11 Sec appendix to part I. [No. S·] page 14· , |
