TRAMP IN SEARCH OF THE PICTURESQUE.—­The wind rising ahead, we took shelter in an inlet through the trap range, which we called Houghton’s Cove.  After taking a lunch and drying our things, it was proposed to visit a little lake, said to give origin to the stream falling into its head.  The journey proved a toilsome one; but, after passing through woods and defiles, we at length stood on a cliff which overlooked the object sought for—­a pond covered with aquatic plants.  Wherever we might have gone in search of the picturesque, this seemed the last place to find it.  On again reaching the lake the wind was found less fierce, and we went on to Pine River, where we encamped on coarse, loose gravel.

SEARCH FOR NATIVE COPPER.—­The next day the wind blew fiercely, and we could not travel.  In consequence of reports from the Indians of a large mass of copper inland, I manned a light canoe, and, leaving the baggage and camp in charge of Lesart, went back to a small bay called Mushkeeg, and went inland under their guidance.  We wandered many miles, always on the point of making the discovery, but never making it; and returned with our fatigue for our pains.  It was seven o’clock in the evening before we returned to our camp—­at eight the wind abated, and we embarked, and, after traveling diligently all night, reached the western terminus of the Keweena portage at two o’clock next morning—­having advanced in this time about twenty-four miles.  Next day, July 10, the wind rose again violently ahead.

ISLE ROYAL DESCRIED.—­In coming down the coast of the Keweena Peninsula, we descried the peaks of this island seen dimly in the distance, which it is not probable could have been done if the distance were over sixty miles.

INDIAN PRECAUTION, THEIR INGENUITY.—­We found several Chippewa Indians encamped.  They brought a trout, the large lake trout, and were, as-usual, very friendly.  We saw a fresh beaver’s skin stretched on the drying hoop, at the Buffalo’s son’s lodge.  But the women had secreted themselves and children in the woods, with the dried skins, supposing that a trader’s canoe had landed, as we had landed in the night.  This may give some idea of the demands of trade that are usually made, and the caution that is observed by them when a trader lands.

We here saw the claws-of two owls, with the skin and leg feathers adhering, sewed together so closely and skilfully, by the Indian, women, as to resemble a nondescript with eight claws.  It was only by a close inspection that we could discover the joinings.

LAKE ACTION.—­The geological action of the lake against the high banks of diluvion, at this spot, is very striking.  It has torn away nearly all the ancient encamping ground, including the Indian burials.  Human bones were found scattered along the declivity of fallen earth.  An entire skull was picked up, with the bark wrappings of the body, tibia, &c.