The next day (17th) was passed in council with them, till late in the afternoon, when I embarked, and went a couple of leagues to encamp, in order to rid myself fully of the village throng, and be ready for an early start in the morning.  It was my determination to pass inland south-westerly by an Indian trail, so as to strike the source of the Crow Wing or De Corbeau River, one of the great tributaries of the Mississippi which remained unexplored.

We found the entrance to this portage early the next morning (18th).  After following the trail about three-fourths of a mile we reached and crossed a small lake called Warpool.  A small and intricate outlet led successively to Little Long Lake, the Two Lakes, and the Lake of the Mountain.  Here commenced a highland portage of over 900 yards to the Lake of the Island—­another portage of some 2000 yards was then made to Midlake, and finally another of one puggidenun, partly through a bog, but terminating on elevated grounds at the head of a considerable and handsome body of water called Kaginogamaug, or The Long Water.  This is the source of the De Corbeau River, and here we encamped for the night.  We had how crossed the summit between Leech Lake and the source of the Crow Wing River.  We commenced the descent on the morning of the 19th, and passed successively through eleven lakes, connected by a series of short channels.  The names of these in their order, are Kaginogamaug, Little Vermilion, Birch, Ple, Assawa, Vieu Desert, Summit, Longrice, Allen’s, Johnston’s, and Kaitchibo Sagitawa.  Two tributary streams enter the river in this distance, the principal of which is Shell River; the stream assumes an ample size, and there is no further apprehension of shallows.  Next day (20th) we passed the influx of six rivers, the largest of which is Leaf River, coming in from the West.  The channel has now attained a bold and sweeping force.  It required part of another day to reach its mouth, in the course of which it is joined by the Long Prairie River from the right, and the Kioshk or Gall River from the left.  An alluvial island, with a heavy forest, exists at the point of its confluence with the Mississippi River.  We encamped at the Pierced Prairie, eighteen miles below the junction, and were less than two days in a high state of the water, in reaching St. Anthony’s falls.

24th.  I arrived at St. Peter’s about two o’clock in the afternoon, and entered and encamped on the open common on the banks of the river.  The Indian agent (Mr. Tallieferro) was absent.  I found Captain Jouett in command of the fort, and in charge of Indian affairs.  He received me in a cordial manner, and offered every facility in his power to effect the objects of my mission among the hostile tribes.  No recent news from the seat of operation against the Black Hawk and his adherents was known.  Recent details were, however, imprecise.  Captain Jouett had kept up, I think, the mail communication