CONTENTS. The Upper Rapids-Scenery-Prairie Du Chien-Battle of Bad Mouth of the Saint Peter's-Dog Feast--Playing Ball-The Sioux · 51 A Ride on Horseback-Grouse Shooting-A Wilderness Supper- Crow-Wing-Famous Battle fought here-Legend of the White . 64 68 Spirit Lake-Legends of the Mysterious Spirit-Story of White- The Mississippi-Lake Winnepeg-Bear Hunt-Bear Feast-A 80 85 Red Cedar Lake-The Chippeway Indians-Their Country--Their Idea of Creation-Their Religion--Their Heaven and Hell- Their Manner of Winning the Title of Brave--Their Manner of 91 Elk Lake and Surrounding Region--Legend of the Mammoth Elk- Leech Lake-The Pillagers-The Medicine Dance-The Medicine Fish of the Mississippi-A Catfish Adventure-Spearing Muska- 198 104 110 The Saint Louis River-The Chippeway Falls-Fon du Lac-Sce- nery of the Lower Saint Louis, and Passage to Lake Superior, 121 American Shore of Lake Superior-Picturesque Cliffs-Isle Royal- Canadian Shore of Lake Superior-Thunder Cape-Cariboo Point- The Voyager-My Voyaging Companions-Our Mode of Travelling, with its Pleasures and Miseries-Making Portages-Passing The Copper Region-Rich Discoveries-Copper Companies-Point Mackinaw-Arched Rock-Robinson's Folly-The Cave of Skulls UNIV. OF SUMMER IN THE WILDERNESS. CHAPTER I. SAINT LOUIS, June, 1846. THE River Queen, as Saint Louis is sometimes called, is looked upon as the threshold leading to the wild and romantic region of the Upper Mississippi. It was founded in the year seventeen hundred and sixty-four, by two Frenchmen, named Laclade and Chouteau, who were accompanied by about thirty Creoles. The first steamer which landed here came from New Orleans in the year eighteen hundred and nineteen; but the number now belonging here is rated at three hundred, many of which are unsurpassed in speed and splendor of accommodations. The population of this city amounts to forty thousand souls. It is elevated some eighty feet above the low-water mark of the Mississippi, and from the river presents a handsome appearance. The old part of the town is inhabited by a French population, and is in a dilapidated condition; but the more modern portion is distinguished for its handsome streets, and tastefully built mansions and public buildings. Fronting the levee or landing are several blocks of stone stores, which give one an idea of the extensive business transacted here. On one occasion I saw this wharfing ground so completely crowded with merchandise of every possible variety, that travellers were actually compelled to walk from the steamboats to the hotels. |