Volume 1

TO THE MOUTH OF THIEF RIVER. 1
29
we left it
here and gained the plains, where we mounted our
horses, crossed over a low level plain of about four miles,
when we again fell among small poplars and willows, then
on large wood, and immediately after came down to the
river at a place called Campement de Plumb, opposite Liard
[Cottonwood] river, which comes in here on the opposite
side of Red Lake river. Here also we expected to find
Indians, but there was no sign of any. Red and fallow deer
are very numerous. They have beaten paths in the woods
like those of the buffalo on the banks of Red river. It appears
also
that bears have been very plentiful, by marks on
the oak trees and fruit bushes. Here we stopped for the
night [on the E. bank of Red Lake river, at or near St.
Hilaire, Polk Co.]. The river runs from N. to S., and is very
rapid and shallow, but broader than below. The banks are
low and well wooded with the elm, liard, oak, poplar, and
bois blanc.
My Indian guide was anxious for me to return,
saying we should find no Indians this side of Red lake.
But
having come so far for nothing, I was determined to search
one day more, when, if we did not find them, we would return.
He tells me there is but one other place where there
is any prospect of finding them, about half a day's journey
higher up the river, at the entrance of Riviere aux Voleurs.
Oct. 2gth. At sunrise we mounted and set off. The
country near the river is covered with small poplars and
willows, so intricate as to oblige us to seek the open country,
which we found was little better than that near the
river, the grass being long, and frequently boggy. Our
course for some time was N. W., when we bore to the N.,
and then to the E., which is the course on which this river
comes from Red lake ; the country is low and level, with
stunted woods and small meadows. There are a few pretty
rising grounds that run N. and S., on which nothing grows
but short grass ;
these are the only pleasant spots. They
are not more than a quarter of a mile wide, some less.
Deer of both kinds are numerous, but especially red deer.
At one o'clock we arrived at Riviere Voleuse or aux Voleurs