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XXL— The Smoky Mountain XXIL— The Cherokees of Carolina XXIIL— Cherokee Customs ... XXIV Hickory-Nut Gap XXV.— Down the French Bboad River XXVI.— Black Mousxaih ... ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• t*« ••• «•• ••• ••* ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •• «■• ••• ••• ••• *•• ••• ••• ••» ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• ••• •>• ••* ••• ••• ••• ••• *** Page • •• 7 12 • ■• 16 --^.. 23 • •• 26 32 • •• 37 42 • •• 46 62 • •t 88 96 •«» 102 113 ta* 122 135 #•• 139 145 «•• 150 «•• 155 i 159 ;l 166 r • •« 172 , J 177 • •• 183 I 191 It CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII.— The Catawba CocNTKT ..." ... XXVIII.— The Mountains and theie People ... XXIX.— The Nameless Valley ... XXX.— The Canadian Recluse ... XXXI Death in the Wildeeness XXXII.— Rattlesnakes XXXIII.— Salmon Fishing ... XXXIV Tbout FisniNQ , {XXXV.— Basse Fishing ... XXXVI.— Rock Fishing XXXVII Pike Fishing XXXVIII.— Fishing in General ... ••• ••• Page ... ... 198 207 ••■ *•■ *12 219 226 229 248 257 265 295 Page . 198 207 212 219 225 229 235 248 257 265 278 295 PEEFACE. It is due to the Author of the following pages to state, that the Adventures which we have selected for publication form only a small portion of those which he has kindly placed in our hands. In making our selection we have been guided by the space at our disposal, and by a desire to render our pages at once varied and interesting. At the same time it will be seen by the contents of the Second Part, that we have drawn freely on those piscatorial adventures, the love for which, Mr. Lanman frankly states, led him into the wilds of his native country. And we cannot help thinking that in the present day, when the waters of our small island afford so inadequate a supply of sport to the rapidly increasing fraternity of Waltonians. and the Atlantic is so easily crossed, many of our readers will be glad to be put in possession of the extensive angling experience, in +he United States and Canada, of so great an adept in the art as .. Lanman, In a manuscript prefatorial communication which acccompa- nies Mr. Lanman's papers, he states, that ^ome years ago he abandoned a mercantile career in New York, a ud started for the Western States, more intent on pleasure than fortune-making. His wanderings, which were performed on foot, on horseback, and in canoes, led him through the Valley of the Mississippi, the Basin of the Great Ls,kes, the Valley of the St. Lawrence, and over the extensive chain of mountains extending from those com- manding the Bay of Fundy to those which pour their waters into the Gulf of Mexico. A portion of these wanderings appeared in American perio- dicals, and elicited the following warm commendationp from [Washing^^^on Irving, which are extracted from letters to their author. * PREFACE. " I return you thanks for the delightful entertainment which your summer rambles have afforded me. I do not see that I have any literary advice to give you, excepting to keep on as you have begun. You seem to have the happy enjoyable humour of old Isaac Walton, and I trust you will give us still further scenea and adventures on our great internal waters, depicted with the freshness and graphic skill of your present volumes. .• " In fact, the adventurous life of the angler amidst our wild scenery, on our vast lakes and rivers, must furnish a striking con- trast to the quiet loiterings of the English angler along the Trent, or the Dove, with country milkmaids to sing madrigals to him, and a snug, decent, country inn at night, where he may sleep in sheets that have been laid in lavender." And in a second letter, Mr. Irving says, — " I am glad to learn that you intend to publish your narrative and descriptive writings in a collected form. They carry us into the fastnesses of our mountains, the depths of oiur forests, the watery wilderness of our lakes and rivers; giving us pictures of savage life and savage tribes, Indian legends, fishing and hunt- ing anecdotes, the adventures of trappers and backwoodsmen, our whole arcanum, in short, of indigenous poetry and romance; to use a favourite phrase of the old discoverers — * they lay open the secrets of the country to us.' I cannot but believe your work will be well received, and meet with the wide circulation whieh it assuredly merits." With these high marks of approval on the mine from which the following adventures are taken, we introduce Mr. Lanman to the English reader, feeling confident that he will be found an interesting and instructive companion. C. R. WELD. \Y ■.,'ji ■'^d^^ Ti Du < beau calle to a dists over mile tran witl the beai the intc regi the^ « fani sha and noT the ADVENTURES INTUR WILDS OF NORTH AMERICA. CHAPTER I. ALriNE REGION OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Lake Pepin. That portion of the Mississippi wliicli extends from Prairie Du Chien to Lake Pepin is the most mountainous and truly beautiful on the whole river, and may with strict propriety be called the Alpine Region. The river here varies from a quarter to a fiill mile in width, and on either side throughout the whole distance is a range of mountains which sometimes actually bend over the river, and sometimes recede into the interior for several miles. The Mississippi here is rather sluggish, but perfectly transparent, and is studded by islands, which are covered with every variety of forest-trees found between Kentucky and the Great Lakes. Bat the willow and the elm are pre-eminently beautiful. Well do I remember with what delight I mused upon the changing landscape, as our vessel glided onward and onward into the wild and silent wilderness. The mountains of this region are not so lofty as the Highlands of the Hudson, (to which tiiey have been compared,) but they are far more picturesque, fantastic, and extensive. At one moment may be seen a cone- shaped mountain rising to the height of some eight hundred feet, and completely covered, to the summit, with a carpet of grass; now the eye will linger on a perpendicular bluff, pictured against the sky, like a fortress of the Mound Builders, and actually &o^m.< 8 ADVENTURES IK THE WILDS OF NORTH AMEAlCA. ing upon the softly flowing stream that laves its foliage-hidden base ; now, you sail in the sliadow of a pillared temple that seems to prop the sky ; and now, along a continued succession of peaks and points that fade away, until lost in the rosy atmosphere of evening. During all this time, your vessel will be gliding around and between the most charming green islands, some of them con- taining a solitary grave, others a little brotherhood of Indians, lounging upon the grassy opening before their wigwams; while some happy bird will favour you with an occasional song, or the leap of a trout take the fancy captive, to revel in the cool cham- bers of the stream. Here it is, too, that the famous Island Mountain rises to the height of five hundred feet, covered with trees, and capped by a cluster of broken rocks. It is several miles long and about one in width, and is the largest island in, the Mississippi. From time immemorial it has been celebrated for the number of its rattlesnakes, and on a grassy plot at its base stands a cluster of graves, where repose the ashes of stranger Indians, who died upon the island from wounds inflicted by these reptiles. The next object that I would attempt to describe on my way up the Mississippi, is Lake Pepin. It lives in my memory as the Horicon of the wilderness. It is an extended portion of the Mississippi, — twenty-three miles long, and from three to four wide. It is surrounded with hills, which abound in almost every variety of game ; its shores are gravelly, and covered with the most valuable agates and cornelians; the water is clear, an4 very deep; and it yields the very best fish in great abundance. My first view of Lake Pepin (I wish I knew how it came by that name !) was on one of the most charming evenings that I ever witnessed. The cloudless sky was studded with stars, and the moon sailed upward and onward with an uncommon beauty, as if proud of the wilderness world she was then flooding with her beams. For hours did I sit musing upon the eastern shore, near the outlet, whence I could discern no less than sixteen peaks or bluflTs, looming in solitude against the horizon. " The holy time was quiet as a nun, breathless with adoration." The water was without a ripple, and reflected in its pure bosom every star; ALPINE REGION OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 9 lidden seems peaks lere of irouud m con- idians, while or the cham- laland id with several land in ebrated »t at its tranger )y these my way inory as Q of the to four st every rith the )ar, an4 indance. 1 by that t I ever and the tauty, as ^ith her [>re, near peaks or olytime ater was 917 star; while the moon, as if determined that it should so remain for ever, spanned it with a bar of gold. The only sounds that trembled in the air were the hoot of an owl, the waU of a loon, and a hum from the insect world. I looked and wondered until the niglit was far spent, and the dew upon my face was heavy and cold. It was while tanying at this lake that the captain of our steamer was honoured by a visit from Wabashaw, the head chief of the Sioux nation. Ho was attended by several of his coun- sellors, and in all his movements had the bearing of a proud prince. He is a young man, and said to be a brave and emi- nently successful wari'ior. Our captain treated him to wine, and I gave him a present of tobacco. The captain was so pleased with the natural curiosity, as he called the chief, that he sum- moned all his lady passengeini to obtain a glimpse. The ladies soon made their appearance, and while staring at the ciiief, now laugliing, and now laying their hands upon his ornaments, a most ferocious glance all at once shot from his eye, and, uttering a scorn- ful speech, he bolted from the ring of impudent spectators. The cause of this singular movement was, that it is considered disgrace- ful for a Sioux chief to be seen in the company of women, or to be spoken to and stared upon by them. The only person whose hand ho would take on going ashore was mine; and when I happened to meet this chief on a subsequent occasion, he treated me with marked attention, and presented me with a haiirlsome pipe. At the time that I visited Lake Pepin there were a number of Sioux Indians encamped upon its shores. Among the lodges which I visited was that of a woman, ninety years of age, and a widow. She looked exceedingly wretched, but was so intelligent and amiable that I almost fell in love with the old antediluvian. I cannot give the whole of her long story, but an idea of its cha- racter may be obtained from the following episode, which I listened to, seated by her side, and that of her only descendant — a handsome boy. Her attention had been directed to our steamer, which lay moored a short distance oflf, when she suddenly broke out with the following : — " How rapidly does time fly ! A ^ort time ago the light canoe was the only thing that glided A 10 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDS OF NORTH AMERICA. Mil upon this lake ; but now we often hear the groaning of the great fire-vessel, as it sweeps along iike an angry stag. The white man^s conduct appears strange, I cannot understand ik, purpose. 0, 1 am an old woman and a fool! " Many, Ireiy many have been my trials. Thirty years has my husband been dead. Eight brave sons have I had, but they were aU killed in battles with the Chippeways. I also had two daughters, who were like the does of the prairie; but the Great Spirit has long since taken them to the happy land. My only relative, now living, is this boy. O, I aia an old woman, and have no business to live! •' " But I will not complain. Thel Great Spirit is at my fireside, and has given me a helper -n the dark eveiiing of my days. This boy-hunter supplies me with food. His arroW never fails, and the winds always tell him where to find the sweet fish. He paddles my canoe, he brings me wood for tay fire, and he sleeps by my side in our comfortable lodge. O, I am an old woman! — ^but what is there in the world that I need, and cannot obtain 1** May the smiles of Providence for ever rest upon this mother of a great nation, whose glory is personified in her feeble and decrepit form. The most romantic legend, howerver, associated with the Mis- sissippi Horicon is the story of "Winona. She was the daughter of a chief, and lived about one hundred years ago. Slfe was exceedingly beautiful and univei-sally beloved. Her father had promised her hand to a favourite warrior, but her heart had been pledged to another, not less brave, but more noble and youthful. For many months she would not listen to the wishes of her father; — but his sterner nature was roused, and he vowed that she must marry the object of his choice. "Weeks passed on, and she knew that she must yield. Kightly did she meet her accepted lover, but always talked to him of the Spirit Land, as if she had been a queen of that fantastic realm. The marriage night had been appointed, and the chief had proclaimed a feast. To all outward appearance a change suddenly came over the daughter's mind, and she smiled and talked, like one about to be made a happy bride. Among the delicacies that were to be eaten on the ALPINE REGION OF THE SflSSISSIPPI. 11 the great 'he white :, purpose. years has , but they o had two the Great My only Oman, and ly fireside, ays. This lis, and the le paddles eps by my man! — ^but tain?" his mother feeble and ih the Mis- e daughter e was father had rt had been d youthful, shes of her vowed that sed on, and ler accepted 3 if she had 8 night had ist. To all > daughter's > be made a aten on the occasion, was a certain berry that was found in great perfection upon a certain hill or bluff. It was a pleasant summer afbemoon, and all the female fiiends of Winona, accompanied by herself, were picking the desired berries. Carelessly did they all wander up the hill-side, whUe an occa- sional laugh would ring upon the air; but Winona was only seen to smile, for (though those loving fiiends knew it not) her heart was darkened by many a strange shadow. Carelessly did the berry-gatherers wander on; when aU at once a low melancholy song fell upon their ears, and lo ! upon the very edge of a beet- ling precipice stood the form of the much loved Winona. Her song was death-like, and when her companions were in- tuitively convinced of the contemplated deed, they were stupefied with horror. Winona motioned them to keep back, while her song increased unfiil it became a perfect wail. The burthen of it was, ** Farewell, sisters : — ' ' I am going to the Spirit Land ; ^,^ My warrior will come after me, And we shall be blessed." •■■4' One moment more, and Winona, the pride of all the Indian villages on Lake Pepin, was deeply buried in its clear cold bosom. And this is the story that hallows the loftiest peak of this l6,ke. I obtained it, as here related, from one of her kindred, and I believe it to be true. As to Winona's warrior, it is said that he lived for many years a hermit, and finally died a mad- man. So runneth many a song of life. , li ADVENTURES IN THE WILDS OF NORTH AMERICA. h. CHAPTER II. I pi RED WING VILLAGE. Mouth of the St. Peter's. The scenery between Lake Pepin and the St. Croix is not as lofty nor as picturesque as tliat we have already passed, but its interest is greatly enhanced by the greater number of Indians that "we here meet. The Red Wing village is nearly midway between the two lakes mentioned, and contains about six hundred souls. A short distance from this village are two isolated mountains, whenco may be seen a most magnificent panorama of the wilderness, and when viewed at sunset it presents more the appearance of dream-land than reality. These mountains from time immemorial have been used as the altars where Indian war parties have ofieredup their sacrifices, previous to going to battle. At the present time, however, their only inhabitants are rattlesnakes, which slumber on their sunny slopes or in the clefts of the rocks during the long summer. And thus is it throughout the world, in the wilderness as well as the city, death and the beautiful are ever linked together in an unbroken brotherhood. I only remained at the Red Wing village one night, but such a night I hope never to pass again. An outcast of a trader had furnished the Indians with " fire-water," and the whole posse of them were ravingly mad, for spirituous liquor always makes the poor Indian miserably crazy. For want of a better place, I had to sleep in the cabin of this very trader. My bed was on the floor, while my host and his family occupied a couple of beds in opposite corners of the only room in the house. And such horrible yelling and screaming as I heard during the first half of that night, I can never forget. The noises were unearthly and BED WINQ VILLAGE. u devilish. Now you might hear the clashing of knives, as some of the mcf desperate spirits came together in a fight; and now yon ;jiight hear the sobbings and meanings of a miser- able woman, as she exposed and mutilated her body, to perpetuate the memory of a dead husband or child. But there was one incident which actually made my hair stand out like the quills of the porcupine. I should premise that the few white people of the wilderness never think of lock- ing their doors at night ; and also that the Indians of this region claim it as a privilege to enter and depart from your cabin when- ever they please, and their intrusions are always looked upon as matters of course. It was somewhat after midnight, and the yeUing of the savages had partly subsided. I had just fallen into a doze, when I was startled by the stealthy opening of our cabin door, and the tread of a muffled footstep. It was intensely dark, but I knew it was an Indian, and thought that somebody was about to be murdered. The object in the room made just noise enough to rack my brain, and then was perfectly still. I listened, and with hardly a particle of breath in my body, — I still kept listening, — until I actually fainted upon my pillow from excess of fear. Finally I slept, and my dre?ims were of blood, and blood only. The first peep of day, however, awakened me, when lo 1 directly at my side, flat on the floor, was a huge black Indian, breathing in his deep slumber like a porpoise. The first intelligence that I heard on going out of the door was, that one Indian had been killed during the night, and that another was at that moment in. the agonies of death. As may be sup- posed, I left the Red Wing village with pleasure. Lake St. Croix empties into the Mississippi, and its principal inlet is a river of the same name which rises in the vicinity of Lake Superior. This is the valley through which the traders and Indians have been in the habit of passing, for a century past, on their way from the western prairies to Lake Superior, and from the lake back again to the prairies. The river is only distin- guished for one waterfall- of uncommon beauty. The lake is aboijt twenty-five miles long, from two to five wide, and sur- rounded with charming scenery. The water ia clear but of a u ADYENTUBES IS THE WILDS OF NOBTH AMERICA. licli brown colour, and well supplied with fish, of which the trout 19 the most abundant. At the outlet of this lake, I visited another encampment of Sioux Indians, where I saw a noted chief, named Little Crow. He was a handsome man, but both his arms had recently been broken by a rifle ball, which was sljot by one of his own brothers, — who was envious of his station as chief. Asa punish- ment for his wickedness. Little Crow, in return, had ordered four bullets to be fired at his brother, which of course numbered him with the dead. I saw his new-made grave, and his youthful wife wailing over it, like one that was sorrowing without hope. From St. Croix tp St. Peter's, the banks of the Mississippi are steep, but only about one hundred t^nd fifty feet in height. The river is here studded with islands whpse shadowy recesses are cool during the hottest weather; — and a more delightfiil region for the botanist to ramble cannot be found elsewhere. The water is clear as crystal, aud its bosom is generally covered with water-fowl, from the graceful snow-white swan to the mal- lard and woodTduck. Isolated Indian wigwams are frequently seen here, pitched on the margii?. of the stream, and at the foot of vine-covered precipices. , But there are three landscape views connected with this por- tion of the Mississippi, whioh I thought quite maguificent. I witnessed them all diu'ing a single afternoon, and in the light of a mellow sunshine. The first was a rolling prairie, that faded away to the western sky until its outline was actually lost in the hazy atmosphere. Not a solitary tree did J. bejiold, but a sea of grass, that was delightfully relieved with flowers of every variety of shape and colour. Occasionally a breeze would pass across the scene, causing unnumbered tiny billows to quiver over the surface of mightier ones, which seemed to be careering on- ward to some unknown shore. Covering the foregrouud of this picture might be seen an immense flock of grouse, feeding, or chasing each other in sport; and then, an occasional prairie squirrel as it sat at the entrance of its hole ; while in the middle distance, a robber wolf glided over one of the ridges of the prairie, with his form pictured against the sky. The lone,' lost RED WING VILLAGE., 19 ;he trout pment of le Crow. recently his own < punisli- ered four eredhhn youthful 5ut hope. [ississippi in height. y recesses delightfiil elsewhere. y covered ) the mal- requently t the foot this por- ificent. I le light of that faded lly lost in lold, but a \ of every rovld pass uiver over Bering on- nd of this ceding, or al prairie he middle es of the lone/ lost feeling which possessed my heart, when I thought of the great prairie-world then lying before me, was composed of delight and melancholy, of confidence and tonucnting fear. Another picture which I witnessed from a commanding hill- top, was of an untrodden wilderness of woods, reaching to the extreme horizon on the north. Owing to my elevated position the forest-world appeared quite level, and, excepting one barren ledge, was without a single object to mar the monotony of th© scene. On that ledge, however, with the aid of my glass I could just*discem the dead body of a deer, with a black bear reclining at its side, as if sated with his feast; while in his neighbourhood were standing some thirty vultures in a state of delightful anticipation. The other scene to which I alluded, was witnessed from the lofty bluff that fronts the mouth of the St. Peter's river. Far beneath my feet glided the majestic Mississippi; — on my right stood the handsome and commanding barracks of Fort Snelling, surmounted by the stars and stripes; on my left, the naked peak of the Pilot's Nob, with a cluster of trading-houses at its base; directly before me, winding away like a mighty serpent between a multitude of islands, lay the deep and turbid St. Peter's river; and far beyond — far as the eye could reach — ^the prairie land, whose western boundary is the Rocky Mountains. The landscape was indeed glorious, and there was something to gratify my national pride in the flag that fluttered in the breeze; but when I thought of the business of th&t Fort and the end for which the people of the hamlet were living in the wilder- ness, the poetry of the scene was marred, and I longed to dive still deeper in the wild world which reposed so peacefully before me. ~ . IG AOVEiniJRES IN THE WILDS OF NORTH AMERICA. CHAPTER III. II '. 'I FALLS OF ST. ANTHON T. MocTH OP THE St. PbTeb's Rivxr. The hamlet of St. Peter is at the mouth of the St. Peter's river, and at the head of steamboat navigation on the Missis- sippi. My sojourn here has been interesting from many circum- stances. I feel that I am on the extreme verge of the civilized world, and that all beyond, to the ordinary traveller, is a mys- terious wilderness ; and every object which attracts my attention is made doubly entertaining by the polite attentions I receive from several gentlemen connected with Fort Snelling and the Fur Company. In this vicinity I first saw an extensive encampment of Sioux or Dacotah Indians, who have, within six miles of the Fort, no less than three large villages. This, as is well known, is one of the most peculiar and savage tribes of the north-west, and as I hap- pen to be here during their gala season, I have had an opportunity of being present at some of their feasts and games. On one occasion it was announced throughout the village that the Indians were to have a Dog Feast, in which none but the bravest and most distinguished of the warriors are allowed to participate. The idea that lies at the bottom of this rite is, that by eating a dog's liver the heart is made strong. The feast took place on the open prairie, in the afternoon, and was attended by about one hundi'ed men, while there must have been a thou- sand spectators. The first step in the ceremony waa^the Indians seating themselves in a circle around a large pol^ and devoting a few moments to smoking. Their only article of clothing was the clout, and their only weapon a long knife, while their heads were decorated with death trophies, and their bodies encir- cled by a belt from which hung all the scalps the wearers had i-ALLS OF ST. ANTHONY. ir: taken. Suddenly a whoop was given, and the whole pnrty com- menced dancing to the monotonous music of a drum. Then broke upon the ear the howl, and in a moment more the dying groan of a dog from without the circle of dancers. The carcass was thrown into their midst by a woman. A chorus of deafen- ing yells resounded through the air, the dog was immediately opened, his liver taken out, suspended to the pole by a string, and the dance resumed. A moment had hardly elapsed, how- ever, before the dancers, one after another, stepped up and took a bite of the yet warm and quivering liver. Soon as this was all eaten, another dog was thrown into the ring, and the same horrible ceremony repeated; and so they continued until the carcasses of several dogs were lying at the foot of the pole in the centre of the dancing crowd. Another human howl ascended to the sky, and the feast was ended. All the while the river flowed peacefully onward, and the mellow sunlight bathed in its own hues the illimitable prairie. I have also had an opportunity of witnessing in this region the Indian mode of playing ball. There is nothing exclusive in this game, and every male Indian who is sufficiently active may take a part therein. It sometimes lasts for several days, and when I witnessed it, was played by two companies or bands, of about one hundred and fifty individuals each. The balls used are formed of a deer-skin bag, stufied with the hair of that animal and sewed with its sinews. TiiC clubs are generally three feet long, and have at the lower end a sinewy netting, sufficiently large to hold the ball, and each player is furnished with one of these clubs. With these they catch and throw the ball, and though they are not allowed to touch it with their hands, it ia sometimes kept from once touching the ground for a whole after- noon. The station of each party is marked by a pole, on a line with which the players stand, just before beginning the game. The poles are usually about five hundred yards apart. The ball first makes its appearance midway between the parties, to which point p« most furious rush is made, and the object to be attained is, for the player to throw the ball outside his own line of standing. , ^ 18 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDS OF NORTH AMERICA. li I' i:' li The Olympic beauty of this game is beyond all praise. It calls into active exercise every muscle of the humah frame, and brings into bold relief the supple and athletic forms of the best- built people in the world. The only omamenta worn are paint covering the body, which, with the usual exception, id entirely naked. At one time a figure will rivet your attention similar to the Apollo Belvidere, and at another, you will actually be startled by the surpassing elegance of a Mercury. The sole music that accompanies the game is a chorus of wild clear laughter. The only drawback connected with it is the danger of getting your legs broken, or the breath knocked out of your body, which are calamities that frequently happen. There are not many particulars with regard to manners and habits wherein the Sioux Indians differ from their surrounding brethren. Living, as they mostly do, in a vast prairie region, their favourite and principal mode of travelling is on horseback, and, away from the larger river.s, you will find them possessed of the finest horses, which they love and protect with true Arabian affection. They are of course admirable horsemen, and very expert in hunting the bufialo. They are mo.st cruel and vindic- tive towards their enemies, and have, from time immemorial, been at war with their neighbours of the north and west; and their hatred of the white man seems to be a cherished emotion of their nature. Physically speaking, they are a noble race of men and women, but universally considered as the Ishmaelites of the wilderness. Speaking of those Indians, reminds me of their pictorial historian. Captain Seth Eastman. This gentleman is an officer in the army, and an artist of ability. He is a native of Maine, has been in the service about eighteen years, and stationed at Fort Snelling for the last five. All his leisure time has been devoted to the study of Indian character, and the portraying upon canvass of their manners and customs, and the more im- poi"tant fragments of their history. The Sioux tribes have attracted most of his attention, although he has not neglected the Chippeways ; and he has done much to make us acquainted with the Seminoles of Florida, where he was formerly stationed for several years. Excepting afewpaintings, which he has occasionally FALLS OF ST. ANTHOKT. 19 presented to his friends, all the rest are now in his posses- sion, and it was my good fortune to spend many agreeable hours admiring their beauties. The collection now numbers about fo .r hundred pieces, comprising every variety of scene, from the grand Medicine Dance to the singular and affecting Indian Grave. When the extent and character of this Indian Callery are considered, it must be acknowledged to be the most valu- able in the country, not even excepting that of George Catlin. But what adds greatly to the interest called forth by these pic- tures is the use to which they are to be applied. Instead of being used as a travelling exhibition to accumulate gold, this gallery is to be presented to a distinguished college, from which the artist will only demand the education of his children. There is some- thing in this movement so foreign to the sordid passion of our age, and so characteristic of the true spirit of art, that the heart is thrilled with pleasure when we remember the American soldier- artist of the wilderness. I have also had the pleasure of meeting, at St. Peter's M. Lamarre Piquo, the distinguished French naturalist from Paris. He has been in the Indian country upwards of a year, and is to remain some mouths longer. He is on a professional tour, col- lecting specimens in every department of natural history, and for that p\irpose is constantly wandering along the rivers, through the woods, and over the prairies of the north-west, v/'.th no com- panions but Half-Breeds or Indians. He seems to be a most passionate lover of his science, and the appearance of his tem- porary store-room or museum is unique and interestiTig. Here an immense buffalo stares at you with its glassy eyes, while just above it, pinned to the wall, may be seen a collection of curious beetles, butterflies, and other insects; then an elk and a deer will display their graceful forms, while at their feet will be coiled up the rattlesnake, the adder, and other frightful serpents ; here the otter, the beaver, the fox, the wolf, the bear, and othei native animals; there a complete flock of web-footed creatures, fi'om the wild swan and pelican to the common duck; here an eagle and hawk, a partridge and scarlet-bird ; and there, embalmed in spirit, a vast vai'iety of curious reptiles. M. Lamarre Piquo to ADVENTURES IN THE WILDS OP NORTH AMERICA. belonss to that honourable class of scholars whose labours tend to develop the glorious resources of our country, and among whom we find such men as Wilson, Audubon, Silliman, and Houghton, Among the natural beauties associated with St. Peter ought not to be forgotten Carver's Cave, the Cascade Waterfall, the Lakes, and the Pilot's Nob. The Cave is about four miles below, and was named after Carver, who was the first white man that explored it thoroughly; its Indian name however was Wahon- teebe, which means Dwelling of the Great Spirit. The entrance to it is on the brink of the river, five feet high and about twice as wide; and the arch within is not far from fifteen feet high and twenty broad. The bottom is covered with san