New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-11-26

tbe tress CT rote close upon their shores vhlr noW
and then, along the narrow portage paths ieading
from one ~ another, We would see Indians carrying
their birch canoes, with whom Jack would inter-
change friendly word. As we became more
familiar, Jack gave me some interesting particulars
of his former life in ttese forests Of the North
in which ne was born and has always Lved.
Through all this region well as about Cro"
Wing, LO one is better known than JACK buDgo
He was for many years in the employment Vi Tue
North. Western Fur Company, and while 80 engaged,
90 well while trading for himself, be MADE ni,nssh
acquainted with the entire country between LAKE
Superior AID the Red River Of the North, IN any
part Of which he is quite At home. de knows al
the Cbippewas, and is known and trusted oy all, ana
can trace with them and collect furs WIN moie
success than perhaps any ha-breed or white man IN
the Territory. Many remarkable stores are toio ol
jacks achievements as a rOydgeW-oi MS 1ong last
iDgs bis rapid marches, rather trots, Tor great
distances. and Of bis pack-carry'Dgs through ue
wilderness. His extraordinary physical strength
was considerably impaired some years ago, "nen ne
was shot in the hips by the Sioux. the natural enc
mics of the Chppewas but be is sill man OF unu
tual vgor and power Of endurance. Jack lives now
at Leech Lake with his sq1aw and famDy ana
chiefly employs himself in trading among tne
indiana. He draws payment from Government oy
virtue of his Chippewa blood, and as half breed,
who has adopted the habits and customs OF clvll'
zat 3D." exercises the right of suffrage, OF which ne
is not little proud.
night, / awoke with decided feeling Of coldness
The wind was roaring through the pines, the hre
was quite low, and my blanket was sprlnkled
with a white substance which / unwllhngly dis
covered 10 be snow. rebuilt the FIRE. and nesting
still cl ser to il, soon slept soundly again. In the
moiDirg Oct le), we found four inches of snow on
the gr0upd but in a few hours the sun appeared,
and The snow sparkling in its light contrasted brl.
lisnty with the rch green Ct the p'nes In the a.
ternoon, when we were within ten miles of Leech
Lake, our wagon, which had feared would not sur.
yiye the trip suddenly and irreparably broke down.
Jack and mounted one each of the hOrees, aud
Robert, with pack on his back, prepared to walk
bt hind US TO our destination. Dugal, who was too
iDfirm TO walk we left by the road SIDE having tirst
built fire for him. and left him fuel enough to make
him comfortable till morning, when Jack promised
to send for him. As We rode away the poor fellow
wished US a sad Dos soir," and crouching before
the fire, heard him Sigh - Paurre Dugal! toi, ia
rie est dnre." Riding on we overlook two OF teams
toiliDg slowly along. One contained stock OF pro-
yisions surmounted by large canoe the other car
ried the family Of the Rev. Mr.. Lafferty, Baptist
missionary stationed at WinibigOshsh Lake; and it
was Mr. Lafierty himfef who, with his staff in
hand, and flowing beard, walked by the side of the
teanster. He told us that in the cold and exposure
of the previous night his youngest child had died,
and be was pushing on TO reach the Lake aud the
shelter Of roof for the coming night. could not
help feeling and expressing my Indignation That the
selfdenial ard tribuaton of thu missionaries in this
region should meet with go slight return on ac-
count of the remssness Of Government in protecting
the INDIANS from the depraylng influence OF the
whisky traders. ibis feeling became more acute as
We rode by the half finished buildings of the EpiscO-
pal Mission, which stand tenantless on the shore OF
the Lake, and from which the Rev. Mr.. Brock was
driven in the Summer by repeated hostile manifesto
tiOps on the part of Indaus under the sway OF
traders, who are determined that none shall remain
at the Lake whose religion or humanity prompts
him to war against their damnable traffic.
We came out upon the Lake just at sunset. A
high bank Of inky cloud in the west cast heavy
shadow upon its waters which looked dark and
angry as they surged upon the shore. The snow
which covered the ground added to the wntry aspect
of the place, but while felt the depressing effect
of the scene the sun suddenly flashed out from under
the MACS of cloud and the cress OF the waves, the
stems of the pines the white birch wigwams every.
thing seemed touched with magic lurid light. l
thought at once of Tennysons lines:
And wildly dashed on tower and tree
The sunbeam strikes along the world"
followed Jack as he rode to the entrance of the
largest wiewam or lodge in the village, and dis.
mounting with bin, we at once entered. Here
was forcby struck with trait IN the Indian char
s0uaw nor an, of his four young children, nor any
of the half a dozen Indians and half breeds in the
lodge manifested the slightest emotion or ute Fed
the slightest sound although Jack had returned I'M
txpectedly soon 1t was not till after supper which
was lust ready as we came in, that ything like
conversation commenced. Then, as We all eat about
the FIRE, with our pipes, Jack rected at length, in
animated Indian talk, and with dramatic gesture,
the incidents Of the trip, and for the frat time
Ia; Ian I.ud andm
Jacks lodge is about twenty feet square, aud is
constructed of broad sheets of white birch bark,
neatly sewed together with a thread of some wild
viDe or of the slippery elm bark, and resting upon
a frame of light tamarack poles, which again are
supported upon heavier posts Of the same wood.
Outside ALTO is frame Of light poles resting upon
and against the bark VALE. and keeping them in
or five inches from the ground, is extended along
two opposite sides of the lodge, covered with mat
ting, upon which are spread blankets and quilts for
sitting lOuDgiDg or sleeping. AT the two ends are
the entrances, over which blankets are hung for
DOORS and in the middle is the fire, with the pot
kettle susptn sed ever il from a rough frame, and
with its cloud Of smoke escaping in part through
opening in the roof, and in part dfusng itself
through the room, with titstlDg or choking effect
upon the nostrils or throats of the nmates Beside
the ordinary central fire, Jacks lodge is also
warmed by an alright stove, somewhat dapidated,
but GOOD for another Winter. Jacks children are
three bright girls aud one boy The two eldest girls,
Jack told me with no little pride, have been at
school at Belle Prairie fourteen miles below Crow
Wipe), and can read and write. But it was in the
boy that he evidently took the most delight; him he
hell on bis lap while be smoked his pipe, and him
he wrapped up in his own blanket, and held in his
arms, when be lay down to sleep for the night
To me certainly rest was very welcome after our
rough ride, and as did not expec: to repOse again
under roof for at least week, was glad TO pre-.
pare my self for my canoe voyage by profOuhd
sleep, Jack making me very comfortable with bag
Of -four for my pillow, and two heavy blankets and