Year: 1872

The Descent Of the River Begun.


CANOE DOLLY WARDEN, UPPER MISSISSIPPI


FIVE MILES FROM LAKE ITASCA, June 10, 1872.


The forests and hills surrounding Lake ItasCs
unite In forming the widest scenery In the United
States east Of the Yellowstone River. Never until
one has visited the Itasca region can he fully CON-
prehend how intimately may be associated hills
and valleys, forests, arid deserts and meadows
Of undulating grass lakes, swamps, rivers ana
nOating b0gs. or to the west are the plains .
which, extending to the Red River ana be-
yOnd, will some day be the gardens
Of the great Northwest but the Itasca
region is doomed to be unvisited by the superficial
tourist until the end Of time. The settlers at White
Earth had lately been greatly exercised over the
loss of of their oldest timber cruisers. AS long
as he had kept away from the Itasca forests he had
returned In safety to his neighb0rs, but when ho-
had at last resolved to push into the very heart Of
the region In quest Of new pine lands.
he had never since been heard from.
More than six weeks had passed, ind tho
most hopeful had al shaken tnsr naa:;s
with th2 remark. "It's .n Al. up with old pete,w
throughout our trip the guide and Indian had bees
very Jealous In their EFFORTS to discover traces Of
the old woodman but both gave it as their opinion
.'ia5 this man, who had passed forty years Of his
life in the woods locating pine lands, must have
lost his way ana found his death in the almost i'm
penetrable forests Of the Itasca region. They
said that he never could have been lost any
where else on the globe, and both agreed that he
had perished from starvation after fruitless at
tempts to "get out Of the wilderness" There war
not human habitation within four days walk by
the most direct route game was very scarce, ana
>the nsh resolutely refused to be taken. These.
then, are forests primeval, and civilization wild
never unmask them.


ALONE ON THE ITAscA sHoRE.


The Dolly was prepared for the Journey back TO
this point. at which the camp for tho night had
been resolved upon. The game was taken charge
OF by the guide, and the crew was left alone on
the banks Of Lake Itasca. The guide and Indian
were ordered to proceed, and the crew was con-
fident that he could find his way back to camp be-
fore dark. The stiffness was somewhat oppressive.
but the thoughts which crowded through the brain
as the last rays OF the evening sun faded from
the unrufiied surface OF the lake could
not be other than happy The labors OF
the day had crowned the expedition with
success, and the HERALD as usual, had not been
"beaten." IL WAS pleasant to contemplate the
small stream at the lett as it made It's way from tho
lake, and TO think n its majesty at St. Louis This
was the stream which was TO be followed by canoo
and steamer for loo miles-from its source to the
Gulf OF Mexico. The voyage to ST. Louis by canoe
would comprise forty-fve days; while from thar
point steamers would convey the crew and craft
first to New Orleans and thence to New York.


THE CHARM OF CIVILIZATION.


The shores OF Lake ltasca lacked only one ele-
ment to render the scenery thoroughly enjoyable
nestled upon the hillside, with the attendant groups
of ladies and gentlemen taking sherry cobbers and
accompaniment this rudmcntary vest,ge of
nascent civilization, this lake, exhaling the air
OF quiet leisure, would have harmonized. This was
entirely wanting, and the crew, as he gaZed out In
the evening sunlight the beautiful hill-encir-
ced lake, the waters OF which in gentle rippes
laved the beach at his feet regretted that SO any
Of his fellow countrymen were at that moment IAN
gudy breathing the air OF Long Branch or New
port, or retreadng for the hundredth time the
kills.


LOST IN THE FOREST


After completing sketches and a man OF the lake
the crew began the trip TO the present camp lie
had fully nve miles to traverse through the route
described IN former letter. The trip was readily
portage was to be made through the windfai. Tho
trees blazcd In the morning were found and the
direction was taken. After entering the windfall.
az 1t was impossible to follow the river bank
at that point, the crew strayed of too
ing again upon the nice bank at the end OF the port
age, he came out among the tamaracs and scrubpy
the mis- Seeing the and NOT 0@ enS se9
particular uneasffess as yet, the crew turned about
to the eastward al, and l. hurried onward It was in,
clouds. The crew hurried forward, now
IHiln8 WIFI TOtten llnD ana then
sinking into bog hole. To add 10


TIRE GLOON OF THE SCENE


and the discontinue Of the crew, the clouds soon
ing. After few instants OF intense listening. i'm
which the crew had immagined that he heard the
guide answer his halloo, the only sounds
which greeted his ears were the moan
ing OF The wind and the pattering of the
rain. The guide on the journey to the lake had
pointed out several trees clearly marked by the
claws OF bear, and the remembrance OF these
trinDg facts did not tend to render the crew anv
more coutented. He would have fired the pistol
which he carried In his belt, but through careless.
ness II contained only one cartridge. The prospect
OF being let entirely without weapon was not to
be entertained. The important question then be.
came o quandary:-W0ud IL be wise to try
tSo, 70 ma do,nt the camp - or to remain AT
tnat point ana trust TO attracting the
attention OF tho guides BY frequently haooing,
Ihe latter method was adopted, but after scream.
ing until hoarse the crew as suddenly abandoned
passed, and that there was little hope Of finding II
before morning. The prospect Of sleeping withou.
blankets, alone In the woods with the rain falling
was very unpleasant. The crew hurried In the
direction OF the river, and soon reached Its banks
At that moment guh was hoard away back in tho
direction rom which he had come, and the crew.
rounding the brow Of q small hill lust ahead
6f him, saw = camp fire. There Law his black
knapsack and the Dolly rep0sed near by The
camp was deserted, however. II was only the
work OF ON instant to fire the pistol The cartridges
were soon got out OF the knapsack and the
firing continued. After some time the voice
OF the guide was heard, aud no and The In.
dian soon appeared. They had become alarmed