RK-394

The Grove West Northfield Ill Nov 9 /57

Dear Cousin Nellie

I have really forgotten whether I wrote you last week or not - If I did this letter will be only a repetition of the other -

I returned home from my northern expedition two weeks or more since -

If you'll get an atlas you will see what route I travelled - The beautiful scenery on the upper mississippi is an old story and so, presuming me safe at St Paul, you must know I there found I could go to the Red River as I wished - Some Indian traders helped me to get a suitable outfit with a real Red River cart - a Red River cart is a curiosity - the whole is made of wood without a scrap of iron - the wheels are fully 6 feet in diameter

and being without tires have to be clumsy to be strong enough - But this huge uncouth machine is really a great institution and better for its work than the best waggon - it floats in crossing rivers - is easily drawn through marshes and may be safely tumbled down banks or overturned -

Having made my arrangements to go to Pembina in Northern Minnesota with a traders train of these carts I started off alone with but one companion to go a - couple of hundred miles into the plains where were several men living at the South bend of Red River -

Long time ago when I first could shoot a little and all the hunter in me was fully awake I used to fondly dream and hope that I would one day do just what I now did - After leaving St Paul I slept on the ground rolled up in my blanket, ate what game I shot with a little tea and crackers and travelled for days with no hum friendly human being in sight but my one companion - we even had the happiness to be in a little danger from Indians parties of whom made predatory

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attacts upon which companies on the same route we were travelling a short time before - I am naturally cowardly but I had formed a very poor opinion of Indian courage and as both myself, and companion were well armed and he an old voyageur though a young man - so we rather enjoyed the thing as it gave us an oppertunity for preparing for an attack every night without the trouble of resisting one - But it really was fun - I got to thinking of the Indians as a fine sort of game - and the more the danger of hunting the nobler the game in sportsmen's eyes - Fact is though - that the western Indians are a miserable cowardly race of whom an hundred could be put to flight by any ten armed whites of ordinary courage -

After reaching the South bend of Red River I remained there for a week when the train of carts came along, and leaving my quandom companion I joined the train and started for a long march across the northern plains ^{west of Red River} to Red River Settlement some distance north of the M. S. Boundry line - I finally

went to within a few miles of Lake winnepeg -

In crossing the plains we saw a few buffalo and I shot one - and in so doing performed a feat that astonished the old buffalo runners for they not used to see horses trained to a on a trotting course [illegible] were astonished when my old horse who happened to be a "three minute trotter" trotted me to the buffalo -

I found the killing of a buffalo a rather tame affair compared with what I expected Though mine was a wicked old bull who [page torn] even before I wounded him I felt quite safe as an hores back tis easy to get out of the way or to outrun one in pursuit -

After going to near Lake Winnepeg I returned by a new route on the East Side of Red River and across the head waters of the Mississippi - Through the most beautiful lakes imaginable

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and

I was quite successful in the legitimate object of my expedition - The study of the Natural History of the north Red River - and have also made valuable acquaintances and opened a way to go to Hudsons bay Lake Athabasca or the Saskatchawan River next summer -

I am off for washington in a week or so - Should have gone sooner but got a lazy fit and wouldnt work -

I heartily hope you have gotten another representation of Pearl River fauna - And if so please send [illegible] your specimens as soon as conveniant directed to me at Smithsonian Institution Washington -

Should Doctor may have been kind enough to make any collections for us please let his be forwarded with yours - the whole in one box if conveniant.

Please dont fail to send along every thing you have and dont hesitate to send in case you thugh think you have but little -