Launching the canoes. — Flat Mouth and White Cloud again. — An inspiring scene. — Farewell to Leech Lake. — Up the Kabekanka River. — Dinner at Lake Benedict. — Difficult navigation. — A peaceful haven. — Supper and contentment. — Lake Garfield. — Preparations for first portage. — Utter exhaustion. — Encampment for the night. — The cavalry column. — Lake George and Lake Paine. — The Naiwa River. — Six miles from Itasca. — Camping on the Mississippi watershed. — A startling discovery. — Rations giving out. — Ammunition gone. — Arrival at Lake Itasca[454]
CHAPTER XXXIX.
DISCOVERY OF THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
Short rations. — Empty haversacks and depleted cartridge-boxes. — Statement of Chenowagesic. — Captain Glazier's diary. — Vivid description. — Coasting Itasca. — Chenowagesic puzzled. — The barrier overcome. — Victory! the Infant Mississippi. — Enthusiastic desire to see the source. — The goal reached. — A beautiful lake. — The fountain-head. — An American the first white man to stand by its side. — Schoolcraft. — How he came to miss the lake. — Appropriate ceremonies. — Captain Glazier's speech. — Naming the lake. — Chenowagesic. — Military honors. — "Three cheers for the explorer"[465]
CHAPTER XL.
DOWN THE GREAT RIVER.
Voyage from Source to Sea. — Three thousand miles in an open canoe. — "Pioneers of the Mississippi." — A thrilling lecture. — The long voyage begun. — Mosquitoes. — Hunger and exhaustion. — The Captain kills an otter. — Lakes Bemidji and Winnibegoshish. — An Indian missionary. — Wind-bound. — Chenowagesic bids farewell to the Captain. — Pokegama Falls. — Grand Rapids. — Meeting the first steamboat. — Aitkin. — Great enthusiasm. — The new canoes. — Leaving Aitkin. — Arrival at Little Falls. — Escorted in triumph to the town. — "Captain Glazier! A speech! A speech!" — Lake Pepin. — An appalling storm. — St. Louis. — Southern hospitality. — New Orleans. — Arrival at the Gulf of Mexico. — End of voyage[476]
CHAPTER XLI.
RECEPTION BY THE NEW ORLEANS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.
Captain Glazier returns to New Orleans. — A general ovation. — Flattering opinions of the press. — Introduction to the Mayor. — Freedom of the City tendered. — Special meeting of the New Orleans Academy of Sciences. — Presentation of the "Alice" to the Academy. — Captain Glazier's address. — The President's Response. — Resolutions of thanks and appreciation passed. — Visit to the Arsenal of the Washington Artillery. — Welcome by the Old Guard of the Louisiana Tigers. — Pleasant memories of the "Crescent City"[490]