An interval of literary work.--Conception of another expedition.-- Reflections upon the Old Explorers.--Indian rumors.--Determined to find the true source of the Great River.--Starting on the eventful journey.--Joined by his brother George and Barrett Channing Paine.--Collecting materials for the expedition.--Brainerd the first point of departure.--Through the Chippewa country.--Seventy miles of government road.--Curiosity its own reward.--Arrival at Leech Lake 437 CHAPTER XXXVII HOME OF THE CHIPPEWAS. An aboriginal red man.--A primitive hotel.--A native of the forest.--Leech Lake.--Major Ruffe's arrival.--White Cloud.--Paul Beaulieu and his theory about the source of the Mississippi.--Che-no-wa-ge-sic.--Studying Indian manners and customs.--Dining with Indian royalty.--Chippewa hospitality.--How the wife of an Indian Chief entertains.--Souvenir of Flat Mouth.--Return of Che-no-wa-ge-sic.--A council held.--An Indian speech.--"No White Man has yet seen the head of the Father of Waters."--Voyage of exploration.--Launching the canoes 444 CHAPTER XXXVIII EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY. 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.