By this time Captain Glazier had become more than ever convinced, through conversations with Chenowagesic, that he was right in his preconceived opinion that Itasca was not the source of the Mississippi. He was also satisfied that Chenowagesic was pre-eminently fitted to aid him in discovering the fountain head, owing to the fact that he was thoroughly at home in that region, having hunted and trapped there for many years. So intense had become the Captain's desire not to return until he had thoroughly explored Itasca and the surrounding country, that it was with an anxious heart he now put the question to his companions: would they be willing, on such a limited supply of rations as they had remaining, to assist him in his explorations, or would they vote for an immediate descent of the river? To his great relief he found he had so completely inoculated them, or at least his brother and Mr. Paine, with his own ambition that with one voice they decided in favor of a thorough exploration. The Indians were soon persuaded to give their consent, and so, before retiring for the night, the entire party expressed their determination to stand by the Captain until he was satisfied that every effort had been made to discover the remotest springs in which the Great River really had its origin. [Illustration: Map Of Lake Glazier] 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." Captain Glazier had instructed his Indian guides to wake him early the following morning, July twenty-second; but when he himself awoke at six o'clock he found the remainder of the party still sound asleep, the toilsome portages of the preceding day having completely exhausted them. Rousing his companions, preparations were begun for breakfast, which consisted of a small piece of bacon and one "flap-jack" each. But the determination of the previous night had so inspirited all that the small dimensions of the breakfast were scarcely noticed, and the conversation turned upon the absorbing topic--would they discover a source of the Mississippi other than Lake Itasca?