RED ROCK

camping-ground, situated on the east shore, on a level stretch of land six feet above the river at high water.  This tract is quite extensive, and for the most part free of any timber beyond a grove or two, all of which is now owned by the Methodist Association, and occupied by them annually as a camp-ground.

This same ground was formerly used by the Indians as a camp-ground on the assembling of the various tribes of the Dakotas in general council, or on grand holidays, celebrated by all the various national bands.  It derives its name from a rock, which is about six feet in diameter and nearly round, lying a few rods only from the river and in plain sight as the steamer passes.  This rock was mysteriously striped with red paint every year by the Indians, and was known by them as the Red Rock.  Long after the occupation of the country by the whites, the custom of painting it was regularly kept up while any of the race remained, and it still bears marks of their work.  No one ever saw them paint it, and it is believed the work was secretly done at night.  It was held sacred by them as the abode of some good spirit, and received a certain homage, such as these superstitious, polytheistic people were accustomed to render their gods.

CHAPTER IV.

ST. PAUL.

As seen from the deck of the steamer.—­The pleasant surprise it gives the visitor.—­Impressions regarding new places.—­The beauties of the city.—­The limestone caves.—­Pere Louis Hennepin.—­The population of St. Paul.—­Its public buildings and works.—­A park wanted.—­The geological structure of the country.—­St. Paul, the Capital city.—­Its railroad connections.—­The head of navigation.—­Impressions.

Our first visit to the Apostolic city was on the morning of one of those golden days in early autumn, any one of which might have inspired Longfellow’s little poem, “A Day of Sunshine,” they were so perfect.

The goodly ship on which we came was rounding a tract of low meadow-land, skirted by some forest growths, when suddenly the streaming sunlight was flashed back to us from the spires of the city of St. Paul itself, sitting like a queenly crown at the head of this noblest of all rivers.

All were surprised and delighted to find that, in the matter of its location and general appearance, it so far exceeded what our fancies had painted it.  No correct idea had been conveyed by any representation of it that we had ever seen, nor had any sketch sufficiently outlined it for the imagination to fill up; yet we were prepared to see a pretty city, though not looking for a grand one.  The view from the deck of the steamer, as the traveller approaches the place, is one of the best.  The river makes an abrupt turn to the westward, in front of the city, which is situated on the northern side of this elbow, immediately at the turn, with its face full southward down the river.  It would, after all, fail to be as imposing as it is but for its location, which is greatly elevated above the river, rising from it in irregular grades, with intervening tables, back fully a mile to the summit of the high bluffs forming the rear of the city.