Page:History of the Ojibway Nation.djvu/361

 

CHAPTER XXXI.

 

OJIBWAYS OF THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.

 

Waub-o-jeeg, 2d, killed by the Dakotas at Mille Lac—Curly Head and Flat Mouth collect a war party to avenge his death—Attack on a Dakota camp at Long Prairie—"Strong Ground" first distinguishes himself for bravery—Dakotas evacuate the Long Prairie River country—Battle at Pembina between Ojibways and Dakotas—Son of the chief "Little Clam" killed—Revenge of the father—Death of Ta-bush-aw—Ojibway hunters congregate on the Red River—Extent of the border on which the warfare of the Ojibways and Dakotas is carried on—Origin of the name for Thief River.

 

Half a century since, there flourished as one of the principal leaders of the Ojibway warriors on the Upper Misissippi, a man whose name was Waub-o-jeeg, or White Fisher (namesake to the celebrated chief who, eighty years ago,^[1] led his people against the allied Foxes and Dakotas at the battle of St. Croix Falls). Waub-o-jeeg was a warrior of some distinction. He possessed much influence with, and was loved and respected by his people. His lodge was ever filled with the fruits of the successful chase, to which the hungry were always welcome. His social pipe was ever full, and the stem often passed around among his fellows. He was always foremost in defence of his people, when, as it too often happened, the startling war-whoop of their enemies fearfully broke on the morning stillness of their sleeping encampment! A successful and adventurous hunter, a brave and daring warrior, Waub-o-jeeg, who was ever foremost on the dangerous hunting grounds of the Dakotas, at last, in the prime of life, fell a victim to his courage.

A few years after the battle and massacre at Cross Lake, one summer, while encamped near Mille Lac, in company

 

1. A.D. 1852.