32 ROUND ABOUT CHICAGO 



know it all the way, in spots, from the fine farms 

 of Wheeling southward to Summit, whence, nearly 

 lost in the broad Outlet valley, it whimpers along 

 past Joliet, to find itself again, in the Illinois, 

 merged with the waters of the Kankakee. And 

 all the way, in spots, it gives charm and variety 

 to what would otherwise be a hopelessly monot- 

 onous region. 



We are greatly embarrassed on the Desplaines 

 because the river has two banks, and from either 

 bank we espy greater attractions on the other. 

 But at River Forest the big boy knows where 

 canoes are to be had. One will not hold us all, 

 but one is very useful as a ferry and to maintain 

 connection between the factions of our divided 

 house, for we generally fail to agree as to which 

 bank to follow. 



Sometimes we have several canoes, and then 

 we paddle miles up the river, past green open 

 meadows and upland farms on the one side, and 

 splendid natural woods on the other. Sometimes 

 there are woods on both sides and the curves of 

 the river shut us in before and behind. Pro- 

 tected from the wind, the placid stream makes a 

 perfect mirror, and trees and flowers and sky 

 encompass us above and below, as we paddle 

 on to the unknown regions beyond the bend. 



