* DETROIT TO CHICAGO. 315 



County has its capitol here, and in 1853 it was looked 

 upon as one of the most flourishing towns in Michigan. 

 It has not reached the predicted pinnacle of importance, 

 but it has a pleasant situation, some flourishing flour 

 mills, and is altogether a credit to the *^ Wolverines/' 



Ninetg-tljirir JDag. 



Potter House, 



Battle Creek, Michigan, 



August Twelfth. 



As soon as Paul was led out in front of the Witt 

 House at Marshall, a large crowd gathered about us; 

 and when I had taken my seat in the saddle, one of 

 the number stepped forward in behalf of the towns- 

 people to invite me to return at a time which had 

 previously been agreed upon and lecture on the heroes 

 of the Revolution. Giving them the best promise I 

 could, I hurried away as I had a good six hours' ride 

 before me. 



Since the day before there had been a decided change 

 in the weather. The sun blazed down with almost 

 tropical heat, drying up the roads and making my way 

 a veritable fiery furnace. I had a rare opportunity 

 for watching "Old Sol" on these solitary rides, as he ap- 

 peared unfailingly in the morning, swung through tiie 

 heavens, and vanished in the west at night. It was 

 now harvest time, and since that early day in May on 

 which I started westward, I had kept my eye on him 

 like a true worshipper, half understanding the pagan 

 with his devotion to Apollo, and half in sympathy 

 with the Indian who greets the Sun-god and weaves 



