DETROIT TO CHICAOO. 339 



yacht; but finding the little craft unequal to the heavy 

 waves which were rushing in from the north, I soon 

 turned back, having gained by the venture a better 

 idea of the dunes and of their extent as they stretch 

 along the western shore. 



The fact that they are "building upon the sand" 

 gives the people of Michigan City very little concern, 

 probably because they know there is terra firma some- 

 where beneath their foundations. 



Ames College occupies a site here, and the Car Shops 

 are important and extensive. 



Dicncombe House, 



Decatur, Michigan, 



A ugust Twen ty- eighth. 



Taking an early train, I returned to this place in 

 the morning, where I had decided to remain for a few 

 days in order to allow more time for the treatment of 

 my horse, and to give my brother and Babcock an 

 opportunity to insure a full house at Farwell Hall, 

 Chicago, where I was announced to lecture on the 

 eleventh of September. 



I had begun to fear that the irritation on PauVs 

 back would develop into that most disgusting and 

 painful disease of horses known as fistula; and al- 

 though he never showed any impatience, I had not 

 the heart to ride him while in this condition. 



My quarters were quite comfortable at the only 



hotel in town, and I thanked my stars that I was not 



stranded in some little backwoods place with the choice 

 17 



