384 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK, 



me his guest during my stay. I did not get a very 

 early start, as a family by the name of Horner, upon 

 hearing of my arrival, called at the hotel and at their 

 solicitation I made them a short visit. They knew 

 of my journey and interest in the Custer Association, 

 and being patriotic made this their reason for wishing 

 to meet me. Their friendliness was but another proof 

 of the hospitality of the people of Joliet, among whom 

 I had come the day before as a comparative stranger, 

 but whom I left with the kindliest of feeling. 



Before leaving, Mr. Conklin suggested that I ride 

 along the tow-path of the Michigan Canal from Joliet 

 to Chanahon, and I followed his advice, having din- 

 ner at the latter place. It happened that the inn- 

 keeper was well supplied with sweet cider and I helped 

 him to dispose of it by drinking the contents of six 

 well-filled glasses. Beyond Chanahon, on the Illinois 

 E-iver, I borrowed a hook and line of a farmer who 

 was fishing and caught twenty -three perch in half an 

 hour. 



At four o'clock I reached the summit of a hill on 

 the border of a prairie from which I could look off 

 for fifteen or twenty miles over a fertile country 

 through which two silver streams wound to unite just 

 below — the Kankakee here paying tribute to the Illi- 

 nois. The atmosphere was perfect — clear and pure; 

 the trees were tinged red and yellow with the first 

 frosts, and to all this was added the glory of the sun- 

 set which I lingered to admire before turning away 

 from so charming a scene. 



Such a view leaves a deep impress on the memory, 

 and stirs recollections of more youthful days. Emotions 

 like these have a purifying effect upon all men. 



