388 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK. 



ping aside in equine dignity to allow a drowsy or 

 pugnacious porker to pass. 



As I had determined to reach Ottawa by nightfall, 

 I was compelled to ride nearly all day in a drizzling 

 rain which at noon was followed by a heavy thunder 

 shower. This I took advantage of by stopping at 

 Seneca for dinner, and then pushed forward. Was 

 forced to halt again at three o'clock on account of rain, 

 and being near a farm house was invited to "come in'/ 

 while the good people took care of my horse. 



Overtook a troop of boys on horseback near Ottawa 

 and had their lively company into town. There I 

 met an old acquaintance — Mr. Kean — who was among 

 the first to greet me. My time was passed pleasantly 

 here, and I would do injustice to the proprietor of the 

 Clifton were I to forget the many courtesies politely 

 extended to me while his guest. 



(Due jjii^^i'^^i cini Sljirtg-tljirii JDag. 



Harrison House, 



La Salle, Illinois, 



September Twenty-first. 



Left the Clifton House, Ottawa, at tw^o p. m. The 

 weather was still in an unsettled condition which 

 obliged me to make my way as best I could between 

 showers in order to keep my lecture appointment at La 

 Salle. I considered it fortunate that my route was 

 now along the west bank of the Illinois, a stream in 

 which I had long been interested owing to the impor- 

 tant part it played as a convenient and favorite water 

 course for the early explorers of the Valley of the Mis- 



