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13 Whew what a country! Timber 2 feet high to as high as you can see. here and there a Hut supposed to be inhabited from the fact that a small stream of smoke is seen issuing from a gimlet-hole in the roof. arrived at Hamilton at 1 1/4 O'clock P.M. stopped and took something they called dinner but it would not pass for anything more than an apology in Massachusetts. at 4 1/2 O'clock in London stopped to bait?. can't call it anything else. 9 O'clock P.M. at Windsor just across the river from Detroit. hustle about and get on board the Ferry-Boat and in 10 minutes we are in Detroit just in season for the Cars - "All Abord" and we are off on a night's ride. try to sleep. no go. some talking. some snoring. Babies squalling. Doves squeaking. all this with my being tired. Sleepy. nervous. unclear &c make it rich in the extreme. Wednesday Jany 16th Daylight appears and with it Michigan Woods. Swamps. Virginia fences. Shanties prairies. &c which sort of wake up my ideas and I feel encouraged. 1 O'clock P.M. at Chicago 1013 miles from Boston. Train starts for Rock Island at O'clock. conclude to go. jump aboard, are off for Rock Island this road runs through some of the most splendid prairie land in the western country extending as far as the eye can reach as level almost as a House floor. in some parts a little rolling just enough to make it look beautifully. then on the river banks very high bluffs which seem to rise almost perpendicularly. leaving a narrow strip on each side of the river of very rich farming land. arrived at Rock Island at 10 O'clock P.M. and stopped at the Island City Hotel one of the best Hotels west of Chicago. had a room with a Gentleman from New York who is going east after his family having located at Davenport just across the river he gives a glowing description of the country about here