North America

BEWARE OF THE COUNTRY MECHANIC

The five hundred and sixty-odd miles to Buffalo had been covered with no trouble that delayed us for more than an hour, but our troubles were about to begin.

The Professor had still a few days to waste frivolously, so he said he would ride a little farther, possibly as far as Albany. However, it was not our intention to hurry, but rather take it easily, stopping by the way, as the mood - or our friends - seized us.

THE OLD STONE BLACKSMITH SHOP AT STAFFORD

It was Wednesday, August 22, that we left Buffalo. In some stray notes made by my companion, I find this enthusiastic description of the start.

"Toof! toof! on it comes like a gigantic bird, its red breast throbbing, its black wings quivering; it swerves to the right, to the left, and with a quick sweep circles about and stands panting at the curb impatient to be off.

IN THE MUD

The afternoon was drawing to a close, the rain had partially subsided, but the trees were heavy with water, and the streets ran rivulets.

Prudence would seem to dictate remaining in Le Roy over-night, but, so far as roads are concerned, it is always better to start out in, or immediately after, a rain than to wait until the water has soaked in and made the mud deep. A heavy rain washes the surface off the roads; it is better not to give it time to penetrate; we therefore determined to start at once.

IN THE VALLEY

On looking over the machine the next morning, Tuesday, the 27th, the large cap-screws holding the bearings of the main-shaft were found slightly loose. The wrench with the machine was altogether too light to turn these screws up as tight as they should be; it was therefore necessary to have a wrench made from tool steel; that required about half an hour, but it was time well spent.

The road from Oneida to Utica is very good; rolling but no steep grades; some sand, but not deep; some clay, but not rough; for the most part gravel.

THE SICK TURKEY

It was four o'clock, next day, when we left Albany, going down Green Street and crossing the long bridge, taking the straight road over the ridges for Pittsfield.

Immediately on leaving the eastern end of the bridge the ascent of a long steep grade is begun. This is the first ridge, and from this on for fifteen miles is a succession of ridges, steep rocky hills, and precipitous declines. These continue until Brainerd is reached, where the valley of Lebanon begins.

"THE COURT CONSIDERS THE MATTER"

In Pittsfield the machine frightened a lawyer, - not a woman, or a child, or a horse, or a donkey, - but just a lawyer; to be sure, there was nothing to indicate he was a lawyer, and still less that he was unusually timid of his kind, therefore no blame could attach for failing to distinguish him from men less nervous.

That he was frightened, no one who saw him run could deny; that he was needlessly frightened, seemed equally plain; that he was chagrined when bystanders laughed at his exhibition, was highly probable.

IN LENOX

There are several roads out of Pittsfield to Springfield, and if one asks a half-dozen citizens, who pretend to know, which is the best, a half-dozen violently conflicting opinions will be forthcoming.

Red Lake River - Grand Forks - The Ferry - Custom-house Officers at Pembina - Mud and Misery - Winnipeg at last - A Walk through the Town - A Hospitable Welcome - Macadam wanted - Holy Trinity Church - A Picturesque Population - Indians shopping - An "All-sorts" Store - St. Boniface and its Bells - An Evening Scene.

Lakes Smith and Howard - Lovely Lake Scenery - Long Lake - The Little American - "Wait till you see our Minnetaunka!" - Minneanopolis - Villa Hotels - A Holiday Town - The Great Flour-mills - St. Paul's - Our American Cousins - The French Canadian's Story - Kind-hearted Fellow-passengers - A New Way of Travelling together - The Mississippi - Milwaukee, the Prettiest Town in Michigan - School-houses - A Peep at Chicago - Market Prices - Pigs! - The Fairy Tales of Progress - Scotch Incredulity - Detroit Ferry - Hamilton - Good-bye to my Readers.

Summer Days - The English Cathedral - Icelandic Emigrants - Tableaux - In chase of our Dinner - The Indian Summer - Blocked up - Gigantic Vegetables - Fruitfulness of the Country - Iceland Maidens - Rates of Wages - Society at Winnipeg - Half-castes - Magic of the Red River Water - A Happy Hunting-ground - Where is Manitoba?