North America

THE MADDING CROWD

Any woman can drive an electric automobile, any man can drive a steam, but neither man nor woman can drive a gasoline; it follows its own odorous will, and goes or goes not as it feels disposed.

UP THE HILL

It was Saturday, the 14th, at nine o'clock, when we left New York for Albany, following the route of the Endurance Contest.

The morning was bright and warm. The roads were perfect for miles. We passed Kings Bridge, Yonkers, Hastings, and Dobbs Ferry flying. At Tarrytown we dropped the chain. A link had parted. Pushing the machine under the shade of a tree, a half-hour was spent in replacing the chain and riveting in a new link. All the pins showed more or less wear, and a new chain should have been put on in New York, but none that would fit was to be had.

MAKING READY TO START

The machine was just an ordinary twelve hundred dollar single-cylinder American machine, with neither improvements nor attachments to especially strengthen it for a long tour; and it had seen constant service since January without any return to the shop for repairs.

HOME

We left Buffalo, Saturday the 20th, at four o'clock for St. Catharines. At the Bridge we were delayed a short time by customs formalities.

In going out of the States it is necessary to enter the machine for export and return, otherwise on coming in again the officials on our side will collect duty on its full value.

"IS THIS ROAD TO - "

The trip was not premeditated - it was not of malice aforethought; it was the outcome of an idle suggestion made one hot summer afternoon, and decided upon in the moment. Within the same half-hour a telegram was sent the Professor inviting him for a ride to Buffalo. Beyond that point there was no thought, - merely a nebulous notion that might take form if everything went well.

THE RAILROAD SPIKE

A five o'clock call, though quite in accordance with orders, was received with some resentment and responded to reluctantly, the Professor remarking that it seemed but fair to give the slow-going sun a reasonable start as against the automobile.

"GEE WHIZ!!"

From Painesville three roads led east, - the North Ridge, Middle Ridge, and South Ridge. We followed the middle road, which is said to be by far the best; it certainly is as good a gravel road as one could ask. Some miles out a turn is made to the South Ridge for Ashtabula.

Birds of Passage - An Independent Swede - By Sleigh to Ostersund - A Son of the Forest - Burnt out - A Brave Canadian Girl - Roughing it in the Shanty - The Kitchen-tent - Blasting the Rock - The Perils of Nitro-glycerine - Bitter Jests.

We lose our Cows - Cahill promoted - Gardening on a New Principle - Onions in Hot-houses - Cahill is hoaxed - Martin the Builder - How the Navvies lived - Sunday in Camp - The Cook's Leap - That "Beautiful Skunk!" - Wild Fruits - Parting.

For Ostersund - Lake Lulu - Giant Rocks and Pigmy Mortals - The Island Garden - Heaven's Artillery - Strange Casualty at the Ravine - My Luggage nearly blown up - The Driver's Presence of Mind - How to carry a Canoe - Darlington Bay - An Invisible Lake - Lord and Lady Dufferin - A Paddle to the Lakes - The Captain's Tug - Monopoly of Water-carriage - Indian Legends - The Abode of Snakes.