The clerk of the hotel told me that the best route was by way of Albany, the canal, the Great Lakes to Chicago; that when I got there I would likely find a boat or stage service to Jacksonville.

I could leave at noon for Albany if I wished.

Accordingly, I made ready to do so.
I was entranced with the river boat.

It was longer than the _Columbia and Caledonia_.

And it was propelled by steam.