p. 401

407-
[401]
1839.

take both is too take both is too bad.:

Very soon after I closed my last letter to you Mr. Kilbourne came around the hill riding his favorite Katey: he was soon followed by a troop of others carrying long poles [&c. &c.]. They really looked quite unique as they came riding along the road.

We soon commenced work: it was my duty to do the leveling. I have to talk at the top of my voice, such as this. "Up, up--halt--very light up--halt--fast--right [&c. &c.] We ran across Nemahbin lake on the ice, then coasting along Twin and Oconomowoc Lakes also on the ice, and along the creek to Hatch's Hills, thence across to the Big marsh, which extends to the Rock river. We have been more than a week on this endless morass. Its northern shore consists of bays and points of high land running into it which form the first real difficulty in locating a canal. These difficulties are easily overcome, however.

Our course led through some immense Tamarac swamps near the south bend of Johnson's Creek and Wingfield's Run. It would have done you good to see us winding about among the Tamarac, where we occasionally but making a miss-step, would sink into the mud and water three feet deep.

We shall finish this end of the line in a day or two and then return to the summit. There is a great deal of interest felt here in the question where the canal shall terminate on Rock river, every house is crowded with visitors all more of less interested in the question and all advocating their claims as the most suitable point. The great question will soon be decided.

We ran a Random level down to the river on Wednesday and gave three hearty cheers on reaching the waters of this beautiful river.