Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1854-02-10
VOL. v.

z6th.-Still keeping near the Cubsn coast. Tie
country seems more rough and billy. In the even
ng, we passed the light b. use on Florida rccf Wind
2lst.-Roagh sea in the morning, but Gained down
during the day.
221.-Smooth sea ard pleasant weather. Since en-
sering the guIf-stresm, we have bcen making about
900 miles per day.
23d.-The wind freshening. In the evening 1t
came on to blow very hard and during tire night VIC
encountered the terrible gale which proved 90 dsas.
trcus 10 the Ill fated San Francisco and ether vessels
Really, 'twss terrible night, and 90 long but at
last morning dawned. Tie sun roee from the rough
and troubled hut his rays seemtd destitute If all
warmth. During the night we had been beating and
drifting about, without making much Roadway. The
engines were kept working just enough to keep from
drifting out to with the wind. The water coming
in through the hatchwsys and portfolios had pcne-
trated more less to all parts of the ship Movable
articles bad been pitched and repitched from side to
side, and were now mixed up in most admirable dis
order. The decks are covered with Ice, and tho wind
whistles and shrisks like mid-winter. The sea 10 a
wild world of huge, foam-crested waves. But I'll.
now daylight. and we are again blowing through the
waves. Al o'clock, p. H., we landed safely in New
York, eight days and two hours from San Juan Del
Norte, and twcnty-three days two hours from San
Francisco.
2stb.-fn the evening. at S o'clock, we left New
York on the E,ie road. The evening of the 9th We
reached 'he break" at Harl or Creek. Here, thanks
TO the kindness Of tie Ereites faint generally NJ
rresiatea by large class Of tie travelling community,
who don't know the real benefit OF eight miles staging
through winter storm, and consequently look only
on the dark side Of the picture and their comfort
I'VE bad the pleasure of stepping from the nice,
cars into twelve inch snow through which we waded
to miserable old rattle-trap called an omnibus.
When twelve were securely packed inside and " all
ready" set of on comfortless ride. Alongside
the road we're great fires of ties ard bridge tmbers,
around which the mobiles we're warming themselves.
In two hours reached Erie; hour later we were
gliding over tho "rail." little after midnight we
reached Cleveland, where we should have sup7ed.
Having failed to make the connections, We were
obliged to lay for the next express train, which
left at Oh. SON., A. NJ
2sth.-Dined in Toledo. IL, P. ~, arrived at Chi
c,go.
29th.-S1 o'clock, AN, We are moripg toward
Rock Island. K hours ride over rolling prairies
ami through groves of oak, TO-, with seting piano.
rama Of farms, houses, villages and thriving towns,
brings US to Gepesseo. Here supped then entered
one OF Frink q Co.'s eharots, fer moro primitive
mole Of travelling.
How we scattered! OF the 500 who we're to-
gsthsr few days ago. only friend Bob and yet
main. The last one left US at Lasalie How many
Of them win ever meet again? Late in the evenin g
We reached Rick Island, The beds were all filed.
We spread blankets and "turnel in on the floor
We had slept in worse placer.
So,h.-Ush! that cold Friday-when We had to
take turns riding on the box. 8, M, VIC rattle up
to tho "American," in Muscatine-familiar ground,
but many strange faces.
A few minutes, and am seated in q buggy, beside
friend Nc, with old Dick Z" in tbs traces, and we
are rolling ever the hills for homo. An teur and
half
Dear Reader
Mssissppi's green vale
II The land Of my choice.
EGoed-byc. VINE.