As we forded the Maquoketa he laughed at the settlers working at the timber, grubbing out stumps, burning off the logs, struggling with roots.
"Your ancestors, the Dutch," said he, "have been held up to ridicule because they refused to establish a town until they found a place where dykes had to be built to keep out the sea, though there were plenty of dry places available.

These settlers are acting just as foolishly.

They have been used to grubbing, and they go where grubbing has to be done.
Two miles either way is better land ready for the plow! Why can't every one be wise like us ?" "They have to have wood for houses, stables, and fuel," I said.

"I hope my land has timber on it." "The railroads are coming," said he, "and they will bring you coal and wood and everything you want.

They are racing for the crossings of the Mississippi.