These were astonished when Boyton appeared on the morning of February 6th, equipped for the dreary voyage, and he was given an enthusiastic send off.

His progress the greater part of the first day, was slow, owing to, the blocks of floating ice.

At Black's Riffles he struck on a rock, with such force as to turn him completely over and almost knock him senseless.

Fortunately his dress was not punctured by the blow and he continued the journey to Emlenton, forty three miles from Oil City, where, on account of the accident and the fact that he was almost frozen, he decided to remain over night instead of rushing on to Kittanning as had been his intention.
At all towns he passed, crowds of people lined the banks and offers of hospitality were numberless.

There was great rivalry between some of the towns as to which would get the voyager to stop off, and the arguments used by the inhabitants to induce him to favor them, were very funny.