Wednesday 28. At an hour before daybreak passed Pekin and the “Chicago Belle” aground in an island shoot, when she saw us coming she backed her Starboard wheel and blocked up the passage. When the Pilot of the “Maid” came near, he stopped his engine, and hailed them with his speaking trumpet requesting a passage, they answered <​inquired​> “what boat is that?” and was <​were​> told, “the maid of Iowa”, They replied “you can not pass, and we will see you all d—d and in hell first” The pilot saw a little vacancy <​opening​> in the willows of about 12 feet wide on her left and signalled for the Engineer to put on all steam, and drive <​drove​> her through this narrow channel and a small tow head about 15 rods, tearing the willows down on each side with the guards and wheelhouses; the Captain crying out all the time “stop her! “stop her! for God’s sake stop her! you will smash the boat to pieces!” When the boat had headed round the “Belle”, and was once more in deep water, the Pilot stopped the engine and asked the Captain “What is the matter?” The Captain was afraid, and said “My God you will smash the Boat all to pieces”; and was answered “all is safe, and we will go ahead”, leaving the “Belle” still aground in the channel. Then went to about 10 miles found and who had come from the horsemen, with an express, and instructing the Company to proceed to the mouth of Fox river; we took him on board and proceeded on our way

Thursday 29 Arrived at Peru at 10. AM; there met Wm F. Lane with an express from purporting that the company who had Joseph in charge had started from Fox River for , destined to run him through the by that route, and by that route and then into , as they had learned <​that​> their way by the was blocked up by the “maid of Iowa”, and for the Boat and Company to return to and there await further orders. We immediately turned round, and on arriving at the mouth of Spoon River, landed and with instructions to pursue their journey by land to .

About 1 P. M. again overhauled the “Chicago Belle” at the Grand Pass while they were wooding, they hailed us to inquire “if old Jo was on board” and were answered “it is none of your business” when another man on the <​Hurricane deck of the​> “Belle” shouted “Hurrah, Hurrah, for Old Joe Smith”. when [p. 2]