32 KANSAS AND THE COUNTRY BEYOND.

rise of the lateral streams below Salina—the Saline, the Solomon and
others. Afterwards the overflowings of the “Smoky” prevented the
damage done by the smaller streams from being repaired. No bridges
were carried away. That over the Saline was saved by running a
train, laden with one hundred and fifty tons of railroad iron, upon it.

On Sunday the Smoky Hill began to swell rapidly, and continued to
rise steadily until Thursday, although on Sunday the weather had
changed, and become as dry and fine as I ever saw it. For several
days the flats in many places were covered from bluff to bluff. The
town of Salina was not overfiowed, but it stood on a large island.
Now for the results.

I have said that no bridges were carried away. The culverts were
but slightly damaged. Above Salina the track of the road was over-
flowed’ but a short distance, for it soon rises to higher ground. Be-
tween Salina and Junction City, a distance of fifty miles, over which
we passed on Saturday last, (having been shut in at Salina from the
Saturday previous,) some six or eight miles of ‘the track was or had
been submerged. In two places we ran through shallow lakes each
about a mile across, and in length the entire width of the valley from
bluff to bluff—perhaps two or three miles. It was romantic, although
by no means safe, travelling. A construction train preceded us, care-
fully examining and repairing as it went. I never saw men work so
hard, so faithfully and so cheerfully as did these. The main trouble
was that the waves, raised by the wind on these broad expanses of
overflowed water, washed the embankments and undermined the road-
bed; and in many places the track had to be propped up, although
yet submerged, with ties and blocks. Finally, when within four or
five miles of Junction City, the front passenger-car—the one I was
in—ran off the track; but as we were going very slowly there was no
harm done and no shock. The water was then about a foot over the
track. We all managed to crowd into the baggage-car, and the ma-
jority contrived to get something to sit upon.

While in the baggage-car, and all being pleased, grateful and in the
best possible humor, the Hon. John L. Thomas, of Baltimore, one of
our excursionists, proposed that the hearty thanks of the passengers
be tendered to EH. C. Smead, Hsq., the Resident Engineer of the road,
and to the men under his command, for the courage, skill and indom-
itable perseverance with which they had grappled with and overcome
the difficulties that beset our way. And in language less demonstra-
tive, but not less sincere, many uttered their acknowledgments to Him
who keeps us in all our ways. About nine o’clock we arrived safely
at Junction City.