It deserves wider knowledge, and doubtless will have it hereafter,
for attention is now drawn to it in a very remarkable way.

"This lake, deep among the mountains, appears to have no outlet. What
it loses by evaporation, it regains from the little neighboring
streamlets and the heavy rains.

"Lake Kirdall covers about seventy-five square miles, and its level
is but slightly below that of the heights which surround it. Shut in
among the mountains, it can be reached only by narrow and rocky
gorges. Several villages, however, have sprung up upon its banks. It
is full of fish, and fishing-boats cover its waters.

"Lake Kirdall is in many places fifty feet deep close to shore.
Sharp, pointed rocks form the edges of this huge basin. Its surges,
roused by high winds, beat upon its banks with fury, and the houses
near at hand are often deluged with spray as if with the downpour of
a hurricane. The lake, already deep at the edge, becomes yet deeper
toward the center, where in some places soundings show over three
hundred feet of water.

"The fishing industry supports a population of several thousands, and
there are several hundred fishing boats in addition to the dozen or
so of little steamers which serve the traffic of the lake. Beyond the
circle of the mountains lie the railroads which transport the
products of the fishing industry throughout Kansas and the
neighboring states.

"This account of Lake Kirdall is necessary for the understanding of
the remarkable facts which we are about to report."