And this is what the Evening Star then reported in its startling
article. "For some time past, the fishermen have noticed a strange
upheaval in the waters of the lake. Sometimes it rises as if a wave
surged up from its depths. Even in perfectly calm weather, when there
is no wind whatever, this upheaval sometimes arises in a mass of foam.

"Tossed about by violent waves and unaccountable currents, boats have
been swept beyond all control. Sometimes they have been dashed one
against another, and serious damage has resulted.

"This confusion of the waters evidently has its origin somewhere in
the depths of the lake; and various explanations have been offered to
account for it. At first, it was suggested that the trouble was due
to seismic forces, to some volcanic action beneath the lake; but this
hypothesis had to be rejected when it was recognized that the
disturbance was not confined to one locality, but spread itself over
the entire surface of the lake, either at one part or another, in the
center or along the edges, traveling along almost in a regular line
and in a way to exclude entirely all idea of earthquake or volcanic
action.

"Another hypothesis suggested that it was a marine monster who thus
upheaved the waters. But unless the beast had been born in the lake
and had there grown to its gigantic proportions unsuspected, which
was scarce possible, he must have come there from outside. Lake
Kirdall, however, has no connection with any other waters. If this
lake were situated near any of the oceans, there might be
subterranean canals; but in the center of America, and at the height
of some thousands of feet above sea-level, this is not possible. In