Sometimes, in unusual floods, the waters reach the top of the embankment, and manage to fill the basin.

At the time of my visit, the Ohio was rising rapidly.

The inhabitants were alarmed, as the water was gradually gaining upon them.

After a time it took possession of the basin, enabling people to navigate the streets and front yards in skiffs, and exchange salutations from house-tops or upper windows.

Many were driven from their houses by the flood, and forced to seek shelter elsewhere.