He invited a large number of guests, among whom were the woman and her husband, to assist at the function.

Afterwards the party were to picnic at a pleasant wooded spot some three-quarters of a mile from the first lock.
"The ceremony of flooding was to be performed by the woman, her husband's position entitling her to this distinction.

Between the river and the head of the cutting had been left a strong bank of earth, pierced some distance down by a hole, which hole was kept closed by means of a closely- fitting steel plate.

The woman drew the lever releasing this plate, and the water rushed through and began to press against the lock gates.

When it had attained a certain depth, the sluices were raised, and the water poured down into the deep basin of the lock.
"It was an exceptionally deep lock.