Rossiter W. Raymond 



reaching California by way of Panama, 

 spent three months in preparing its 

 outfit and reaching its field. Many 

 times it seemed as if portions of the 

 scheme must be abandoned ; but the 

 leader's enthusiasm, energy and re- 

 source inspired his associates, and 

 made them invincible. At the end 

 of three years the work was not fin- 

 ished ; but its success and value had 

 been so. brilliantly demonstrated that 

 the period was extended to seven 

 years, by the unsolicited action of 

 Congress. 



An incident reported by Mr. Em- 

 mons illustrates the courage and de- 

 cision which belonged to King as one 

 "born to command. ' 



In 1868, during his field-work in 



of former appropriations in the continuance 



of surveys for a transcontinental wagon-road. 



Upon this modest beginning, King won both 



popular and legislative recognition of his 



great enterprise. 

 22 



337 



