Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-11-05
A REPUBLIC OF PRAIRIE DOGS.

REPUBLIC OF PRAIRIE DOGS.
On returning from our expedition in
quest Of the young Count, | learned I
that burrow, or village, as ii is term
ed, Of prairie dogs, had been discover
ed on the level summit Of hill, about
mile from the camp. Having heard
much of the habits and peculiarities Of
these little animals, determined 20 }
pay visit TO the community. The |
prairie dog is, in fact, one Of the curl
osities OF the far West, about which |
travellers delight TO tell marvellous tales, /
endowing him al times with something
of the political and social habits of
rational being, and giving him systems
Of civil government and domestic econ
omy, almost equal TO what they need
to bcstow upon the people.
The prairie dog is an animal of the
concy kind, and about the size OF rab-
bit. He is Of sprightly mercunal ma
ture, quick, sensitive, and somewhat
petulant. He is very gregarious, living
I IN large communities, sometimes of
several acres in extent, where innumer-
able little heaps of earth show the en-
frances TO the subterranean cells of the
inhabitants, and the well beaten tracks,
4 like lanes and streets, show their mobil-
ity and rcstlessness. According TO the
accounts given Of them, they would
seem TO be continually full Of sport, bu-
siness and public affairs; whisking about
hither and thither, rs II on gossIpping
visits TO each Others houses, or congre-
eating in the cool of the evening, or al
ter shower. and gambolling together
in the open air. Sometimes, especial
ly when the moon shines, they pace
half the night in revelry, barking or
yelping with short, quick, yet weak
tones, like those of very young pup
pies. While in the height of their
playfulneSs and clamor, however, should
there be the least alarm. they all vanish
into their cells in an instant, and the
village remains blank and silent. In
|, case they are hard pressed by their
J pursuers, without any hope of escape,
they will assume pugnacious air, an d
a most whimsical look of impotent wrath
, and defiance.
!, Such are iew ofihc particulars that
, could gather about the dome site econ
/ omy of this little inhabitante Of the prai-
RE, who, with has pigmy republic, APP
} pears 20 be a subject OF much whimsi-
, cal speculation and burlesque remarks,
4 among the hunters of the far West.
II was towards evening that ! set gu,
/ with companion. 10 visit the village
] in question. Unluckily, il had been
4 invaded in the course Of the day by
S some of the rangers, who had shot tw q
= or three Of It's inhabitants, and thrown
e the whole sensitive community in con-
$ fusion. As we approached, We coulc
perceive numbers Of the inhabi,ant
? seated at the entrances of their cells
Y while scntnels seemed 10 have been
e posted on the outskirts, To keep a looL
out. At sight Of Us, the picket guards
o scampered in and gave the alarm
: wheTeupon every inhabitant gave a
, short yelp or bark aud Owed into BIZ,
hole, his heels twinkling IN the air as il
D he had thrown a somerset.
We traverscd the whole village, OF
E republic which covered an area Of aoou,
e thirty acres; but not whisker OF an in-
habitlnt was TO be seen. We probcd
/ their cells as far as the ramrods OF our
y rifles would reach, but could uncarth
o neither dog, nor owl. nor rattlesnake
y Moving quietly 10 little distance. We
lay down upon the ground, and watch.
II ed for a long time, silent and notion
! less. BY and bye, a cautious old bur.
e Cher would slowly pm, forth the end
J.. Of his nose, but instantly draw It ~ a.
= gain. Another, at a greater distance
e would emerge entirely. but catching
e glance Of Us, would throw a somerset
d and plunge back again into his hole
e AZ length some Who resided on a.,
r opposite side of the Village taking c1ur
e ase from thc continued stiffness, voUi,
e steal forth, and hurry OF 10 a disian
e hole. the residence possibly Of son,
q family connection, or go,sipping fren'
about whose safety ibcy we're solici.ous
l.. or with whom they wished 10 oOmpau
notes about the late occurrences.
1 Oths still more bold assembled u
= little knots IN the street. and public pls
d, ces, as " tO discuss the recent o. age
!, offered 10 the cOmmonWe N and III
m atfocious murders Of their fellow bur
l. gheu.
l. We rose from the ground and move
~ forW ard, 10 take q nearer view of ihes
a, public proceedings. when, yelp' yelp
- yelp there waa a shull alarm passe
~ from mouth 30 mouth. she meeting sud
sr denly dispersed feet tvinklsd in N
N AR IN every direction, and ia an inslar
IA ell had vanished into The earth.
m The dusk q the evening put 81 en
DO TO our observations. but the train
70 whimsical comparisons produced IN m
BRAN, By the moral sttrbutes which