The Weekly register. (Ponola [sic] Panola, Miss.) 1843-1844, 1843-10-28
The Ke-ko-ka-ki: or Jumper.

say the least, whether as it purports TO
be from the distinguished American
Naturalist, MFR. Audubon. or not. 1t is
from the N. Y. Herald -
Latitude 40, 10 N June 90, 18I3,l
10 miles above Fort Union.
To Dr.. J. Buchman:-My Dear
end:-Itis with u transport Of pleas
ure that avail myself of this opportu-
nifty Of sending letter (by a hunter
going down to Fort Union) to impart the
qualification have experienced since
the date of my last, (at the Fort, 18th
inst.) | cannot but say that consider
all my tolls, troubles and travels in the
wilderness are fully and amply repaid
by the discovery Of an animal which
bids fair to become not only a valuable,
but domestic one
Yesterday, about 10 A. NJ, we saw
dark heavy clouds coming from tho
southeast, attended with heavy peaIs of
thunder and vivid lightning. when in
the distance, about a mile to the west
ward, we perceived large wood or
forest, on the borders of a lake, some
ten miles in circumference, towards
which a number of Eocks of birds were
directing their course. This led us
there, not for the mere purpose Of shell
ter: (ior That TO u man Of my pursuits
would be fcminne,) but that we might
be enabled among SO great variety Of
the feathered tribe, 10 procure some
thing in addition TO my stock. We had
no sooner arrived at the place described
than it rained in torrenls-my com
panions placed themselves under shell
ter of a large tree, while myself, too
we'll aware of the abundance before me
of that, which | have so long made my
study, sailed forth with my fowling
piece, with the lock we'll protected from
the rain. | had proceeded the distance |
Of four hundred PAGES, when to my hor-
ror, | heard not far from me, q very
singular cry in some measure resem-
bling that ola human being in distress.
but much louder. For a moment, | did
not know what TO do, having nothing
with me but small shot; however, was
determined to proceed towards the spot
from whence the cry arose, and ascer-
tain if possible, what was the cause.
knowing from its continuance and loud
ness, that my companions would be at
tracted thither. | had not advanced
many PAGES to the left, verging on the
margin of the lake, before | perceived
some animals moving among the trees.
approached very cautiously, and to
my surprise saw two beasts engaged in
playing or fighting; they appeared to
be ofenormous heights,whcn they stood
on their hind legs, which have since
ascertained they continually sit on. |
watching them a short time,
uncertain what 10 do, when TO my great j
oy my friends came up, being attracted
~ the noise, and having some fears /
or my safety. Inactive spectators we c
could not remain; so determined there c
ore TO attack them, and as they then '
ay exhausted, thought if they were
lot too vicious, | might procure one a K
i've. Filled with this intent we adyan-
ed towards them, and when near, they
10Th sprang up and sat On their hind L
'arts, with their fore-paws appraised, u
eemlng to threaten descent upon US 4
)ne of my companions being somewhat {
fraid, Immediately shot one, and the 9
Their bounded OF with the most fearful s.
caps. Another such animal never .
aW-your buffalo, or mountain elks. l'
re nothing in comparison, in the scale D
worth. To give you a proper de- u
cription will be TO liken it somewhat Il
shape TO a Kangaroo, but varying in n
ANY particulars. 1t sits on lis hind IN
'gs the same way, but not shaped in u
lie abdominal regions the same; its NJ
ont legs or arms are short, but armed DC
18th sharp claws, and they bound or bJ
mp with their hind legs. They ha:e br
tail somewhat like that of a sheep, a ia
'ut ten inches long, and round the
idle Of the body have ring of flesh :
'out twelve iaches wide and eight -
ches thick in the middle or centre, -