The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-08-12


coed towards the spot from whence tn,
cry arose, and ascertain if possible, wha
was the cause, knowing from It's coniinu
ance and loudness, that my companions
would be attracted lhither. had no, ad.
vanced many PAGES to the left, verging on
the margin of the lake, before perceiv-
ed some animals moving among the trees
! approached very cautiously, and to my
surprise saw two beasts, engaged in play
ing Or fighting; they appeared TO be of e.
normous heights, when they stood on
their hind legs, which have since ascer-
tanned they continually sit on. | remain
ed watching them short time, uncertain
what to do, when to my great JOY my
friends came up being attracted by the
noise, and having some fears for my safe
ty.. Inactive spec tators we could rot re-
main-so determined therefore to attack
them, and as they then lay exhausted, |
thought if they were not too vicious,
might procure one alive. Filled with
this intent, we advanced towards them,
and when near. they both sprang up and
sat on their hind parts, with their fore
paws appraised, seeming TO threaten de-
scent upon us. One Of my companions
being somewhat afraid, Immediately shot
one, and the other bounced off with the
most fearful leaps. Another such an ami
NAL never saviour Buffalo or noun
tain Elks, are nothing in comparison, in
the scale of worth. To give you pro-
per description will be to likeni it some
what in shape TO "a Kangaroo, but vary
ing in many particulars. 1t sits on its
hind legs the same way, but not shaped
in the abdominal regions the same;its front
legs armed with sharp claws, and they
bound or jump with their hind legs. They
have tail somewhat like that of sheep,
about ten inches long, and round the
middle Of the body they have ring of
flesh about II inches wide and s inches
thick in the middle or centre, which pro-
duces a great quantity of oil On their
heads they have two horns very similar
to the horns Of the deer, but no more
than IS inches long-the head is shaped
also very much like that of the deer, and
has the same kind of teeth, but what is
more remarkable than all the lest, their
coat is of the most beautiful fur ever be-
held, of dark brown color. The pro-
portions of the one killed we're very
great, it weighed to the best of our cal
culations, upwards Of coo pounds, and it
measured from the top of the head to the
end Of the tail 9 feet 4 inches, which ap.
pears to be their full grown size. We
had no sooner killed this one, than some
Indians, attracted by the report of the ri
file, joined us. Our interpreter conversed
with them-they said that in these wood
lands these animals were in great abun-
dance. They called it in their tongue the
(Ke>ko-ka-ki,) or jumper; they feed on
grass. herbs and foliage. Upon ohserv-
ing US take off the skin, the Indians ex-
pressed desire to have some of the flesh
which we gave them. We cooked some
Of the same, and found it delicious, it
was very white and tender, tasted very
similar to veal, but the ring on the body
was nearly all oil, and the whole upper
part will produce great quantity. The
Indians took us to their huts or village,
which consisted of six. families; there
we saw no less than six of these animals
domesticated, two young ones, male and
female, which bartered some beads for,
and intend to send down 10 the fort by
the first opportunity.
| think, without doubt, in point of use
fulness and value, | may pride myself OF
surprising most of my compeers, in thus
bringing SO great discovery to Light
Every information respecting them,
shall endeavor to attain before leaving
here"