The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-09-29

In letter from Audubon, dated June
Goth, lS43, lat 40 10, n. 100 miles
above Fort Union, he gives the following
description of an animal which was shot
by one of his party. During a heavy rain
his companions took shelter under a large
tree, whilst he proceeded in search of
birds, &c. 81 had proceeded" says he,
"about 400 PAGES, when to my horror. !
heard not far from me, very singular
cry, in some measure resembling that of
a human being in distress, but much loud
er. For a moment did not know what
to do, having nothing with me but small
shot however | was determined to pro-
coed towards the spot from whence the
cry arose, and ascertain if possible what,
was the cause knowing from its continu
ance and loudness, that my companions
would be attracted thither. had not adj
vanced 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 play
ing, or fighting; they appeared TO be
Of enormous heights, when they stood on
their hind legs, which ! have ascertained
they continually sit on. remained
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
". Inactive spectators we could not re-
main-so determined therefore to attack
them, and as they then lay eXausted-l
thought if they were not too vicious, |
might procure one alive. Filled with
this intent, we advanced towards them,
and vixen near they both sprang up and
sat on their hind parts, with their fore
paws appraised, seeming to threaten de-
scent upou MS. One OF my companions
being somewhat afraid, shot one, and the
other bounded off with the most fearful
leaps. Another such an animal never
saviour Buffalo or mountain Elks, arr
nothing IN comparison, IN the scale o
worth. To give you proper description
will he to iiken it somewhat in shape Il
a Kangaroo, but varying in many parllcu
lars. 1t SITS on its hind legs the same
way, bd6y ,6t shaped in its abdominal re
gions the same ; its front legs or arms
are short, but armed with sharp claws
and they bound or jump with their hint
legs. They have a tail somewhat like
that of a sheep, about ten inches long
and round the middle of the body, they
have a ring or flesh about ~ inches wide
and s inches thick in the middle or centre
which produces a great quantity of oil
On their heads they have two horns very
| similar to the horns of deer, but n,
} more than 10 inches long--,he head is al
so shaped very like that of deer, am
has the same kind of teeth, but what i
more remarkable than all the rest, thei
) coat is of the most beautiful fur ever be
held, OF a dark drown color. The pro
+ portions Of the one we killed were YER
, great, it weighed to the best of our calcu
, ations, upwards of six hundred pounds
and it measured from the top of the hea
to the end Of the tail 0 feet and 4 in
4. ches, which appears to be their full grow
: size, We had no sooner killed this ono
than some Indians, attracted by the repoI
g of the rife, joined US. Our interprete
Y conyeEscd with them--,hey said that i