Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-04-25
nlisrrIIanrous Artitlrs.
REPUBLIC OF PRAIRIE DOGS.
BY wAsHINGToN IRvINe

prairie Jugs udu bSOA uioS"'NiS~ -
the level summit of hill, about a mile
from the camp. Having heard much OF
the habits and peculiarities of these lit
tie animals, / determined to pay a visit
to the community. The prairie dog is, in
/ fact. one of the curiosities of the Far
West, about which travellers delight TO
tell marvellous tales, endowing him at
times with something of the political and
social systems Of civil government and
domestic economy, almost equal to what
they used to bestow upon the beaver.
The prairie dog is an animal of the
cony kind about the size of the RABBIT
He is of a very sprightly, mercurial ma
ture, quick, sensitive, and somewhat pet
ulent. Is very gregarious, living in large
communities, sometimes of several acres
in extent, where innumerable little heaps
of earth show the entrance to the subter-
ranean cells of the inhabitants, and the
well beaten tracks, like lanes and streets,
show their mobility and restlessness.-
; According to the accounts given Of them,
they would seem to be continually full of
sport, business and public affairs; whisk-
ing about hither and thither, as if on
gossiping business to each others houses,
or congregating in the cool of the evening,
or after a shower, and gamboling togeth-
er in the open air. Sometimes-espe-
cially when the moon shines-they pass
half the night in revelry, barking or yelp-
ing with short, quick, yet weak tones
like those ofvery young puppies. 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 re-
mains blank and silent. In case they are
hard pressed by their pursuers, without
any hope of escape, they will assume a
pugnacious air, and a most whimsical
look of impertinet wrath and defiance.
Such are a few of the particulars
could gather about the habits of this lit
tie inhabitant of the prairies, who, with
his pigmy republic appears to be sub
ject of much curious speculation and bur-
lesque remark, among the hunters of the
West.
1t was towards evening that I set out
with companion to the village in ques-
tien. Unluekily, it had been invaded in
the course of the day by some of the
rangers, who had shot two or three of its
inhabitants, and thrown the whole sensi-
tive community into confusion. As We
approached, we could perceive number,
Of the inhabitants seated at the entrance
Of their cells, while sentinels seemed I,
be posted on the outskirts 10 keep a Iool
out AT the sight of US the picket guard
scampered in and gave the alarm, where
upon every inhabitant gave a sharp veil
or bark, and ran in his hole, his heel:
twinkling in the air, as if he had thrown
a summerSet.
We traversed the whole village, or re
public, which covered an area of abou
thirty acres, but not whisker of the in
habitants was to be seen. We probeC
their cells as far as the ramrods of on
rifles would reach, but in vain. Movin!
quietly to a little distance, we laid dow
upon the ground and watched for a lon,
time, silent and motionless. By and b
cautious old burgher would slowly pu
forth the end of his nose, but Instant
draw it back again. Another. at a great
er distance, would emerge entirely, bu
catching glance of Us, would throw
summerset, and plunge back again int
his hole. AT length, some who reside
on the opposite side of the village, takin
courage from the continued stiffness. woul
steal forth and hurry off to distant hole
the residence, probably, of some famil
connection or gossipping friend, abou
whose safety they were solicitous, or wit
whom they wished to compare notes abou
the late occurrences. Others still NOR
bold, assemble in little knots in the street
and public places, as if to discuss the re
cent outrages offered to the common
wealth, and the atrocious murderers c
their fellow burghers.
We rose from the ground, and move
ed forward to take nearer view of thes
public proceedings, when yelp! yeIp
yelp.-there was shrin alarm passe
from mouth to mouth the meeting SUD
denly dispersed; feet in twinkling j
the air in every direction, and in an II
slant all had vanished into the earth
The dark OF the evening put an end t
our observations, but the train of wbin
seal comparisons produced in my brair
by the moral attributes which l had hear
given to these little polite animals. sti
continued after my return to camp; an
late IN the night, as l lay awake after a
the camp was asleep, and heard in til
stiffness of the bo,,r q e..