The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-01

goou "ioe one well covered with a luxurian
growth OF succulent grasses. The soil is com
posed OF rich alluvial deposits, and well adapte,
to agricultural purposes. The next morninp
at the usual hour, general call was sounded
the tents we're struck, and the command mad
q days march, moving over on the WASN'T.
river. The same remarks / made about Came
creek will apply to the Washita, exceptin,
that everything here is on a more EXTENSIVE
scale. The river is a crooked, rapid runnin,
stream at this point, conveying considerable,
body OF red, muddy water. The timber is heav
Ter, and varied by considerable quantity O
oak, bowdock, honey-locust and persimmon
Deer, antelope, hares and rabbits, foxes
wolves, cyottes, racoons, opossums, muskrats
minks, weasels, and skunks, abound. The ex
tensive bottom is generally quite level, and tn,
serpentine course of the river renders irrigatier
an easy matter
We remained five days on this river. wher
camp Vancamp was broken up, and Maio
Emory, with his command took up the line O
march for home. Our next camp was at Bea,
creek, the water of which is strongly impreg
mated with gypsum.
At this camp we lost by accident, the frs
man since the commencement of the cam
Palgn' Inc unfortunate young man had LEFT
the command for the purpose of hunting. and
1
| The attention of another hunter was attracted
by the mournful bowling of dog. And or
repairing to the spot, he found the dog of Mar
| TIN Gerringer, the deceased, sitting on the bank
and INDUCING IN lamentations of the most mel
| ancholy strain. His horse, still dripping with
water, was standing on a sand bar in the mid
die of the river. The horse swan over. and
was led into camp; but no inducements what.
ever could persuade the faithful dog TO leave
the watery grave of his master. When the
story was told in camp, Captain Carr's com
pany, to which the deceased belonged. turned
out en- mdsse, and went to recover the BODY. 1t
was found in the river near where the dog still
sat, at the depth of twenty feet His horse, in
piunglng into the deep water, had thrown him
over his head, and then struck him three times
with his feet breaking his skull Just above the
left temple, and making two frightful gashes
on his face, one over the right eye, another
across the mouth. They buried him on high
point near by, and with the honors of war.
Martin Gerringer was young man of intelli-
gence, some education, Of quiet and anna
BILE disposition, and promised fair to become a
valuable, useful, and honorable member of so
ciety, when he returned to the pursuits of civil
life, after the expiration of his term of service.
he was beloved by all his comrades and his
untmey death cast deep gloom over camp.
The next day we were in our saddles nine
weary hours, and made a long march over. for
the most part, barren, sterile, dry, and sandy
country; and just as the sun was hiding him.
self behind picturesque grove of rustling
pines, we halted at the springs from which /
date these jottings. An hour before arriving
here, we obtained the first view of the Washta
mountains. They appear like far-dlstant dark
clouds just rising up in the southern horizon.
l have not time to attempt description Of
the grandly picturesque scenery by which our
camp is environed. But lest you should be de-
ceived as to the general character of the coun-
try from which / have been writing for some
time, it we're well that | should here remark
that all the highlands lying between the creeks
and rivers are generally dry and sterile and
grHZrrgl raat rhsHe, a--snlinannr at araas f,r
purposes. But the bottom lands along the
barge and small watercourses form delightful
GASES in this portion of the Great American
Desert. l have, however, seen no large Sec
ton of country this year but what could be
made inhabitable for man, if the density of
our population required room for spreading
Only few days march eastward and we
reach fine fertile country, where nearly every
acre can be made tillable.
One day, while encamped on the Washita,
took spade, and rambled out. on the high.
BOoS
ming the roots of some peculiar plants which
had attracted my attention and excited curl
osity. After completing my researches, con
cluded to visit prairie-dog town, situated on
broad plateau still farther off. On first en-
tering the town, there was a tremendous chat
tering and chirping, and a mighty hustle and
running and frisking hither and thither. BY
and by, all was hushed, and silent, and lonely
not living object to be seen, or a sound to
be heard. Walking on until far within the
city limits, sat down in a bunch of high grass,
to patiently await some new development of
city life among these strange inhabitants.
From time to time, rattlesnake, who was
being coiled up in the door of one of the pra-
rie- dog houses would elevate his head, dart
forth his fiery forked tongue, and sound hate
full rattle of defiance. Little prairie ground
owls occasionally stepped forth and peered
around them, with comical look and queer
twisting of their cat-like heads and, as if not
quite satisfied, again retreated to the interior
of their dark abodes. And, last Of all, the prai.
RE dog, more timid than his allies, came eau
tiously, not trusting more than half his graceful
body to be exposed to view while he reconnoi-
tired the premises, and after uttering few
sharp chirps to warn off intruders, retired.
dissatisfied with the reception | met with
from the vast population of this city, / invited
myself into one Of the principal houses, and
forced an entrance with my spade. My object
was to make myself acquainted with the ar
rangement Of their domestic affairs. But, be-
fore giving the result of my observations, per
nit me to give you short sketch of their nat
ural history manners, and habits, as seen ex-
teriorly by all Western travellers.
1t is curious fact in natural history, that the
prairie dog, ground owl, and rattlesnake, live to
gether in large communities, and on terms OF
the most perfect friendship. Often we have
secretly crossed to some position where we could
remain unobserved and watched their move.
ments for hours.
The prairie dog is a saucy, merry, risky lit
tie chap, with graceful form and movements.
He is somewhat larger than the fox squirrel,
which animal he resembles more than he does
dog, has pretty little round ears, and long,
hand-ike fore paws, of yellowish-brown color,
and is vegetarian in his diet.
The little prairie owl is about the size of a
cock grouse, but nearly round in his shape
His underparts are white, while his head, back
and wings, are of light brown. Two tufts OF
feathers on each side of his head give it the
appearance of that Of cat. He sings no song,
but utters peculiar noise by swapping his
crooked bill together, and occasionally screams
in a melancholy manner. The queer habit he
has of twisting his head from side to side, and
winking at you with both eyes at once, is really
comical.
Almost everybody has seen the ever-dreaded
rattlesnake But the ally of the marmot is
generally larger and shorter in proportion to
his bulk than his brother, who crawls over civil
lied medows and moorlands. He is darker, has
yellowish spots, is very impertinent, and alto
gether more loathsome and revolving creature.
How the funloving prairie dog and the grave,
sedate, and wise owl, can reconcile themselves
in admitting his snakeship into their otherwise