The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-07-28

obN NtSCh biDEGt EO idi dS POssI
! BILE; and wo to the unlucky calf that stray
(Which be seldom docs) outside Of the ex
terror line of defense formed by the bulls
If very large and hungry, the Gray VOL
will sometimes maDage to cut COW of
from the herd. and. interposipg between
her and ber comp anions, detain or drive
her further away, until she is beyond the
hope Of rescue, when her doomed is seal
ed. His liveliest hope, however, is that
of finding a buffalo whom some bunte er
has wounded, so that he cannot keep up
with the herd, especially should it be
stampeded. Let him once get such one
by himself, and few snaps at her ham,
strings taking excellent care to keep out
of the way Of his horns, iDsures that the
victim will have ceased to be buffalo,
aud become mere wolf-meat before an
other morning.
1t is impossible for stranger to the
prairies to realize the impudence Of these
prairie lawyers OF some twenty of them
that | have seen within the last two days,
| think not six have really run from u.s.
One We saw just before US two hours ago,
kept on bis way across the prairie, stop
ping occasionly to take good look at US,
but not burrying himself in the least on
our account, though for some minutes
within good rife range. Once to, day.
our division superintendent sent ball af-
ter one who was making very deliberate
time away from US, hitting bin in quar-
ter where the compliment should have
expedited his notion; but it did not seem
to have that effect. 1t is very common
for these wolves to follow at night man
travelling the road on mule, not making
belligerent demonstrations, but waiting
for whatever may turn up. Sometimes,
the Express wagons have been followed
in this way, but think that unusual.-
But this creature is up to anything where
in there is a chance for game.
The Prairie-Dog is the funny fellow of,
these parts-frisky himself and source
of merriment to others. He dens on any
dry, grassy ground-usually on the dry
est part of the high prairie--aud his hole
is specifically very large ant-hill, with
the necessary orifce in its center. On
this ant-hil sits the proprietor--often
more than one--a chunky little fellow, in
size between gray squirrel and rab-
bit-say about half woodcbuck. When
we approach, be raises the cry Of danger
no bark at all, but something between
the piping of frog on a warm Spring e.
vening, and the noise made by very
young puppy-then drops into his bole,
and is silent and invisible. The holes are
not very regularly placed, but some thir
thirty feet apart, and when | say that |
believe We have to day passed within
sight of at least three square miles of these
holes, the reader can guess how many Of
these animals must exist here, even sup
posing that there is usually but one to
each hole. judge that there cannot be
less than hundred square miles of Prai-
rie. Dog towns within the present Buffalo
range.
That the Prairie Dog and the Owl-of
a small, brown-backed, white bellied spe-
cies d. live harmoniously in the same
hole, know, for | have seen it. pre-
sumo the Owl pays for bis lodgings like
a gentleman, probably by turning iu some
provisions toward the supply of the com
nj on table. If so, this is the most sue
ressful example of Industrial and House
hold Association yet furnished. That
the Rattlesnake is ever admitted as
third partner, [ Indignantly deny. No
!oubt, he has been found in the Prairie
Dogs home-it would be just like him to
seek so cosy nest--but be doubtless en-
tered like true Border Ruffian, and con-
rived to make himself deal more free
han welcome Politeness, or (if you
olease) prudence, may have induced the
.igbtful owner to submit to joint ten
lncy at will--the will of the tenant, not
hat of the rightful laudlord--but no con-
ent was ever given. unless under con-
traiut Of that potent logic which the in
ruder carries at the tip of bis tail.
OF Antelope, l have seen many, but
lot so near at hand as could wish.
lefer speaking of them 10 the hope Of a
'etter acquaintance.
A word now of the face of the country: a.,
For more than a hundred miles back |
lave seen no stone, and think there is
zone, except at great depth. Solomon's
Fork, where We LETT its vicinity, is now
tream two rods wide, running but four !
o six inches of water over bed OF pure
and, at depth of some three or four
luulred feet below the high prairie level }
# the country. I infer that there is no
ock 10 place for at least that depth. The !,
ubsoil of the praries is generally a loa.
ny clay, resting on bed of sand. The 7
-ioleut though not frequent rains of this
egion form sheets of water, which rush <
own the slopes into the water-courses, J
shich they rapidly swell into torrents.
Which, meeting no resistance from rocks
II roots of trees, are constantly deepen
ng or widening the raynes which run
own to the creeks on everyside. These II
uIies or gorges have. originally steep, a
banks, over which, IN times $
f heavy rain, sheets Of water go tumbling
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