prairie dogs had been discovered on the level summit of a hill', about a mile from the camp. Having heard much of the habits and peculiarities of these little animals', I determined to pay a visit to the community. The prairie dog is', in fact, one of the curiosities of the Far West, about which travelers delight to tell marvellous tales^, endowing him at times with something of the politic and social habits of a rational being', and giving him 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', and about the size of a rabbit. He is of a sprightly, mercurial nature', quick', sensitivé, and somewhat petulant. He is very gregarious', living in large communities', sometimes of several acres extent', where innumerable little heaps of earth show the entrances to the subterranean 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'; whisking about hither and thither, as if on gossiping visits to each other's houses', or congregating in the cool of the evening', or after a shower', and gamboling together in the open air. Sometimes', especially when the moon shines', they pass half' the night in revelry', barking or yelping with short', quick', yet weak tones', like those of very 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 remains 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 impotent wrath and defiance. The prairie dogs are not permitted to remain sole and undisturbed inhabitants of their own homes. Owls and rattlesnakes are said to take up their abodes with them; but whether as invited guests, or unwelcome intruders', is a matter of controversy. The owls are of a peculiar kind', and would seem to partake of the character of the hawk; for they are taller and more erect on their legs', more alert in their looks', and rapid in their flight', than ordinary owls', and do not confine their excursions to the night', but sally forth in broad day. Some say that they only inhabit cells which the prairie dogs have deserted', and suffered to go to ruin, in consequence of the death, in them', of some relative; for they would make out this little animal to be endowed with keen sensibility', that will * Viz. owls. not permit it to remain in the dwelling where it has witnessed the death of a friend. Other fanciful speculators represent the owl as a kind of housekeeper' to the prairie dog; and, from having a note very similar', insinuate' that it acts, in a manner, as family preceptor, and teaches the young litter to bark. As to the rattlesnaké, nothing satisfactory has been ascer tained of the part he plays in this most interesting household' ; though he is considered little better than a sycophant and sharper', that winds himself into the concerns of the honest', credulous little dog', and takes him in most sadly. Certain it is', if he acts as a toad-eater', he occasionally solaces himself with more than the usual perquisites of his order', as he is now and then detected with one of the younger members of the family in his maw. Such are a few of the particulars that I could gather about the domestic economy of this little inhabitant of the prairies', whó, with his pigmy republic', appears to be a subject of much whimsical speculation, and burlesque remarks', among the hunters of the Far West. It was towards evening that I set out with a companion', to visit the village in question. Unluckily', 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 sensitive community into confusion. As we approached' we could perceive numbers of the inhabitants seated at the entrances of their cells', while sentinels seemed to have been posted on the outskirts', to keep a look-out. At sight of us, the picket guards scampered in and gave the alarm'; whereupon every inhabitant gave a sharp yelp, or bark', and dived into his hole, his heels twinkling in the air' as if he had thrown a somerset. We traversed the whole village, or republic', which covered an area of about thirty acres'; but not a whisker of an inhabitant was to be seen. We probed their cells as far as the ramrods of our rifles would reach', but could unearth neither dog', nor owl', nor rattlesnake. Moving quietly to a little distance', we lay down upon the ground', and watched for a long timé, silent and motionless. By and by, a cautious old burgher would slowly put forth the end of his nose', but instantly draw it in again. Another', at a greater distancé, would emerge en tirely'; but', catching a glance of us^, would throw a somerset', and plunge back again into his hole. At length', some which resided on the opposite side of the village', taking courage from the continued stillness', would steal forth', and hurry off to a distant holé, the residence, probably', of some family connection', or gossiping friend', about whose safety they were solicitous', or with whom they wished to compare notes about the late oc currences. Others', still more bold', assembled in little knots', in the streets and public places', as if to discuss the recent outrages offered to the commonwealth, and the atrocious murders of their fellow burghers. We rose from the ground and moved forward, to take a nearer view of these public proceedings', when', yelp! yelp'! yelp`! there was a shrill alarm passed from mouth to mouth; the meetings suddenly dispersed'; feet twinkled in the air in every direction', and in an instant' all had vanished into the earth. The dusk of the evening put an end to our observations'; but the train of whimsical comparisons produced in my brain by the moral attributes which I had heard given to these little politic animals', still continued after my return to camp; and late in the night', as I lay awake after all the camp was asleep', and heard in the stillness of the hours' a faint clamor of shrill voices from the distant villagé, I could not help picturing to myself the inhabitants gathered together in noisy assemblage', and windy debaté, to devise plans for the public safety', and to vindicate the invaded rights' and insulted dignity' of the republic. LESSON XL. THE LAND OF THE BLEST. Anapestic verse of four feet. 1. "DEAR father', I ask for my mother in vain'; Has she sought some far country her health to regain'? For some warm sunny land', where the soft breezes blow?" 66 To a climate where sorrow and pain are unknown'; There is health', there is peacé, in the Land of the Blest." 2. "Is that land, my dear father', more lovely than ōurs'? Are the rivers more clear^, and more blooming the flowers'? Does summer shine over it all the year long'? Is it cheered by the glad sounds of music and song? *Sounds should be made short in rending. |