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may retreat in case of alarm, in winter descending lower, but 

 never quitting the mountains. There is a kind of earth met 

 with among slate-rocks, of which these sheep are remarkably 

 fond ; it is probably impregnated with salt, and by digging it 

 out, they form caves of a considerable size. I have been 

 repeatedly startled, when creeping along a narrow ledge of 

 rock, to find a whole flock of them thus engaged ; and as it 

 sometimes happens that such spots are accessible only by one 

 path, it is necessary to retreat as quickly as possible, or run 

 the risk of being thrown down by them and dashed over the 

 precipice. They appear to be tenacious of life, as they 

 frequently make good their escape after being severely 

 wounded. Their flesh is excellent, exactly resembling, both 

 in appearance and flavour, the best English mutton. The 

 IVhite Sheepi which I mentioned before as having fruitlessly 

 endeavoured to obtain, is another very interesting creature, 

 and peculiar to the Rocky Mountains. It is said to resemble 

 the common goat in every respect, except having a fine and 

 beautiful wool intermixed among the hair, particularly along 

 the back and buttocks. I have seen the skins of this animal, 

 but was not so fortunate as to procure a good specimen. 

 Although one of my main objects in going to the mountains 

 north of the Smoking River, was to obtain the llliite Sheep, 

 none were to be found, though at times they frequent that 

 neighbourhood in considerable numbers. 



The bears next claim our notice : and first, the Grisly Bear. 

 As I have already mentioned the only instance of my being 

 attacked by them, I have only to add that they are a very 

 formidable creature, from their great size and strength, being 

 said to prove an overmatch for every other animal inhabiting 

 these regions, not excepting the BufFaloe. They are 

 abundant about the Rocky Mountains, differing much in 

 colour, varying from a light grey to a dark chocolate hue; 

 the last kind beinrj said to be more ferocious than the others. 

 They abound among the mountains north of the Smoking 

 River. Except in the first instance, I always found the 

 bears disposed to retreat as fast as possible, without offering 

 the least affront; and as I was but indifferently armed, 



