SAGE RABBITS. 31 



wide and of a deep brown vegetable mould, susceptible of a high state of 

 cultivation. The whole country is well adapted to the double purpose of 

 agriculture and the growth of stock. 



The prevailing rock is sandstone of various shades and compactness, 

 with siliceous and fossiliferous limestone. These specifications are gene- 

 rally exhibited in a detached and fragmentary form, but rarely in strata as 

 disclosed upon the surface. 



Taken as a whole, the territory holds out many inducements to emi- 

 grants, and, whenever brought into market, will no doubt become speedily 

 and thickly populated.* 



Sept. SOlJi. We are again under headway. A French engage, who 

 had been suffering for several days past from a severe attack of the fever 

 and ague, experienced a sudden and novel cure. Unable to travel, quar- 

 ters were prepared for him in one of the whiskey waggons, where he was 

 comfortably disposed of as we continued our course. In passing a rough 

 place the waggon overset, when out came the invalid head foremost, and 

 out came the ivMskey barrels showering full upon him ! The suddenness 

 of the fall, with the surprise and excitement of the occasion, — one, or both, 

 or all, or some other cause unknown, eflected a complete cure, — for cer- 

 tain it is, he did not suffer another attack of the fever and ague during 

 the whole journey, and the next day was able to discharge his duties as 

 well a?5 ever. 



On atriking the Big Blue, the mountain road bears a north-northwest 

 course to the head of that stream, and from thence over an interval of high- 

 lands to the Platte river. The distance travelled up the Blue requires some 

 eight days, for heavy waggons. Continuing our way, about noon we passed 

 several Indian trails, in addition to one ten or twelve or fifteen miles back. 

 These consist of a number of well-beaten, parrallel foot-paths, bearing a 

 northwest and southwest direction. They are formed by the passing and 

 repassing of the Otoes, lowas, and Foxes, to and from their hunting 

 grounds, towards the head-waters of the Kansas. 



On the 3d of October we reached the antelope range, and saw four or 

 five of these animals scouring the boundless expanse, or ascending some 

 favorable eminence to gaze upon us. Slight signs of buffalo also appeared, 

 and everything seemed to indicate the approach to a game country. 



Parting a short distance from the trail, a large sage rabbit bounded up 

 before me, — the first of his species I ever saw. This animal is nearly 

 three times the size of the com.mon rabbit, and of a white color, slightly 

 tinged with grey. It derives its name from being found principally in coun- 

 tries abounding with absinthe or wild sage. In the regions adjacent to the 

 mountains, these animals occur more frequently, — and even among the 

 mountains, where their tails and ears are tipped with jetty black. Their 

 fur is soft and fine, — equalling if not surpassing that of the Russia rabbit. 

 Their flesh is also of a superior flavor, as I have had opportunities of 

 testing. 



Towards night, three antelope appearing near the trail, our hunter made 



* By a recent treaty with the Kansas Indians, our government has become possessed 

 of nearly the whole of this beautiful section. 



