126 LARAMIE PASS. 



they were suddenly surrounded, early one morning, by a war-party of Sioux, 

 whose first salute was a discharge of fire-arms, accompanied by a shower 

 of arrows and the sharp thunder of deafening yells. 



Two of them fell dead. The remaining one retreated to a hollow tree, 

 close at hand, into which he crawled ; and, though severely wounded, 

 maintained from it an obstinate resistance till near sundown, — keep'ng at 

 bay the whole host of savage assailants, and thinning their numbers, one 

 by one, with the deadly discharge of his unerring rifle. 



Six warriors lay stiffened in death, and as many more had felt the burn- 

 ing smart of wounds, — one of the latter having had his tongue shot out, close 

 to its roots ! — and still he continued the unequal contest. 



His triumph would have been complete had not the remorseless crew, as 

 a last resort, set fire to the woods and burned him from the shell-like for- 

 tress from which they could not drive him. 



He fell with his companions, mingling his own blood with that of their 

 murderers ; and the scalps of the three were treasured among the horrid 

 trophies of savage victory. 



Of these unfortunate men, one, named Wheeler, was a Pennsylvanian ; 

 another, named Cross Eagle, was a Swede; and the third, name not re- 

 membered, was a native of France. They were men of noble hearts and 

 much esteemed by all who knew them. 



In the neighborhood I noticed many indications of coal, of which there 

 appeared to be extensive beds, as well as iron and mineral salts. 



Continuing on, a short ride brought us to the pass-trail, following which, 

 after travelling a few miles by a road intercepted by frequent ravines be- 

 tween a defile of mountains, we were finally ushered into the broad prairie, 

 opening eastward, known as the Plains of Laramie. 



The mountains upon both sides were heavily coated with snow, which 

 intruded to the trail, while groves of pine and aspen relieved the eye in 

 scanning their rough escarpments. 



The prevailing rock appeared to be a compact red granite, with occasional 

 strata of sandstone. 



While winding among the ravines and aspen groves, we obtained an in- 

 distinct view of a strange-looking, dark-colored animal, that my companions 

 pronounced a " carcague." 



Of the character, or even the existence of such a creature, I cannot 

 speak from positive knowledge — this, if one, not being sufficiently near for 

 a scrutinizing observation, and no other of its kind ever came in my way ; 

 but, in answer to inquiries, I am enabled to give the following description, — 

 for the correctness of which, however, I will not vouch, though, for my own 

 part, inclined to accredit it. . 



The " carcague " is a native of the Rocky Mountains, and of a family 

 and species found in no other part of the world as yet known. He seems 

 a distinct genus, partaking the mixed nature of the wolf and bear, but is far 

 more ferocious than either. 



His color is a jet black, hair long and coarse, and body trim and slender. 

 His head and neck are like those of a wolf, but his tail and feet assimilate 

 he bear, and his body presents the marked qualities and appearance of both. 



