200 BUFFALO LAND. 



cue. He sometimes frightens away the persecutors, 

 but the charges generally kill the client. 



For the benefit of those of my readers who have 

 never seen a member of that unfortunate rabbit 

 family which has been christened by such a humili- 

 ating given name, I would state that the species is 

 remarkable for its very long ears, and very long legs. 

 If the reader, being a married man, desires a picto- 

 rial representation of this animal, let him draw a don- 

 key a foot high on the wall, and if his wife does not 

 interrupt by drawing a broomstick, he may be satis- 

 fied that his work is well done, and a life-size jackass- 

 rabbit will stand out before him. 



A mile from the scene of this adventure Silver 

 Creek joined the Saline, and at the junction it was 

 determined to make our camp. We descended 

 among heavy "brakes," staying our loaded wagons 

 with ropes from behind. Immense quarries of the 

 soft, white limestone rrfse from the valley's bed to 

 the level of the plains above, and the rains of cen- 

 turies had fashioned out pillars and arches, giving 

 them the appearance of ancient ruins staring down 

 upon us. Mr. Colon picked up a fine moss agate 

 and the Professor a Kansas diamond. Under the 

 surface of the former were several figures of bushes 

 and trees, outlined as distinctly as the images one sees 

 blown into glass. The diamond was as large as a 

 hazel nut and as clear as a drop of pure water, so 

 that, notwithstanding its size, ordinary print could be 

 easily read through it. Had it possessed a hardness 

 corresponding with its beauty, the Professor could 



