A Lake of Petroleum. 



This little freak of nature lies hidden away among the 

 Wind River Mountains at an elevation of about 6,000 feet, six- 

 teen miles south of Lander, Wyoming. It is situated in the 

 valley of the Little Popongee River, at a point where it leaves 

 the giant mountains and winds off through Red Canyon toward 

 the foot-hills. 



The face of the mountains, all around for hundreds of feet, 

 is composed of red sandstone. The soil, and even the clouds 

 of dust that come sweeping up the road into our faces, was of 

 a brick-red color. This is probably what suggested the name 

 to the one who christened this narrow valley "Red Canyon." 

 The original oil spring burst through a crack in the red sand- 

 stone, at a point where a break appears to have occurred in 

 the solid rock. At least, this is the way it looks to an ob- 

 server; for, while the layers of rock in other parts of the coun- 

 try are found one layer upon another in regular order, as if 

 pushed up by some powerful force below, here, in the region 

 of the old springs, the order of nature seems to be reversed, 

 and it looks as though the surface had dropped in toward the 

 center, forming a natural basin. 



For many years the flow of oil from the springs and wells 

 in the vicinity has flowed into this depression until a consider- 

 able lake has been formed. It is a mass of pure petroleum, 

 many feet deep, which has become very thick and sticky on 

 account of the evaporation of the lighter portions. The density 

 seems to increase with the depth ; and it is so thick and tenaci- 

 ous at the bottom that a pole forced down into it eight or ten 

 feet cannot be withdrawn. Its mirrored surface is never dis- 

 turbed by the wind. No matter how fiercely the gale may sweep 

 up through the canyon, it never kicks up any disturbance 

 on this little lake. It remains as smooth and unruffled as 

 though not a breath of air were stirring. 



Nature's traps are many, in all her different kingdoms, but 

 I know of none more deadly than this one. The restful bosom 



[187] 



