A SURPRISE. 171 



In size, he is considerably larger than the common cur-dog, and is more 

 agile in his movements. Unlike the bear, he will not run from the preseace 

 or scent of man, and regards the " lord of creation " with neither fear nor 

 favor. Hence he is looked upon as a creature much to be dreaded by ail 

 who are anywise conversant with his character and existence. 



The representatives of his family are seldom met with, which affords the 

 principal reason why so little, comparatively, is known of his nature and 

 habits. 



If the information contained in the above description is correct, (and that 

 it is so, I have not the least doubt,) the "carcague " presents, either the ex- 

 traordinary phenomenon of the creation of a new race of wild beasts, or, 

 the living relics of an order now almost extinct ; and, whether he be the one 

 or the other, his existence is vested with deep interest to all lovers of the 

 marvellous. 



An old trapper related the following story, soon after the incident above 

 noticed, which will serve to give some idea of this ferocious animal : 



A party of hunters, at their night camp, were seated around a large fire, 

 at whose side were fixed several pieces of meat, en appolas, for the purpose 

 of roasting. All were waiting patiently the kind office of the fire in the 

 preparation of their longed-for suppers, when, attracted by the fumes of 

 the cooking viands, a " carcague " came bounding from the mountain-side, 

 directly over their heads, and m.ade for the roasts, with which he disappeared 

 before even a shot could be fired in their defence. 



Thus bold and daring is their nature, and so little is their regard for the 

 presence of man. 



Bearing southward, in the course of a few miles we came to a large 

 creek, and camped early in the afternoon, near the base of a lofty mountain 

 of the Medicine Bow range. 



In this vicinty were the relics of three Indians forts. On the banks of 

 the stream was an abundance of timber of various kinds ; the bottoms 

 were broad and of a rich soil, shut in by abrupt acclivities that lead to the 

 arid plains through which the creek traces its way. 



Game appeared in great abundance in all directions, and seemed more 

 than usually tame and accessible. 



Soon after camping, three of us went in quest of a fresh supply of eat- 

 ables, and, towards night, returned with the choice portions of a buffalo 

 and a black-tailed dear. 



The valley also afforded large quantities of wild onions, which were 

 shooting forth with singular luxuriance. 



We passed the night in quiet slumber, neither of us dreaming of the 

 possible existence of human beings, other than ourselves, within a less 

 distance than one hundred miles. 



In the morning, however, we were awakened by the wild yell of savages, 

 and, on looking to ascertain the cause, saw a dense throng of painted 

 monsters surrounding us, who were w^hooping, screeching, and dancing ic 

 a most terrific and fantastic manner. Seizing our guns, we levelled at th? 

 foremost of tliern, who immediately sheathed their bows and made the sign 

 of friendship and their nation. 



