ACSOSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 149 



an undergrowth of service bushes and other shrubs, and the path 

 is strewed, to a very inconvenient degree, with volcanic rocks. 

 In some of the ravines we find small springs of water; they are, 

 however, rather rare, and the grass has been lately consumed, 

 and many of the trees blasted by the ravaging fires of the In- 

 dians. These fires are yet smouldering, and the smoke from 

 them effectually prevents our viewing the surrounding country, 

 and completely obscures the beams of the sun. We travelled 

 this evening until after dark, and encamped on a small stream in 

 a gorge, where we found a plot of grass that had escaped the 

 burning. 



September 1st. — Last evening, as we were about retiring to 

 our beds, we heard, distinctly, as we thought, a loud halloo, 

 several times repeated, and in a tone like that of a man in great 

 distress. Supposing it to be a person who had lost his way in 

 the darkness, and was searching for us, we fired several guns at 

 regular intervals, but as they elicited no reply, after waiting a 

 considerable time, we built a large fire, as a guide, and lay down 

 to sleep. 



Early this morning, a large panther was seen prowling around 

 our camp, and the hallooing of last night Avas explained. It was 

 the dismal, distressing yell by which this animal entices its prey, 

 until pity or curiosity induces it to approach to its destruction. 

 The panther is said to inhabit these forests in considerable num- 

 bers, and has not unfrequently been known to kill the horses of 

 a camp. He has seldom the temerity to attack a man, unless 

 sorely pressed by hunger, or infuriated by wounds. 



