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The Diary of James Brogden, August 1871 – December 1872

7 September 1871

7 September 1871

We passed Prairie Dog City, a place in which these little animals live in great numbers. In size they are about as large as a rabbit, but in appearance rather like a large stoat. They burrow in the ground like rabbits, and then sentinels, always on the look out, give the alarm, whereupon the inhabitants all bolt into their holes. We found them sitting up on their little banks in the most imprudent manner, watching the train as it passed. The wolves feed on them, but it is a hard morsel to catch, evidently. We saw five of themwolves at work on a carcass, who caring nothing for the passing train, and antelopes in abundance. We breakfasted at Sydney Barracks, one of the American Outposts for protection against Indians, dined at Cheyenne, named from a tribe of Indians, and had tea at Laramie, a place mentioned in all books of travel over the Rocky Mountains, and a favorite hunting ground of the Indians. Here the cattle in the Waggons crossing the mountains got their best feed, and almost their last good page 12 one before entering the Desert of the Rocky Mountains. We saw the Prairie on fire further on, which was a marvellous sight indeed!