t two hundred
of these animals are in existence,--the sole survivors of the
millions that once thundered over the western plains, and disputed
with the Indians the ownership of this great continent.

[Illustration: YELLOWSTONE ELK.]

Until very recently, travelers on our prairies frequently beheld the
melancholy sight of laborers gathering up the buffalo bones which
lay upon the plains, like wreckage floating on the sea. Hundreds of
carloads of these skeletons were shipped to factories in the east.
Now, to protect the few remaining buffaloes, as well as other
animals, our troops patrol the Park even in winter. The principal
stations are connected by telephone, and information given thus is
promptly acted on. No traveler is allowed to carry fire-arms; and any
one who attempts to destroy animal life is liable to a fine of one
thousand dollars, or imprisonment for two years, or both.

[Illustration: BUFFALOES IN THE SNOW.]

[Illustration: GATHERING BUFFALO BONES.]

Still another task, devolving upon the Military Governor of the Park,
is the building and repairing of its roads. No doubt the
Superintendent is doing all he can with the amount of money that the
Government allows him; but there is room for great improvement in
these thoroughfares, if Congress will but make a suitable
appropriation for the purpose. At present, a part of the
coaching-route is of necessity traveled over twice. This should be
obviated by constructing one more road, by which the tourist could be
brought to several interesting features of the Park that are now
rarely seen.

Every one knows how roads in Europe climb the steepest grades in easy
curves, and are usually as smooth as a marble table, free from
obstacles, and carefully walled-in by parapets of stone. Why should
not we possess such roads, especially in our National Park? Dust is
at present a great drawback to the traveler's pleasure here; but this
could be prevented if the roads were thoroughly macadamized. Surely,
the honor of our Government demands that this unique museum of
marvels should be the pride and glory of the nation, with highways
equal to any in the world.

[Illustration: A YELLOWSTONE ROAD.]

[Illustration: LIBERTY CAP.]

Only a few hundred feet distant from the Mammoth Springs Hotel
stands a strange, naturally molded shaft of stone, fifty-two feet in
height. From certain points its summit calls to mind the head-dress
of the Revolution, and hence its name is Libert