Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-07-28
THE CHAMOIS HUNTERS
LEAf ~ Edward 5. Ellis.

A ND so, my son, you think you
IA ara ola orJ sl,;lla,1 ano,,rb 70 ba


peaks; but neither you nor mother knew
of it. Now, when she has given her
assent, why should you hesitate?"
Il do not. Come ON, Xivin.
1t was the old Bayarian channels hun
ter. Frohmaur, who had been known for
80 years as one OF the most daring and
skillfui Of those engaged in this dan
gerous calling, who spoke thus to his
son, a tall, grsceful yosth of IS. This
lad was courageous. with quick eye, a
sure foot and that presence of mind IN
danger which so frequently settles the
question Of life or death with him who
Is concerned.
1t was in their own humble home at
the foot of the towering mountains,
miles beyond the nearest BavarlaE vii
lage. that the iron-limbed and grim old
'Frohmaur, with his grizzled locks, but
with his eagle eye undimmed, sat down
20 talk with his only child, while the
good wife moved about the small apart
ment in the pursuit of her household
duties.
Chamois hunting Is one of the most
peculiarly dangerous sports, or, rather,
businesses, known. The animal is
slightly larger than the roebuck, and
weighs from so to so posnds. Its color
varies with the seasons, being a dusky.
yellowish brown in summer, a dark
brown in autumn, and jet black In
winter, excepting the hair Of the fore
head. the under part, and the hair that
overhangs the hoof, which always re-
mains tawDy, while the black stripe
reaching from the eyes to the mouth
never changes.
The horns Of the chamois are six or
seven inches in length, aEd are crooked
backward at the end, peculiar shape
which has led some to believe he uses
them TO hook on to the rocks when his
foothold is uncertain. However, this is
an error, the pT lncipal use of the horns
being for fighting purposes.
Tie chamois Is wonderfully adapted
to his life among the mountain peaks
and crags. His sight and scent are
marvelously acute, and the faintest foot
prints in the snow will send him flying
with the speed OF the wind in sn oppo-
site direction. His hoofs are shaped
like those of the sheep, but are longer
and more po onted, remarkably fitted
for sliding rather than stepping.
In standing still, or walking on level
ground the chamois looks awkward,
but he is at home among the Zee and
mountains. His legs are So constructed
that he can make magnificent leaps, and
in dropping from considerable height
they act as springs or cushions and pre-
vent injuries and shocks which in other
animals would be fatal.
Tgohn1auT and his soA left theI-
home on clear, sunIit morning, and
began toiiing up the mountain. Each
had his rifle slung across his shoul-
.ders, besides his "reick-sack," or bag
holding his spy-giass, drinking cup,
bullets and incidentsis. while his iron
shod staff was grasped in his right
hand.
Father-rnd son cor'..T1Ii toilirg
steadily upward untn tne sun was III
rectly overhead. Such mendous ex-
ertions would have exhausted any nan
unaccustomed TO II, but when the two
finally hailed, their faces were scarce
ly flushed, nor was there any increase
In their respiration.
Now" said the father, 1--WE must
look for game"
There ought 70 be some in sight, for
we have passeo n-Any buds and shoots
Of the latschen." said Xivin, referring
to TIE favo-ite food of The chamois
Tie father, without making reply,
slowly turned around on his hob-paiied
shoes, as be scanned The peaks AID
crags above him. Such survey occu-;
pied n number of minutes, and when he
was through he lowered the glass, with
a sigh over his failure.
Meanwhile Xivin Initiated the same
naneuver, using his young and keen
eyes for all they were worth. Sud-
denly he laughed:
"Ha, ha, father, my eyes are better
which have seem
The father smiled, as he said;
"He is lying on the ground, just to
the left Of that rock, on the top OF which
are some bushos growing"
"Ah, you saw him, them" sn'd Xixin,
pleased to find his fathers sight 50
good you detected him at once. and
you were only testing me-"
Such was the fact, and Frohmnur, the
father, was no less pleased than his soa
over the keenness of sight displayed
by the boy.
The chamo's, which was dark spcck
20 the naked eye, wac plainly outlined
through the glasses. He was lying
down, as II for MONDAY rest, and
seemed 10 be chewing bis cud. with no.
suspicion Of danger. He was too far
away TO be reached with rife ball, aud
the hunters Immediately began the at
tempt to get nearer.
This was where the real difficulty and
peril OF their business became man
Fest, 1t was necessary to descend into
. vast, rocky ravine, make their way
long distance TO the right and then
climb uP q series of precipioes on the
left, before they could hope to approach
within rife shot of him.
When father and son had attained @
place where they deemed II best to climb
upward, they began the lnborious and
dangerous task. Tho elder, by right Of
his greater experience, took the lead,
btst his son was only the necessary dis
q ace behind him.
Steadily and carefully they went up
ward, until 81 last they reached table
of rock, along Ehlch they crept on their
hands and knees, until they finally at-
tained the point CT observation That had
been their destination for tho last two
l,ours.
Our friends were now within safe rife
shot. aud the father had given Xivin TO
understand that the game was bis. 1t
was with the GOODNESS and precision OF
a veteran, therefore, that the lad pointed
his rife, took deliberate aim and fired.
Before the smoke lifted from the muz-
zle Of his gun, he saw the chamois spring
to Its feet, make IA couple of bounds.
and then disappear over the edge of to
Cliff.
They were pretty certain where fAs
dead animal would be found, aud the
hunters began picking their way dowk-
ward.
The hooked staveB they carried were
Indispensable, 81 may be said, and they
used them with the skill OF T. pine
guides.
Frohmnur was some distance In sd-
vance OF Xivin. when IL became necss-
sary for him TO make n dangerous leaa,