Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-06-26
TIE CHAMOIS HUNTERS
 LEAP sss Edward ss $. Ellis.
Edward 5. Ellis.

him alone, and snot hlm on the lofteSt peaks; but neither you nor mother knew of it. Now, when she has given her assent, why should you hesitate?"
 'I do not. Come on, Xivin.
 It was the old Bavarian chamos hum ter. Frohmaur, who had been known for 50 years as one ef The most daring and skillful of those engaged in this dan- gerons calling, who spoke thus to his son, tall, graceful youth of 15. This lad was courageous, with a quick eye, q sure foot and that presence of mind in danger which so frequently settles the question of life or death with him who is concerned.
 It was in their own humble home at the foot of the towering mountains, miles beyond the nearest Bayarian vil- lage, that the iron-limbed and grim old Frohmaur, with his grizzled locks. but with his eagle eye undimmed sat down to 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 roebuek, and weighs from 50 to 60 pounds. Its color varies with the seasons, being dasky, yellowish brown in summer 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 tawny.. while the black stripe reaching from the eyes to the mouth never changes.
 The horns of the ehamois are six or seven inches in length, and are crooked backward at the end. a peculiar shape which has led some 10 believe he uses them to hook on to the rocks when his foothold is uncertain. However. this is an error, the principal 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 maryelously acute, and the faintest foot prints in the snow will send him flying with the speed of the wind in an oppo- site direction. His hoofs are shaped like those of the sheep, but are longer and more pointed, 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 ice 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.
 Frohmaur and his son left their home on clear, sunlit morning, and began toiiing up the mountain. Each had his rife slung across his shoul- ders, besides his "reick-saek," or bag holding his spy-glass, drinking cup, bullets and incidentals, while his iron shod staff was grasped in his right hand.
 Father and son continued toiling steadily upward until the sun was di- rectly overhead. Such tremendous ex- ertions would have exhausted any mar unaceustomed to it, but when the two finally halted, their faces were scarce ly flushed, nor was there any increase in their respiration.
 "New," said the father. Eve must look for game.
 There ought 10 be some in sight. for we have passed many buds and shoots of the latschen," said Xiyin, referring to the favorite food of the chamois.
 The father without making reply, slowly turned around on his hob-naiIed shoes, as he scanned the peaks and crags above him. Such survey occu- pied number of minutes, and when he was through he lowered the glass, with B sigh over his failure.
 Meanwhile Xivin initiated the same maneuver, using his young and keen eyes for all they were worth. Sud- denly he laughed:
 "Ha, ha, father, my eyes are better than yours. You missed the ehamois, which I have seen"
 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 bushes growing"
 <tds J Od EdN uAlls tINIis Hdid -NlAli. pleased 10 find his fathers sight So good. You detected him at once, and you were only testing me-
 Such was the fact, and Frohmaur, the father, was no less pleased than his son over the keenness of sight displayed by the boy.
 The ehamois, which was dark speck  to the naked eye, was plainly outlined through the glasses. He was lying down, as if for monday rest, and seemed to be chewing his cud. with no suspicion of danger. He was too far away 10 be reached with rife ball, and the hunters immediately began the at- tempt to get nearer,
 This was where the real difficulty and | peril of their business became man. ifest. It Was necessary to descend into a vast rocky raVine make their way |