The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-07-08
The CHAMOIS HUNTERS
LEAP ~ EDWARD ss 5. rn...
A Nd SO, my SON, You think 20,

of assistance to me in hunting the
chamois Of the mountains?"
Il am sure of it, father. have hunted
aim alone, and shot him on the Hottest
peaks; but neither you nor mother knew
Of il. Now, when she has given her
assent, why should you hesitate?"
II do not. Come on, Xivin.
Ii was the old Bavarian chamois hun
ter, Frohmaur, who had been known for
30 years as one Of the most DARING and
skillful Of those engaged in this dan
gerous calling, who spoke thus to his
son, a tall, graceful youth of Is. This
lad was courageous. with "A 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 humble home at
the foot Of the towering mountains.
miles beyond the nearest Bavarian vii
lage. that the iron-limbed and grim old
Frohmaur, with his grizzled locks. but
with his eagle eye undimmed, sat down
10 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 80 to GO pounds. Its color
varies with the seasons, being a dusky,
.a11.N-fGb k-nx.p -, uut,,,as Haul.
brown in autumn. and a je; 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 chamois are six or
seven inches In length. and are crooked
backward at the end. a peculiar shape
which has led some to believe he uses
them 10 hook on TO the rocks when his
foothold is uncertain. However, this is
an error, the principal use of the horus
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 magniicen. 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 a clear. slnlit morning. and
began toiiing up the mountain. Each
had his rife slung across his shori-
dcrs. besides his "reick-sack.' or bag
holding his spy-giass, drinking cup.
bullets and incidentals. while his iron
shod staff vas grasped in his right
hand.
Father and son continued toiling
steadily upward until the sun was d.
rectly overhead. Such tremendous ex-
ertions would have exhausted any mar
unaccustomed to il, but when the two
finally halted, their faces were scarce
~ flushed, nor was there any increase
In their respiration.
Now said the father. 1--WE must
look for game"
There ought TO be some in sight. for
we have passed many buds and shoots
Of the latschen." said Xivin. referring
to the favorite food of the chamois.
The father. without making reply.
slowly turned around on his hob-nailed
shoes. as he scanned the peaks and
crags above him. Such a survey occu-
pied "a number OF minutes. and when he
was through he lowered the glass, with
a sigh over his failure.
Meanwhile Xivin initiated the same
maneuver, using his young and keer
eyes for all they were worth. Sud-
denly he laughed:
"Ha, ha, father. my eyes are better
than yours. You missed the chamois,
which l 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"
"Ah, you saw him, then" said Xixin.
pleased to find his fathers sight So
good. you detected him at once, and
you were only testing me"
Such wasthe fact. and Frohmaur. the
father, was no less pleased than his son
over the kecnness of sight displayed
by the boy.
The chamois, which was a dark speck
TO the naked eye, was plainly outlined
through the glasses. He was lying
down. as il for a monday rest, and
seemed to be chewing his cud, with no
suspicion Of danger. He was too far
away 10 be reached with a rife ball. and
ihe hunters Immediately began the at
Tempt 10 get nearer.
This was where the real difficulty and
neril Of their business became man
Hest. u was necessary to descend into
= vast. rocky r%avine, make their way
q long distance to the right, and then