Page:Babyhood of Wild Beasts.djvu/166

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THE BABYHOOD OF WILD BEASTS

heights of the mountains, and in a short time he learns to leap from crag to crag over ravines and gullies with the ease of a chamois. This youngster soon acquires a fleetness of foot, a steadiness of purpose and a gift of reasoning that mark him the general of the hoof animals. When pursued by his enemies he finds a line of retreat where nothing can follow except an eagle or an aëroplane. He is the best rock climber of the hoofed fellows, and, excepting the musk-ox, is the only ungulate (hoofed animal) not panic-stricken by dogs.

Deer, sheep and elk sometimes jump to their deaths when attacked, but not so with Mr. Mountain Goat. He plans his campaign like the general he is, and woe unto the dogs that fall victims to his cyclonic charges and the vicious stabs from his razor-like horns. His sharp hoofs soon reduce an enemy to pulp and he is left victorious, the monarch of all he surveys.

The dangers mountain goats face are many. The mother goats are courageous protectors and devoted to their little ones. They guard them