precious, in truth, that she will gladly give her own life if need be for their protection. Could a human mother do more? She's a tender and patient teacher, this wild mother; her little ones must be taught self-protection, a knowledge of wood craft and forest lore, who are enemies and who are friends.
The hunted creatures develop a marvellous sagacity for detecting signs and scents and prove in many ways that experience and careful training stands them in better stead than instinct. Animals are gifted with natural endowments the same as human beings are—no two animals are mentally equal. Consequently the brighter ones are apt to enjoy longer life and a greater degree of prosperity than their more stupid brothers. Some excel in thrift, others in cunning, great speed, endurance, foresight, a highly developed organism for sensing things, the ability to plan, to execute, command, serve and obey. Such are the things they have in common with us.
In writing this book I have tried to be true to the last detail. This work is not fiction. It
